Maria wrapped her legs around Michael’s back, barely able to keep them in place because of the sweat. Her hands were in back of her head grasping the pillow. Michael’s face was rubbing against her cheek; the telltale sign of stubble burn would be evident. His hips ground against her rhythmically. His heart raced in his chest, hers beat back answering.

"I have to go soon, Michael," she tapped lightly on the top of his head. "We have to go soon."

"Don’t want to go anywhere," he panted and kissed her. "Stay."

"We have to go."

Michael sped up his pace and collapsed on top of her. "You know, you have shitty timing." He sighed rolling off her.

"Sorry," she kissed his cheek. "Not my rules." She got out of bed and walked across the hall to Leia’s room. She was still sleeping; her raggedy stuffed monkey curled up in the crook of her arm.

Maria walked back to the bedroom and smiled at Michael who was still lying naked on the bed. "She could sleep through a hurricane."

"Yeah, those are so common here."

"Shut up," she frowned. "Come on. We have to get ready and go. I want to meet the teacher and see the classroom. School starts in like less than a month. You promised you’d go with me."

"I’ll go, I just don’t want to. I already know the teacher." He rolled over on his stomach propping himself up with his elbows.

"Well, I don’t." She slapped his ass as she walked past him to get to the bathroom. "By the way, are we ever going to get carpet?"

"Oh boy, " Michael rested his head on the bed. "We will, I told you that. We’ve only lived here for a month-"

"Okay, two months."

"Excuse me, two months. I promised you carpet and you shall have carpet. I’ve been busy. I do work a lot in case you haven’t noticed."

"Trust me Guerin, I have noticed. I hardly ever see you anymore." She said looking downcast.

"I’ve been off work for four days, I’m surprised you aren’t sick of me yet."

"Never." She looked at him. "That is actually one face I could never get sick of seeing. Now get up, we have to get ready."

Michael nodded and got off the bed. He followed her into the bathroom and eventually, the shower.

The house was small, a ‘starter home’ the real-estate agent had called it. Two bedrooms, two baths, living room and separate dining room, kitchen and a spider web infested basement. The bedroom had hard wood floors, well, used to be at some point. The years had not been kind to them. Spilled paint, scratches and other abnormalities plagued them. Maria had insisted on carpet and Michael had promised. He just didn’t promise when. Outside the kitchen door was a cement patio leading to the back yard. The back yard was fenced in and a carport sat to the side of the house. An inflatable pool and patio set were on the patio. The manicured lawn had small dips and gullies from old tree stumps. Jim Valenti had promised to bring over some fill dirt, but like Michael, had failed to do so yet.

Leia Guerin woke up and stumbled across the hall to her parent’s bedroom. She heard the shower water running and let herself in the bathroom, surprising her parents.

"Shit!" Michael pulled the shower curtain against him.

"Leia, go wait in the other room. We’ll be right out."

Leia left the room and went to the living room where she curled up on the couch with her monkey. She looked for the remote control and saw it on top of the TV, with a nod; it was in her hand.

"You don’t have to swear in front of her so much."

"She never say’s it back Maria," Michael said while drying her back. "I can’t help it."

"Whatever," she turned around to face him. "Can you believe we have a daughter who’s going to kindergarten in a few weeks? Can you believe that she is six! Six, Michael, our daughter is six!"

"I know," he shook his head. "Time seems to be slipping away. I’ve been a Deputy for almost as long. Seems like just yesterday I was sweating bullets on my first day."

"You’re a great Deputy, Michael. Look how many friends you’ve made, all the baddies you’ve caught, all the speeders you’ve busted. You, Michael Guerin, are actually an asset to this community."

"Thank you," he followed her back into the bedroom. "Actually I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Oh boy, what?"

"Well, Jim mentioned that he might be retiring at the end of the year."

"Really?" She asked clearly shocked.

"Yeah. I mean it’s not definite at all, but he’s already put in his twenty and then some. He doesn’t have to do it anymore." He took a deep breath. "What would you think if I ran for it?"

"If you ran for Sheriff?" She grinned and he nodded. "I think that would totally rock!" She hugged him. "We’d put signs up in the front yard and everything! I say totally go for it."

"I think I’d be running unopposed, honey, we wouldn’t need signs."

"Damn it, I said there will be signs!"

Michael smiled and buried his face in her wet hair. "So, I guess you’re okay with it?"

"Duh," she pushed him away. "You don’t think anyone else would want the job?"

"Not since Hansen went to Dexter. Hell, I’m close to the top of seniority."

Maria kissed him. "I think it’s great. But now we have to go to the school and do the parenty thing. I don’t want to show up looking like we both just got out of the shower. Might set a bad example."

"Or it could set a good one," he grinned.

* * * * * * *

Liz Evans held her daughter’s hands as they floated in the pool. There were others from the complex there, but Liz was in her own world. Sloane had bright yellow water wings around her thin forearms matching her bumblebee swimming suit.

"How’s it going?" A familiar voice called from the side.

Liz snapped around and saw the smiling face of her husband squatting down next to the pool. "Hey you, wanna come in? The water’s great!"

"No, not really." He looked around. "Now aren’t you glad that we moved here?"

"Yeah, but a condo is still like an apartment and I want a house."

"I know," he looked around making sure no one else was listening. "We will Liz, I promise. We could either be renting a house or a condo for now. I thought we decided on condo."

"We did, but I want my own house."

"Honey, I haven’t even gotten a paycheck yet. I haven’t even started work yet, not really for a couple of weeks." He saw the disappointment in her eyes and felt like a failure. Something he was used to feeling whether it was valid or not. "Soon, maybe just until the end of the school year and then we’ll house hunt."

"I know, I’m sorry. I don’t mean to sound like such a b-i-t-c-h." She spelled out. "I just hate having all these people around all the time, I feel like we have no privacy."

"And I guess it doesn’t have anything to do with Maria moving into a new house?"

"No, I don’t think so." She turned her head away from her splashing daughter. "I just want to be able to be as loud as I want and tear down walls if I want to, you know?"

"We’ll get there, I promise." Max stood and waved. "Bye, I’m going inside."

Liz watched him walk away with head was hanging. She sighed. Sometimes he could be so immature; she shook her head. She helped her daughter out of the pool and wrapped a towel around her then herself. She paused momentarily to look at the tattoo on her thigh. It had been a gift from Max for her twenty-first birthday. Vines and small flowers covered her brand. The brand than had managed to remain inactive since their wedding day. Sloane didn’t like the tattoo; she always shied away from it when she found herself too close. Liz looked to her daughter and wondered if she really was the Warrior. It seemed highly doubtful.

Sloane was shy, more shy than any other four and half year old should be. She didn’t talk to people she didn’t know, and even then she never said much. She clung to her parents whenever they were in a social situation. She was finally warming up to Isabel who watched her all the time; but edged away from Leia. Liz had hoped they would be as good of friends as her and Maria are.

She took her daughters hand and led to her to their building. Going up in the elevator she reconsidered things. It wasn’t Max’s fault they were living in a condo; it was most likely hers. She loved the condo and all its amenities, but she still longed for a house of her own. Max had worked his tail off to finish school and work as close to full time as he could while she had taken not one, but two semesters off to stay home with Leia. Sure she still worked part time at the Crashdown, but Max was the one who was taking care of the family. Going for her Master’s now was taking a chunk out of their income as well.

Max was starting his new job in a few weeks and Liz knew he was nervous as hell about it. Who wouldn’t be? Returning to his High School as a teacher, the thought of returning at all was frightening. He’d be an authority figure now and she thought that was what scared him the most. By the time they walked in the condo Max was already at the dining room table, his briefcase open and papers strewn about.

"What are you doing?" Liz asked walking behind him and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Finishing touches on my lesson plan for the semester. They want an outline in a few days. I’m almost done though."

"Max Evans: English teacher." She bent over and kissed his ear. "Sounds like a super hero."

"How about SuperNerd? That’s more accurate."

"You’re not a nerd." Liz smiled.

"Tell that to Michael."

"Michael’s a dork." Liz laughed. "Have you heard from Isabel yet? I wonder if she got any news about the new book, yet."

"Not a word, yet." He turned around in his chair and pulled her on to his lap. "Where’s Sloane go?"

"Bedroom." She smiled as Max pulled her bikini top over her damp breasts. He toyed with her nipples with one hand while the other slid in the bikini bottoms. "Well, Mr. Evans, happy to see me?" She arched her back and let him feel her.

"I’m always happy to see you, Liz." He pulled her top back over her and removed his hands. "Sloane, what’s going on?" He called to his daughter standing a few feet away.

* * * * * *

Kyle Valenti was trying to think of a way to tell his longtime girlfriend Morgan than he had quit his job at the hospital. Telling her he quit wasn’t really the issue, telling her how was. Morgan Chase was not going to be very happy to find out that he chucked a stapler at his boss and hit him in the head. His argument was leaning towards ‘he only needed three stitches’ and that was bad.

Kyle didn’t like his job anyway. Sure, he had worked his butt off at school and gotten a Bachelor’s in psychology, but he hated what he did. Talking to crazy people all day was not fun. He worked, or at least until that morning, in Evaluations. He decided whether someone was crazy, suicidal or faking. He hated it. The only reason he had even taken the job was that Morgan’s friend had referred him, luckily he wasn’t the one who got stitches.

Morgan and Kyle both had stayed in Las Cruces for the last couple of summers going to school. Morgan wanted to be done so badly and Kyle had a few classes to make-up. Morgan had her job lined up before she graduated; she was a social worker. She wanted to be able to help the kids that are like she was. She loved her job.

They rented an apartment in the same complex that Max and Liz’s first place had been. They stayed in touch with the old gang and even managed to get together at least a few times a month for dinner or something.

Kyle grimaced when he heard the front door open and Morgan walk in. "Hi honey."

* * * * * *

Isabel Evans held the envelope from her so called agent and flipped it over, the same way she had been doing for the last half-hour. She had gotten six thousand dollars for her first book: Robin’s Secret and it had been published in paperback along with a thousand other pre-teen books that year. Her new one Robin’s Mystery wasn’t as hard to sell and now she was curious as to how much her agent had sold it for. She told him to negotiate for her and surprise her. She was rethinking that idea now.

She looked at her watch, plenty of time before she was meeting Kyle and Morgan for dinner. Okay, she told herself and opened up the envelope. Twenty-six thousand dollars. Much better, she smiled. Now she was moving out of the parent’s house.

* * * * * *

The rest of the summer went by so fast it blurred. Maria decided at the last minute that she wanted to finally go to college. She registered to go for the same times Leia would be in school. Michael supported her as always while mentally checking the bank account. They should be fine. Isabel agreed to watch Leia on Tuesdays when there was no kindergarten. She was also watching Sloane during the day when Liz was at school working on her Masters in genetic engineering and Max was teaching.

Isabel still saw Erin every once in awhile, usually to meet him and his wife for a drink. They were friends; it had worked out better that way. Someday she’d meet the one; she wasn’t in a hurry, she had the rest of her life.

She loved watching the girls; they were so much fun. Leia had her powers under control and Isabel kept trying to find out if Sloane had any at all. So far it wasn’t looking good. Isabel worked with Leia on new things while Sloane watched from the background. Isabel had tried to get Sloane to move things, to change things, nothing. You’d never know that her father was a King alien, Isabel often mused. She figured Max was probably upset that none of his otherworldly talents had been passed on to his daughter. She also knew Liz was probably ecstatic about it. Liz could still get on her nerves from time to time, she doubted time would ever change that.

It was a Tuesday morning at the Evans’ condo; Isabel was typing on her new laptop while Leia and Sloane were playing. Leia called it playing, if Sloane knew the word for hell she’d probably use it to describe days with Leia. Leia was hurtling Sloane’s toys through the air out of her reach and laughing hysterically. She’d run up behind Sloane and knock her down and laugh. As much as Isabel tried to stop her, Leia was unstoppable. The sweet little baby that used to bury her face in her hair was now a bundle of mischievous energy. Isabel suggested they go to the pool and Leia bounced up and down with joy. She even managed to get a smile from Sloane. After they had changed and gathered their pool toys the three of them went downstairs. At the bottom of the steps Leia broke away from Isabel’s hand and darted into the parking lot after telling Sloane she was ‘it’. Isabel yelled for her to come back. In the fraction of a second it took for Leia to turn around, the car was upon her. Cruising around the side of a building, the driver didn’t have a chance to stop before the small blond girl jumped in front of him.

Isabel dropped Sloane’s hand and watched in horror as Leia’s small body flew up into the air and landed in the grass on the other side of the car.

