Disclaimer: Don't own anyone or anything, so don't sue!

A/N: This story is based on a "What-If?" What If Michael hadn't come out of the pod chamber at the end of Season 2 and Max, Tess, Isabel and Michael went to Antar together? What if they returned to earth 4 years later? Would anyone be waiting for them? This story will eventually be CC. But as with any good story, there's always some angst before you get to "happily together."

Chapter 1

Keep running, don't stop, don't look back, don't cry, and don't feel the pain the hurt the loneliness that is stabbing through your heart at this moment, JUST KEEP GOING. Just keep going forward, and don't think about the man with the deep amber eyes that you could get completely lost in, and don't think about his warm hands wrapping around you and making you feel so safe and so loved, and DEFINENTLY don't think about how much he loves you right now...but...but...why...why did he have to go...NO don't start crying, not now, be strong. She then heard a noise starting to erupt; she stopped running and turned around. She saw the spaceship that held 3 of her close friends and 1 enemy, going up in the air and disappearing into the space above. She couldn't help the raking sobs that went through her petite body as she watched. She couldn't hold it in anymore, she screamed up into the heavens, "Noooooo..."

"Nooooo!" Liz stifled the cry that rose from her lips as she bolted upright in bed. She placed her small hand on her chest as she took several gulps of cool air. She looked at the sleeping form of her fiancé. He didn't even stir. Liz gingerly slid out of bed and closed the door to their bedroom before making her way into the kitchen. She wasn't worried that she'd wake Jeremy up. Nothing shy of an earthquake woke him up. She simply didn't want to have to explain her nightmare to him if by some random anomaly he awoke and saw her tear stained face.

Liz turned on the stove and placed the tea kettle on top of the burner. When she reached for a mug to put her tea in, she realized her hands were shaking. "Good grief it's not like you've never had this dream before," she chastised herself as she clasped her hands together and took several deep breaths. In fact, she'd had this nightmare since the day Max returned home to his planet with Michael, Isabel and Tess four and a half years ago. It had been almost a year since she'd had this dream but for some unexplainable reason she'd had it every night for the past week. When Liz started having this nightmare, she'd made a routine of making herself a cup of tea and sitting in the dark thinking until she felt tired enough to go back to bed. It was a comfort to have something familiar to do after how upset she always felt reliving that day.

The tea kettle began to whistle. Liz hastily grabbed a mug from the cupboard with her almost steady hand. As she turned, the mug hit the edge of the counter and shattered onto the floor. "Great," Liz growled as she shut off the stove. The kettle was still whistling as she gingerly stepped around the broken glass with her bare feet. She quickly swept up the chards of glass and dumped them into the trash as quietly as possible. Then it dawned on her what mug she had broken. It was the "I Love an Alien" mug that Amy DeLuca had given her for a going away present. Liz looked at its remains in the trash and bit back a sob.

She remembered the day she left Roswell with perfect clarity. Liz had been accepted to five major Universities when she graduated. She hadn't needed to think about her decision when she received a full scholarship to Harvard. She'd always dreamed of going there. She left only two weeks after graduation. Kyle and Maria had helped her pack up her boxes and load up the small truck that her parents had bought her as a graduation gift. Kyle had cracked jokes and Maria had cried when it was finally time to say goodbye. As Liz got into her truck, Amy had appeared with a small box with a red bow on top. "Don't open it until later," she'd whispered as she handed it to Liz and then enveloped her with a quick hug. "It's something to remember home by." She winked.

As soon as Liz had driven out of town, she'd opened the box. And there was a reminder of everything she was trying to leave behind. "I love an Alien" was emblazed on the mug in red lettering with Roswell, New Mexico printed on the handle. Liz had broken into tears and had hugged the mug and thought of Max. She only rarely used the mug, but she'd kept it all this time. She often speculated as to why Amy chose to give her that mug of all the Alien related paraphernalia that she made. She'd never come up with a good answer. When she'd moved in with Jeremy, he thought it was hilarious and took to using it every morning for his coffee.

Liz took a shaky breath as she carefully took out another mug, dropped in a tea bag and poured the still hot water into the cup. Liz shut off the kitchen light and let her eyes adjust to the darkness for a moment before she took her tea and sat on the small loveseat in their tiny living room. The window was open and the cool night air wafted over her as she thought about the past.

