Just another weekend

Author: StargazerUK.

Category: A/I, with M/L & M/M .

Rating: PG 13

Disclaimer: I don’t own any of these Roswell characters, I have borrowed them.( If I did Alex & Isabel would be living happily ever after. )

Author's Note: This is my first attempt at fiction so please be gentle. This story is set around the first season with no sign of Tess, meaning Max & Liz are as happy as they should always have been.

There isn’t too much Stargazer-fiction out there and as I am a big Alex & Isabel fan I thought I would give this a go.

Finally I would like to dedicate this story to Kath and Stacey who have been nothing but supportive and good friends to me.

Chapter 1

Isabel sat in her room contemplating her options. It was a thought process she had been through many times before but she didn’t seem to get any nearer making a decision. It wasn’t that difficult a decision to make was it? Continue to keep everyone but Max & Michael at arms length or to let someone in, more to the point, let him in.

It wasn’t that she didn’t have feelings for him. In fact that was the thing that was so difficult about this whole situation. She had never felt for anyone the way she felt for him. She loved Max & Michael, obviously, but she wanted more than brotherly love, she wanted to be able to hold someone and to be held in return. The decision that had to be made was simple, was it worth the trouble that would come along with the breaking down of walls or should she keep herself to herself? She had seen both sides of the coin with the Max/Liz & Michael/Maria pairings. The way they looked at each other, the way they held each other and most definitely the way they kissed each other. But she had also seen the hurt that came too. It wasn’t the bickering between Michael and Maria that worried her, that was how they were. It wasn’t the will they won’t they aspect of Max & Liz’ relationship, if there was ever a couple that was meant to be together they were it and they would realise it soon enough. No! The problem she had was once she let Alex in she wasn’t sure she could survive without him should it not work out. He had spent many years chasing round after her like the good puppy dog she wanted but after her constant put downs and refusals he was beginning to lose heart, to lose interest. Isabel never doubted he would always love her, want her but would he always pursue her?

It was at this point the phone rang and jolted Isabel out of her mental argument.

A few moments later Max appeared at her door.

“Hey Isabel, Whatcha doing?”

“Hey Max, not much why?” Isabel could she Max was hyped up so she could guess that it had been Liz on the phone.

“Liz just called and wondered if we’d like to go to the Crashdown when it closes this evening? Her parent are out of town and as it’s Friday we don’t have to be up for school in the morning”

Seeing her trying to decide Max decided now was the time to play his trump card. “Alex will be there”.

“What the hell do you mean by that?” Isabel said leaping off the bed and giving Max her patented Ice Princess glare.

“I just thought you and Alex have been good friends for awhile now and I know you enjoy his company and I…….Wait a minute, what do you mean? What do I mean by that! Why are you being so defensive? I just thought you might like to join us at the Crashdown and it wouldn’t be fun for you without Alex because the rest of us are always paired up and leaving you on your own”. Max turned to leave “If you don’t want to come Iz no worries but you don’t have to bite my head off”.

“Max I’m sorry” Isabel said, barely above a whisper.. “It’s just….”,

“Just what Iz?” Max came back into the room and sat on the bed looking up at Isabel as she stared out of the window. “If there is something you want to speak about you know I am here for you”.

“You being here for me isn’t in question Max” she said turning to look at him “But having this type of conversation with my brother is”. With a sigh Isabel came to join Max on the bed. Max reached out his hand to cover Isabels and looked into her big, brown eyes.

“Isabel if you have feelings for Alex I think you should tell him” Max said.

“It’s not that simple Max and you know it”

“Yes I know Isabel, me of all people knows how difficult it can be to be with someone you love but if you ask me if I would give up one moment with Liz I would say NO! Straight away, without hesitation”.

Max though for a moment and took in a deep breath “Isabel, as your brother my duties include looking out for your well being, making sure you don’t fall for the wrong type of guy. All I can say is Alex is a great guy I know it, you know it and most importantly Liz & Maria who have been his best friends forever know it. I can’t say I would ever throw my sister into a relationship but if I am honest, if you decide you want to move on with Alex I wouldn’t stand in your way”.

Before Isabel could launch into a tirade at her brother for him giving permission for her to see Alex, Max threw his hands up in mock surrender.

“Iz I am not giving you permission to see Alex I am simply saying he’s a great guy and I think you have a great chance of having a long lasting relationship with…..”

The pillow hit Max square in the face stopping him from putting his feet any further into his mouth. The one thing he did remember as Isabel shoved him out into the hallway to slam the door was the smile on her face. Isabel was actually smiling at his comments which meant he may not have been saying the right things but he had a feeling his sister had come to a decision…..One that Alex was going to like.