* * * * * *

Chapter Two

The driver of the car sat behind the wheel, stunned. Isabel ran to Leia’s side and felt for a pulse; it was there, barely. She began to cry and held Leia close to her body. Leia’s wild mane of dirty blond hair covered her face. Blood dripped out of her ear onto her pale skin.

Sloane followed her Aunt Isabel to Leia. She looked at her then at Isabel. Aunt Isabel was crying. Sloane stepped forward and knelt down on the grass beside them. Without saying a word, she placed her hands on Leia’s chest. Isabel watched in amazement as Sloane squeezed her eyes shut keeping her hands on Leia. Seconds later, Sloane fell back on the ground and Leia opened her eyes.

"Isabel?" She murmured looking up into her tear stained face.

"You’re okay, baby. You’re okay." She hugged the girl tight and noticed two small silver handprints on her chest. "Sloane?"

Sloane looked to her and smiled as the driver of the car finally got out, a cell phone pressed against his ear.

"She just ran…" He said to Isabel. "I couldn’t stop."

"She’s okay," Isabel smiled. "Aren’t you?"

Leia nodded and slid out of Isabel’s grip. She walked to Sloane who was sitting in the grass and kicked her in the leg.

"Leia!" Isabel reprimanded. She looked to the shaken man. "See, she’s fine. I’ll take them back home."

"The ambulance-"

"Cancel it. She’s fine." Isabel stood and grabbed Leia’s hand. She reached for Sloane’s and helped her stand. She walked away leaving the driver standing with a dumbfounded expression on his face.

Isabel was crying again by the time they got back in the condo. She helped the girls change back into regular clothes and put them down for a nap. As ornery as Leia was, she was the first to fall asleep. Isabel sat at the edge of Sloane’s bed and smiled at her niece.

"You did a good thing today, Sloane. You know that, right?" Isabel smiled down at her when Sloane nodded. "You saved her life. Did you know you could do that?"

Sloane bit her lip and shook her head.

"Can you do anything else? You know how Leia makes things fly through the air, can you do that?"

Sloane shook her head and closed her eyes. Isabel kissed her forehead and left the room. She debated on calling Michael and telling him what happened and decided against it. She didn’t want him to worry and everything was okay now. She’d tell Maria when she picked Leia up after class. No, Maria will freak out. She paged Michael and waited for the minute it took for him to return her call.

"First off, everyone is fine."

"What happened?"

"Leia got hit by a car in the parking lot-"

"I’m on my way."

"No! She’s fine, Michael. Sloane healed her."

"What do you mean?"

"She healed her. Leia’s fine. She’s asleep right now. Not even a bruise." The silence on the other end was heartbreaking. "Leia bolted into the parking lot and got hit, she flew up in the air, Michael. I think it could have killed her."

"Jesus."

"Sloane came to her and put her little hands on her chest and healed her," Isabel couldn’t keep the tears from falling. "Just like Max, she made her well."

"Are you sure she’s okay?"

"I’d tell you, Michael, you know me well enough. I didn’t want to tell Maria when she picked her up so I called you."

"Oh God," he sighed. "I’m picking her up today. Matter of fact, I think I’ll do it now. I’ll be right over."

Isabel hung up the phone and got the feeling that Michael was holding her responsible. Technically this happened when Leia was in her care, but it wasn’t because of negligence, Leia was high strung.

* * * * * *

Michael picked up Leia and promised he wasn’t mad at Isabel, he just wanted to be with his daughter. He said not to mention anything to Maria yet, he’d tell her in a few days.

Max got home first and Isabel was waiting at the door. She told him of the day’s events and about Sloane’s special powers. Max grinned, his daughter had his gift to heal.

"How was she afterwards? I mean did it take everything out of her?"

"Not really, I mean, she fell back and then sat up and just seemed kind of dazed." Isabel shrugged. "She didn’t get all loopy like you do."

"Thanks," he rolled his eyes. "When I was her age all I could do was heal birds."

"Maybe she’s stronger than you Max." Isabel cocked her head to the side. "I asked her if she knew she could do that and she shook her head. Maybe there’s other thing’s she can do to but doesn’t know it yet."

"Maybe," he walked down the hall and looked in on his sleeping daughter. Her long hair was fanned out in back of her, so dark brown it was almost black, contrasting with the pink of the pillow. He walked back to Isabel. "I knew she was something special. I can’t wait to tell Liz."

"Do you think she’ll freak?"

"Not at all, she’s been waiting for Sloane to show any type of alien heritage since the day she was born."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah," Max nodded.

Isabel said her good-byes and left feeling like she knew less now than she did when she got there that morning. Nothing was turning out the way she had thought. Why was everyone so full of surprises?

* * * * * *

"I’m sorry, I just couldn’t work there anymore." Kyle was apologizing after quitting yet another job. "They hated me."

"You worked with animals, Kyle. Dogs. They don’t hate anyone." Morgan fought back a grin. She was pissed, but Kyle always made her laugh.

"They were doing that pack thing with me, I didn’t belong." Kyle smiled. "Besides, they didn’t listen."

"Oh my God," Morgan rolled her eyes. "You were there to help them be guide dogs, I thought you’d be able to keep this job for a little while."

"They scared me."

"They are Golden Retrievers, they don’t scare anyone!" She laughed. "So, any other job idea’s on the horizon?"

"Uh…No, not really. I thought I’d keep my options open." Kyle grimaced. Three jobs since he’d quit the hospital and he knew Morgan’s patience was running thin. It’s not like he wasn’t trying; he just hadn’t found the perfect job yet. "I’ll find a new job soon, I promise."

"You have a degree in psychology, why don’t you try using that somehow."

"I will find something." Kyle nodded and hugged her. "I just want to mooch off you for awhile. At least until you get sick of me."

"I’m already sick of you," she laughed and pushed him away. "I swear if you weren’t so darn cute."

* * * * * *

Max loved teaching. He loved to see faces light up when they finally understood what the true meaning of a story or a poem was. His fourth period class was his favorite, it seemed all the creative and fun kids were in there. He could joke with them and they joked back. He loved them all. He was thinking just that after school while sitting at his desk grading papers. He didn’t hear anyone come in the room and was startled by a throat clearing.

"Sorry Mr. Evans," Lindy Franks stood in front of his desk. She was from fourth period.

"Lindy, hi. What can I do for you?" He smiled at her. She was one of his favorites, always had something intelligent to add to the discussions.

"Well," she leaned over the desk. "I was just wondering if you finished grading my poem yet?"

"Uh…" He kept his gaze from the front of her shirt, which was gaping. Did she know it? "Not yet, tonight for sure if I don’t get to it before I go home."

"Okay," she grinned and stood up. "I was just wondering because I worked really hard on it. Thanks." She turned and walked towards the door turning back around once to catch Max watching her walk away. She smiled over her shoulder and left the room.

"Oh God," Max whispered to himself. He thought about the way girls had looked when he went to school there and it was nothing like Lindy Franks. He shook his head scolding himself, trying to read too much into things Evans. Absently he flipped through the stack of papers until he found Lindy’s. He read it and felt flush.

-My heart is on fire my time is incomplete

If wanting you is wrong I’ll be damned

If needing you to touch me is forbidden

Forbid me

I want to see the stars

I want you to take me

To tell you about me is a sin

Living a lie is living within

Telling a secret urging my will

Standing on a corner

Waiting for you-

Max read it again and shook his head. She could be talking about anyone, not necessarily him, right? He read it one more time and wondered what the hell she was getting at. A schoolgirl’s crush? Probably, he assured himself. She’d never made any other innuendoes towards him and it was already the beginning of October. Schoolgirl crush, he decided that was it and let it go. He looked to his watch and wanted to go home to see his wife and daughter.

He arrived home before Liz which was not uncommon these days, she was putting in extra time at the school lab. Isabel was lounging on the couch; Leia was on the floor in front of her flipping through picture books.

"Isabel, hi." Max set his briefcase down and knelt down next to Sloane. "Hi Sloane, did you have fun today?" Sloane nodded and went back to her books. "Iz, have a good day?"

"Uneventful," she said scrunching up her face. "I was hoping that she’d do something else."

"We can’t rush her or maybe that’s it. Either way, she has a great power." Max kissed his daughter’s head and stood up. "Want to stay for dinner?"

"Sure, but we’re having pizza. Liz called, her and Maria are going to dinner, she won’t be home until later."

"Oh," his thoughts lingered briefly about Lindy Franks’ poem then pushed it from his mind. It was nothing. No need to bring it up, ever. "Okay. Pizza it shall be."

* * * * * *

"I wish we could get together more," Liz sipped her iced tea. "I miss seeing you like all the time."

"I know," Maria looked absently around her. "We’re both so busy with kids and school and husbands."

"But you’re still my best friend."

"Yeah, I know," Maria reached across the table and squeezed her friends hand reassuringly. "Since school started I’m like on double duty and I hardly have any time for anything. Michael and I almost never go anywhere. You know what I mean."

"Yeah, " Liz nodded sadly. She knew exactly what she meant. "Well, it doesn’t look like it’s going to get any better either, does it? I mean not until winter break."

"Yeah." Maria nodded." I do miss you Liz and I really wanted to thank you for Leia, again."

"It wasn’t me, it was Sloane."

"My baby was almost killed," Maria shook her head. Every time she thought about it she got goose pimples on her arms and legs. "Sloane saved her life. I know she hasn’t shown any powers and then just like out of nowhere she saves Leia. It was a miracle, Liz."

"Yeah, and then Leia kicks her," Liz smiled. "Way to show gratitude."

"She kicked her?" Maria was shocked; this was news to her.

"Didn’t Michael tell you?"

"Michael knows?"

"I told him, last week. He met me in between classes and we had lunch," Liz smiled awkwardly suddenly feeling guilty for meeting a friend for lunch. "I guess he didn’t tell you that either, huh?"

"No," Maria looked past Liz and then met her eyes. "I’m surprised he didn’t tell me. What’s he trying to hide?"

"Are you serious? Maybe it just slipped his mind Maria. Don’t act like there’s something going on, okay?" Liz was defensive and hurt that her best friend would insinuate such a thing.

"No, I’m sorry," Maria relaxed slightly. "I’m just getting so busy and I’m tired all the time. School is just so hard and I’m taking all the easy classes."

"You’ll do fine," Liz nodded and wished at that precise moment that she were somewhere else. Anywhere else. Maria had crossed a line.

"Yeah," Maria chortled. "That’s easy for you to say." She looked at her plate then met Liz’s eyes again. "I’m sorry. I’m not acting like myself lately. I’m nervous and jittery and I think everyone is out to get me most of the time. I didn’t mean anything I’ve said that’s not sounded like me. I’m just tired, Lizzie, so tired."

Liz smiled, this was the Maria she knew and loved. "When was the last time you and Michael had a night all to yourselves?"

"All night? I don’t know. A couple of years, probably." She sighed. "Man, has it been that long?"

"How about this week-end, you let Leia stay over with us and you guys can have a night all to yourselves." Liz could almost hear the protests from Max already.

* * * * * *

Saturday night and Leia was wound up. She was tearing through the condo, toys zinging through the air and she was laughing. She was picking on Sloane by pulling her hair and running away or pulling down her shorts and laughing at her. Max had locked himself in the bedroom before seven leaving Liz to contend with the wild child.

"Leia!" Liz yelled for the fifteenth time that night. "It’s time to go to bed. It’s after nine."

Leia responded with a laugh and ran through the hall. She was banging on the bedroom door when Liz approached her.

"Leia, honey. It’s late and Sloane’s going to bed. Aren’t you tired?" Please be tired, you’ve made everyone else tired.

"No." She crossed her arms over her chest. "I want to play."

"Honey, it’s late and it’s bedtime." Liz thought about trying to bribe her, was that wrong? "Okay, I’ll make you a deal. If you go lay down in Sloane’s room, in the morning we’ll make pancakes and we can make them any shape you want."

Leia seemed to consider this option; pancakes were her favorites. She yawned and nodded. Liz picked her up and carried her to Sloane’s room. She helped her put on her pajamas and get into bed. Liz went back to the living room to retrieve Sloane who had fallen asleep on the couch. She picked her up and put her in bed next to Leia. They were both asleep when Liz went to bed an hour later after cleaning up the living room and giving the secret knock to get in the bedroom.

Sloane heard her mother go to bed and opened her eyes. She looked to her tormentor lying next to her, asleep. Sloane held her hand a few inches over Leia’s mouth and watched as Leia’s breath was taken away. She removed her hand and watched her gasp for air for a few seconds before her breathing became normal again. Sloane rolled on her side and finally fell asleep.