She'd often wondered what would have happened if they had been able to tell Max the truth. What would he have done if he knew that Tess had killed Alex? She had often envisioned him taking her in his arms and declaring that he loved her. After a year of those fantasies however, she'd given up thinking about that "what-if." It was too painful. They hadn't found out in time to stop their friends. It was very likely Max was living as a King with Tess and their child, oblivious of the pain and misery they'd left behind, and Liz couldn't imagine his destiny away.

Liz didn't know how she'd gotten through the first year. She went to school, did her homework and worked at the Crashdown, but inside she felt empty and aching. The questions surrounding the disappearance of the four aliens swirled around them for months. Kyle and his father did their best to shield Maria and her from them, but one had finally pushed Liz over the edge. It was two weeks before graduation. Pam Troy approached Maria and Liz and asked if it was true that the reason Liz and Max had broken up was that Max had gotten Tess pregnant and they ran away together instead of face their parents. Maria had laughed nervously. Liz had tried desperately not to cry because how close she had been to the actual truth. That night Liz resolved she would leave Roswell and never come back.

And she hadn't. When Liz decided that she hated the weather and the culture at Harvard, she had looked at several Universities with good biology programs on the west coast. She refused to go to Las Cruces, though their program was pretty appealing. It was too close to home in more than one way. She decided on UC Berkeley because it was located in a smaller community. It was also in California which meant sunny weather, and not the persistent overcast skies that seemed to dominate Harvard. When she found out that her scholarship would transfer, she'd wasted no time packing up her things and heading west. She arrived eight days later. It wasn't until her mom called her cell phone that she informed her parents of her decision. That was when she began to avoid her parents' calls. Her dad was furious that she was "giving up on Harvard" because she wasn't used to it, and her Mom couldn't understand why she didn't tell them she was unhappy.

Maria came out to visit her shortly after she'd moved into her dorm. Liz enjoyed seeing Maria, but her visit brought up all the old memories that Liz was trying to forget. It seemed Maria felt the same, because after that, their phone calls and emails became even more sporadic until they finally just stopped.

Liz kept her pain over everything at bay by busily working on her prerequisites for the molecular biology program at UC Berkeley and waitressing part time at a local restaurant. Jeremy was taking one of her classes and was constantly flirting with her. She spent most of her time ignoring him, or giving him an occasional cold rebuttal. Towards the end of the semester, he'd become more desperate, and finally promised to leave her alone if she would just go get coffee with him once. She'd refused. The next class, her professor had paired them together for a project. Liz had asked Jeremy how much he'd paid the man to put them together. Jeremy had laughed and said that it had nothing to do with money, but destiny. Liz had dismissed his comment, but the thought stuck with her. She'd often remembered what Max had said about making your own destiny. Perhaps Jeremy was her chance at making a destiny for herself she reasoned. The next time he asked her for a date, she'd accepted.

Liz was surprised by the whirlwind nature of their romance. It wasn't long before Jeremy proposed. She hadn't accepted, but asked for more time to get to know him. So they'd moved in together. Six months later, when he asked again, she'd said yes.

It wasn't that she'd forgotten about Max, but she knew he was gone and she needed to move on with her life. Jeremy was thoughtful and kind and she loved him for his sweetness and intelligence. Liz smiled as she looked at the evidence of their life together. Pictures of the two of them were set on the end table and several adorned their refrigerator. Her eyes rested on an old picture she had of Maria. It had been taken right before she'd left for Harvard. Liz felt a pang of guilt. She hadn't spoken to her friend in over six months. How had that happened? Liz wondered as she drained the last few sips from her now cold tea and reflected on how much she really missed her best friend. She longed for the security and comfort that she felt with Maria, and her parents for that matter.

Liz stood and flicked on the light before rinsing her mug in the sink and returning it to the cupboard. She was about to flick the light off again when she saw an airline advertisement on the back of Jeremy's day-old newspaper. She saw the fare for round trip tickets and she was hit with a sudden inspiration. She wanted to go back and visit the town that had been her home for so long. Maybe she could solve whatever it was that was going on with her and Maria face to face, and her parents could meet Jeremy. She smiled at the idea of her two lives finally meeting. It seemed to Liz that her life as a smallest of small town girls was about to end forever; giving way to an unimaginably huge present. She wasn't sure if she was excited about it or scared. But somehow the idea of Maria and her parents being involved in her life again made it less scary. She twisted her diamond ring around her finger as she quietly headed back to bed. Jeremy was still sound asleep when she slid underneath the covers. Liz smiled fondly and snuggled against him, feeling secure as she finally drifted back to sleep with memories of Roswell still floating in her mind.

