Snapshot · (Roswell Fanfiction) · √

40. White Flag

A/N: I'm so so so incredibly sorry for leaving you hanging for this long. Real life came in between and I haven't been able to find the time to update this one. I hope you're still around. Still reading.

- Jo

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The Dog Kennel

(2008) Max is 23, Liz is 22

"Where is she?"

Brenda looked up from the computer screen and met Max's worried eyes. "That was fast."

"Brenda," Max said impatiently, "Please..."

Brenda nodded and rose from her chair. "She's in Dog Ward C."

"Which is...?" Max implored and Brenda smiled softly.

"Don't worry. I'll take you there."

"What happened?" Max asked, wasting no time as they walked towards the dog wards.

"She left when her shift was over, as usual," Brenda answered, "And returned one hour later."

"Did she say why?

Brenda shook her head. "I tried asking her, but she wouldn't answer me. I'm not sure if she was upset or..."

"What?" Max asked, fear coursing through him, lacing his worry.

"She wasn't crying," Brenda said, opening the main door to the wards. "She was just staring straight ahead. Didn't say a word. I followed her into the wards and tried to get some information out of her. When I couldn't, I decided to call you."

"What's she doing in the dog ward?" Max asked confused, his steps picking up in speed.

Brenda put a hand on his arm and stopped him. "Max. Wait."

Frustration was rolling off him in waves as he looked at Brenda and he had to struggle not to snap at her. Concern for Liz was making him come loose at the seams.

Keeping his voice level, he asked, "What is it, Brenda?"

"There's something really wrong. I haven't known her for very long, but she's never this quiet."

Max took a deep breath and murmured, "I know."

"What happened, Max? Did you get into another fight?"

Max looked at her and whispered, "I told her."

"Told her wh..." her voice drowned in the realization of what he was saying, "You told her that you're in love with her?"

Max nodded.

"And that's why she's upset? God, Max. How exactly did you break it to her?"

Max shook his head. "No... No, she was fine when I left her this morning."

Brenda's eyes widened and she whispered sharply, "She spent the night?" Shaking her head warily, she added, "Max, that's really not-"

Max stopped her before she could form any more preconceived ideas, "Nothing happened, Brenda."

She took a second to evaluate the truth in his eyes before taking a deep relieved breath. "Good. Good. So how did it go?"

"Really good actually. She...she took it really well. We talked all night."

Brenda's face brightened with happiness for her friend. "That's good, Max. That's really good."