* * * * * *

Max had decided that Lindy’s poem deserved a B. She hadn’t approached him again and her classroom behavior had not changed. Max decided he had blown things out of proportion as he was known to do. He believed that until one day right before Halloween.

* * * * * *

Chapter Three

Liz Evans had made the final decision the night before but decided against telling anyone until she had completed it. A couple days before Halloween, Liz dropped out of the Masters program. She felt the weight being lifted from her shoulders as she walked from the school to the jeep. A job application she had submitted a few weeks prior had resulted in a job offer. Liz had accepted it the afternoon before. She was going to work for the Roswell Department of Heath. It wasn’t something she had always yearned to do, but for now, it seemed like the right thing. The money was decent, more than Max made actually, and the hours weren’t bad, about the same as she spent in school. The bonus was she’d be free nights and weekends to spend with her husband and daughter, no homework, no studying.

Liz had figured out awhile ago that her family was the most important thing to her. School? She could take it or leave it. She didn’t want to be busy doing homework all the time and miss out on Sloane growing up. She was excited that Sloane had finally revealed a power and it was the power to heal. Not a day went by that she didn’t think of her dreams from years earlier and the visit from Max of the future. Sloane was to be the warrior. She shook her head every time she thought about that. She had no idea how this sweet little girl with the power to heal could become a great warrior. Great enough to save the world.

She waited for Max at home, Isabel had taken Sloane shopping and to a movie. They’d be home after dinner. She needed a little time to explain to Max why she had given up her dreams. He got home close to four and knew something was wrong the second her looked at her.

"What?" He set his briefcase down on the floor and walked to her.

"Hi," she smiled and pat the spot next to her on the couch. "Sit."

Max took a deep breath and sat down, he looked at her expectantly. "So, what’s going on? Where’s Sloane?"

"She went to a movie with Isabel and nothing is wrong. At least I don’t think so. I got a new job."

"Why? Now we’re never going to see you." Max whined and Liz cringed, she hated it when he whined.

"No, Max. It’s not exactly like that. I’m going to work days and be home on nights and week-ends with you and Sloane."

"School?"

"I quit," she smiled when she said it and knew that she had done the right thing. "I quit the Master’s program and I start a week from Monday at the Department of Health."

"You quit?"

"I had to, Max. I feel like all I ever do is schoolwork and if I were to get my Master’s and then get a job in research, I’d never see either of you. I don’t want to miss out on anything."

"I can’t believe it." Max shook his head. "All you’ve dreamed about, everything you’ve wanted to do."

"What I want to do is spend time with my husband and daughter. That’s it, plain and simple. I did what I know was right."

"You didn’t think you should tell me about it first, we could have discussed it?"

"I know what you would have said, stay in school yada yada yada. I didn’t want to hear it. Max, I know what I did was the right thing. In my heart I know that."

"Are you going to make more than me?" He asked after a few seconds of silence.

"Not much, Max." She kissed his cheek as she lied.

* * * * * *

The day before Halloween Max Evans was walking out of the Principal’s office after school. He smiled to himself thinking that every time he went in to see his boss, his palms began to sweat and he got knots in his stomach, although it wasn’t the same principal that he had in school, it was none-the-less ‘the Principal’s Office’.

As he rounded a corner in a deserted hallway, he was slammed to the ground. His briefcase flew open; papers scattered on the floor. He landed on his ass, a body in his lap.

"Mr. Evans!" It was Lindy Franks on his lap looking surprised, but smiling. "I’m so sorry!" She put her hand to her mouth but didn’t move.

"Lindy," Max stuttered her name feeling like a schoolboy. "I’m sorry I didn’t see you," he moved causing her to slide off his lap onto the floor. He stood then extended his hand to her. She smiled and took his hand. He pulled her to her feet and in an exaggerated motion she fell into him crushing her body against his. She still clasped his hand in hers, her other hand rested on his chest. She looked into his eye’s making no attempt to move. "Uh…" He let go of her hand and took a step back.

"Sorry," she started to walk by him then stopped and began to brush off the back of his black pants. "You got all dusty."

"It’s fine, Lindy." He stepped away from her. "Thank you." He knelt down and began gathering the spilled papers after refusing her offer to help.

"Okay, well. Have a happy Halloween," she smiled and walked back down the same hall from where she came.

Max felt the flush on his face. He gathered his things, took a deep breath and walked nervously through the empty halls and to the parking lot. He let out a breath he had been holding when he got in the jeep. Come on Evans, he thought to himself, you act like you’re running away from the FBI, she’s only a seventeen year old girl. A very pretty, seemingly aggressive, seventeen year old girl.

As he drove home to his wife, a feeling of guilt washed over him.

* * * * * *

Michael answered the door and let Liz and Sloane inside. Sloane was dressed as a butterfly. Shimmering wings of iridescent fabric graced her back. Black ball antennae attached to a headband on her head. Her long almost black hair was in a braid hanging down her back. A black leotard, tights and shoes completed the ensemble.

Leia stepped from behind Michael and waved at the two Evans’ females. She was dressed as her namesake. Her dirty blond hair was twisted into two huge buns on either side of her head. She wore a white dress with a belt, an illuminated plastic light saber in her hand. She smiled so sweetly it made Liz wonder where the wild child from her condo had gone.

"Is Maria ready?" Liz looked past Michael.

"She’s not going," he sighed, "She’s sick."

"What’s wrong with her?"

"She’s been feeling bad for the last few days and this morning she woke up with a fever and now she just feels like shit. So, she’s taking tonight off."

"Oh," Liz nodded. She looked down momentarily, she had hoped that her and Maria would’ve had time to talk tonight. "Well, ready to go?"

Each holding their respective daughters’ hand, they strolled down the street. As they went from house to house, Leia held Sloane’s hand as they walked to doors for candy.

"I’m sorry," Michael dug his hands in his pockets.

"For what?"

"That I didn’t tell Maria that I met you for lunch that day."

"Oh." Liz said.

"I didn’t do it on purpose, I just didn’t think about it. It was just lunch."

"Yeah. She seemed a little pissed."

"I know," he frowned. "I heard all about it and I wanted to apologize for you getting it first. It was my fault."

"I’m sure she’s just stressed. You know, with school and everything."

"Yeah," he watched his daughter putting on a dramatic re-enactment of a light saber duel on a porch. "She asked if there was anything going on between us."

"Oh." Liz the scholar.

"I mean, I like you Liz. We’re friends, good friends. But I would never think of you that way. I don’t think I could. I mean I really don’t think it’s possible."

"Me either," she let out a silent sigh of relief. "I can’t believe she really thought that, honestly." Liz shook her head as they walked to the next house, the girls leading hand in hand.

"I know," he smiled. "I mean it’s you. It’s not that you’re not attractive, you are. It’s just you’re Liz. Max’s Liz."

"You don’t have to explain to me Michael, I know what you’re saying. I’ve only talked to her once since Leia spent the night at our place. Are the two of you really okay?"

"We’re great, really. She’s amazing," his gaze drifted in front of him as he watched his daughter kneeling down on the sidewalk tying one of Sloane’s shoes. "After all this time she goes to school. I mean she’s in these classes with kids right out of high school and here she is with a six-year old and old man at home. It’s got to be hard for her."

"I know it’s hard for her."

"She just amazes me. Going to school, taking care of the house and everything, being an excellent mother to Leia. Leia, she can be a handful," he smiled. "She’s a little active, sometimes. All that energy."

"Oh yeah," Liz nodded.

"Hey, where’s Max tonight? I know he gets into the Halloween thing. I thought he might come."

"Oh, Max didn’t feel like it tonight, he’s tired. He’s grading his midterms and said he was going to bed early."

They walked further down the street following the girls as Liz told him about quitting school and going to work for the Department of Heath. He laughed about them both being city servants now. They watched the girls as they ran back towards them still holding hands. Each of them holding new green glow sticks, smiling and laughing.

"So," Michael pointed towards Sloane. "That little butterfly saves the planet, huh?"

After another hour they returned to the Guerin/DeLuca residence. Liz declined the offer to come inside, but didn’t hesitate to give both Michael and Leia a hug good-bye. Michael held his daughter’s hand and led her inside. Maria was sitting on the couch, waiting. She took Leia from her father and helped her get ready for bed. Michael was waiting on the couch when Maria returned after Leia had been put to bed with a candy-coated grin.

"Did you have fun with Liz?" She sat cross-legged on the couch.

"I had fun taking my daughter trick-or-treating if that’s what you’re asking," he sighed.

"Good," she coughed. It didn’t sound real to Michael.

"Okay, what is making you like this?" He ran his hands through his hair. "Let’s go in the bedroom, okay?" Maria nodded and followed him. She sat on the bed; he sat on the other side. "What’s up with all this Liz shit?"

"You just seem to be getting too close."

"Too close?" He laughed and it wasn’t a pleasant sound. "How could you ever think that I would cheat on you?"

"I didn’t say you were necessarily cheating, Michael." She shrugged. "Just that you two might be getting too close."

"As close as you and Kyle?"

"Kyle?" She laughed.

"You and Kyle are super close," he nodded. "You two go out to lunch, talk on the phone and do all sorts of things that I’m not included in."

"Yeah, but Kyle’s like my brother."

"And Liz is married to the only brother I’ve ever known."

Maria opened her mouth to speak, then thought better of it and closed it.

"See? Do you hear how stupid it sounds? Shit Maria, it’s Liz. You’re best friend for, like, ever. Do you honestly think that either of us is capable of hurting you like that?"

"I’d hope not," she absently tucked her hair behind her ears.

"Liz and I are friends. We’re good friends. The reason for that is you. If it wasn’t because of you, I don’t know if we’d ever have been friends. Nothing is going to change that."

She nodded and scooted closer to him "I’m sorry. I just feel like we never have enough time for each other, but you can make time to go out to lunch with her."

"She had a break between classes. If you had a break, I’d meet you." He sighed and looked into her eyes. "Will you ever believe how much I love you?"

Maria nodded slightly and leaned in to kiss him. He cupped her face in his palms slipping his tongue in her mouth. She moved closer and straddled him. Her arms reaching around him, pulling him to her. "I love you Michael."

Michael nodded," I love you Maria." He motioned for her to move and stood up. He unbuttoned his shirt and slipped his T-shirt off. Kicking his boots off and unzipping his jeans, Maria sat silently watching him, never tiring of his sculpted body. Most of the lankiness had disappeared over the last few years; muscles cropped up on his biceps and stomach. He smiled when he caught her looking at him. She blushed.

"You can stare if I can stare," he said coyly as she lifted her shirt over her head. She undid her bra and shook her chest at him. He laughed and bent down low; pushing her back on to the bed, her knees hanging over the side.

He went to her breast’s first as he normally did, he loved her breasts. Feeling her nipples get hard under his touch enthralled him. He looked to her face and into her eyes. She’d always be the Maria he loved. The one he never meant to fall in love with. The one he tried to push away. The one who made him feel alive. The one who made him want to live. The one he stayed for. They were bonded and no one could ever break that bond. He vowed nothing would ever come between them, no matter how small. His life was in that house, that night.

"I love you," he rested his chin between her breasts.

"I know you do, Michael." She smiled sweetly at him. "Sometimes my confidence factor is zero."

"I know that feeling."

She ran her fingertips though his hair; he closed his eyes and smiled. "Why don’t you come on up here for awhile?"

He obliged and met her mouth for a kiss that sent electric shocks through his bloodstream. He wasn’t sure if he had ever wanted her more than he did at that moment. He plunged inside of her, waves of passion; waves of love overwhelmed him. He felt lightheaded as she clawed his back. He wanted to explode; he wanted to scream at the top of his lungs how much he loved her.

"It’s you, Maria." He panted pushing hair away from her face. "It’s always been you."

His body trembled on top of hers, using every bit of energy he had, he held back. He didn’t want it to end yet. When he felt stability, he rocked against her and exploded. Stunned, he looked to her.

"Yeah," she smiled. "Caught you by surprise, too?"

He nodded and nuzzled his head in between her breasts. "I can’t hold back with you Maria, I can’t hold back anything."

* * * * * *

Chapter Four

The days and nights of November were cool; Isabel was cool. She was as close to the top of the world as she could get at this point. Her agent, Donnie Lasiter, had informed her earlier in the day that her new paperback would be out on the street by the end of January. He also told her he was in negotiations for a series deal, a multi-book contract and he was definitely the man to make that happen for her. He also had her set up to do a book signing right before Christmas. She was nervous about that, what if no one came? She went along with him, so far so good. She trusted him to a point. She was going to be able to do something that she had fallen in love with and get paid to do it. Life was good. She was moving into her own apartment after the first of the year; her family was happy, her friends were happy. All was good with her world. Unfortunately she also knew that’s usually when things went bad.