Liz slept in. When she finally opened her eyes, she stretched out in the empty bed with a smile playing across her face as she remembered the plan she had formed last night. It surprised her how excited she felt at the thought of returning home. The lingering memory of her nightmare did not diminish her mood. She finally roused herself and headed for the bathroom. She hummed softly to herself as she turned on the shower. She stopped suddenly when she realized what the tune was. The song was "I Shall Believe." Liz frowned. Normally just hearing that song made her feel depressed and angst ridden, but today she simply felt it matched her mood. It was almost as if the song had no unpleasant connections to her past. Liz smiled at the thought. Perhaps it was a good omen that meant she was finally over Max. Liz dropped her bar of soap at the thought. Did she want to be over Max? She wondered as she slowly lathered her hair and inhaled the aroma that wafted throughout the bathroom. She wasn't sure. All she knew is that she felt happier than she'd felt in years, and she was determined to let nothing spoil her mood.

Liz got out of the shower and glanced at her wristwatch on the counter. Jeremy would be home from his last Saturday class in about an hour. Through the light fog on the mirror, Liz thought she saw something glimmering on her stomach. She looked down, but saw nothing. She looked into the mirror again and could have sworn she saw a silver handprint like the one Max had left on her so many years ago. It shimmered brightly. She inhaled quickly. She took a towel in her trembling hand and wiped it over the mirror. Her reflection showed her bare stomach. There was no handprint. It must have been the way the light was gleaming off her still wet stomach she reasoned. She felt foolish for her slight feeling of disappointment. "Of course it's not Max's handprint." She said aloud. "Max isn't even here, and if he was…" She trailed off as she toweled herself dry and got dressed. She reasoned to herself that sporting a glowing alien handprint was a surefire way to bring the FBI down on her, so why on earth was she disappointed that she didn't still have one? It's not like it would mean anything if she did. She spent the rest of the morning envisioning Max as King of his home planet with Tess and his son at his side. Somehow she felt the need to remind herself of their destinies. "We make our own destinies," she said aloud as she looked at her ring and smiled. She was making her destiny with Jeremy she reminded herself as she began to fix lunch for herself and Jeremy

Fifteen minutes later, Liz heard the key in the door. It opened and she heard Jeremy call her name. There was a loud thump which she assumed was his backpack. "Hi honey," she called back. "I'm in the kitchen."

"Hey." he said, as he leaned against the door frame while watching her every move.

"Hey, yourself." she answered back as she finished washing the dishes. She flashed him a quick smile as he made his way behind her and kissed her neck. Liz squirmed. "If you'd just hang on a second, I'll give you a real kiss." She said as she reached for a towel. Before Liz could actually reach it, Jeremy grabbed her and swung her around. When he finally set her down, he kissed her deeply. Her still wet hands went into his hair as she kissed him back. When they broke apart she giggled. "You're in a good mood today," she said as she turned to finish wiping her hands only to find them dry and Jeremy's blonde hair slightly wet.

He grinned at her playfully. "Yep. I've got good news," he declared as he held aloft a paper he'd been holding.

"I'm guessing it has something to do with that paper with an A at the top?" Liz said dryly.

Jeremy winked. "Give the lady a prize. I got an A in my Behavioral Science class." He announced.

Liz smiled widely. "Congratulations!" Liz exclaimed. "Does that mean we're celebrating?"

"What'd you have in mind?" Jeremy slid onto the countertop as he looked longingly at her.

Liz raised her eyebrows. "I was thinking about a road trip…" she could see Jeremy's disappointment.

"That was the last thing I was expecting you to say." Jeremy took his titanium glasses off his head and cleaned the lenses before replacing them. "I'm guessing there's an ulterior motive?"

Liz looked seriously into his eyes. "No, I just want to spend some quality time with you… while you get to know my parents."

"Parents?" Jeremy looked stunned.

"Yeah, you know the people that raised me."

"I thought you weren't talking to them." He asked confused.

