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Title: ROSWELL'S CREEK: STORY 1-"Stepping Stones to Love"
Author: Barbara
Part Finished: Chapter 1 Part 1 of ? (First Part Complete)
Email: HotG92886@aol.com
Disclaimer: I do not own Roswell, Dawson's Creek, or any of the characters associated with either show.
Rating: PG-13 (If you're old enough to watch the shows, your old enough to read this)
Summary: AU! Liz and Michael are best friends & live in Roswell, New Mexico where they work in the Crashdown. Liz is in love with Michael, but he's completely oblivious. Maria moves to Roswell from New York City and Michael falls for her, but she has a past. Isabel & Alex are together and are friends w/ Michael & Liz. Max knows Liz is in love with Michael, but she continuously denies it. The first part is just the character's backgrounds and Maria coming to Roswell. They are NOT aliens and don't have any powers
Category: UC & CC
Authors Note: ALL FEEDBACK APPRECIATED. The Series Title, ROSWELL'S CREEK, isn't because this is a cross-over fic, but the situation reminded me S0o0o0o much of Dawson's Creek in Season 1. I've been wanting to do this for so long, so, I hope you all enjoy it! Also, if you have any additional ideas, feel free to send them to me cuz I tend to get writers block on occassion! Okay, ENJOY THE FANFIC!!
Roswell's Creek Series: Story 1-"Stepping Stones to Love"
Elizabeth Parker and Michael Guerin had been best friends since forever. Liz was in love with him for just as long, but she had decided to not say anything for fear of ruining their friendship. On a typical hot summer day in Roswell, New Mexico, Liz and Michael were working in the Crashdown.
"So, what are we doing tonight?" Michael asked Liz.
"The usual, I guess." She told him with a shrug.
"Ah, burgers, fries, you playing the waitress, and me cooking under disgustingly hot temperatures!" Michael said skeptically.
"Don't worry! Dad says we'll get off early tonight."
"Yeah, but early for your dad is, like, one in the morning!"
"That's not true!" Liz said with a laugh.
"Uh, excuse me?" A short blonde girl stood in front of the counter staring at them with the most beautiful green eyes Michael had ever seen.
"Hi, can I help you?" Liz asked, not liking the look Michael was giving the other girl.
"I hope so. I'm Maria DeLuca, and I'm looking for a job. There was a sign out front that says your hiring, and I was just hoping that there was an opening." Maria said in a rush.
"Depends. Do you have any experience?" Michael asked her.
"Some. I mean, I, uh, sorta worked back home." Maria explained to him.
"Really? So, where are you from?" He asked interested.
"New York City." Maria told him.
"As interesting as this all sounds, Maria, we're sort of working here." Liz told her.
"Liz needs to start taking her Midol before work." Michael explained.
"You start at eight. Don't be late." Liz told Maria shortly before walking into the back.
"Jealous girlfriend?" Maria asked Michael with a smirk.
"Overprotective best friend." Michael confirmed with his own smirk.
"I see."
"I'm Michael Guerin. That was Liz Parker. She's a little overbearing at times, but you'll get used to her."
"Well, it's nice to meet you, Michael. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah, tomorrow."
Michael walked into the back and found Liz rummaging through her locker. He snuck up behind her.
"Boo!" He said, but she just shrugged him off.
"So, you quit drooling long enough to get back to work?" Liz asked him with her usual cynicism.
"What's that supposed to mean, Parker?" Michael asked irritated. He hated it when she got like this.
"Are you that blind, Michael? Obviously that girl has some major baggage. I mean, she's from New York, she comes to our little town of Roswell, New Mexico, and there's just something not right there." Liz told him.
"Liz, come on! I know that you like the little circle we have that consists of just us and the others we find time to associate ourselves with, but I need to expand my horizons!!" Michael told her.
"Expand your horizons? Please! All you wanna expand is Maria!"
Michael smirked. "Do you really think I could?"
"Forget it!" Liz told him angrily, walking out to the front of the restaurant.
"Hey, Parker, wait up!" Michael called, following her.
"Hey, guys. What's up?" Max asked them, taking his usual seat in the booth closest to the counter. His sister, Isabel Evans, was with him. She had brought her boyfriend, Alex Whitman with them, but Isabel and Alex were too engrossed in each other to notice their friends.
"Hey, Liz is just bitching 'cause this really hot girl is now working here. Her name's Maria, and she's from New York." Michael told his other best friend.
"Maria from New York, huh? I take it our little Lizzie here doesn't like that?" Max said sarcastically.
"Piss off." Liz told him with a glare.
"It's so funny when love is standing right in front of you, and you just don't see it there! Maria just came from New York to Roswell, and our friend Michael here is still single. Talk about fate, right, Liz?" Max said, smiling widely.