She loved watching Sloane while her parents worked and on Tuesday’s she was always kept on her toes when Leia was there. Leia seemed to lighten up on Sloane and not pick on her so much, her teasing and tormenting seemed to stall out. Isabel was relieved about that. For the past month or so it was usually Michael who dropped her off and picked her up, occasionally Jim or Amy, but never Maria. She had questioned Michael about it a couple of times but he never gave her a straight answer.

Isabel kept a close eye on Sloane for signs of any other powers; baiting her with locked doors, broken glasses and putting her toys out of reach. Sloane Evans did nothing. Isabel tried not to show her disappointment; she loved her niece just as much without more powers. She was bright and beautiful. The almost five year old was kind and happy, so much like Max. She had her father’s gentle soul.

In spite of herself, she loved it when Kyle was unemployed. She liked having someone she could play with during the day, too. They spent many afternoons together while she watched Sloane. She knew Max was telling Kyle some good news at dinner tonight and was glad she had invited herself. The Evans’ should be home within the hour and Kyle and Morgan were going to be there around six. She wondered why Michael and Maria weren’t coming over. Usually everyone showed up for small dinner parties.

Sloane was lying on the floor with her coloring book and crayons absorbed in her work. Isabel walked by and stopped to see what her niece was coloring. At first she thought she was looking at it wrong since she was upside down, but as she walked around it became clear. She knew for a fact it was a Winnie the Pooh coloring book; she had brought it over that morning for her. Why was the solar system in the Winnie book? She knelt down next to Sloane and saw the picture; several planets and what looked like a comet in a dark sky. She looked closer; one of the planets was actually colored over Eeyore’s balloon. Sloane had colored over the entire Winnie-scene and made her own planetary picture.

"Sloane, that’s really good." Isabel nodded. "You’re really talented."

Sloane looked at her Aunt and smiled, she loved praise. She flipped the pages back a few and showed Isabel another Sloane original. This one was of the desert. Not the desert that she would have seen, but the desert that housed the pod chamber. She looked to Isabel expectantly. Isabel smiled and told her she was artist.

Isabel was holding the coloring book when Max got home. She showed him the pictures. "Well, what do you think?"

"I think my little girl is entirely too talented," he beamed. He was so proud of her. "I bet you can’t wait to show your mommy, Tiger Eyes." Calling her by daddy’s nickname always brought a smile to her face. She hugged Max and then dashed off to her room. "Those are really good."

"Does this one look familiar at all to you?" She pointed to the dessert scene.

Max inspected it closely as recognition set in. "Holy shit, that’s the pod chamber."

"Yeah. She ever been there?"

"No. I haven’t been there in a few years."

"Me either." Isabel shrugged. "No reason to go, I guess. So, how do you think…?" She let the question hang in the air.

Max shook his head. "I don’t know. She can heal and draw places she’s never been?"

Isabel couldn’t answer but she had a feeling there was more to little Sloane Evans than meets the eye.

Dinner was late because the pizza girl couldn’t find the right condo on the first try. Max tipped her generously anyway.

"So, where are Michael and Maria?" Morgan asked.

"I don’t know." Liz bit her lip. She had left a message on their machine for Maria and had talked to Michael. He said he couldn’t promise anything, Maria was bouncing around again. Sometimes herself, sometimes not.

"She’s been acting strange lately, anyone else notice?" Kyle asked with a mouthful of pizza.

"She’s just busy with school," Liz came to her defense. She was still her best friend.

"I don’t know," Kyle shook his head. "She’s just acting funky. Like she doesn’t want to hang out with me anymore."

"Really?" Max asked barely following the conversation. Other things were on his mind including a certain female student that he couldn’t look in the eye anymore.

"Yeah," Kyle went on. "I mean every time I call her she has to get off the phone and she never wants to do anything anymore."

"Maybe she’s bored with you." Isabel looked at him through the tops of her eyes.

"Funny," he gave her the finger. "Liz, you notice anything?"

"No, but I haven’t seen much of her since before Halloween." She noticed everyone’s eyes were on her. "What?"

"You haven’t talked to her either?" Kyle seemed incredulous.

"We’ve both been busy," Liz snagged another piece of pizza. "Anyway, Max, didn’t you want to talk to Kyle about something?"

"Yeah," Max stepped back into the conversation. "I was talking to the principal a while ago and there is going to be an opening at the high school in the spring. One of the guidance counselors is getting married and moving away. We’ll need a new one."

"Oh God!" Morgan exclaimed looking at Kyle. "That’s perfect!"

"For me?" He pointed to himself.

"Yeah, duh." Morgan slapped his arm.

"I don’t know, I mean thank you, but I don’t know if I could do it."

"I wouldn’t have recommended you for the job if I didn’t think you could do it. I don’t want you to make me look bad. You meet all the criteria, you have a good name, your dad has been the sheriff forever."

"Will you at least try it Kyle?" Morgan pleaded. "Please? You might really enjoy it."

"I’ll get to mold and shape young minds?" Kyle rubbed his hands together.

"The final hiring actually comes from the Board, but the principal sounded very interested and wants to meet you."

"Thanks Max," Kyle held his hand out across the dining room table. "That was cool of you."

* * * * * *

"Why didn’t you want to go to Max’s tonight?" Michael asked as him and Maria sat down to dinner. "Isabel, Kyle and Morgan were all going to be there."

"I just didn’t want to go," she shrugged.

"Are you still hung up on the Liz thing?"

"No, I just didn’t feel like going. If you want to go so bad, then go."

"Honey, I’ll do anything you want. You don’t want to go: we don’t go. I was just wondering why."

"Now you sound as whipped as Max," she looked at her plate of pasta. She didn’t want to meet Michael’s eyes.

"Thank you," he slammed his fork down on the plate. "That may be the nicest thing you’ve said to me all day."

"I’m sorry. Sometimes I just get so sick of perfect Liz and her lapdog."

"Her lapdog is my best friend." Michael shook his head. "What has gotten in to you?"

"Nothing, okay?"

"No, it’s not nothing. We only have so many friends Maria. Friends we can trust; I don’t want to lose them." He stood and began to pace. "I know that you want this nice normal life and I’m sorry, I can’t give you a hundred percent normal. Nice, I can do that. Normal? Never. In case you forgot, I’m a freakin’ alien! I’m not from this world, although I manage to blend in like crazy, there is always going to be something different going on. I thought you had accepted that back in high school."

"Don’t yell at me Michael!" She started to cry putting her hands over her face. "Please!"

"I’m not yelling," he said and lowered his voice. "I was just telling you what I can’t give you."

She nodded and pushed her plate away. "I’m going to bed."

"It’s six o’clock." She didn’t answer but went to the bedroom, a few seconds later Michael heard the door close. "Fuck!" He slammed his open palm on the tabletop.

Maria lay in bed and cried. Her left hand placed over her stomach. What was wrong with her? She knew she wasn’t acting like herself. When did Maria DeLuca ever blow off her friends and want a normal life? Never. She rolled on her stomach and cried into the pillow. Cried for being a bitch, for not trusting her friends and for the baby she thought was inside of her.

* * * * * *

Max didn’t want to stay after school the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, he had to. He had two students that had to take a make up test and he had to be there for it. He sat at his desk watching them patiently. All he could think about was getting home and having a few relaxing days off. A skinny boy with acne and bad glasses handed Max his test. One down one to go. Almost a half-hour later the other student, a jock by all means of the word, handed him his test and grunted before leaving the classroom. Max stuck the tests in his briefcase and bent down to get his keys from the bottom desk drawer. When he looked up he jumped back, Lindy Franks was sitting on the edge of his desk. Her legs were crossed and she looked like she belonged there.

"I better stop scaring you Mr. Evans." She smiled. "You looked like you were about to jump out of your clothes!"

"Lindy," he caught his breath and looked at her. The jeans were too tight; the T-shirt was tight enough to know there was nothing on underneath it. "What…What can I do…Help you with? I was getting ready to go."

She shrugged and swung her legs around so she faced him. Max looked at her as her face closed in on hers. ‘Young teacher the subject of schoolgirl fantasy’, he heard the song by The Police over and over in his head. ‘She wants him so badly.’ She kissed him, teasing his lips with her tongue until he returned the kiss. She leaned over further and rammed her tongue in his mouth. Max raised his hand as if to caress her face, then abruptly backed away. He looked to the girl, and that’s really all she was, and felt sick.

"Go home Lindy." He pushed the chair back and stood up. "Go home." He picked the briefcase up and watched her walk from the room. He wasn’t just watching her walk this time, he was praying she’d never come back. In a daze he walked to the jeep and got in. Almost Thanksgiving and he had so much to be thankful for. His wife and daughter, friends and family, his job and here he was ready to throw every bit of it away because some pretty girl shoved her tongue down his throat. Not just a pretty girl, but a student.

He drove home and wondered if Isabel would still be there and if she was still smoking on the sly. He thought he could use a cigarette right about then. The radio was never his friend, ‘Temptation frustration so bad it makes him cry-‘. He turned the radio off and would have chucked it from the car completely if he could do it without causing a scene or an accident.

He didn’t have a long drive home and wondered if he should tell Liz what happened. No. Stupid, he smacked himself in the forehead. It was nothing but an innocent error. Right?

Liz was home before when he got there. She pretty much made her own hours and could come and go as she pleased, he was jealous about that. When she closed in to kiss him, he backed away. He couldn’t kiss his wife, not right now.

"What’s wrong?" Liz asked in her serious voice.

"Nothing," he forced a smile. "So, how was your day?"

"Uneventful so I came home at noon." She watched his eyes. "What’s up?"

"Nothing, just a long day. Glad to be off for a few."

"Don’t forget, you get all summer off, too."

"Oh, I know." He smiled. He walked to the bathroom and brushed his teeth and washed his face hoping it would purify the guilt. It didn’t.

* * * * * *

Chapter Five

Thanksgiving came and went without the Guerin/DeLuca family making an appearance anywhere except Amy and Jim’s. Kyle tried to talk to Maria, but she walked away from him every time. She did the same with Morgan. Or at least she tried to.

"What is your problem Maria?" Morgan confronted her in the kitchen.

"I don’t have a problem."

"Yeah, you do. You walk around all the time like a zombie. Everyone’s worried about you. You don’t seem to be acting like yourself."

"You don’t know enough about me to know when I’m myself and when I’m not." Maria retorted.

"I think I do. Liz knows you pretty damn good and she’s worried."

"Of course she is," Maria smiled. "Because her life is so fucking perfect, she has nothing to worry about there so she bestows her pity where it’s needed, right?"

"I highly doubt that’s it."

"I highly doubt you know what you’re talking about." Maria tried to walk by her but Morgan wouldn’t move.

"Liz, Kyle, Iz, Max and myself. We are all worried. If you won’t talk to me, talk to someone."

Maria pushed her way past her and found Michael in the living room watching TV with Jim and Kyle. "I’m ready to go," she whispered in his ear. He looked up to her face and saw pain. He nodded and stood up.

"Where are you two going?" Jim asked.

"Home," Maria said. "I don’t feel that great."

"Well, then I better make the big announcement," Jim stood and walked to Amy who was leaning against the wall. He put his arm around her shoulders. "Okay, effective the first of the year, I will no longer be the Sheriff of Roswell."

"Seriously?" Kyle asked shocked. "Why didn’t you say anything sooner?"

Jim shrugged. "I wasn’t a hundred percent sure until recently. I’m hanging up my hat. I want to enjoy life without all that work involved." He looked to Michael who nodded in return. "And, until the special election in April, I’ll be appointing Deputy Michael Guerin as my successor."

"Oh God!" Morgan laughed. "There goes the neighborhood!"

"Hey," Michael pointed at her.

"So you have to run for it in April, I mean officially?" Kyle asked.

"Yeah, but I’ll be running unopposed. So unless there’s a bunch of write-ins and no one votes for me at all, I’m in." He picked up Maria’s hand and brought it to his lips. "That’s right, there’s gonna be a new Sheriff in town." He kissed Maria’s cheek. "Now I’ll get to drive the big truck, say good-bye to the cruiser days."

They all laughed except Maria: her eyes remained downcast. They said their good-byes, gathered up Leia and her things and went home. Michael followed Maria around while she helped Leia take a bath and get her ready for bed, while she picked up clothes off the floor and put away dishes.

"Quit following me!" She snapped at him.

"What’s going on?"

