"Liz, about what happened last night..."

"I don't think I want to know, Max."

"No, please listen to me. I have to say this at least once. I am sorry for what happened. I let things get out of control. I didn't even realize that it wasn't you until..."

"Max," Liz cut him off. "I really don't think I want to hear this."

"Liz, how can I ask your forgiveness if you don't know what I've done? Please, I need you to just hear me out, ok?"

With extreme reluctance, she nodded.

"We didn't make love, if that's what you're worried about." Seeing how her eyes flew to his, he realized that that was exactly what she'd been thinking. Well, he was glad to have gotten that out into the open. "I kissed her and held her, but there was no sex. And do you know why?"

She shook her head, mutely. Relief was clear on her face, and he raised his hand to touch her soft cheek.

Giving her the answer she was waiting for, he whispered, "You. You stopped me. While I was kissing her, I got a flash from you. In it, you were telling me that you weren't... ready... to make love to me. It was like having a bucket of ice water thrown over me. It shocked me to my senses, and that's when I realized that she wasn't you.

"I can't tell you what I feel having to tell you about this, but you should know. I'm embarrassed, ashamed and a hundred other things. I hope that one day you'll forgive me for being so blinded by my own wants and needs that I couldn't see yours."

"Max," was all she got out before she threw herself in his arms. "Of course I forgive you. It wasn't your fault, I mean how could you have known?"

"I mean more than just last night, Liz." He told her, pulling away. "When I came back from the future to warn you, why did I choose to come at that particular point in time?"

She looked away from him. "Max, I..."

He touched her chin, forcing her eyes to meet his. "He told you we'd made love, didn't he?" Embarrassed to be speaking about this with him, she merely nodded. "It was the night of the concert. I went to your room with the tickets in my hand to persuade you to come out with me, and we never made it, did we?" His voice was soft, his eyes probing hers. "I knew what I wanted. You. And I was ready to say or do anything that night to convince you that we belonged together. I even had a condom in my pocket, just in case."

"I know," she whispered. "He... He told me."

Max could imagine what her shocked reaction to that bit of news had been. "I pushed you into making love to me that night, didn't I? You weren't ready, but I didn't care. I selfishly steam rolled you into your bed and seduced you into having sex with me just so I could claim you as mine. I wanted to tie you to me in such a way you'd never escape me again." He thought to himself, Lonnie wasn't too far off the mark when she'd called me a self-centered, self-indulgent little boy. It was an ugly thought, but he didn't shy away from it. It was nothing short of the truth. "Liz, can you ever forgive me?"

"I don't need to forgive you for that, Max. It never happened."

"It doesn't matter whether it did or not. Those were my intentions when I went to your room that night. The only thing that prevented me from doing it was finding Kyle already in your bed." He took a deep breath, to steady his rocketing emotions. Catching her hand in his, he led her over to a bench.

Once they were both seated, he said, "I want you to know that no matter what happens from now on, you don't have to be afraid of me pushing into bed."

A warm blush swept up her cheeks, and she dropped her eyes. He caught her face in his palm and again forced her gaze up to his. "Liz, I love you and nothing will ever change that. Can you forgive me for all my past mistakes? Do you think that you can love me back one day?"

"Max," she said in amazement, "I love you so much that it scares me sometimes. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you."

"Then will you tell me, just this once that you'll forgive me? For everything that did or didn't happen between us since last summer?"

"Of course I forgive you." She reached out and tentatively touched his face and admitted quietly, "Max, it's I who needs you to forgive me. For lying to you, and Kyle and everything. Please."

He took her hand and held it in his larger one. He wanted to argue that she'd been blameless in this whole mess, but he knew she needed to hear the words at least once just as he had. "Liz, I forgive you for everything you've had to do to keep us apart. You didn't feel like you had a choice, and I don't blame you for any of it.

"Last night, after Serena left, I went for a long walk to think about us and what is going to happen next. Here is what I realized: I know we should take things slowly. Build our relationship back up to what it was before Pierce and Nasedo came to Roswell, but, after everything that had happened, to both of us, I still need to know that you're mine. Liz, I need to know that you're as committed to this thing we have as I am."

"I am," she said huskily. "I want to be with you. Only you. Today, tomorrow, everyday we have together here on this planet, or any other."

That was what he'd been needing to hear. With her hand still clasped in his, he suddenly dropped to one knee in front of her. "Liz Parker, I will love you and only you everyday of my life. I am only complete when you are with me. Will you do me the honor of marrying me and becoming my wife?"

To say she was surprised would be an understatement. Max continued, "I promise to be honest with you in all things. To protect you as best as I can. To cherish you with all my heart, if you'll just say 'yes'."

Liz stared in astonishment into his earnest eyes. She was easily pulled into their chocolate depths and felt how much he needed this. He wasn't asking her to run off to Vegas with him, he was asking her for a promise. For a future. Understanding filled her and she managed to whisper through her tight throat, "Yes, Max. Yes, I'll marry you. You're the only one for me. Now and always." She leaned forward and softly touched her lips to his, sealing their vow.

Max felt something shift inside himself. Their engagement was every bit as binding to him as their marriage will be. This was what he'd been needing. To cement their relationship. He knew now that there would be nothing to stop them from pursuing their future. Their dreams. And they could move at any pace they wanted. Liz was his now. Heart, mind, body and soul. And he would make sure that she never regretted her decision.