"Yeah, well, I didn't get the girl yet, Maxwell." Michael told him.
"I'm sure when you do get her, everyone will be supportive. Isn't that right, gang?" Max asked, receiving another glare from Liz.
"As much fun as these little repartees of ours have been, I've got work to do." Liz told Max, grabbing her notepad to take orders.
"I don't care that I've known her forever, that girl is still a mystery to me." Michael told Max.
"Yeah, well, things are quite clear, my friend." Max smirked at Michael's confused look.
"Max, I don't have time for your games, okay? I gotta get to work! See you guys later." Michael walked away from his friends to cook the customer's orders in the back.
"Excuse me! Miss?!" Max called to Liz.
"Max, go home. Believe it or not, some of us do have work to do."
"As sweet as that thought is, Liz, I really did call you over for a strictly professional reason. I would like to place an order with my favorite waitress."
Liz released a frustrated sigh. "Fine, what can I get you?"
"I'll have a Will Smith burger with an Alien Blast. Say, Ms. Parker, did you know there's a Summertime Fling dance being held this Friday night?" Max asked with a smirk.
"Max, if you have a point I really wish you'd get to it." Liz told him.
"Liz, you know what I love most about you?"
"My ability to kick the crap out of you?" Liz smiled with false sweetness.
"That and the way you can change the topic of a conversation the way that you do. Let's just be honest here, Parker. You want Michael."
"Were you dropped on your head as a baby, Max? I dunno where you come up with these lame theories, but you're wrong."
"Am I?"
"Max, just leave her alone already. Liz and Michael are best friends and nothing more." Isabel told him, finally breaking away from Alex.
They were all a close-knit group of friends, but Liz didn't really do the whole 'girl-bonding' thing. She and Iz remained close, though. It was an odd friendship to most outsiders. Isabel is extremely popular, but had just wanted someone to see her for her, Max is the class-clown type, but he cares about his grades, Alex is the brain, Michael is the rebellious one with a good heart, and Liz was the talk of the town at Roswell High, and around Roswell. Her mom cheated on her dad repeatedly, and had started selling drugs. She was put in jail when Liz was eight, and Liz barely had contact with her ever since. Michael had long-since been emancipated after his legal guardian, Hank Guerin, abused him. Hank had finally drunk himself to death, and was out of Michael's life forever.
"Thanks, Iz. Can I get you anything?" Liz asked nicely.
"Um, just a Cherry Coke for me." Isabel answered with a smile.
"Okay, Alex, what about you?" Liz asked.
"Just some fries would be great." Alex told his friend.
"Okay. I'll be back." Liz walked off to take the orders of some kids she recognized from school.
"Liz, maybe you can help us!" Pam Troy, the school snob, told Liz.
"With what?" Liz asked, irritated by the other girl and her posse.
"Well, Doug here was just saying that white trash such as your mother really do get parole, but I was just wondering how many men she'd have to sleep with!" Pam smiled, and Liz felt herself maintaining her cool. She had learned long ago to just throw back a witty comment, and shrug off whatever they had to say.
"Gee, Pam, I really wouldn't know. You're the expert at being a slut. With that much experience, I'm shocked that you wouldn't know the answer." Liz dumped the pitcher full of water that she was holding all over Pam.
"You bitch! I just bought this outfit last week!" Pam screamed, as the rest of the restaurant turned to see what the commotion was about. Max laughed, while Isabel and Alex just stared in complete shock at what Liz had just done.
"Oops!" Liz said nonchalantly.
"I'll just have your father take it out of your paycheck. Unless of course a blue-collar worker like him can't afford even that." Max stopped laughing, and Isabel and Alex just continued to stare.
That hit home. Liz was sick and tired of the stupid people in Roswell, New Mexico. She would get out of there as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Pam and her posse left the restaurant. Liz went back to work. In the back of the restaurant, hearing all of their argument and cruel remarks, Michael sighed. He felt bad that Liz had to keep dealing with all of their stupidity, but he knew that she could handle herself just fine. The front door entrance to the Crashdown opened, causing the bell to ding. Liz turned around and saw Maria walk through and sit down at a booth in Liz's section.
"What can I get you?" Liz asked, her notebook open with her pen poised to write down Maria's order.
"I'll have a Will Smith burger with a Cherry Coke." Maria said, giving the other girl a weak smile. Liz ignored it, and walked to the back.
"Nice move with the water out there." Michael told her, smiling proudly.
"Yeah, well, she had it coming. Here." Liz handed him the orders. Michael looked past her and saw Maria.
"I'm entitled to a break, ya know." Michael told her with a mischievous smile.