"I’m trying to clean the damn house," she sighed. "I actually have a few days where I don’t have to be anywhere or do anything so I thought I’d clean the house because apparently no one else is capable of it!"

He took a plate from her hand and set it on the counter. He turned her towards him and lifted her chin to meet her eyes. "Tell me."

"There’s nothing to tell."

"Yeah, there is Maria."

"I think I’m pregnant." She said quietly as tears poured down her cheeks. Michael pulled her into him and wrapped his arms around her, holding her. He buried his face in her and kissed it.

"Is this why you’ve been acting strange for the last couple of months?"

She shrugged. "I don’t even know for sure."

"No test?"

She shook her head. "I thought if I ignored it, it might go away."

"You don’t want to have another baby?" He lifted her face back up to his. "Is that what you’re saying?"

"I don’t know," she shook her head. "I just wasn’t expecting it. I mean, I’m on the pill, but I do miss one every once in awhile."

"Do you want this baby?" His voice broke.

"I do," she nodded. "I just didn’t want one yet. Leia’s in school, I’m in school and now I have to quit. I just want my turn."

Michael nodded. "I’ll support you whatever you decide."

"Oh, I’ll have the baby." She reassured him. "That’s not a question. I just don’t think it’s fair. Nothing’s ever fair!"

"Maria, you can’t say that."

"Yeah, I can. Look at Liz and Max. They have this great condo, with carpeting. Max has a good job and Liz," she snorted. "Liz, the brain, drops out of school and gets a great job right away making a ton of money. She took a year off to stay home with Sloane and everything turns out peachy for her."

"Are you jealous?’ Michael bit back his surprise. "I have a good job, Maria. It’s going to be a better job in January. We’re doing really well. We own our home; they rent. We’re happy, Maria. Isn’t that the most important thing?"

"They’re happy, too." She shook her head. "I just want things to be easier for us. We struggled for so long after Leia was born. They seem to have everything handed to them on a platter and it gets on my nerves, I can’t help it."

"So you blow Liz off for the last couple of months." Michael nodded.

"Yeah."

"It’s not their fault things work out for them."

"I can’t help it. You work all the time. I never get to see you. Max is home every day by five. Leia’s straight from hell sometimes. Sloane is like this perfect child; she never does anything wrong. I mean I miss Liz, I do. I didn’t mean to be such a bitch to her and to you." Maria wiped the last of the tears away. "I’m just so jealous. And now another baby. I can’t seem to catch a break and then there’s Liz and her perfect family."

* * * * * *

A week after Thanksgiving, Liz’s perfect husband was crushing his body against Lindy Franks’ in the parking lot behind the public library. His mouth covering hers, his pelvis was grinding into hers.

He hadn’t meant to do this, that wasn’t on his agenda when he left school that afternoon. He had been driving home wanting to stop by the florist and pick up some flowers for Liz. She always loved when he brought her home flowers. He had seen Lindy loitering by the entrance of the back parking lot, alone. Without realizing it, he pulled over and asked her if she needed a ride home. She had gotten in the jeep and the next thing Max knew they were standing outside it, in the shadows.

His hands caressed her smooth face while hers unbuttoned her shirt. She lifted her bra above her breasts, taking Max’s hand she placed it on her breast. He toyed with her while trying to reach his tongue as far into her mouth as he could.

Her hands slid down the front of him and tried to get his zipper down. Max stopped moving against her; he was shaking. He removed his hands from her then lifted hers from him. He stepped back at her. She looked confused, her shirt open in front of him. He stared at her face, her short blond hair mussed, her expression perplexed. He reached to her and pulled her shirt closed.

"I have to go," he looked to the jeep in back of her.

"Mr. Evans."

He cringed; he was her teacher. He was her married teacher. "Lindy, this was wrong."

"Are you sure?" She bit her bottom lip as she buttoned her shirt. "I didn’t think it felt wrong."

"Damn it, I’m your teacher!"

"I’m sure you could teach me all kinds of things."

"Forget this happened Lindy, please." He walked around to the other side of the jeep and got in. He left her staring after him as he drove out of the lot. Flowers forgotten, everything forgotten, he drove home.

* * * * * *

Kyle smiled as he handed Morgan a flat box wrapped in yellow wrapping paper. A giant blue bow was in the middle. She took it from hesitantly and looked seriously at it.

"What’s this for?"

"A present for you, that’s all." He grinned. "Go on, open it."

Morgan nodded and un-wrapped the box. Underneath tissue paper were two envelopes. She looked to him then back in the box. She opened the envelopes. Two plane tickets to Las Vegas."

"Vegas? You want to go to Vegas?"

"Yeah, I want to go to Vegas and marry you." He raised his eyebrows. "So, will you marry me Morgan?"

"Oh," she brought her hand to her mouth, her blue eyes wide. "Wow."

"Wow?"

"Wow," she repeated. "Well, let’s see. If I go pack now, we can leave tonight, right?"

"That’s a yes?"

"Yeah Valenti, that’s a big ass yes!" She was swept off her feet as Kyle swung her around and around.

"Go pack, I’m already done."

"So you were anticipating my acceptance?"

"Yeah Chase, that’s a big ass yes!" Kyle watched his bride-to-be scamper in the bedroom and picked up the phone. He called his dad first, then tried Maria. He left a message on their machine. He called Isabel at Max’s and told her the good news. She chided him for leaving town for her book signing. He promised to have her sign every book in his apartment when they got back.

* * * * *

Isabel smiled as she hung up the phone with Kyle. So, he was finally going to marry her. About time, she thought. She had her feet up on the coffee table, the laptop where it should be, on her lap. Sloane was leaning against her watching cartoons when Max walked in the door. He was flushed.

"Little brother, what’s up?" She called to him.

He shook his head and sat next to Sloane on the couch. He hugged her and kissed her forehead. She backed away from him; her amber eyes almost glowed. "You don’t feel like mommy," she said in the smallest voice.

Max blanched and sat up straight and looked from his daughter to his sister. "I don’t?"

Sloane shook her head and crawled onto Isabel’s lap, pushing the computer to the other side. She buried her head in her Aunt’s shoulder.

"Sloane?" Isabel stroked the little girls’ hair. "Are you okay?"

Sloane leaned up and whispered in her aunt’s ear. "He doesn’t feel like mommy."

Isabel looked to Max and shrugged. Max stared at his daughter; he was scared. He was going to come clean with Liz when she got home. He nodded then shook his head, no he wasn’t. It’d break her heart. Stupid. So stupid.

Isabel picked Sloane up and carried her into her room. She lay her on the bed and sat next to her. "Are you okay, sweetheart?" Sloane shook her head and closed her eyes. "Did daddy do something wrong?" Sloane shrugged. Isabel kissed her forehead and went back into the living room. There she found Max still on the couch, he was bent over, his hands covered his face. "What’s going on, Max?" She sat next to him.

He shook his head. "How is she?"

"I don’t know because I don’t know what she means by saying you don’t feel like her mommy. What does that mean Max?" She demanded. "Tell me what that means."

He stood and paced in front of her. Isabel stood and walked out on the balcony, she lit up a cigarette and blew smoke above her head. She thought she knew what Sloane meant and it was making her more and more pissed off that Max wasn’t talking. The door opened and Max joined her. He took a cigarette out of her pack and lit up. He had tried smoking before and never got in to it. Today, he felt like he could chain smoke.

"Tell me what she meant, Max. I’m serious."

"I…I messed up." He didn’t face her.

"I figured. Tell me or I’ll think the worse."

"I have a student, her name is Lindy."

"A student?"

"Yeah. She uh…" He took a deep breath. "She likes me. A lot."

"Oh God," she turned away from him leaning on the iron bars of the balcony. "What did you do?"

"She was just there and I didn’t…"

"For God’s sake Max, just spit it out." She turned to face him, her eyes wild with anger and disappointment.

"I guess I kind of made out with her." He looked away, embarrassed.

"Kind of made out with her, huh?" Isabel shook her head. "Are you an idiot? Seriously, why do you do things like this?"

"I don’t know," he inhaled deeply, the smoke filling his lungs. "It just happened."

"You are so stupid! Do you know what this could do? You could lose your job and your family. Did you think about that while you were messing around with some teenybopper? Did any of those thoughts cross your mind?"

"Yeah, Iz, they all did. It just happened."

"Where?"

"Where did it happen?"

"Yeah," Isabel looked through him.

"Parking lot at the library." He admitted as another groundswell of guilt roared through him. "I was coming home, no, I was going to the florist to buy flowers. She was standing there alone and I stopped. I asked her if she needed a ride and she got in. Then we were outside the jeep in back of the building, in the shadows."

"Did you fuck her?"

"My sister, as tactful as always." He snorted. "No, I did not fuck her."

"Well, at least you might have part of your brain functioning. So, now what?"

"What do you mean?"

"How are you going to fix it? Is this girl going to be back around? Are you going to tell Liz and break her heart or just go about life and hope it stays normal? What about Sloane?"

"I’m going for door number three," he smiled at her. It deflated when he met her glare. "I’m sorry, I feel like shit. It was just temptation. I don’t know what to do about Sloane. She’s intuitive."

"Don’t tell Liz." Isabel shook her head. "You put her through enough throughout the years, she doesn’t need this."

Max nodded, no, he wouldn’t tell her. He never wanted to see her with a broken heart again. "You’ll keep this between us?"

"No, I thought I might take out an ad in the paper," she rolled her eyes and put her cigarette out in a soda can she had brought out earlier in the day. "Don’t mess up again, Max."

He promised and watched her go back inside and collect her things. She left the condo without looking back at him. He sat down and put his smoke out in the same can. Stupid, he thought, how could you be so stupid? She’s a freaking student and you’re a happily married man. He walked back inside and waited for his wife.

* * * * * *

Leia woke up and went into her parents bedroom before the sun rose. They were both asleep; her mom on her stomach and her dad curled up to mom. She placed her hand on her mother’s shoulder and waited for her to open her eyes.

"What are you doing up?" Maria smiled at Leia.

"She’s going to need you and you’re going to need her." Leia nodded.

"What?" Maria sat up clutching the sheet under her arms. "Who?"

"She’s going to need you and you’re going to need her." Leia repeated.

"Leia? What are you talking about?"

Leia crawled up next to her and lay in her lap. "Don’t be mad, you’re going to need each other." She yawned and drifted off to sleep. Maria stared down at her daughter and wondered what the hell she was talking about.

* * * * * *

Chapter Six

Kyle and Morgan returned from Las Vegas as the Valenti’s. Max and Liz threw a small party for them, inviting friends and family. It was a small gathering, as they always were. Isabel, Jim, Amy and Michael were the guests. Once again, Maria was noticeably absent. The new couple told stories of their wedding in the ‘Little White Wedding Chapel’ and about the shows and gambling. Michael was uncharacteristically quiet, missing Maria was written all over his face.

He went to the kitchen of the condo to get something to drink, Liz followed and closed the swinging door behind her.

"Hey," he nodded at her. "Great party."

"Don’t lie. You look like you’d rather be any where else but here." Liz smiled and leaned against the counter. "So, what’s Maria’s excuse this time?"

"Not feeling good," Michael smiled. "She’s had a lot of that lately."

"Do you think if I just went over to your house right now she’d talk to me? Because I’ll leave in a heartbeat if you think there’s a chance she’ll talk."

"No," he shook his head. "She’ll talk to you eventually."

"This is the longest we’ve ever gone without at least talking. Does she hate me? Did I really do something wrong? Does she still think there’s something going on between us?"

"I come in here because I’m thirsty and end up with twenty questions," he laughed. "She doesn’t hate you Liz, I don’t think she could hate you if she tried. I tried, and I couldn’t really hate you," he smirked. "She still isn’t too hip on the idea that we’re actually good friends."

"Yeah, l figured that was part of it. It’s the future, the future Max said we’d have a unique friendship, and I guess we do. But I miss her Michael. Will you tell her that? She’s my best friend in the entire world and I would do anything to have her talk to me again. I hate this!"

"She’s going through a phase, that’s all." Michael debated if he should tell her Maria thought she was pregnant. He decided it wasn’t his place. Not yet anyway, at least until they knew for sure. "Give her time."

"I’ve given her almost two months and haven’t heard anything. Did you tell her we went out to lunch the other day?"

"No," he shook his head sheepishly. "Did you tell Max?"

She looked thoughtfully at the ceiling and then grinned. "Huh, I guess I didn’t. But Mr. Max doesn’t think we’re having some type of torrid affair."

"Torrid affair?" Isabel pushed open the kitchen door anxiously and looked from Liz to Michael and back again. Did they know about Max and the high school girl? "Who’s having a torrid affair?"