"I haven't been, but I really want them to meet you, and I miss Roswell. I was thinking since we have some time before you have to be in Washington, it's perfect to go now."

"Ok." He stated.

"Okay?"

"Okay. I've wanted to meet your parents for months. Did you really think I was gonna say no?"

Liz laughed. "I knew you'd say yes which is why I already bought the tickets." She leaned against the counter next to him. "We leave tomorrow night on the red eye." Before he could object, Liz rose on her tip toes and gave him a quick kiss.

"Well you know how to win me over." Jeremy whispered in her ear a second later.

Liz yawned as she sat on her suitcase. Their red eye flight had been delayed, which caused them to miss their connecting flight in Vegas. By the time they finally arrived in Santa Fe it was almost 6am. Liz hadn't slept at all on the plane and she was feeling exhausted. Jeremy came up behind her. "Ready?" He asked gruffly as the abnormally perky rental car representative showed them to their car.

Liz threw her suitcase into the back of the blue Ford Explorer while the woman continued to chat with Jeremy about tourist traps they should avoid. Jeremy tried to stifle a yawn as he took the car keys from her. "Thanks," he said as he unlocked the doors. Both of them sank gratefully into their seats. "That was the flight from hell," Jeremy commented.

"I wouldn't have booked it if I knew that two year old was going to spend the whole four hours screaming. My hearing will never be the same." Liz lamented as she put her seat back and stretched. "Thanks for driving the first stretch," she added as they made their way out of the airport. Jeremy nodded and smiled.

Liz woke up almost two hours later. The sun had risen and its heat was beating the desert landscape. Liz slowly opened her eyes and watched the waves of heat rise off the landscape as they passed. She sat up.

"Morning sleepy head," Jeremy placed his large hand on her leg. "Sleep well?"

Liz nodded and rubbed her neck. "Mmhmm. Where are we?"

"In the middle of nowhere," Jeremy joked. "The map says there's someplace up ahead, would you mind driving for a while?"

"Yeah, sure." Liz looked around her and recognized where they were. The someplace that Jeremy was referring to was little more than a gas station and a few broken down mobile homes. When he pulled into the place fifteen minutes later, he looked around in surprise. Liz switched seats with him and pulled the car back onto the highway. "Don't blink, you'll miss it," she joked.

"Yeah," Jeremy looked out the window. "Is Roswell like that?"

Liz laughed. "No, it's much bigger, but it's not Berkeley. We do have a movie theater and a bowling alley though."

"I hope you're joking."

"No we really have them!"

"But that's it?"

"Well there's the UFO museum and what might pass for a mall in some alternative universe…" Liz suddenly realized how provincial she sounded and didn't finish her sentence. "It's not that bad honey. It's just different."

Jeremy grunted in reply as he closed his eyes. Liz set the cruise control and enjoyed the drive. The open highway was beautiful. She'd learned to love the open spaces when she was in younger; often spending hours in Max's jeep... Now she soaked in the familiar landscape. She let her mind wander as she drove down the straight highway. She remembered driving out here with Max one time. She smiled at the memory of the wind blowing through her hair. Liz shook herself. Thinking of Max was NOT a productive pastime. He was on another planet, for heavens sake! Who knew if he was even still alive? The thought hit her with the force of a train and she gasped for air. What if he was really dead? Liz felt a tear trip over her lashes and course down her cheek.

The thought continued to pester her as she drove. Jeremy's light snoring finally roused her from her thoughts. She looked at him. His short dirty blonde hair was matted against his forehead. He hadn't taken off his glasses, and they were smashed haphazardly on one side of his face. He was beautiful. Liz turned her attention back to the road. "Always and forever," Liz whispered the saying that Jeremy often promised her. She knew she'd never completely forget Max but as Liz drew nearer to Roswell, she knew that whatever her past was, her future was with Jeremy.

Liz started to get butterflies when they were a half an hour from town. No one knew they were coming. Liz hadn't been sure what to tell her parents, and she wanted to surprise Maria so she had simply decided to show up. She was beginning to wonder if that was such a good idea.