The Crashdown was still open as the jeep pulled up. It was nearly 11pm so Max knew it would be closing any minute now. He stepped out of the car and walked round the front to join Isabel on the sidewalk. He followed her gaze and realised she was looking back down the street at Alex’ car that was parked further down on the opposite side of the road. As they pushed through the door they both saw Liz & Maria standing over the remaining customer trying to intimidate him into finishing the piece of pie he was pushing round his plate.

As soon as the door opened both girls looked towards the noise and both broke out into a smile when they saw Max & Isabel. Noticeably Liz continued to smile at Max while Maria went back to her customer watching. There isn’t a man born who can withstand the Deluca stare so quickly the man finished with his pie, left money to cover the bill that had already been totalled and put on his table and made his way out the door.

Liz, while hardly taking her eyes off of Max followed the man to the door, flipped the sign to closed and locked and bolted the doors.

By this time Max had already kicked into Liz gazing mode. After all of the on –off, on –off they were definitely in an ON phase which had been running for a few weeks now. Most of the time you could just about fit a sheet of paper between them and that was on a good day. The rest of the time you couldn’t see where one ended and the other one began.

As Isabel made her way to the back booth where Alex was sitting Maria headed towards the kitchen where Michael was cleaning the grill leaving Max & Liz in a lip lock which would stop traffic.

“Hey Alex” Isabel said as she sat down opposite him having taken off her coat and scarf. She couldn’t tell if he had noticed she was wearing the red sweater he had bought her last Christmas but she was pleased all the same for wearing it. It always made her feel comfortable and she often though of Alex when she wore it.

Alex, on the other hand, was anything but comfortable. He was pleased when Liz had invited him over and he was even more pleased when he heard Isabel was coming but he was still trying his best to keep his feelings for Isabel under control. He knew, as did everyone else at West Roswell High, that he had spent too much time running round after Isabel, trying to get her attention but any man could only take so much and he had reached his limit. If the truth be told he had reached his limit about six months ago but he had kept on trying in spite of himself.

“Hey Isabel, nice sweater”

Alex silently berated himself for leaping straight into a compliment, he was meant to be playing it cool. Isabel on the other hand was beaming.

After a little idle chatter Alex looked around for the four missing friends. Liz had turned most of the lights out in the café so things were quite dark and quite romantic. Liz was sitting on Max’ lap in one of the booths further down, near the front whereas

Michael & Maria were nowhere to be seen. Looking for a reason to get away from Isabels intoxicating presents Alex grasped at any excuse.

“Isabel would you like a drink?” He asked.

“No but I won’t say no to some fries, we had salad for dinner which never goes down well in our house” Isabel said smiling her brightest smile.

Alex could feel the temperature rising so he decided he should make a bolt for the kitchen to get those fries “One plate of fries coming right up”.

As Alex tried to make his way into the kitchen he found the door appeared to be stuck so he couldn’t get in. With one hefty shove he managed to remove whatever was blocking the door and made his way inside only to be confronted by a blatantly displeased Michael and an equal unhappy Maria.

“What the hell are you doing?” Michael asked, not attempting to hide his displeasure.

Maria, offering a little more tact asked “Can we get you something Alex?”

It was at this point that Alex noticed a couple of buttons undone on both Michael’s shirt and also on Maria’s uniform. The temperature was obviously rising in her as well

“I came to get Isabel some fries” Alex choked out trying not to be embarrassed about what he had obviously stumbled into.

Michael grabbed a plate of fries that had been sitting by the cooker and shoved them at Alex. “Take these, on the house”

Alex picked one up and noticed they were cold “These are stone cold how am I supposed to…..”

Before he had finished his sentence Michael’s hand was inches above the plate doing his alien impression of a microwave

“There”. Michael said. “Lovely and hot now get out of here while I continue to clean the grill”.

Without even waiting for him to leave Michael turned back to Maria and swept her up into his arms and planted the biggest kiss Maria had ever received on her rosey red lips. Maria could swear she was hearing bells but she wasn’t going to let that stop her, she was having too much fun.

Alex could feel the blush of his skin creeping up his face and the thought of what he had just witnessed in the kitchen. He was just thinking there are some things a best friend shouldn’t see when he noticed Max & Liz still entwined in their booth by the front, not paying the slightest bit of attention to what was going on in the world.

As Alex swung round to sit back down with Isabel’s plate of fries he noticed she was gone. He assumed she was in the restroom so he amused himself eating Isabel’s fries until she came back. As he waited he practised his new mantra which was designed to help counter act the Isabel effect as he called it.

After five minutes of chanting “We are only friends, we are only friends” be realised maybe she wasn’t in the restroom.