"Relax, Iz." Michael laughed. "We were just talking, no torrid affairs going on around here. Hey, I meant to ask how the book signing went. I had to work."

"I know, at least Liz and my brother were kind enough to show up with two kids, yours included. That made, including them, about nine people in line."

"It wasn’t like that at all," Liz rolled her eyes. "We came back by later, they were people wanting signed books all afternoon."

"Well, maybe." She grinned demurely. "I met a guy there."

"Who?" Liz’s eye’s widened.

"A single father, his name is Rick something and his daughter’s name is Paige. She’s a big fan." She nodded. "We actually have a date next week."

"That’s great!" Liz smiled. "How old is his daughter?"

"Nine."

"How old is he?" Michael asked raising his eyebrows.

"None of your damn business," she grabbed a stack of napkins off the table. "This is what I came in here for and as long as there are no torrid affairs, I shall be leaving." With a flourish of hands she went back to the party.

"So Max doesn’t mind us spending time together?" Michael asked once Isabel was gone. "I mean he knows about the other lunches, right?"

"Yeah, he doesn’t care. He’s not the jealous type, really. Besides, it’s you Michael." She shrugged. "Our relationship is so stable, neither of us would ever consider any type of an affair. After everything we went through to be together? Not a chance."

While the grown-ups were talking and laughing in the other room, Sloane Evans sat alone in her bedroom cross-legged on her bed. She had stuffed animals around her, but her attention was unfocussed. She stared straight ahead.

"I know," she said softly. "We have to help them. They need each other. They always need each other. There are bad things coming."

* * * * * *

Maria watched Leia with interest from the kitchen doorway. The little girl sat at the table, milk and cookies untouched in front of her. She looked at the wall and seemed focused on something Maria couldn’t see.

"Real bad. They’ll be together again." Leia said out loud.

* * * * * *

Max was counting down the days to Christmas break along with his students, only six more school days and then he wouldn’t have to see Lindy Franks everyday in fourth period. He tried to ignore her through classes and dodged her in the hallways. A stupid mistake he chalked it up to. An inexperienced new teacher with his first schoolgirl crush. He was sure there would be more and now he knew exactly what not to do.

He was meeting Michael to go Christmas shopping today, less than two more weeks until the big day and Max was excited. He had tucked away a little of each paycheck to get his two favorite girls something special this year. Sloane’s birthday had consisted mostly of toys. Michael was waiting for him in the parking lot on his complex. He got out of the Tempo and into the jeep.

"When are you going to get a new car?" Max asked looking at the Tempo and the rust that had sprung up around the wheel wells and along the door.

"When I can afford a nicer one, I will get one." Michael rolled his eyes. "When is Liz going to get a new car? You’ve been promising her one for two years. That clunker you got her is an embarrassment."

"I know, it’s pretty bad, isn’t it?" Max smiled. "We’re trying to save for a house next year so it’ll have to be after that and then I’ll get her exactly what she wants."

Michael shrugged and turned up the radio. He hated shopping. They parked as far away from the mall with still being in the parking lot and trooped in with the other six billion shoppers and made their way to the jewelry store.

"Next year," Max said as they looked at the cases. "I’m buying everything online."

Michael agreed and asked to see the charms. Every year he got Maria a charm for her bracelet. He found a silver cage with a solid heart inside and knew it was perfect. Max was looking at tennis bracelets and earrings. Which would Liz like more?

"A ring." Michael stood next to him. "She’d rather have a ring."

"How do you know?"

He shrugged. "Trust me, she’d rather have a ring."

Max decided to trust him and picked out a thick gold band with rubies. For Sloane, he picked out a charm on a necklace. The charm was a flat etched sun, he had it engraved on the back: Tiger Eyes Love, Dad. He knew she was too young for it, but he wanted her to have it and remember his nickname for her when she was older. She was still acting slightly distant to him and when he asked if he felt like mommy again, she nodded slightly. The guilt was driving him crazy.

They shopped some more and bought toys and family presents. Max pointed proudly to a picture of his sister in the window at the bookstore. "See, now that is cool."

"That is cool. I can’t believe she got a six book deal. That’s great. She’s going to get all rich and famous and leave Roswell, you know that, right?" Michael asked.

"Yeah, I know she’s going to get rich and famous, but I don’t think she’s going to leave Roswell. I doubt any of us will ever leave Roswell. Except my parents. Did I mention that?"

"No, where are they going?"

"Arizona. Just outside Phoenix. My dad wants to retire and retire to Arizona is what they’re going to do." Max looked at him. "They’re putting the house up for sale after the first of the year and they’re taking off. Like in a matter of three weeks."

"Did they just tell you?"

"Last week. I knew he wanted to retire and I knew they both wanted to move to Arizona, I just didn’t know it was going to be so soon." Max looked across the mall to the lingerie store. "They’re excited about moving, but at the same time they’re going to miss Sloane."

"I bet, I can’t imagine Amy moving away from Leia." Michael shook his head. "So after the first of the year the parent’s are bolting." He followed Max’s gaze and they walked to the store looking in the front window.

"Yeah, Isabel is going to stay there until the house sells." Max felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around. It was Lindy Franks and two of her friends.

"Hi Mr. Evans," she grinned at him. "Christmas shopping?" She motioned to the store in front of them.

"Yeah, for my wife." He said and looked at Michael. "Well, bye Lindy."

She waved and walked away giggling with her friends.

"Wow, girls did not look like that when we were in school." Michael said after Lindy walked away.

"I know," Max shook his head.

"Alright, let’s finish this shopping thing up and get out of here. I want to see Leia before she goes to bed." Michael led the way into the store and about an hour later they were hiking back to the car loaded down with bags.

"I hope we don’t get mugged," Max said shifting bags back and forth between his hands trying to find his keys.

"I’m packing, we won’t get mugged."

* * * * * *

Max had successfully avoided Lindy except in class until the last day. Classes were over, finals were over, and it was Winter break. He hurried through the halls wishing his colleagues happy holidays and made it to the lot. He looked around the parking lot and let out a deep breath. The jeep was sitting all alone. No Lindy. He grinned as he reached the vehicle. The grin was shattered when he looked inside. Lindy Franks was sitting in the passenger seat smiling at him. He opened the door and scowled at her.

"What are you doing in my jeep?"

"Waiting for you, Mr. Evans." She smiled seductively. Too seductively for a seventeen year-old.

"Get out, I need to go home."

"Isn’t that Mr. Parson’s coming this way?" She pointed in back of him. Max turned around, his heart racing. He instinctively got in the jeep and told her to put her head down. He wasn’t implying she should put it on his lap.

He waved to Ken Parsons as he got in his car. He watched as the science teacher drove from the lot. His zipper had come down by then. "Get up Lindy," he pulled her up by her shoulders. "You have to get out. I have to go."

"I don’t have a ride home, will you drive me?" She looked at him through the tops of her eyes. "Please?"

Max zipped his pants back up and looked at her. "Fine. Where do you live?"

She gave him directions as she unbuttoned her shirt. When he pulled up in the driveway she specified he turned to her. Her shirt hung open exposing her breasts.

"Put your shirt back on and go inside," he turned away from her.

"My parents aren’t home," she moved closer to him, kneeling down on the floor in between the seats. She rested her elbows on his knees. "Do you want to come in?"

"No, get dressed and get out." He looked down to her, his eyes strayed to her chest for a moment, but it was a moment that Lindy saw. She rose and thrust her breasts into his face. He turned away, but eventually he moved his mouth to them. He felt her hand on his rock hard masculinity and couldn’t move it. The zipper was coming back down; the top button was undone. His hands went to her breasts; his mouth reached for hers while her hands pulled him from his pants.

Max saw a flash in his mind. It was Liz. Then it was Sloane. He opened his eyes and pushed Lindy Franks from him. He tucked himself back in his pants and looked at her, crumpled on the floor next to him. "Get out Lindy. This was a mistake."

"You want me," she stated. "I could feel how much you wanted me."

"This is beyond wrong." He shook his head. "I have a wife and a daughter; I’m happily married. This was a huge mistake. Forget about it Lindy, okay? It never happened."

She looked at him and understood. She was just a stupid girl who had a crush on her teacher. She nodded and collected her things. She got out of the jeep and didn’t look back as she walked inside.

Max took a deep breath before he backed out of the driveway. He wanted to go home and be with his family. Would Sloane know? What would she say and would she say it in front of Liz?

When he walked in the door he was greeted by Liz, he moved away from her as she went to kiss him. He cited soda breath and went to brush his teeth. Sloane walked into the bathroom and looked at her father.

"It’s not mommy," she said and looked at him, her brow knitted together.

He reached for her but she backed away. Max knelt on the floor and looked in her eyes. "C’mon Tiger Eyes, don’t you want to give your daddy a hug? I missed you today."

She shook her head and crossed her arms over her chest, a trick no doubt she had learned from the females in the family.

"Please, Sloane." He held out his arms towards her.

"You don’t feel like mommy." She turned away and walked out of the bathroom closing the door behind her.

Max sank to the floor and cried for his guilt.

* * * * * *

"Okay, tomorrow is Christmas and every year we spend it at Max’s. Is that going to be a problem this year?" Michael asked. He was sitting at the end of the couch; Maria was laying down, her head on his lap.

"I guess not," Maria sighed. "Have fun."

"It’s Christmas Maria. Time for miracles, okay." He ran his hands through his hair. "Did you manage to call and make an appointment with the doctor, yet?"

She shook her head. "I took a home test."

"You did? When?"

"Today, you were at work, as usual." She closed her eyes.

"And…?"

"I took three. The first two were inconclusive, the last one was positive." She refrained from crying. It hadn’t done her any good the rest of the day.

"That’s great!" Michael laughed. "We’re going to have another baby!" He leaned over and kissed her lips. "Aren’t you excited?"

"Yeah, of course. I feel different though, not like I did with Leia."

"Well, is that normal?"

"Hell, I don’t know. Like you tell me, I can’t have normal." She shrugged and sat up. "About tomorrow, I’ll go. One condition, no sneaking off or private conversations with Liz. Okay?"

"I will not leave your side." He crossed his heart with his finger. "I promise. Everyone is going to be so glad to see you. You haven’t even talked to Kyle since they got back from Vegas, have you?" She shook her head. "Everyone keeps asking about you."

"And what do you tell them?"

"That you’re not feeling well, which they all know is crap." He shook his head. "Don’t you want your life back?"

Maria shrugged as she got off the couch. She kissed Michael goodnight and went to the bedroom. She lay on the bed and took a deep breath. Tomorrow she was going to have to face all the people that she had put on hold for so long. All her friends. All the people that cared about her and were worried about her. She got a sick feeling in her stomach thinking about the next day. So it was Christmas, a time for miracles isn’t that what Michael had said? She guessed it really would be a miracle if she could handle tomorrow.

* * * * * *

Chapter Seven

The morning was hectic. Christmas mornings always were, traveling from in-laws to in-laws. Everyone wants to see his or her granddaughter on Christmas morning. They all wanted to bestow hundreds of dollars worth of gifts on her. Max and Liz were exhausted and it was only a little after one in the afternoon. After doing the presents extravaganza in front of the tree, they ventured to the Parker’s and then to the Evans’. The jeep so full of presents for Sloane it looked like it would burst. Sloane was exhausted. She fell asleep on the way back home. Isabel followed them after Liz eagerly accepted her offer to help them get ready for the rest of the day.

Liz carried Sloane inside while Max and Isabel carried bags of presents. Liz laid Sloane down on her bed and was tempted to lay down with her; she resisted temptation and wandered back into the living room as the Evans’ siblings were setting down their loads.

"Think she got enough?" Isabel commented. "I don’t ever remember getting this much stuff for Christmas."

"Me either," Max agreed. "You have to remember though, Sloane is the first grandchild."

Liz slumped on the couch and kicked off her shoes. She leaned back and closed her eyes. Isabel sat next to her and tapped her shoulder. "What time is everyone coming over?"

"Kyle said him and Morgan should be here around five. Michael said about the same time, maybe a little later."

"Maria?"

"Doubtful," Liz opened her eyes and looked at her sister-in-law. "Michael said he’d try to convince her if she was feeling okay. He promised him and Leia would be here though."

"You still haven’t talked to her, have you?"

"No. I’m actually getting worried about her. This is so not Maria. She loves to be included in everything and if she’s not, she gets pissed."

"I know. Do you think her and Michael are having problems?"

"No, they’re fine." Liz shook her head. "Maybe it’s because of school. I know she’s having a hard time balancing family and school."