Pulling back from her, he said, "So, here's what I was thinking..."

She smiled contentedly at him as he returned to his seat next to her. Everything would be all right now. They would find a way to make things work. All that mattered to her was that she could be with Max and keep their small family together.

Max threw an arm over her shoulder and she snuggled against him. "We could plan to have the wedding in five years, after we get out of college. We'll have a beautiful ceremony in the park, or the church on Main Street. All of our friends and family will be there. And afterward," he kissed her temple, "we'll go where ever you want and we'll enter into the next stage of our relationship together. On that night, I will ask you once again to put yourself in my hands, as we change you from bride into wife, and me from groom into husband."

Liz looked up at him, her dark eyes questioning. Brushing her hair off her face, he explained, "I am going to spend the next five years learning how to control myself when I'm with you. There will be no rushing you into something you're not ready for. We'll wait to consummate our vows until after we've said them."

Liz was at the same time touched and amused. "Five years? Max, I don't know if I can't wait that long."

"Then it seems you, my future wife, will have to learn restraint right along with me."

* * * * * * * * *

Back on Basock, Serena paced back and forth in the darkened hallway. She was in apart of her city she would never have entered in normal circumstances, but this wasn't normal. After what seemed like an eternity to her jumpy nerves, a doorway at the end of the hall opened, and a voice beckoned her to enter.

She had to fight an instinct to bolt and run. This was madness! Her uncle would have her head if he knew what she was planning. That was actually why she was here. This was something her uncle would not approve of. He would never help her in her admittedly crazy scheme.

Shoring up her courage, Serena entered the dark room and looked around. The servant bowed and left the room, leaving her alone with the man she'd come to see.

"This is an unexpected surprise, Rina," the man said as he moved closer.

"Hello Berther. I hope things are going well for you. We haven't had a chance to talk since graduation."

"A very long time, indeed," he agreed. "I was surprised to see your name on my guest list this morning."

"I need to ask you a favor. I... I'll pay you for your trouble, of course."

"What is it?"

"Can you make a husk for me? I need to make a trip to Earth."

* * * * * * * *

Liz and Max were walking hand in hand toward the entrance of the CrashDown. They were both aware of the change in their relationship, but right now, there were other things to think about.

"So what was she like? You know, the alien?" Liz asked timidly. There must be something about her that was into self-punishment, Liz berated herself. Still, she couldn't help but wondering about the alien Max had admitted to nearly making love to the night before. Even if she was in Liz's body at the time. Something that smacked of jealousy reared its ugly head.

"Rina? She was ok. I mean, I guess she was there to help us find her cousin and all. I'm just not sure if it was safe to trust her. And I hated that she was using you. I can't tell you how relieved I am that she won't be back."

"Rina?" So, her rival had a name. She felt better knowing that Max hadn't cared for her at all.

"Yeah." Max tried to distract her by adding, "You know, I found out that my true name was Tesannick. They called me Zan for short. Michael was Tirath."

"Rath."

"Yeah. They sound a lot like us, huh? With nicknames and stuff."

"Yeah."

"Oh, and Larek told us the names of three of the five planets in our system. Mine is Sitterna, his is Basock and the other is Ramadon. I think Ramadon is where Nicolas was from."

"So, was Rina short for something?" she asked curiously.

"Yeah. Serena."

Liz stopped short. Her mouth gaped open for a moment before she repeated, "Serena. No, it can't be. No. That's just way too weird."

"Liz what is it?"

* * * * * * *

"Why come to me?" Berther wanted to know. "Your uncle has access to much more sophisticated equipment than I have. He can cut years off the maturation process."

"You know uncle." She shrugged. "I need you to do this for me. Will you."

"Of course. I'll begin right away, but this'll take time. Don't be expecting instant results."

"I won't. The wait will be worth it." She put a parcel on his desk. "I hope this will be enough to cover your initial expenses."

He opened the package and barely restrained from whistling in appreciation. Clearing his throat, he said, "It should be... adequate."

"Fine." Serena knew this could get expensive, but she didn't care. All that mattered was that she'd get to see Zan again. "Could you tell me approximately how long before you're finished?"

"Well, it's hard to say, but I would estimate..." he named a figure. Serena quickly converted it into Earth years. Her husk would be ready in four or five years. She knew that when she made it back to the distant planet, things would probably be different. Max may have fallen for Ava... Tess... by then. Or maybe some earth girl could have claimed his affections by then.

She was determined to go into this project with her eyes open or not at all. Max was not Zan. When she arrived, if he wasn't already spoken for, she would have to try to win his affections all over again. If he was taken, then she would dedicate her life to serving him. She would join the other three royals and her cousin Zelwyn in protecting him from his enemies. She wondered where he would be in five years...

* * * * * * * * *

Liz was laughing uncontrollably. It was too ironic. Well, she guessed she did owe the alien her life... It was the same platform her friendship with Max had been built upon. And stranger things had happened.

"Liz, what?"

Aware of their new promise to be completely honest with one another, Liz didn't even consider dissembling. "Future Max told me that I had a friend who would help us. Someone who knew about time travel, and what we were going to do. She probably was the one who helped us figure out how to modify the granilith."

"Who is she?" Max asked, but god help him, he already knew.

"Serena." Liz just laughed louder.

"Oh my god."