Her mind greedily took in the surrounding landscape. She had to stifle a laugh when she saw the UFO Museum's billboard that was about 20 miles out of town that the skins had defaced years ago by placing a time warping machine in it. It looked exactly as she remembered it. Liz gripped the steering wheel as she drove into town. It had been a little over three years since she'd left, and her memories were running rampant as she took in the town she'd grown up in. As she past the street where Max had once lived she wondered if the Evans still lived there. She felt a rush of sympathy for them, because they knew even less about what happened to Max and Isabel than she did. She slowed the car and tried to see if the house looked any different. Everything looked the same, as did the rest of the town… except for a new stop sign and a few new businesses she noted as she almost drove through the aforementioned sign.

"Honey, we're here," Liz declared as she turned onto Main Street and the Crashdown came into view. Jeremy groggily sat up and looked around. He eyed the Crashdown skeptically as she pulled into a parking space in front of it. "You weren't kidding when you said it was alien themed…" He muttered.

Liz grinned. "Wait until you see the inside." She took a deep breath and looked around her. She was nervous.

"You okay?" Jeremy asked as he squeezed her hand.

"Yeah I just…What do I say?"

"Whatever feels right, I guess." Jeremy looked again at the restaurant. "Let's just go in and have a cup of coffee. You don't even know if they're working today." He added soothingly.

Liz slowly took off her seatbelt and steeled herself to walk through those familiar doors. Its going to be fine, she told herself as Jeremy grabbed her hand led her down the sidewalk. At the doors she paused. "Thank you for being with me." She said softly.

Jeremy wrapped her in his arms and held her for a minute. Liz relished the feeling. Jeremy was always such a big support to her. "I love you," she whispered into his chest.

"Me too…But I'm dying for some coffee,"

Liz pulled away. Jeremy's face was completely blank except for the tiny smile that pulled on the corner of his lips. She swatted him playfully. "Fine, lets get you that coffee." She said as she pulled open the doors.

It took Liz's eyes a moment to adjust from the bright sunshine outside. The café was empty save one very bored looking waitress. A head appeared from behind the swinging door and called. "Sit wherever you like, someone will be with you shortly."

Liz immediately recognized the red hair. "Mom?" she said quietly.

The woman gasped as she looked at the woman who stood backlit by the doors. Could it really be? "Liz?"

Liz nodded and slowly headed towards her mom. "My baby," Nancy cried as she met Liz halfway and hugged her tightly. "You've come home." She said softly as she caressed Liz's face.

Liz could feel tears prinking in her eyes "I'm sorry I haven't called, or written... and I'm sorr…"

Nancy cut her off. "It doesn't matter, your home now." The two smiled at each other. Nancy refused to let go of her daughter's hands. "Well, sit down and tell me what you're doing here." She said as she yanked Liz towards a booth.

Liz reached out her hand for Jeremy, and he came to her side. "I wanted to show Jeremy where I grew up." She said as she slid into the booth and motioned for Jeremy to sit next to her.

Nancy looked up at the tall well-built blonde. "Jeremy?" She asked stupidly.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Parker," Jeremy extended his hand to her. Nancy took it and shook it warmly. "You too," She replied in kind as she looked quizzically back at her daughter.

Liz smiled nervously as she fingered her ring. The motion was not lost on Nancy. She looked first at the ring, then at Jeremy again as he sat and finally back at Liz. "Are you married?" She asked, fearing the answer.

"No!" Liz exclaimed. "I mean, not yet. Jeremy and I are engaged." Liz smiled up at her fiancé before looking back at her mom. "I wanted to tell you in person." She explained quietly as she studied her mother's face. Nancy raised her eyebrows but said nothing. Liz smiled at her mom and was rewarded with a grin from the other woman.

"Engaged? Well I guess I should get your father out here before you're actually married." She joked at she grabbed Liz's hand and gave it a squeeze. Liz thought she saw tears in her mom's eyes as she got up from the table.

Jeremy stood also. "Ma'am? I know this comes as a surprise, but I want you to know how much I love your daughter." He declared.

Nancy paused for a minute and then smiled. "Of course. I'm sorry." She swallowed and shook her head. "This has just been one too many surprises." She appraised him quickly with the smile still plastered on her face. "If my daughter loves you, then I know I will too. Welcome to the family." Nancy gave him a small hug.

Liz smiled happily as she got out of the booth and received another huge hug from her mom. Nancy smiled at her daughter. "If I don't get your dad out here before I hear any more news, heaven help us all," her voice shook slightly with emotion.

Liz chuckled. "Where is dad?"

"He's in the back talking to a supplier. I'll go get him."