"Well, I hope she snaps out of whatever she’s in soon because Michael’s no fun anymore. It’s all work and be sad Maria’s not here."

Liz shrugged. "I don’t know what else to do. I call and I get the machine. Michael tells me she’ll talk when she’s ready."

Isabel sighed and stood up. "Max, why don’t we get some of the food ready? Liz seems awfully tired."

Liz smiled as her husband kissed her forehead. "You rest, we’ll start."

"Thanks and thank you again for the ring," she gazed down to her hand. "It’s perfect."

Morgan and Kyle were the first to arrive, arms heavy with presents. Kyle wanted to wake up Sloane so she could open her presents, but Max asked him to wait. She’d be up soon enough.

"Michael coming?" Kyle asked. "He didn’t say much this morning at my dad’s."

"Yeah. I know him and Leia will be here. How was Maria today?" Liz sat next to him on the couch.

"Same. Distant. I wish I knew what was wrong and I wish I could fix it. She never even told us congrat’s or anything. It’s like she doesn’t care anymore."

"I know," Liz commiserated. "I miss her."

"Me too."

The knock at the door was welcomed as Max answered it. Leia came barreling in and went directly to Sloane’s room. Michael followed; Maria walked in after him. Liz jumped off the couch and nearly ran to her friend. She put her arms around Maria and hugged her. She sensed Maria’s hesitancy to hug her back and stepped away.

"I’m glad you could make it," Liz smiled. "Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas Liz," Maria smiled looking at the floor. "Thanks for having us."

"Maria, you’re always welcome here." Liz nodded. "How are you? Glad about winter break?"

"Yeah, but I don’t think I’ll be going back next semester," Maria looked to Michael who instantly came to her side. "Too much other stuff, you know."

"Sure," Liz smiled. She offered drinks and was decline by both of them. "Well, I’m going to finish up the food. Maria? Do you want to help?"

Maria looked from Michael to Liz and finally nodded. She followed Liz into the kitchen and waited. Liz pointed to the food that was ready to go out, Maria took it to the dining room and returned awaiting more direction.

"I’ve missed you," Liz said quietly. She turned around and saw her best friend looking at her. "Are you okay?"

"I’m fine," Maria held her head up and forced a smile. "You know me, I’m always fine."

Liz nodded and went back to arranging her vegetable platter. Maria watched for a moment then told Liz she was going to check on Leia, it had been too quiet. She found her daughter in Sloane’s room; they were on the bed huddled in a deep conversation that only they would understand.

"What’re you guys doing?" Maria asked from the doorway.

"Nothin’," Leia looked at her and went back to Sloane. Maria watched the two girls and smiled. They had become friends, finally. She went back to the living room and sat next to Michael at the dining room table not wanting to be cornered in the kitchen by Liz again.

"You okay?" Michael whispered in her ear and picked up her hand.

She nodded. "I’m fine." She looked across the room to Kyle; he was staring at her. She took a deep breath and walked to him. "Hi."

"Hi."

"I’m sorry," she looked at the carpet. "I should have told you congratulations before now. I’m happy for you."

"Yeah," Kyle’s brows knitted together. "So, how are you lately? I don’t think you said more than five words this morning."

"I’m fine." The same forced smile resurfaced. At that particular moment, sitting in the happy perfect home of Max and Liz Evans was the last place on earth she wanted to be. "So, tell me about the wedding."

Kyle grinned and told all about Las Vegas and how much fun they had. He was so excited talking about his new wife and new job ahead of him he didn’t notice she was barely listening.

"She’s not listening to you," Morgan leaned against the back of the couch.

"What?" Kyle looked up at her.

"She’s not listening," Morgan cocked her head in Maria’s direction. "Look at her." Kyle did and shook his head, disappointment evident on his face. "See."

"Damn it," Kyle stood and walked out of the room.

Maria finally turned and saw the empty space next to her. "Kyle?"

"People tend to leave when they’re being ignored." Morgan came around the other side and sat next to her. "Listen, it’s obvious you’re going through some type of thing, okay? Please, don’t push away the people who love you any more than you already have. Kyle’s worried about you; you are his sister as far as he’s concerned. If you need help, go to someone. There’s a room full of people here who care about you, who will bend over backwards to help you. Let them. Please." Morgan walked away to find Kyle. She pushed open the kitchen door to find Liz and Kyle talking.

"It’s like she’s not even there anymore," Kyle was shaking his head. He smiled at his new bride. "What’s wrong?"

"I hate the way Maria is treating everyone," she sidled up to her husband slipping an arm around his waist. "It’s freakin’ Christmas and she sits there all gloomy. I hate it. She has so many friends and she won't talk to anyone. It’s like she blew off life."

"You said something to her, didn’t you?" Kyle asked raising his eyebrows.

"Well, yeah. Not much, nothing bad. I just told her she has to talk to someone. This has been going on for a few months and it’s disrupting everyone around her."

The kitchen door swung open and Michael walked in; he looked accusingly at Kyle and Morgan. "If you want to talk about Maria, make sure she’s not on the other side of the door." He walked back out and comforted his crying other half. Merry Christmas.

Liz bolted from the kitchen and went directly to Maria. She took her hand and pulled her off the couch. Maria looked frantically back at Michael as Liz led her down the hall. She pulled her into the bedroom and shut the door behind her.

"What the hell is going on with you?" Liz demanded with her hands on her hips.

"I want to go home," she looked to the door.

"No. Damn it Maria, you have to let me in." Liz sighed. "You’re my best friend and I feel like I don’t even know you anymore." Maria nodded. "I have to know what’s wrong. Why don’t you even want to talk to me anymore? What did I do that was so wrong?"

"Nothing," she laughed. "That’s the point. You never do anything wrong. Everything about you and your life is so fucking perfect I could throw up."

"Maria…?"

"You have a great place to live, you have a great job and a great husband and daughter. Everything about you is great and I can’t stand it." She smiled bitterly. "I struggle to go to school and take of my daughter, I never get to see Michael because he works all the time, we bought a dinky house that doesn’t even have carpet. Michael has time to go out to lunch with you but not me. It’s not fair."

"Don’t think that way," Liz was shaken. Of all the things she thought Maria could be upset about, she hadn’t even come close to this one.

"Why not? It’s the truth." She looked longingly to the door. "I want your life Liz. It’s perfect. I need some perfection in mine."

"You have a great life."

"No, I don’t."

"Michael loves you more than anything in this world, you have to know that. He talks about you all the time, all the times you weren’t feeling good enough to come, he was depressed. You and Leia are his life." Liz shook her head. "Did you see all those people out there? They are your friends and they love you. They want you in their lives. I love you. I want you back in my life."

"Why mess with perfection?" Maria put her hand on her stomach and thought briefly about telling Liz about the baby. No. She didn’t need to know

"So, I guess you’re saying you don’t want to be friends anymore?" Liz fought back tears. Never let them see you cry. "Is that what it comes down too?"

"I don’t know." Hearing the words out loud from Liz was heartbreaking. She did want to be friends with Liz, with everyone. "I have to go."

"You can’t leave it like this."

"I have to." She exited the bedroom leaving Liz standing alone, a single tear rolling down her cheek.

Maria stormed out of the bedroom and went to Sloane’s room. She grabbed Leia’s arm and told her they were leaving. Leia stood as well as Sloane from their game of stuffed animals. Sloane reached out tentatively and touched Maria’s stomach. Maria looked down into her amber eyes and gasped. Sloane’s eyes rolled back in her head and she began to cry still touching Maria’s stomach.

"What’s wrong?" Maria bent down in front of the little girl. "Sloane?"

"She’s going to help you, mommy." Leia answered.

Maria felt the gooseflesh and pulled her daughter from the room. She walked to Max and told him to check on Sloane. She looked at Michael, then disappeared out the front door with her daughter in tow.

"What happened?" Kyle asked a stunned Michael.

"I don’t know," he looked to the door then down the hall where Max had gone. He walked to Sloane’s room and looked inside. Max was kneeling on the floor holding his daughter. "What’s wrong?"

"She said she tried to fix Maria," Max looked to him then closed his eyes.

"Damn it," Michael walked from the room and said his brief good-byes to Kyle and Morgan. He’d call Liz later and thank her. He ran down the steps instead of taking the elevator and found Maria and Leia waiting in the car. He opened the door and looked at her. "What the hell happened up there?"

"I want to go home."

"What happened with Sloane?" He asked getting in the car and starting the engine.

"I don’t know," Maria looked out the window,

"She was trying to help," Leia said in a small voice from the back seat. "She was trying to help mommy."

"Help mommy with what?" Michael turned around and faced his daughter.

Leia shrugged and looked out the window. Like mother like daughter, Michael thought as he out the car in gear and drove home.

When they reached home, Maria got undressed and nearly fainted at the sight of a tiny silver handprint on her belly.

* * * * * *

Kyle Valenti was being shown around the school on his first day. He was excited, he couldn’t remember being excited about any other job. Maybe Morgan was right; this could be perfect for him. The principal led him to a small office within the main one and was told it was his. Kyle walked around the desk and sat down. He thought he had finally found a career. The student files were in order in a tall black filing cabinet on the side of the office. He was taking over the students who had seen the other counselor before she quit. No troublemakers, he had been promised. He didn’t mind. He pulled a small framed picture from his suit jacket and put it on the corner of his desk. His desk. He liked the sound of that. The picture was of him and Morgan outside the wedding chapel.

* * * * * *

"I saw Liz today," Michael said when he got home from his forth official day of being Sheriff. He handed her a flat box wrapped in Christmas paper. "She wanted me to give this to you."

Maria took the box and nearly questioned where he had seen Liz, but didn’t. That wasn’t important anymore, she knew neither of them would hurt her. She opened the box and pushed back tissue paper. Tears fell as she looked at a picture of her and Liz. It had to have been freshman year. She remembers staying over at the Parker’s, her mom had taken the picture. They had their arms slung around each other’s shoulders, smiles as wide as they could get on their adolescent faces. They were wearing matching T-shirts with ironed on letters: ‘best friends’. She picked the frame up and saw the inscription embedded at the bottom of the sliver frame. Maria & Liz Best Friends.

Maria ran her finger over Liz’s face. Lizzie. Her best friend.

* * * * * *

Max made it through the first four days of school without seeing Lindy Franks. He thought it was over. He had been foolish and unethical; but it was behind him now. School had been out for over two hours but Max Evans remained at his desk grading pop quizzes he had been giving all day.

His classroom door was open and when he heard approaching footsteps he looked up surprised to see Lindy Franks.

"Did you have a nice Christmas?" She asked walking next to him. She rested her ass on the corner of the desk.

"Yes, thank you." He adjusted his tie. "Is there something you needed?"

"Just to say I’m sorry I don’t have one of your classes this semester," she smiled. Max didn’t reply. She leaned towards him and Max backed his chair up. He stood and backed away from her. "What’s wrong?"

"It’s late, why don’t you go home?"

She shrugged and walked towards him. He put his hands out to ward her off, she didn’t seem to care. "Didn’t you miss me at all?" She stepped into him and tried to kiss him. He grabbed her forearms and held her back. She looked confused and tried to kiss him again.

"Stop it." He said forcefully through clenched teeth. "Go home Lindy. What happened was a mistake. It’s over, go home." Max was not going to break down, he never wanted his daughter to turn away from him again saying he didn’t feel like mommy. "Now."

She shook her head and licked her glossed lips. He grabbed her arms tighter and pushed her away. He walked her backwards towards the door. At the doorway he released her. She looked crushed and turned away leaving the room.

Max let out a breath and walked back to his desk. He wanted to go home. He wanted to be with his wife and daughter. It was over and he had won.

* * * * * *

Chapter Eight

Their bodies were intertwined; she traced her finger down his flawless skin, over chiseled muscles and stared into his deep eyes, falling. Max cupped her sweat-slicked ass and plunged deeper inside of her. She smiled at him and he felt good. Better than he had in a long time. The guilt was washing away. Pushing Lindy away from him that afternoon was the best thing he could have done. Deep down he knew he could have never slept with her, not when he had this at home. It was Liz. His Liz. The one he had risked everything for and the one whose heart he had broken. He never wanted that feeling again. She was his life, she always had been.

"I love you Max," she sighed and licked the sweat from his neck.