"No way. There is no way I'm gonna let you stop working so that you can flirt with some dumb blonde." Liz told him matter-of-factly.
"Please?"
"No."
"Come on, Parker!"
"You're supposed to be working! Not working it! Besides, a girl like that from a big city probably has a boyfriend already."
"I bet you she doesn't."
"Whatever."
"Are you afraid to lose that bet?"
"Afraid? Me? You're on! If I win, you have to spend the next week staying after to clean up!" Liz told him.
"Fine, but when I win, you have to show up at the Summertime Fling in a dress." Michael told her with a smile.
"I won't lose." Liz stated confidently.
"Uh-huh."
"I won't! There is no contest here, Guerin."
"We'll see about that. So, does that mean I get my break?"
Liz faked a sigh of annoyance. "Go ahead."
Michael kissed her cheek. "Thanks!"
Liz smiled, but her smile disappeared when she saw Michael sit down across from Maria. He was flirting with her, and she wasn't even backing away. Liz remembered their bet. "There's no way I'm wearing a dress!" She mumbled out loud to herself. Liz was a tomboy who lived in jeans, T-shirts, and sneakers. There was no way she'd wear a dress.
Michael approached Maria at her booth. "Hey." He said with a smile. He ran his fingers through his spiky brown hair.
"Hey, it's Michael, right?" Maria said, smiling up at him.
"Yeah, mind if I sit?"
"Not at all."
Michael sat down across from her and looked into her eyes. Brown eyes met green, and Maria blushed.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to stare, but your eyes are really beautiful."
"Okay, if you're trying a line on me here, I'd suggest trying a different tactic."
"Sorry, but I figured a big city girl like you wouldn't be able to resist a little charm. I like the straight-forward approach myself."
"That's the one that gets me every time." Maria told him, smiling at him.
"Well, that's my tactic then. Would you like to go out with me?"
"Um, Michael, I'm not really sure that's a great idea."
"What? Why not?" Michael blurted.
"I just moved here, and I just wanna take it slow."
"Do you have a boyfriend or something?"
"No, I don't have a boyfriend or anything like that, but I just wanna get settled in first."
"But you're not turning down future invitations?" Michael asked, a question in his voice.
"No." Maria answered simply.
"Okay then. That's my cue to get back to work. I'll see you around."
"Definitely."
"I win!" Michael told Liz as he entered the back room.
"Yeah, I could tell the way your eyes lit up when you were talking to her."
"So, you're wearing a dress to this week's little shindig, huh?" Michael smirked.
"Whatever." Liz mumbled.
Michael cooked the orders and gave them to Liz. She served the customers. After the lunch shift, the restaurant closed, signaling the end of the first shift of workers. Liz looked at the calendar and saw it was already Wednesday, meaning she had all of tomorrow to worry about Friday night. Michael was waiting for her in the front of the restaurant. Liz and her dad had an apartment upstairs, but Michael and Liz had plans to hang out with Max, Isabel, and Alex. Michael got on his dirt-bike, put on his helmet, and handed Liz the passenger helmet. She got on the back, and they rode to Max and Isabel's house.
"At last, my favorite couple has arrived!" Max said with a smirk.
"I'm surprised Iz let you live as long as she did!" Liz told him with a glare.
"Tonight, not even you can get me down, Lizzie. I've rented only the best movie in the entire world on DVD! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, 'Braveheart' has arrived!" Max announced happily. Isabel rolled her eyes.
"Hey, Liz. I see my brother is being his annoying self as usual." Iz told her.
Liz smiled. "Of course. So, how's practice going?" She would at least make conversation with Iz about cheerleading since Isabel was going out of her way just to be nice to her.
"The usual. Pam Troy was trying to show-off and questioned every move I made, but whatever." Isabel shrugged it off.
"Ladies? Care to join us?" Max called from the living room.
After 'Braveheart' ended and they watched the behind the scenes clips, the many interviews, and every other possible additional feature, Max turned off the TV.
"I am so beyond bored right now." Isabel announced.
"Then how about a game?" Max suggested. Liz noticed the evil gleam in his eye immediately.
"What kind of game, Max?" She asked warily.
"Truth or dare." Max answered with a smile.
"Oh, right! Truth or dare because that's mature!" Liz said sarcastically.
"It could be fun." Michael spoke up with a smirk.
"We already know all there is to know about each other, Michael. That game is just used for people who are sitting around in awkward silence and are too soft-spoken to just come right out and ask the questions they want the answers to. The whole point is completely lost here in our current situation."
"Ms. Parker, I do believe that you have given this way too much thought." Max told her.
"Bite me, Max." She replied icily.
"I dunno, Liz. It could be fun." Isabel countered.
"Fine, I'm in." Liz gave in. She sat next to Iz on the floor.