He called to Max & Liz “Have you seen Isabel?” to which he got no reply. Realising nothing short of an atomic bomb would catch their attention he strode down to the front door and found it was still locked the way Liz had left it. This time he march up the restaurant into the back and it was then that he noticed the back door was open. Moving forward cautiously he peaked out into the cold night and spotted Isabel standing in the alley with her arms drawn close around herself.

“Hey Iz” Alex called, he could see he made her jump

“Hey Alex, what brings you out here?”

“My conscience wouldn’t let me eat all your fries on my own so I came looking for you” Alex came to a halt beside Isabel, she still hadn’t looked at him directly. “More to the point Iz what brings you out here it’s freezing” Alex said while watching his breath mist and then dissipate into the cold New Mexico night.

“I’m thinking” Isabel replied

“Oh yeah, what about?” Alex’ curiosity getting the better of him.

Finally Isabel turned to Alex and it was at this point he realised she was crying

“About how I have treated you so bad when you have done nothing but shown love and concern for me and my brothers. How I have gone out of my way to be spiteful to you despite everything we have gone through as a group and about how I could have the nerve to think you would still want to be with me after all I have put you through”.

In that one instance Alex was hit by so many emotions at once he was amazed that he managed to remain standing. He felt the heartbreak of seeing the woman he loved in tears. The anger at himself for having put up with so much over the last couple of years. The pride of having help take on the responsibility of knowing their secret but above all of that there was the emotion that was always there, had been since the first time he had laid eyes on her, Love, pure and simple. It was now and always would be the one emotion he would have for his Isabel.

“Do you think for one second I would not be here for you?” He placed his hand on her shoulder and gently turned her towards him, “Do you think I would regret one second of our time together both good and bad?”

Isabel tried to control her tears Alex’ hand on her shoulder sent heat coursing through her body. Before she thought about any consequences and before he could react Isabel threw herself at him heart, mind and most effectively body.

Alex felt Isabel’s arms around him and he felt the ground disappear beneath his feet. If you had asked him at that second he would have sworn on a stack of bibles that he was actually floating. This was just at the thought of her arms around him, when her lips met his he was sure he had died and gone to heaven.

Isabel felt the connection immediately and with the connection came the flashes. She saw the first time he saw her in 3^rd grade, the way he would do all that he could just to get a glimpse of her at anytime and anyplace. She saw the dance in the gym, again, which would always be her favourite memory but most importantly for her wasn’t what she saw it was what she felt. The love that came rushing through the connection was everything she had hoped and dreamed of and more, much more. She may have come from another planet but there wasn’t enough love on two worlds to equal the way he felt about her. With this Isabel used every ounce of her being to send as much love back towards Alex. she knew it was having the desired effect because Alex broke the kiss. Not because he wanted to but simply he couldn’t stop himself from grinning the widest grin, in his arms was all he had ever wanted, all he would ever want. If he died now he would die a happy man, not that he intended dying for some time yet.

“Alex I don’t want this if you are just feeling sorry for me” Isabel looked deep into his eyes and got her reply before he had even opened his mouth.

“Isabel you are all I have ever wanted. If it meant giving you time to adjust or giving you breathing space fine as long as I have you I will do whatever is required. Without you my life is meaningless and isn’t worth living. I would kill or die for you Isabel and I would travel to the far corners of the universe to be with you”

Isabel placed a finger to his lips “Shh, don’t say that we may end up having to do that very thing”

She giggled and Alex realised it had been too long since he had heard her laugh. It was something he was definitely going to encourage in the future. With their arms still wrapped around each other and there bodies pressed again one another neither felt the cold night air nor did either notice the crowd that had gathered.

Max gave a discreet “Ahem” to catch their attention. As they turned they noticed Max, Liz Michael & Maria all standing by the back door of the Crashdown.

“How much did you hear?” Alex asked feeling a little uncomfortable.

“Enough” Max replied.

It was at this point both Alex & Isabel noticed that the little group of spectators all seemed a little too cheerful for their liking.

Maria was grinning while jumping from foot to foot like the nervous ball of energy she always became when excited. Amazingly Michael appeared to have a slight smile threatening to breakout on his normally pursed lips. Liz was simply smiling, happy the two had finally gotten over there differences and realised how good they would be for each other and Max, well Max was being the consummate leader. He was blatantly happy for them both but the fact remained that a teenage boy had his hands on his sister.

Liz knowing Max better than he knew himself sensed this and gave his hand a squeeze. With this Max finally let his guard down and allowed a smile to breakout on his face.

“It’s cold out here for those of us without raging hormones keeping us warm” Max said “Let’s get our butts back into the warm and we can discuss sleeping arrangements”.

