Title: Lessons
Author: Brynn
Email: Glitter513@aol.com
Disclaimer: You know the drill. I don't own our dream couple or any other parts of our dream show but I like to pretend I do!
Setting: Pre- Heat Wave
Rating: Um, this is the most risqué fic I've ever written but after all the built-up sexual tension in those first couple of torturous episodes its totally realistic! To be safe I'll say R but it could pass for a heavy PG-13.
Summary: Max and Liz finally share that long anticipated moment one sweaty night of dancing.
Category: 100% Max and Liz
Author's Note: I haven't written any new fics for a while...but I've been experiences some serious Roswell withdrawal lately. All the post-Destiny fics just remind me of the M/L break-up so I decided to reward my fellow Dreamgirls with some pure teen angst romance. Its my first time from Liz's POV and once again, feedback is welcome and even encouraged.

"Hey Max, why don't you come out with me tonight?"

"Thanks Is, but I much rather...."

"Wallow in your teenage angst locked in your room all night?"

"Yeah, something like that."

"But I'm going to that new club that just opened. EVERYBODY will be there, like the whole high school."

"You mean...is um..."

"Yes, Liz is coming."

"Let me get my coat."

***

The music reverberates throughout the steamy room, I hardly hear the lyrics blasted from the huge speakers. The room is lit by lights of various colors and patterns that flicker about in unpredictable places, reflecting off our faces and nearly blinding unsuspecting eyes. I look down at my black triangle top that ties in the back, lots of skin, Maria's... and I can't even begin to contemplate why I'm here. Oh yes, I remember...Max Evans. Maria assured me that Isabel was desperate to get him out. I hoped she was right. No, hope isn't even the word... I prayed with all my heart.

Clubbing just doesn't quite seem the same in Roswell. I've been before on vacations to visit my cousins but the best part is you don't know anyone and you can forget yourself in the three hours you spend dancing-and sweating. But not in Roswell, you can name every person you turn to. You're surrounded by familiar faces that you could very well bump into the next day at school And there's only one person I'm interested in seeing...

Maria seems to be having the time of her life. Which is good, I don't know what has been going on between her and Michael but its most likely dangerous and she's going to end up hurt. She's danced with numerous guys, I for one just stop dead in my tracks when anyone interested nears me. I can't shake how wrong it seems. For some boy to just come up behind me and expect me to start shaking my ass as he gropes me and expects me to comply, all the while I don't even know who he is; that's absurd. Unless of course, its Max.

And its almost as if I can sense his presence. Max is barely in the front door before we lock eyes. He looks drop dead gorgeous in his black button-down shirt and dark denim jeans. I see him kind of gulp at the sight of the clothes I'm wearing, or the lack thereof. And then I just stop dancing. I just wait for Max. Like I've been waiting my entire life, I just didn't know it until a couple months ago. After we're done with our usual soul-searching looks Max looks awkwardly around. It's a little humorous… this really isn't Max's scene. Then suddenly he pushes through the crowd, his final destination-me.

"Hi," I manage out.

"Hey," Max whispers. And we stand in silence as suddenly the rest of the room disappears and we're the only two left. Or the only two that matter. Christina Aguilera's Genie in a Bottle comes on.

"I hate this song," we both say at the exact same time. I laugh, it was good to break the tension. Then I decide its time to make my move.

"But its fun to dance to." And I grab Max's hand. Electricity. Pure sparks whenever I so much as touch him.

"Oh, I'm not really a dancer," Max stammers.

"Its okay," I look directly into his eyes, "I'll teach you."

I stand in front of him and wrap my arms back around his waist, "Just follow my lead."

Then I began to move my hips to the music. Max tries to match my circular motions. I stay persistent until he begins to get the hang of it. Then I take his hands and slide them down my thighs then back up to rest on my stomach. Where he healed me... He takes the hint and occasionally repeats my actions. I suddenly realize I've never been this close... or this sexual with Max Evans and it's a thrilling feeling. Intoxicating really. "You've gotta rub me the right way..." the music blares. Max Evans certainly rubs me the right way.

And before I know it he begins to change our pattern of moves as he matches the beat of the music. "You're doing great," I encourage him.