Liz smiled and nodded. Jeremy had sat back down, so she sat next to him on the end. "So that's your mom." He stated.

"Yeah, that's mom." She replied as a waitress came up. Her nametag identified her as Erin. Before the waitress could ask what they wanted, Liz ordered two coffees with cream. The two sat in silence for a moment and then they heard a man exclaim "Lizzy!"

Liz turned around to see her father hurrying towards them. Her first impression was he looked older than the last time she'd seen him. His hair was streaked generously with gray and his face had more wrinkles than she remembered. She stood as he hugged her to him. "Hi dad," she greeted him softly. When he finally released her, she saw him grinning broadly. "I've missed you." She told him.

"Me too." He replied. His eyes shifted from her to Jeremy who had once again stood. "Nancy told me you brought someone with you." He said eyeing the man in front of him. "Jeff Parker." He said holding out his hand. "And you are?"

"Jeremy Highland. It's a pleasure to meet you sir."

Jeff nodded and motioned for them all to sit. Once they were all settled back in the booth and the coffee came, Jeff spoke as he rested his arm around his wife's shoulders. "So Nancy says you have some news?"

Liz took a deep breath and reached for Jeremy's hand underneath the table. He squeezed it gently. "Actually Dad, um… Jeremy and I are getting married."

Jeff looked wide-eyed at the couple in front of him. "You're- my baby's getting married!" He looked disbelievingly at Nancy.

Nancy chuckled quietly. "It's a lot to take in, isn't it?"

Jeremy cleared his throat. "Actually, I was hoping I'd have a chance to formally ask you for your daughter's hand. I love her, and she loves me. I'd like to ask you for your blessing."

Jeff leaned back and exhaled slowly. "Well I'll be…" he muttered under his breath. He sighed. "If my daughter's already said yes, then the only thing I can say is you better treat my baby well." Liz hugged Jeremy fiercely before jumping out of the booth and hugging her father again.

Liz and Nancy were both tearing up when the door chime went off and Jeff noticed a group of tourists enter the restaurant. "Why don't we take this upstairs?" He suggested. The four headed into the employee break area. Liz wrapped her arms around her dad's waist as they walked.

At the foot of the stairs, the phone began to ring. Jeff stopped to answer it. He motioned for the rest of them to head up to the apartment without him. Liz noticed his annoyed expression as she followed Jeremy and her mom upstairs.

Fifteen minutes later, Jeff reappeared, looking hassled. "Erin just quit, and Lucy called in sick. We're short two waitresses, so I'm gonna have to go work during the lunch rush." He explained apologetically.

"Can we help?" Jeremy asked politely.

"No. It'll be fine. Agnes is still here, so she'll help." Jeff replied.

Liz stifled a giggle. "Dad if it's just you and Agnes you need help. I can probably still fit into my old uniform, why don't you let me come down and help for a few hours." She suggested.

"No honey, it's fine. You guys just got here, and you must be exhausted."

Liz raised her eyebrows. "I know that tone dad. I'm helping. Just give me a few minutes to find my uniform and I'll be down."

Jeff looked embarrassed and grateful at the same time. "Well if you're sure Lizzy."

Liz chuckled. "I'll be down soon," she declared as she headed to her room. She could hear Jeremy offering to help, which Jeff flatly refused. Liz called back into the room. "Mom, I bet you can convince Jeremy to stay here with you if you make him your famous tuna melts!"

She heard everyone laugh. Liz heard her mom asking Jeremy if he wanted a tuna melt as she closed the door. She leaned against it as she took in the room. It looked as she had left it. Her dressers and mirror and bed were still in the same place. Her bookshelf was half empty. Most of her books she'd taken with her, and the ones left behind had been neatly collected together on the top shelf. She opened her window and looked out on her balcony. Her chaise lounge chair and tables were still there, as were the twinkle lights that she'd hung long ago. It was a strange feeling coming back to the room that was yours after so many years. It was familiar, yet foreign.

After a few moments of introspection, she remembered what she was supposed to be doing. She pulled out her old teal uniform out of a drawer. It was slightly wrinkled so she shook it out and tried to smooth it with her hands. When she'd changed, she apprised herself in the mirror. She was pleasantly surprised to see that it still fit her. Actually, it looked pretty good, she thought as she searched for her sparkly antennae to complete the outfit.