Both Alex & Isabel could see the redness of each other’s faces. Isabel looked at Alex. She released her grip from around him but still managed to link her fingers with his as the headed back into the Crashdown.

Alex closed the door he looked at Isabel and said “Have I told you lately how good you look in red? Whoever bought you that has very good taste and must love you very much”

“They do” Isabel replied, letting go of his hand “That’s why the lucky young man who bought it for me is going to see what a girl wears under her favourite sweater”.

When Alex came round he realised he was lying flat on the couch at the back of the Crashdown. He would have thought he had dreamt the whole episode but for the fact that Isabel was leaning over him looking worried.

“Oh thank God, What happened?” Maria called.

When Alex saw Isabel go red he realised Isabel had said exactly what he though she said. “I think I got caught by the heat when I came back in from the cold and fainted” Alex said while sitting up. ”I’m fine now honest” he lied while shakily getting to his feet.

“I think I should take him home” Max said looking concerned.

“No!” Isabel almost shouted “No I will take him, you guys stay here and enjoy yourselves I will make sure he gets home safely”. Isabel chose to ignore the furtive glances being passed amongst the amused group.

She took Alex’ hand and linked fingers once again. “I will take him home but thank you for your concern” and with that she headed for the front door and the jeep with Alex in tow who was grinning the widest grin..

Chapter 2

As Isabel drove Alex back to his home she couldn’t help but feel happy with herself. She had spent so many years keeping everyone at arms length, making sure no one could get too close but now that she had taken the decision to allow Alex in it felt like the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders. Now that she had taken that most difficult first step everything seemed to be falling into place with regards her feelings towards Alex and now the decision she had made was most definitely the correct one.

She’d known of Alex’ feelings towards her for a couple of years and she had known how deep those feelings ran when she had dream walked him all those months ago. Now she was warming to the idea of having her own “Significant other” she wondered why it had taken so long. She knew Alex would never hurt her and equally as important was the fact that Alex would never allow anyone else to hurt her, he would truly give up his life for her and Isabel was beginning to realise there was no greater love than that.

As they neared Alex’ home Isabel glanced over at her boyfriend and realised that he was lost, deep in his own thoughts.

Alex had quite simply never been happier. It seemed that all his patience and hard work with regards his pursuit of Isabel had finally paid off. He was a nice guy, he knew he had his plus points but this was Isabel Evans we were talking about, the girl that every boy in West Roswell high wanted and dreamed about but she was his, all his. He was going to have to tread very carefully when it came to what happens now. He had waited so long and the reward was so great he didn’t want to mess things up but he also wanted to be an equal partner in this relationship. He was sure Isabel found him cute but he was also sure she wouldn’t want some whipping boy that she could simply walk over. Having given it some thought he decided it would be best to be the man that he was with Liz & Maria, just more so. He would be a friend and protector, a shoulder to cry on and a person to celebrate with. He could do this, he could be there for Isabel in every way, shape & form that Isabel needed and he knew she would be there for him. Life was great!

As Isabel pulled onto the Whitman drive she noticed there weren’t any lights on which meant either Alex’ parents were in bed or away on one of their many road trips. Since Alex had turned eighteen his MOM had taken to going with his father on his many road trips. It meant she wasn’t tied to the house anymore and gave her husband some much-needed company on his frequent trips away from home.

Alex turned to Isabel, “Would you like to come in for a drink?” he asked trying to hide the huge grin that kept appearing every time me looked at the gorgeous blonde.

“Won’t your parents mind?” Isabel asked hoping to get the reply she desired.

“My parents are away over the weekend and won’t be back until Monday evening” Alex informed Isabel “If you’d rather leave it until tomorrow….”

“No!” Isabel almost leapt at Alex and the force of her reply caught her by surprise,

“I’d love to come in thank you”.

As they climbed out of the car they made their way towards the house, finding time to link hands during the walk up the path. Alex was amazed to discover that with that simply show of affection he would never need any more from Isabel. He may want more in future but he was quickly realising that all he would need was a physical connection to Isabel and the nearness of her body to make him happy.

When the couple reached the front door Alex realised that the porch light wasn’t working which was strange as it was on a timer.

“I think the bulb has gone,” he said pointing to the light fixture “I’ll hunt out a replacement from the garage when I get a chance”

Alex moved on into the hallway, still holding Isabel’s hand. When he flicked the light switch nothing happened.

“Damn! The fuse must have blown, Wait here Iz while I get a flashlight”

As Alex moved down the darkened hallway towards the kitchen he had a feeling things weren’t quite right. Despite his parents being away he couldn’t help but call out to them. “MOM…Dad, Are you home?”

