Max: walking into Crashdown to grab something to eat before going to work: a depressed alien slumps into his "usual" spot and stares down at the table: he's so tired, he and Izzy were up late with the Sheriff trying to decide on a story that would explain how they found Laurie Dupree in Frazier Woods last night without raising too much suspicion: he doesn't think their story would hold and is worried about possible repercussions that the Sheriff might face, plus he has this nagging feeling that things are far from over: allowing himself to wallow in self pity, his thoughts begin a downward spiral: {why does it always feel like the weight of the world, no make that two worlds are on my shoulders? Oh ya, how could I forget? I 'm the leader, the king. Yep, I guess the buck does stop here, doesn't it buddy? But why me? I never wanted any of this; all I've ever wanted was to be a normal guy, to be Liz's normal guy. Liz, God Liz, I love you so much, what happened? I don't understand. I still can't believe you did that to me! What did I do that made you turn away from me? Was I just not good enough?} : Giving himself a mental slap to snap out of it: he begins to take in his surroundings: where the hell is everybody? he calls out into the empty restaurant… "Hello, anybody here?" He hears somebody in the kitchen and gets up to see who it is: just as he reaches the swinging kitchen door, he's nearly knocked flat:

Maria: she's in the kitchen turning the burners on: mumbling to herself about this crazy potential Sean/Liz situation and add in the fact that Michael has pulled a major disappearing act on her: she knows she's going to break soon, she needs to get it all out, she needs someone, anyone to yell at: all this leads her to one explosive thought {damn it, where the hell are you when I need you, Michael Guerin!}: At that very moment, she hears Max call out: her thoughts zero in him. Finally! She's been trying to get a hold of him for two days now, two very long, aggravating days: she has had it and she is going to make sure he knows it: she runs in from the kitchen and smacks him hard with the door: it really was an accident, normally she would have apologized for it but her mind is preoccupied with other thoughts: at this moment "Mt. Saint Maria" is about to erupt and bring down its fiery wrath on a very unsuspecting Max:

Max: slightly dazed after being knocked backwards against the wall, he leans against it as he waits a few moments to get his bearings: as things start to settle back into focus, a very irate Maria appears in front of him: he believes his brain must not be fully functional yet because her mouth is moving a mile a minute, but he hasn't a clue as to what she's saying: he just stands there with his mouth hanging open and stares at her in amazed bewilderment: this does not have a good effect on Maria:

Maria: once the dam broke there was no way to slow down the onslaught, let alone stop it: she begins pacing back and forth in front of him, arms flailing in front of her as her tirade erupts in all its glory: "Where the hell have you been? I've been calling for two days! Huh, so where were you? You suddenly have better things to do than take a call from a friend? A friend I might add that has been watching your back and keeping the path clear for when you come to your senses and realize what an ass you've been to the one person who matters the most to you in this world or in any other world for that matter! But nooo, you're too wrapped up in all this alien crap to even notice what's happening around you! Do you have any idea what I've been going through? Huh, do you? Well, are you going to just stand there with your mouth hanging open or are you going to answer me!"

Max: "I…."

Maria: "I cannot believe all the crap I've been put through these last few days! Trying to keep my sanity while dealing with this Sean mess! I get no help from anyone! Not you, not Michael! Oh no, Mr. Space Boy just disappears off the face of the Earth without a word! It's just too much!"

Max: "Sean, who?"

Maria: "Sean, who? Sean, who? My fresh from jail loser cousin, that's who! Not only do I have to deal with him leaving the toilet seat up and his dirty underwear on the floor in the morning, then I come to work and get to deal with watching him making goo-goo eyes at my best friend who just happens to be the love of YOUR life! And she, she is so starved for attention, for LOVE that she just sits there with that annoying little smile and laps it up! And where are you, huh? Where the hell are you when all this is going on?"

Max: "Sean's interested in Liz?"

Maria: "Yes! Haven't you been listening! It's time YOU did something about it, too!"

Max: "Like what? What am I supposed to do about it?"