"Liz, you are my world." He meant what he was saying. He knew he couldn’t live without her, it wasn’t a question anymore. He leaned down and kissed her, still he held part of himself back, and any thoughts that had been creeping through his mind for the last couple of months she didn’t need to know about. He splayed his arm in back of her and rocked back and forth deep inside of her. She tried to move on top of him, but he shook his head. "No, let me make you feel euphoric. The way you always make me feel". She smiled as he withdrew from her. His mouth leading down her breasts leaving a trail of spit. He rolled her nipples with his tongue, teasing. He kissed her navel and spread her legs apart. He tantalized her with his mouth and then his tongue. Probing, sucking, lapping. Her back arched, fists to her sides, she knew the passion building up inside her was going to be released and she wanted him closer. Lowering herself back onto the mattress, she reached to him. Grasping his hair she tugged gently and pulled him back up to her. He didn’t kiss her mouth but everywhere else was fair game. He felt the roil of devotion and excitement rage through him. The hairs on his arms stood up, he gasped and shook and came with such force he thought he was going to melt into her. She clasped his back and told him she loved him over and over.

* * * * * *

Isabel Evans flew first class to New York City. Manhattan. She was staying on Fifth Avenue and loving every second of it. For three days she was staying in an upscale hotel and her publisher paid for everything. They want to meet me, she thought, they think I have real talent, they’re paying me an insane amount of money for doing something I love. Life is good. Isabel was nervous at first, but her publishing representative, Helene Trenton, was an angel. Isabel liked her on sight. She sat down with her and explained everything in detail. She read the contracts with her while her agent Donnie listened in on speakerphone. Isabel Evans was going to write six more ‘Robin’ books in three years. A new manuscript had to be turned in every six months. Helene told her there may be more and they’d discuss it after the first book in the contract was published. She was handed a check for more money than she thought she’d ever see at one time. Screw the apartment she was thinking about, she was buying a house.

With her check tucked safely in her purse she took a tour of Central Park, the Children’s Zoo and even Broadway. The following day she strolled through Battery Park and visited the Statue of Liberty. She didn’t go up in her though; the roughness of the Stanton Island Ferry had made her incredibly seasick. She ate dinner at the hotel restaurant and retired to her room. Breaking out the laptop she started working on her forth ‘Robin’ book and smiled to herself. She was already ahead of the game.

* * * * * *

Michael took a deep breath as he walked from his office. He closed the door and looked at the frosted glass: Sheriff Michael Guerin. Every time he saw that he smiled. Not this time though, he had nothing to smile about. He took another deep breath as Deputy Jo Davie approached him. She was relatively new, but Michael liked her. Her short strawberry blond hair and pixie face made her seem younger than she was. No wonder she always tried to prove herself by being a hard-ass.

"Do you want me to go?" She asked. "I know-"

"No. I’m the Sheriff. I’ll do it." He smiled but didn’t mean it. "Thanks for asking, Jo. That was considerate."

She nodded and walked away. Michael walked from the department and put his hat on, he slid sunglasses over his eyes and got in the 4X4. He drove slow, too slow, but he knew no one would honk or yell at him to get out of the way. After taking the long way there, he pulled up in front of the high school and went in. He walked to the principal’s office, a place he knew quite well.

Upon leaving the office he literally bumped into Kyle Valenti as he was walking in. "Michael? What’re you doing here?" Kyle asked surprised to see him.

Michael slid his sunglasses down the bridge of his nose and gave him a look. One Kyle had never seen before and frankly never wanted to see again. Michael shook his head once and brushed by him. He walked slowly down the halls of his alma mater. Where he once came as a boy to hide and fit in all at the same time, now he came as a man. A man who had not only a wonderful family but a good job as well; a job of respect. Some thought he’d never have either and he proved them wrong. He shook his head as he approached the door; it was closed. Class was in session. He opened it and took a step inside instantly getting the attention of all of the students. Max Evans, English teacher, was standing at the chalkboard, he had been dissecting a short story, its title on the board: ‘The Lottery’ by Shirley Jackson. Michael looked at the board for a few seconds trying to remember the story. Ritualistic murder, that was it, he thought. He looked to his friend who was now looking back at him. Max Evans, his brother. Max took a step towards him, confusion on his face turned to alarm. He dropped the chalk on the floor and walked slowly towards him, shaking his head.

"Max, could you step outside?" Michael said softly, he didn’t want the students to hear. "Please?"

Max stepped outside the door and stared at the mirrored lenses that distorted his own image. "Liz? Sloane?"

"They’re fine." Michael nodded and saw the relief flood through Max’s eyes. "Max Evans, you’re under arrest for the rape of a minor." Michael watched as the color drained from Max’s face. "You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney, and have an attorney present during any questioning. If you can not afford an attorney, one will be provided for you at government expense."

"Michael," Max could barely say his name.

"I’m sorry," he looked down the hall. "I have to cuff you." He pulled out the handcuffs and manipulated Max’s arms in back of him. He snapped the bracelets and closed his eyes.

"I never raped her-"

"Stop. Don’t say anything to me, okay?" Michael led him down the hall towards the front of the school. "Not a word. You can’t."

Max nodded numbly and walked a step in front of him outside and to the 4X4. Michael helped him in the backseat and shut the door. Before he got to the driver’s side, he had removed his hat and ran his hands through his dampened hair. He replaced the hat and got inside. He didn’t look at Max in the backseat. Max the teacher who he had just arrested for rape.

Max sat silently in the backseat. The handcuffs were digging into his wrists. He stared at the back of Michael’s head. His best friend, no, his brother, was taking him to jail for something he didn’t do. He hung his head, how could he tell Liz? Oh God, this couldn’t be happening.

Michael stared straight ahead as he drove back to the department. He didn’t want Max to say anything and he thought he got that point across. Did Max actually do it? He shook his head, no way. Or did he? He parked on the side lot and escorted Max inside. He handed him off to Deputy Jo Davie to be fingerprinted and booked. He went into his office and shut the door; he wanted privacy because this was going to be one of the hardest calls he ever had to make. He picked up the handset and started dialing Liz’s work number, then hung up. She was home. She had taken a few days off to stay with Sloane while Isabel was in New York. Isabel. What was she going to say? He dialed the Evans’ condo and took a deep breath. Liz answered right as the machine picked up. He could hear her swearing as she turned it off.

"It’s Michael." He said absently, of course, she would know his voice.

"Michael, how are you today? I was just thinking about calling-"

"Stop."

"What’s wrong?" Liz asked alarmed. "Michael?"

"I need you to come down here, to the department." He was trying to put the words in order in his head before he spoke but it was a puzzle. "There’s…Uh…"

"What, Michael?" Panicking. "Just tell me. What’s wrong?"

"It’s Max-"

"Oh God!" She started to cry.

Shit, Michael thought, she thinks something bad happened to him. Well, didn’t it? "No, he’s okay, Liz. Liz?"

"Where is he?"

"He’s here."

"He’s okay?"

"Liz," he let out a deep breath. "Max has been arrested. Can you come down here?"

"Oh," Liz was thrown off guard. "Why?"

"Please, just come down here, okay?"

Liz told him she’d be there in minutes.

Liz hung up the phone and looked at her daughter lying on the floor making her own pictures in the coloring book. She grabbed her purse and picked up the book and crayons and stuck them in there. She grabbed Sloane’s hand and they walked to the car. Liz felt like she was going to burst. Max had been arrested. Unbelievable. She had no idea what he could have been arrested for. Not an inkling. She got Sloane buckled in the backseat and drove at a safe speed to the department. She knew if she were alone that she would have broken every traffic law to get there. She parked next to the 4X4 and got Sloane out. She took her hand and led her inside. Michael was waiting by the front desk; Liz rushed to him.

"What’s going on?" She asked; her words shook.

"C’mon Sloane," he picked her up. "I’m going to let you play in my office while I talk to your mommy, okay?" He smiled at the girl who nodded at him in return. He carried her into his office and put a couple phone books on the chair at the desk then sat her on top of them. Liz put her coloring book and crayons on the desk. "We’ll be right back, okay?" Sloane nodded and immediately went back to her coloring.

"Where’s Max?" Liz asked once the office door was closed.

"Wait," he grabbed the arm of a passing dispatcher and asked her to stay with Sloane. She smiled sweetly and agreed. Michael led Liz back outside to a picnic table used by employees. "I arrested Max-"

"You?" She nearly shouted at him. "Why?"

"I’m the sheriff, I had to." He ran his hands through his hair and looked at her. "I arrested Max for rape of a minor."

Liz sat stunned, she covered her mouth and began to cry. Michael pulled her into him and let her cry over his badge. "Why?"

"Liz," he stroked her hair. "I’m so sorry, I had to."

"What happened? Who?" She tried to regain her composure but the damage had been done. Already her eyes were red; her pretty features seemed distorted.

"A student, Liz, she’s seventeen. She said Max raped her in his jeep yesterday afternoon." Michael continued to hold her while she shook her head back and forth.

"She’s lying Michael, you know she’s lying." Liz cried holding on to him tighter than she knew. "Max couldn’t…"

"I’m sorry, Liz. I had to, it’s my job." Overbearing guilt was so evident.

"Michael, I’m not mad at you," she looked into his eyes. "Did he…?" She let the question hang not sure if she wanted an answer or not.

"I don’t know anything yet, Liz." He told her the truth. "He needs a lawyer. He’ll be arraigned in the morning."

"Will he have to stay here all night?"

Michael nodded. "If he’s held over for trial you can post bond at the arraignment. He should get bail. Max and his family have been upstanding members of the community. He has a wife and child here so he’s not a flight risk." God, how can I be saying this about Max?

"Can I see him?" She asked quietly not quite sure if she really wanted to or not.

Michael nodded and picked up her hand giving her a reassuring squeeze. "Can you do this?"

"I don’t know," she answered honestly. "Tell me what happened." She wiped tears off her cheeks.

"She came to the office. She was his student last semester. She said they had a fling of some kind," he saw the pain in her eyes and it broke his heart. "She said she tried to break it off, but he wouldn’t listen to her. She’s convincing Liz. What time did Max get home yesterday?"

Liz opened her mouth to answer than shut it. "I don’t think I have to answer that Michael."

"No, you’re right. Don’t." He shook his head. "Anyway, she went to the hospital last night for a rape kit. When I called all they could tell me was that there had been sexual intercourse and they collected samples. She’s got bruises on her forearms. She knew the inside of the jeep, Liz. She can describe everything in detail."

"What’s her name?"

"I can’t tell you, she’s a minor."

Liz nodded and glanced towards the building. "I’d like to see him now." Michael led her back inside and to the back of the building where the holding cells were. He walked away at the entrance after telling her he’d wait for her outside. Liz took a deep breath as she walked into the room. All the cells were empty except one. That one held her husband, the father of her child. The only man she had ever loved. He sat on the cot in the corner, his face covered by his hands. She stood in front of the cell and looked at his fallen form. Was he capable of the crime he was arrested for? Part of her died when she couldn’t answer the question.

Max looked up and saw her. He stood and approached the iron bars that separated them. His face was red; his eyes were wet. "Liz."

She shook her head at him. "Don’t."

"I didn’t do it, Liz. You have to believe me." Tears rolled down his cheeks. "I could never, you know that. Please believe me!"

"Michael said you have to stay here until you’re arraigned tomorrow," she pushed away emotion, there would be plenty of time for that later. "I’ll try to come up with the money, I’ll have to call your parents."

"Do you believe me?" He croaked. "I love you, Liz."

"I’ll be back in the morning," she didn’t meet his eyes, she couldn’t. She turned away from him ignoring his cries for her and walked away. She met Michael outside the door and broke down. He held her and let her cry.

* * * * * *

Liz made it home with Sloane and found Kyle waiting at her front door. He looked at her and went to her. She hugged him fiercely. He took the keys from her hand and opened the door letting Sloane in.

"I know," was all he needed to say. "It’s all over the school."

"Do you know the girl?" Liz asked making a pot of coffee. Her new tears were dry now.

"No, but I read her file." Kyle looked around before he said anything else. "You can’t say anything; I could lose my job."

"I promise Kyle. Just tell me."

"She’s never been in trouble, has a 3.5 GPA. She’s member of all kinds of clubs; an ideal student. She’s a senior and going away to Columbia in the fall." He shook his head. "I can’t believe it, though."

"I don’t know what to believe. What’s her name?"

"I can’t tell you Liz, but you don’t know them. Her family moved here from the East Coast about two years ago. You’ll find out her name soon enough, but not from me."

"Thank you," she looked out of the open kitchen door to her daughter. She was sitting at the dining room table holding a framed picture of her parents wedding. "Sloane."

"She can stay with us," Kyle volunteered. "Isabel gets back tomorrow night, I know she’ll want to help, but until then, let me take Sloane home."

"Will Morgan mind?"

"Of course not. She’s got some day’s off coming to her," he glanced at the