As Alex walked into the kitchen he was suddenly hit by a blinding light as all the lights in the house came on at once forcing his eyes to readjust from the complete darkness to the over powering light. Almost immediately Alex realised a figure was moving towards him at breakneck speed, he managed to call out to Isabel as he felt an impact in the middle of his chest as someone ploughed into him knocking both himself and his assailant to the floor. As the impact of hitting the floor washed over him Alex also noticed an odd sensation emanating from the centre of his chest.

As Isabel entered the room she just had enough time to take in Alex on the floor with a hooded man wrestling on top of him before she felt a vicious blow to the back of her head which sent her crashing to the floor. Just as she was struggling to regain her composure she heard her attacker screaming at his accomplice as he dragged him off of Alex. She though she heard the words “Killed him!” As she glanced at Alex and that was when her worst possible fears were realised, a knife was sticking out of Alex’ chest and the blood was seeping through his shirt onto the floor, at this point Isabel lost consciousness.

As Isabel started to wake she immediately remembered the blow to the back of the head she received which was causing her intense pain. It was another moment or two before she began to piece together what had caused her to wake up lying on the floor. In an instant it all came rushing back to her and she immediately kicked into action. Bring herself to her feet her heart almost stopped beating at the sight of Alex laid flat on the kitchen floor surrounded by his own blood, his skin colour a sicken white which made Isabel even more scared than she already was. She rushed to his side and kneeled by his head, without hesitation she clasped her hands either side of his face and the connection was instant. What she found made her spirits lift, he was alive, barely, but he was alive. Breaking the connection she rushed for the phone hanging on the wall, she had to find Max. Without thinking she dialled Liz’ number.

Max couldn’t remember a more contented time. He was sitting out on Liz’ balcony, sitting on one of the lawn chairs that had made their way up to the flat roof some years before. That wasn’t what was making Max happy, it was the 18 year old, dark hared beauty that sat in his lap, whispering sweet nothings in his ear that made him ecstatic.

As Liz continued her one-woman assault on all of Max’ senses she heard her phone ring.

“Can you believe it! It’s almost midnight and we still can’t have any peace” Liz said while trying to build up the will to leave the warmth and comfort of Max’ lap.

Max was less forgiving “Leave it Liz they can call back in the morning” but Liz had already lifted herself out of her comfort zone and was making her way to the window.

As she climbed through she looked back at Max “I should get it, it might be something important if someone is willing to face my wrath by phoning this late”

Max smiled, Liz was without doubt the most generous, caring and giving person he knew but the one thing he always tried to avoid was making her angry. Liz more than punched her weight when it came to giving people a piece of her mind. And he already felt sorry for the person on the other end of the phone.

Max didn’t have to hear what was being said on the phone to know something was dreadfully wrong. The smile had disappeared from Liz’ face and her hand automatically lifted to her mouth in horror.

Max was climbing back through the window as Liz turned to him and he could already she the tears running down her face. “Liz, what’s wrong?”.

Liz couldn’t bring herself to speak, she handed the phone to Max and dropped to the bed with her head in her hands, sobs beginning to filter through her fingers.

As Max moved the phone to his ear he could hear Isabel crying and blurting out random bits of information that he couldn’t piece together.

“Isabel it’s Max, tell me what’s happened”.

After the phone hadn’t been picked up after the first couple of rings Isabel had to fight the urge to hang up and try another number. Every second could prove the difference between life and death for Alex and she wasn’t prepared to lose him since she had realised what he meant to her. She wouldn’t want anyone to die due to incorrect action on her part but when it came to Alex there simply wasn’t anyone more important to her in the world, she would save him!

When the phone finally was answered on the fifth or sixth ring she heard Liz’ voice. She had only intended to ask for Max but when she heard the familiar, friendly voice she tried to tell her friend everything at once.

She wasn’t sure what information she was getting across but when she heard Liz starting to sob Isabel realised she had imparted the most important fact, her boyfriend, Liz’ best friend, had been stabbed and was dying. When Max’ voice came on the line it snapped Isabel out of her panic and she knew she had to focus.

“Max we have been attacked in Alex’ house. The two men have run off but when Alex fought with one of the men had got stabbed in the chest. You have to help me Max I think I’m losing him, he’s lost so much blood”.

Without a second thought Max’ mind kicked into action. They had to save Alex, get the group together to make sure everyone was safe and then and only then would they sort out what exactly happened at the Whitman house. Now was not the time to decide if this was alien related, Alex was top priority.