"I have a good teacher," he whispers in my ear. The closeness sends shivers down my spine. But yet I feel like we're so far apart. I try to close the proximity between us as I rub closer to Max's chest. I can smell his cologne and aftershave. It's a heavenly scent. I lay my head back to rest against him. I swear I feel his lips on my neck and I jump. Then I get a flash. Its all our near-kisses. The night of the Crash Festival when he tenderly pushed my hair behind my ear; in the eraser room watching Miss Topolsky; in the jeep waiting for the road block to clear; before I went to see River Dog and he placed the pendant around my neck and his forehead against mine, begging me to come back-safe. At this point the only time I ever feel safe is in Max's arms. All those times I thought he was going to kiss me... but Max always held his ground, always remained in control. Only now I can sense that Max wanted to kiss me all those times just as badly as I wanted him to. Only I now see he was scared. I suddenly realize that Max has never been with a girl before. Amazingly, he's always had eyes only for me. I curse myself for being so ignorant to never notice. Judging by Max's heavy breathing its obvious he saw the flashes too. I wonder if he knows my feelings like I do his, how much I longed for those kisses. Its time to take the next step.

I turn to face him. He looks confused by the change and slightly nervous by his recent actions. I put his arms around me and I discover that he's trembling. "Max are you okay?"

He nods his head, "I'm... I'm nervous," he admits.

I look his straight in the eyes and firmly state "Max, you never have to be to nervous, its me. You're doing everything right," and them I smile.

Then he lifts his hand and cups my cheek gingerly. I suck in my breath and prepare myself for another let-down, another moment for Max to exercise his annoyingly relentless hesitancy and carefulness. But to my surprise he leans in and softly places his lips on mine. I can hardly believe it, the moment I have waited for for so long. I wrap my arms around his neck and begin to deepen the kiss, opening my mouth slightly. Then I wrap my tongue around his.

For someone with no experience Max is certainly a great kisser. I feel a sudden sense of regret, wishing I had saved myself for him like he had for me. But I can honestly say that after Max Evans its like I've never really been kissed before. I mean, his touch is worth a thousand kisses from Kyle. Millions even. He begins to run his hand up and down my body as I begin to massage his shoulders and play with the hair at the nape of his neck. Minutes pass and we're still going at it. I just can't stop. Now that I finally have Max I can't bear to let him go, not even for a second. I have to keep reminding myself to breathe. The most incredible sensations pulsate throughout my body, I've never felt this way before. A shame, because I've never felt this wonderful before.

I believe Max and I would have remained in that position until the club finally closed and they forced us to leave. I had lost all track of time but judging from the number of songs that had played, our tongues had been dancing for at least fifteen minutes. Perhaps it's a good thing that Pam Troy bumped into us unexpectantly. "Get a room!" she snapped but regained some form of compassion when she raised her eyebrows and winked at me, her form of encouragement. But I still hate her.

"Yeah, let's get out of here," I say.

He opens his mouth to speak but can't get the words out, so he just nods. He grabs my hand and leads me through the increasing crowd. By the time we're out I don't release my tight grip on his hand; neither does he. We find an exit and escape into the night.

Its raining and the cool water feels good as it trickles down my skin. It slowly washes the sweat away and I look at Max. His beautiful brown eyes are sparkling, probably reflecting the pure bliss and excitement so evident in mine. We race across the street and frantically search for the jeep. We spot it, fortunately with the top pulled up. But we don't even make it inside before Max shoves me against it and places his mouth firmly down on mine. I smile into his kisses, pleased with his aggressiveness. Its about time. We're now drenched in a combination of sweat and rain water. But all I can feel is Max... and the rapid beating of my heart. I reach behind me and open the car door. I turn Max around and shove him across the front two seats. I place a soft kiss on his lips then playfully say, "Let's get you out of these wet clothes."

"That's a good idea," Max agrees as I begin to unbutton his shirt. I'm relieved he's okay with my forwardness in taking us to the next level and beyond. His shirt is now open and exposing his chest. I run my hands along his muscles and he again takes my mouth in his. He reaches around and begins to fumble with the tie holding my shirt up. Once again, he's trembling and unable.

"Max, are you still nervous?"

He shakes his head no.

"Are you cold?"

He again shakes his head, "No... I'm-I'm...happy."

I grin. Nothing will ever compare to this moment. "So am I," I reassure him as I get lost in his brown orbs. He nods his head and notes my approval. Then he firmly unties my shirt and it falls right off. For a moment Max just stares at me. I don't even feel self-conscious. I've never felt so open to anyone in my entire life. I know that I would do anything for Max. I kiss him passionately and we continue for some time before we're interrupted one again.

"Oh my God!"

I freeze and realize that in our fervent passion and half-nakedness Max and I had failed to close the side door. He pulls me close to him to hide my bareness and I almost stop breathing at the intimacy of the situation.

Reluctantly I turn my head to find Isabel, her back towards us to avoid the view. "I'm ready to go home now," she says icily.