When she left her room a few minutes later complete with antennae, she could smell her mom's tuna melts wafting through the house. She found her mom and Jeremy in the kitchen talking. "Well it still fits." She declared as she struck a pose.

Jeremy let out a guffaw at the outfit, and Nancy grinned. "That sure brings back memories," Nancy said.

Liz nodded. "So I should get down there to help dad, but save me some stuff for lunch, okay?" She asked as she kissed her mom's cheek. Jeremy followed her to the door. "Now you know why I love your alien mug," he said as he stole a kiss from her and gave her a once over with his eyes. Liz gave him a playful slap as she headed downstairs to serve greasy alien themed food to the masses.

Two hours later, Liz leaned against the counter. The lunch crowd was beginning to thin out and all of her customers were taken care of for the moment. Liz fingered a bottle of Tabasco sauce and remembered all the times she'd worked here with Maria. She hadn't had a chance to ask her mom what Maria was up to, and she was anxious to see her. A fierce growl from her stomach broke her train of thought. Liz took another quick glance around the room and was about to head into the break room and see if she could steal some French fries or something to eat when she heard the door chime.

Liz turned around and saw a petite woman with flowing blond hair and huge sunglasses enter the restaurant. The shriek she emitted when she saw Liz identified her: Maria. "Oh. My. God! Liz! What are you doing here? Why are you working?" The sentences tumbled out of her mouth.

Liz grinned as she made her way around the counter. "Hi Maria!" she said brightly.

"Don't hi Maria me, give me a hug!" Maria exclaimed as she rushed to meet her friend. When they finally parted, Maria grinned broadly. "Ok now, spill. What are you doing here?"

"I came back for a visit." Liz said as she led her into the break room. Several people were staring at them, and Liz had a feeling that Maria might spontaneously combust when she found out she was engaged and she didn't want it to be public.

"You came back for a visit, and you didn't TELL me?" Maria yelled the second they were behind the door.

Liz winced at her volume. "We didn't tell anyone Maria, it was kind of a spur of the moment thing." Liz explained.

"We? Who's we?"

"Jeremy came with me."

Maria pulled Liz onto the dilapidated couch with an arch expression on her face. "And who may I ask, is Jeremy?"

"Jeremy's my fiancé." Liz couldn't help the smile that spread over her face when she saw Maria's reaction. Her mouth dropped open and she was literally at a loss for words.

Liz held up her hand to show Maria the ring as Maria began to say "I wanna see… the ring…" She trailed off. "That is beautiful." She exclaimed. "So where is he? Can I meet him?"

Liz pretended to frown. "I don't know Maria, are you sure you want to meet him?"

Maria rolled her eyes. "Obviously I want to meet him, and then we have some serious talking to do. I mean there is so much I have to tell you."

Liz nodded. "I have a lot to tell you too."

"I mean I have something really…out of this world to tell you."

Liz wondered at her friend's at her choice of words, but before she could ask, Jeremy came down the stairs. "Hey." He said, "I was just going to unload the car."

Liz smiled. "Jeremy, I want you to meet Maria DeLuca." She gestured grandly towards Maria.

Maria stood uncomfortably. "So you're Liz's fiancé?" She asked.

"Guilty." Jeremy replied as he held out his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Liz talks so much about you."

"Does she?" Maria asked dryly looking back at Liz before she returned her attention to Jeremy. "Well it's great to meet you." She finally said as she took his hand. "Congratulations." She forced herself to say.

At that moment, Jeff Parker walked out of the kitchen. "Lizzy, we've got customers waiting." He said urgently, and then he noticed Maria. "Oh. Hi Maria, didn't see you come in."

"Hi Mr. Parker, it's good to see you." Maria greeted him.

Jeff smiled and gestured to the dining room. "I'm sorry to cut the visit short, but I really need Liz out there…" He trailed off.

Liz shot Maria a look of dismay. "Can you hang around for a bit? Things are slowing down, and I should have a chance to talk soon."

"Yeah," Maria smiled. "In the meantime, I can get to know studly here…"

Liz felt herself blush at Maria's insinuation. "Please don't embarrass me too badly," she pleaded in her friend's ear. She quickly stepped through the swinging door and collected several checks from her customers before seating another couple that had just walked in. Maria grinned impishly and pulled Jeremy into an empty booth for a Maria style interrogation.