“Isabel we’ll make our way over to you but I don’t have the car, you took it to take Alex home”

That comment hit Isabel like an arrow striking its target. The one person she was convinced could save Alex was on the other side of town without a car. It would take precious minutes to get Michael or Valenti to pick up Max and Liz and that was time she wasn’t sure she had.

The next words that came from Max shook her to the core. “Isabel you are going to have to heal Alex, we’ll make our way to you but if things are as bad as you say you’re the only one who can save him”

Isabel started shaking her head causing her hair to shake round her face “I can’t do it Max, I’ve never tried anything so involved before, what if I can’t save him”

Max knew he was losing time and losing Isabel “Listen to me Isabel every second you take means less hope for Alex, we’re leaving now and we will get Michael and Maria to pick us up. There’s nothing else I can do here but you can do this, it’s Alex, if anyone can connect to him and make him right it’s you”

Max knew he was getting through to her “You can do this Iz, you can heal him just show him how much you love him!” With that Max hung up the phone on Isabel and immediately called Michael’s

“Michael, no questions grab Maria and get over to the Crashdown, Isabel & Alex have been attacked, we need to get to the Whitman house, Now!”

Michael didn’t need any more than he had been told. He replaced the receiver on its cradle and turned to Maria

“We need to go!”

Isabel turned and stared at Alex, what was it she had told herself earlier? “She wouldn’t let him die, she couldn’t be without him”. That was all the incentive she needed, she realised that she had nothing to lose but absolutely everything to gain by trying to save Alex

She rushed back to his side. As well as his pallid colour she now noticed he was having trouble breathing. The first thing that Isabel realised was that she was going to have to pull the knife out of Alex’ chest. The thought caused her to start sobbing but she knew it had to be done, it was the only way to save Alex. She also knew that by pulling the knife out of Alex she was going to make a bad situation worse.

For a second she thought about leaving the knife where it was and waiting for Max but they were still at least five or six minutes away and that may be five or six minutes they didn’t have. Thinking only of Alex she placed her hand on the handle of the knife. It was at this point she realised how big the knife was, she could see part of the blade showing and it was one of those with the serrated edges but she couldn’t dwell on that she just had to think of Alex and what she could do for him. With one mighty pull Isabel removed the knife from Alex and let it fall to the side, the feeling of nausea swept over her but now was not the time, she could faint later. As before Isabel gently placed her hands on Alex, this time she place one hand on the side of his face and one over the now opened wound.

“Alex you need to look at me, Alex can you hear me? I need for you to look at me”

As before the connection was instant and as before she could feel the pain and suffering Alex’ body was going through.

Max and Liz were waiting outside the Crashdown as Maria’ jetta pulled up to the sidewalk.

As soon as Maria saw Liz’ face she knew things were desperately wrong. As Max & Liz got into the back seat Michael tore away from the Crashdown heading towards the Whitman residence. Maria immediately began to bombard Max with questions as it was apparent that Liz was in no position to talk. As Max explained what had happened and what Isabel was trying to do Maria reached her hand into the back and clasped Liz’ hand, she felt comfort as Liz’ other hand came to rest on top of hers, both girls trying to draw strength from one another.

Isabel searched Alex’ body for any damage, she had to make sure she didn’t overlook the slightest injury in case it caused problems later on. At first Isabel concentrated on the damage done by the knife itself , she began to push the torn vessels and muscle back together, preventing any more blood loss. She helped repair the damage to Alex’ left lung which had been punctured as the knife had gone in at a slight angle.

At first she was concerned as to whether she would know what to do, she had only ever healed small cuts or blemishes before but she found it surprisingly easy to get on with the job in hand. She would later realise that her new found healing abilities were as much to do with who she was healing as opposed to how good she was at healing. As it was Alex everything was coming naturally to her, she found she didn’t have to think about anything other than the healing process the connection was just….there!

Once she had fixed all the damage she could find Isabel finally began work on helping Alex’ repairing body recreate it’s lost blood. Still staring down at him she could hear his breathing return to normal and the colour returning to his cheeks. While Isabel was doing all she could do to help Alex she was fighting the battle of her life with her own body as it tried to shutdown due to all the effort Isabel was putting into helping Alex. The one thought running through Isabel’s mind was if she allowed her body to give up before she could heal Alex completely she would wake up only to find she hadn’t done enough to save Alex and he would be gone forever. Once she was sure she had done all she could do for Alex Isabel collapsed and allowed herself to drift off, as she faded into darkness she felt Alex’ arm close around her, pulling her to him. That was all the reward she needed as she finally succumbed to her own body and passed out.

Chapter 3

When the jetta pulled up outside the Whitman house all appeared calm, giving little indication of the turmoil that had taken place inside within the last twenty minutes.