Maria: "What do you mean 'what are you SUPPOSED to do! I'll tell you what you're SUPPOSED to, no make that what you ARE gonna do about it!" She pauses and takes a deep breath: {what the hell is he going to do about it?} she has no idea: she looks out the window at the beautiful sunshine for a moment as the gears in her mind turn different ideas through her head, "click" she's got it: a dangerous smile spreads across her face as she refocusses her attention back on Max:

Max: he had just about overcome the "fight or flight" panic had threaten to consume him earlier when he heard Maria mentions Sean with Liz: he is starting to feel physically sick: there is a rock the size of a boulder sitting in his stomach and that is on top of the headache he has: he isn't sure if the headache is from being smacked on the head earlier or Maria's tirade, probably both: his worry increases as he watches Maria go very quiet and look out the window: as she turns her attention back on him, he shudders: he has seen that look before, he's always thought of it as Izzy's special own "do it or die" look: he didn't know anyone else was capable of it: it's deadly enough when Izzy uses it, but now on Maria…:

Maria: in a tone that leaves no doubt to the serious and possibly even lethal repercussions that will result if he screws this up, she spells out exactly what he is going to do… "You get off of work at 3:00pm, right?" He nods his head, yes. She continues… "You will be here at 3:30pm sharp. You will have a bouquet of fresh spring flowers and a box of 'nuts and chews' chocolates from Sees, one, no make that a two pound box…"

Max: "She likes 'soft centers'."

Maria: "Don't interrupt. Lets see, bring Sheryl Crow's 'Tuesday Night Music Club' and Gomez's 'Liquid Skin' CD's, there're some wonderful songs on them. Sets a nice mood. No need to bring a player, lighten up, use your magic for a little fun for a change. You'll need a blanket, make sure it's a soft blanket, no burlap." She shudders slightly as she recalls an attempted outing last year with a certain, currently missing in action, alien. Now where was she? … "Upon arrival at 3:30pm, come in the back to see me. I will supply you with a complete picnic lunch, accompanied by one soul mate. You of course will supply me with a very generous tip to compensate for all the trouble I've been put through. It's a beautiful spring day and you're going to make sure Liz enjoys it! Take her to that small clearing on the north side of Frazer Lake. It should be heavenly with all the wild flowers in bloom. Remember, you have one goal; you are going to make Liz happy this afternoon, even if it kills you. So there will be no hurtful glances or words. Do not scowl, you have a beautiful smile, use it for a change. Do not dredge up nor question her about the past. Whatever's happened is in the past leave it there. You will do nothing to make her upset or sad. Do not make her shed a single tear. You are there for HER happiness nothing else. You got it!"

Max: "Yes, Maria, I got it. I promise not to let you or her down." Hey, this isn't so bad, nothing at all like what happens with Izzy's "do it or die" look: his tentative smile dims as Maria delivers her final warning:

Maria: "Good, cause as you know, best friends always tell each other everything. And if I find out otherwise, what just happened here this morning is nothing compared to what WILL happen to you if you screw this up. Not even your alien force field thingy will stop me from getting to you. Got that?"

Max: gulp…. "Uh, yah I got it."

Maria: "Good, now what can I get you for breakfast? An Alien Scrambled maybe?"

Max: "I think you already have. I'm going to be late for work anyway. I think I'll skip breakfast, I don't seem to have much of an appetite anymore." As he beats a hasty retreat out the front door and across the street to the "safety" of the UFO Center, he reviews this morning events: {#1) Got to find out where Michael disappeared to so next time she's about to explode like that, I know where to hide too. #2) Find Michael, deposit him into a locked room with Maria, he needs to experience some of what I just went through. #3) Never tell Izzy about this: she'd just try and top Maria: God! what a scary thought! #4) Next time RUN #5) bouquet of spring flowers, two pounds 'nuts & chews' {I could have sworn she liked soft centers}, soft blanket, the CDs: 3:30PM can't be late: I think that's it, better write it down just in case.} He saved the most bothersome for last: {#6) what the hell's going on with Sean and Liz?} This thought would occupy him for some time.