"Great! I'll go first!" Max volunteered.
"Oh joy." Liz mumbled.
"Michael! Truth or dare?" He asked his friend.
"Uh, truth." Michael said, meeting Max's smirk with one of his own.
"Truth? Okay, we all know your seriously smitten with the newest addition to our small town, but if the opportunity presented itself, how far would you actually go?" Max asked, noting that Liz was looking at anything but Michael.
"I dunno. It depends on Maria, but I'm confident in that department." Michael smiled widely.
"So, you'd go all the way with her at the ripe age of 16?" Max asked.
"Yeah!" Michael admitted.
"Next up! Michael, you ask someone."
"Okay, Maxwell, truth or dare?"
"Truth."
"How far have you actually gone?" Michael asked.
"Me? Please! I lost the big V status ages ago." Max joked.
"No, seriously, Maxwell." Michael told his friend.
"Honestly? I haven't found the right girl yet." Max told his friends.
"Max, just spit it out. You're still sitting on the bench and have yet to actually kiss a girl let alone get in the game." Isabel answered for her brother.
"Hey! I've had my share of women!" Max defended himself.
"Yeah, in your sleep maybe." Liz joked, laughing along with Alex, Michael, and Isabel.
"You're gonna regret that in two seconds, Parker. Truth or dare?"
"Dare, I'm not scared of you, Max." Liz said confidently.
"Oh really? Is that so? Well, you get to prove it. Liz, I dare you to kiss on the lips for fifteen seconds, Michael!" Max smiled as Liz's cheeks flushed a crimson shade.
"Forget it. I choose truth." Liz said quickly.
"What's the matter, Parker? Are you scared to kiss our good friend, Michael Guerin here?" Max asked.
"I'm not scared, Max. I just changed my mind, that's all."
"Really? Seems like you're scared to me."
"I'm not scared!" Liz protested.
"Then prove it!" Max suggested.
"Fine! Michael? Come here." Liz told her best friend.
She had fantasized about this moment for sixteen years. This might be her only chance to finally kiss him. She had it on good authority that this would be his first kiss as well as hers.
"Uh, okay." Michael made his way over to Liz.
Liz looked into Michael's brown eyes and he stared into her eyes. She lifted her head up slightly so that her lips were almost touching his. Michael slowly began to bring his head down to hers. Max stood to the side watching in amusement.
"Go!" Max told them.
Liz closed her eyes and Michael did the same. Their lips were mere centimeters apart. Liz felt Michael's breath on her face as he inhaled slowly.
"Hi, kids! I'm home!" Mrs. Evans called, walking through the front door holding her groceries.
Michael and Liz jerked apart. Max and Isabel walked to the front door to greet their mother. Alex looked from Liz to Michael and then followed Isabel to the kitchen to put away the food.
"Um, I should probably get going." Liz told him.
"Yeah, me too. I'm sure they've got things to do." Michael responded.
They both stood there in the Evans' living room without saying a word.
"Everything okay?" Isabel asked, walking out of the kitchen to check on her friends.
"Great. Um, I'm gonna go." Liz told her.
"Yeah, me too." Michael said quickly.
"Okay, I'll see you guys tomorrow. Bye." Isabel said goodbye and then went back into the kitchen.
Wordlessly, Michael and Liz left the Evans' house and got onto Michael's dirt-bike. Michael drove Liz back to the Crashdown.
"Hey, Liz?" Michael called to her as she got off the dirt-bike.
"Yeah?" Liz answered, staring into his eyes.
"Never mind. I'll see you tomorrow, right?"
"Yeah, tomorrow."
"Liz?"
"What?"
"Things aren't gonna be weird, right?" Michael asked his best friend hopefully.
"Weird? Why would they be weird? Max was just being his usual dumb self and Mrs. Evans saved the day! I'll see ya, Michael."
Liz walked into the Crashdown and watched Michael take off into the night. She went up to the apartment, and saw her dad watching TV.
"Hey, there's my girl. Did you have fun tonight?"
"Yeah, you know, the usual. Sex, drugs, and alcohol." Liz said with a smile.
"Let me guess: The Evans' with Alex and Michael?"
"Of course. We watched 'Braveheart' and all the other features DVD has to offer. I've had enough Mel Gibson for one night." Liz told her father.
Jeff Parker laughed.
"So, Michael tells me we have a new waitress coming tomorrow?"
"Yeah, some girl from New York. Her name's Maria DeLuca, but from what I can see she doesn't have much experience."
"Well, we need all the help we can get. Goodnight sweetheart." Jeff kissed Liz on her forehead and retreated to his bedroom. Liz sighed and thought of the almost-kiss between her and Michael before she went to bed.
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