All four occupants leapt from the car and ran up the path, when they reached the open door Max ran through while Michael attempted to keep the girls back.

It soon became apparent to Michael that he wouldn’t manage to keep them out so he ushered them in while he checked around the house for any remaining intruders.

When Max reached the kitchen his heart went into his mouth as he saw the scene in front of him unfold. Alex was lying on his back in the centre of the kitchen floor, Isabel lay partially on top of him and there was blood everywhere. Just as panic threatened to wash over him Max realised that Alex’ arm was wrapped round Isabel drawing her to him. He then realised that despite the terrible goings on that had occurred in this room things were, for whatever reason, peaceful.

Liz & Maria made it to the doorway of the kitchen and froze, they were both desperately worried for Alex & Isabel but they knew that if something had to be done then Max was going to have to do it. Max crouched down by Isabel and lay a hand on her neck and face. He connected immediately and was able to calm himself once he realised there was nothing outwardly wrong with Isabel other than exhaustion. He glanced to the girls and they could tell by his expression that she was fine.

He moved round the floor to get closer to Alex and it was then that he noticed the tear in Alex’s shift but where the cut had occurred there was just clear, untarnished skin with a slight silver hew. Whatever Isabel had done, outwardly it looked like she had managed to heal Alex. Max reached down and placed his hand on Alex’ chest. It took him just a moment or two to connect with him but the feeling of relief that flowed through him when he found that Alex was also well took the air from his lungs.

As Max rose he turned to the girls in time to see Michael come up to join the group. “Well despite all appearances they’re both fine. Isabel must have passed out from her attempts to heal Alex and Alex must have passed out due to what he’s just been through”.

“What should we do?” Maria asked, concern etched on her face.

“ I think the easiest thing to do would be to stay here tonight. Liz mentioned that Alex’ parents are away for the weekend so it allows us to watch over the two of them while they recuperate. We can also tidy up this mess and see if we can work out what those guys were doing breaking into the Whitman’s house” Max said, finding things a lot easier to handle now that he knew both Alex & Isabel were safe.

With some difficulty the four managed to get Alex & Isabel up to Alex’ room and put them to bed. Max had grumbled a bit when it came to leaving his sister in the same bed as an eighteen-year-old boy even if it was Alex. However Liz calmed his fears when she pointed out that after what the two had been through it wouldn’t be right to separate them now. Plus they were both dead to the world so it wasn’t like Alex would suddenly wake up and start ravaging his sister.

The boys had changed Alex into clean sweats and a T-shirt while the girls had done the same for Isabel. She would not be too happy with how she looked in Alex’ baggy clothes but it was better than leaving her in her blood soaked outfit. Max said he would go back home for clean clothes for himself and Isabel in the morning. Once in their new, clean bed clothes the girls made a point of arranging the pair of sleeping beauties so that Isabel lay in Alex’ arms. Again Max wasn’t impressed but Liz knew the hold she had over him and again she managed to calm him down and explain the reasoning behind it. Whether Max liked it or not after Isabel had healed Alex they now had a bond as strong as the bond between he & Liz.

As the Whitman’s have four sons, three of which were almost permanently away with the armed forces it meant there were several spare rooms for the other two couples to crash out in.

After some special attention to all the locks and windows by Max & Michael and a good cleaning of the kitchen everyone said their goodnights and people headed off to try and get some sleep as they all knew they had a very long day ahead.

As Max finally woke he turned to notice Liz looking at him with a contented smile.

“Morning sleepy head” Liz said as she leaned forward and placed a kiss on Max’ lips “I was wondering when you would join the land of the living”

Max was slightly confused by her comments until he looked at the clock beside the bed and realised it as almost 10:30.

As Liz got off the bed she continued to fill Max in on what he had missed. “As you were in such a sound sleep we decided to leave you where you were” Liz came back from the bathroom carrying what suspiciously looked like some of his clean clothes.

“We managed to get some sleep but I discovered Michael had been up from time to time throughout the night checking the windows and doors and also checking on our sleeping beauties”.

Before Max could ask Liz answered his next question,

“ Both are still fine and look like they may be stirring soon. As we were all up a while ago Maria took Michael over to your place and he sneaked in through your bedroom window and grabbed some clothes for both you and Isabel. They also found time to go to Michael’ apartment and Maria’ to get showered and changed before returning here with all we need for a hearty breakfast. I can’t believe those two are having such a good effect on one another”.

Max couldn’t believe it. Less than eleven hours ago their world was in uproar and a friends life had been in the balance but now here he lay, his most beautiful girlfriend telling him all was right with the world. He knew it was possible their problems had only just begun but he would much rather start at this point than the turmoil that had threatened to engulf them all last night.

