Author's Note: In this fic nothing passed "Max In The City" has happened. This part with be divided into 2 sections, 2a and 2b.
Classification: Love Triangle (Max/Tess/Other)
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot and original characters.

The Valenti Residence, 12:24pm

Tess Harding opened her eyes. She flinched from the sunlight pouring in from the room. Then smiled. She sat up and stretched her arms. Kyle was standing in the doorway. She looked at him surprised.

"What did you do last night?" he asked.

"What?" she questioned defensively.

"It just that I never seen you sleep this late before," he explained.

"Kyle."

"What?"

"Shut up," she said.

"Just an observation," he said and emphasized with his hands.

She responded by throwing a pillow.

When she was fully awake she made herself a cup of coffee. She sat at the kitchen table and thought about yesterday night. Who was that guy? She felt some connection to him. She never met him before and besides she was meant to be with Max. Why was she telling herself this? A handsome stranger walks into town and she questions everything? She decided to brush it off.

Crashdown Café, 12:24pm

Jake managed to convince his family to eat lunch at the Crashdown. He told them it was an excellent place to live up the Roswell reputation. They were amused by the 'Alien Blasts' and 'Men In Black Burgers'. Jake came her because he wanted to see that girl he met last night. Well, technically he didn't meet her. He didn't ever know her name let alone her phone number or address.

"Aunt Reba, do you come her alot?" Amanda asked her.

"No dear, not usually," Aunt Reba said. Actually it was her second time here. She wasn't a fan of the Crashdown.

John was munching on his French fries. Jake's mom and dad were involved in a conversation with Aunt Reba. Jake on the other hand, was unhappy. Just when all seemed lost he spotted the waitress from the other night. The one who was talking to that guy-not the perky one. He cringed at the thought of the perky one. Chances are that the other waitress knew who the beautiful girl was. The brown hair waitress wasn't on duty Jake gathered. She was wearing regular clothes. She was talking to 3 other teens around her and Jake's age.

"Mom, dad, I'm going to the bathroom," he announced. They nodded.

He didn't know quite what he was going to say to her but he went over to her anyway. Thankfully she went to get something and strayed away from the other teens.

"Hi," he tested the waters, "My name is Jake. I stopped by yesterday."

Liz Parker wasn't quite following since there were so many tourists in this town. The guy looked around her age. He had light brown hair. Only a few shades away from being dirty blonde. His eyes were confusing. She couldn't tell if they were green or hazel. He was tall.

"I'm just here for Christmas but I was wondering if you knew a girl I met last night?" Jake continued. Liz's face fell a little but she nodded, "She has blonde hair, she's petite, and has clear blue eyes. She was wearing a blue denim jacket, I think a red shirt-"

"Sorry, we don't know anyone like that around here," she interrupted sharply. She features were no longer friendly but stone-like.

"But-"

"Sorry. Can't help you," she said sternly. It was obvious she wasn't going to help him so Jake rejoined his family. 'That was weird,' he thought.

Liz made her way back to her friends.

"What was that all about?" Michael asked concerned.

"Yeah, who was the delicious stranger?" Maria cut it.

"Can I speak to you guys in private?" Liz said seriously.

"He was asking about Tess?" Michael repeated alarmed.

"Sorry Liz," Maria joked. Michael, Alex, and Liz looked at her seriously.

"Maria, this isn't some joke. The Skins could be after us. We don't know who this guys is," Michael lectured her.

"I'm sorry," Maria said.

"Shouldn't we call Max, Tess, and Isabel?" Alex asked.

"I think we should move to a more secure area first," Michael said.

They exited through the side door.

"Michael," Liz called. He turned around, "He said his name was Jake."