I bury my head in Max's shoulder, embarrassed beyond belief. He kisses my forehead for comfort and looks around. He finds the damp rag that is my shirt and ties it around me. Good old Max, always the gentleman. I began to button up his shirt and he clears his throat, signaling that we're presentable, ie clothed. Isabel turns around and begins to climb into the car. She takes one look at Max's hand slowly massaging my thigh and makes a disgusted face, "On second thought, I'll go find Alex and get a ride home from him." And she practically races away from the car.

"Well that was interesting..."

"It was actually a good thing," Max says.

"Please explain..."

"She didn't even look disapproving."

"I think she was too overcome with disgust!"

"I don't care, I think she finally realized I can't stay away from you."

"Oh," I don't know what else to say. But that explains a lot. Max was holding back for Isabel and Michael. I can almost forgive him for all our wasted time apart. But of course I was responsible for seven years of it. "Well I'm glad you finally gave into tempatation," I say seductively before I begin to kiss him again. Just then Max's digital watch beeps, signally the hour. Its midnight.

"I have to get home..." Max says, "I hate to say it, but I'll never be able to see you if I don't get in by curfew. My parents will kill me. Should I take you home?"

"Actually, I'm supposed to spend the night at Maria's..."

We both look at each other and we're thinking the exact same thing.

"I'll go tell her," I say. And jump out of the car. I race across the parking lot and bump into someone.

"Michael?!"

"Uh...yeah."

"What are you doing here?"

"I..uh...I came to see Maria."

"Oh, well she's inside."

"Thanks," and he's already heading toward the entrance.

"Michael wait!" I cry after him, "Could you tell her I have a ride and I'll talk to her tomorrow?"

He stares at my disheveled hair, smeared lipstick, and top that is barely hanging on. "So you and Max finally got it on?" he smiles.

"Excuse me?" I ask, although I heard him loud and clear.

"Well, good for you. But, yeah... you got it, I'll tell her."

"Oh yeah, and Michael..." he turns around a bit impatient, "Don't hurt her."

"I won't," he promises. Then he turns around.

My senses are suddenly alive and I recognize my need for Max. I run back to the jeep and he's waiting expectantly inside.

"We're good to go," I say and he takes off.

The ride home is torture. I want to touch him so bad. I playfully rub his leg but he gives me one of those stop-or-we'll never get there looks. I sit on my hands and try to remain calm but my heart rate is uncontrollable. My blood is rushing. We finally make it to Max's house and he pulls up front. The minute he stops I yank off my seat belt and climb across the emergency brake. I straddle Max in the front seat and began to kiss him, surprised by my actions but certainly not regretting them. I savor his taste, it had been too long. A whole fifteen minutes. But now that I've experienced him I can't get enough. He's addictive.

We come up for air. "I have to get inside," he sighs, "Meet me upstairs?"

"Of course."

"There's a ladder out back, Michael comes over a lot. But be careful, don't hurt yourself."

"I won't," Max was still cautious and overprotective.

"After you," he opens the door and I reluctantly climb off of him.

Minutes later I scramble into his window and I realize it's the first time I've ever been in Max's room. I feel so close to him. It smells like him. It looks like him. I can hear the faint echoes of him talking to his parents downstairs. I shudder and begin to peel off my soaked shirt. The door opens and Max walks in. He gasps at my nakedness. I remain calm like nothing's out of the ordinary. "I need something dry," I say.

"Oh," he looks through his drawers and pulls out his West Roswell high t-shirt and hands it to me, "here."

"Thanks," I put it on and shake my dripping skirt off under it. Its huge and ends right at my knees. Then I hug myself, Max's aroma envelops me and suddenly I feel so warm.

I look up and he's glancing toward the bed then at a rolled up sleeping bag on the floor I suppose is often occupied by Michael. I climb into his bed as a sure sign I have every intent of sleeping next to him. I tuck myself under the covers as Max sits down next to me. I sit up and once again begin to unbutton his shirt. I help him out of it and he stands up, he begins to fumble with his zipper then stops, "Um, I kind of sleep in my boxers."

"Do you see any complaints?" I say. And he continues to strip off his jeans. He turns off the light and jumps into bed next to me. He wraps his arms around me in a warm embrace and holds me close.

"Max, do you have any regrets?" I can't help but ask.

"Never," he leans down and kisses me.

"Goodnight Max," I whisper.

"Goodnight Liz," he replies, "and thank you."

"For what?"

"Everything. You."

I smile, "No, thank you."

I may have taught Max how to dance and kiss but the lessons I learned from him were unforgettable and priceless, he taught me how to love.

THE END