After a quick kiss Max headed for the shower, as Liz was already showered and dressed she headed for the kitchen to join Maria & Michael.

As Alex woke he knew things were very different than they usually were. He hadn’t even opened his eyes yet but he felt this warm sensation coursing through his body and he knew he was in for a good day. As he slowly opened his eyes he realised that something was pushing down on his right hand side. The old Alex would have immediately though he had had a stroke but he was a different man nowadays and he was less likely to reach for the knee jerk reason rather he would take a moment to think things through. It was then that he found the most beautiful smell was totally engulfing him as he lay on the bed, as he looked to his right he realised he was actually in bed with Isabel wrapped comfortably around him.

After the initial shock and the several attempts to stop a grin spreading across his face Alex started to remember the events of the night before. He remembered coming into the house and finding the lights weren’t working. He also remembered the man attacking him and the blood all over his shirt. He was immediately concerned for Isabel but realised that all must be well as they were wrapped in each others arms, laying in his bed. As a reaction to what had gone on the previous night Alex lifted Isabel’s hand from where it lay on his chest and placed it on her side so as not to disturb her when he lifted the collar to his T-shirt and looked down at his chest. There smack in the middle of his chest was a silver hand print, he had been healed. Again, almost without thinking, Alex lifted the bottom of the T-shirt and drew it up towards his neck then he took Isabel’s hand from by her side and placed it back on his chest, directly over where the silver hand print lay…….it was a perfect match. Not only had Isabel saved him from the intruders last night but more than that she had healed his wounds. As he looked at her with nothing more than love and admiration Alex found that Isabel was waking up.

Isabel woke with an intense feeling of happiness. She couldn’t quite work it out as she had remembered, completely, the events of the previous night but when she look at the grinning face beside her she knew why she was happy.

It was at this point she realised that she was wearing a change of clothes and that she was in bed with Alex.

From her expression Alex must have read her mind because before she managed to utter a word Alex explained his version of events. When it became apparent that the others must have moved them from the kitchen and changed their clothes Isabel relaxed a little. It wasn’t so much that she was concerned about Alex seeing her naked or being in the same bed as he was, more that she wanted to make sure she remembered when events like that took place.

Isabel looked down at Alex’ exposed chest and noticed the hand print. She looked up at Alex and to her surprise saw him smiling contentedly at her. “What have you to smile about Alex? You were very nearly killed last night”.

Alex looked deep into Isabel’s eyes “ I may have been near death but my beautiful girlfriend saved me”.

Isabel started to blush

“But more than that I made a special connection to you. I may have been close to passing out last night when you healed me but I can still remember the images that passed from you to me”.

Alex leaned forward and kissed Isabel softly on the lips.

“Yes but the one thing you are forgetting Mr.Whitman is that I also got flashes from you so just as you know my secrets I know yours”.

It was Alex’ turn to blush and this time Isabel leaned in to him and returned the soft kiss. As this point there came a knock at the door which brought them both out of their little blush fest.

“Are you decent?” asked Liz as she waited for a reply

“Yes, you can come in Liz” Isabel replied.

Liz poked her head round the door and was pleased to see her two friends looking bright and alert after what they had been through in the last eleven hours.

“Iz, I have some clean clothes for you in one of the spare rooms, you can shower there if you like”

Alex’ face became crest fallen which caused Liz to round on him

“Listen to me mister, I had to talk your girlfriends brother into letting the two of you stay together last night. The last thing I want to try and do now is to allow you two to shower together so Alex get yourself in that shower Isabel get yourself out of that bed and into the spare room” and with that Liz was gone.

Alex & Isabel looked at one another in amazement.

“I think you may have been pushing your luck” Isabel offered as she got out of bed. She leaned over, gave Alex a kiss and headed for the door as instructed. As she left the room she popped her head back round the door with a broad grin

“See you for breakfast in fifteen minutes, don’t be late”.

“Yes Mam!” came the reply from Alex with his mock salute.

With that Isabel headed for the spare room and Alex headed for the shower, he knew he was going to have to spend all day convincing his two best girls that in spite of what he had been through the night before he honestly believe he had never felt better.

As Alex made his way into the kitchen he was pleased to see the three girls all in deep conversation round the kitchen table but as he went to join them he felt a hand grab him from behind and drag him in to his fathers study. As the door slammed behind him he found himself confronted by Max & Michael and they both looked pretty pissed

“We’d like a quiet word Whitman” said Michael

“It’s to do with our sister” said Max.

Little did Alex realise that he may have over come one danger but he was now facing a problem that could be equally as perilous, his girlfriends brothers!