Title: You Broke It, You Fix It
Author: Dani aka christmasnazi
Rating: mature
Pairing: M/L
Summary: Based on Zanity's challenge. Just hope I can do it justice
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Spoilers: some dialogue taken from ITLaITB
Prologue:
Max was at the observatory, staring up at the stars, when Tess walked up. "I thought I'd find you here."
Max turned, startled at the unexpected intrusion. He stared at the blond silently for several long moments. When he finally spoke, his voice held a hint of the tears he was barely holding in check. The words were spoken softly, in keeping with the somber thoughts they described. "My whole life I've wanted to be this person, this normal person. Human. My whole life I've been thinking that this alien side of me was this bad thing. This thing that made me a freak. A Monster. I realized that I haven't just been hiding from the government and the law all this time. I've been hiding from myself. I don't know what's going on anymore. I thought I knew, but I don't. I've lost everyone."
Placing a hand on his arm, Tess smiled up at him sympathetically. "I'll be here for eternity."
Max looked at her and laughed bitterly, finally losing his silent battle as the tears begin to fall silently. "So? Liz, Isabel and Michael are my world. Antar isn't my home; neither is Earth. Liz, Isabel and Michael are my family, my home. And I've lost them. Michael will barely speak to me. I had to blackmail Isabel to make her stay in Roswell and Liz just renounced our friendship so she can go hunt whatever alien she believes killed Alex. My world is gone and you can't even begin to replace it."
Tess fumed at his emotional rant. How dare he blow her off so easily! She closed her eyes and concentrated on making Max want to sleep with her.
Max felt her attempts to manipulate his emotions and repelled her in disgust.
Incensed, and determined to have her way, Tess increased her assault on Max's mind. If he refused to come to her willingly, she'd just have to bend him to her will. Either way, Max Evans was going to sleep with her!
Max continued to fend off the girl's ever strengthening attack, feeling the drain at the amount of energy his resistance was costing him, until finally it became too much and Max let out a strangled groan and crumpled to the ground, his brain hemorraging.
Opening her eyes in panic, Tess flinched at the sight before her. She knew full well the deal Nasedo had made with Khivar. Her life would be spared if, and only if, she bore Max's heir and delivered both Max and his heir to Khivar. If she was going to live, Max had to survive long enough to impregnate her.
Tess bent down and forced a connection to Max. She used what little healing abilities she possessed to try and heal Max.
She poured more and more energy into it until she was completely drained. Max still wasn't healed, but she knew she had done enough that his own healing abilities would eventually finish the job.
As Tess fell back to rest, her mind began to process the flashes she'd received while she was healing Max.
She felt his love and joy coming back from finding the orb with Liz.
Tell me, Max... what's my destiny?
I only know the part I'm hoping for.
She felt his repulsion at the mind warps she had tried to seduce him with.
She felt his revulsion the first time she forced him to kiss her.
Tess experienced the torment he went through in the white room.
She felt the anguish Max felt when he saw the virtual reality image of Liz dead.
She felt the peace he found in Liz's arms after his escape.
Max, the day you saved my life, your life just ended.
No, that was the day my life began. Liz, when I was in that room, and they did... what they did to me... You were what kept me alive. The thought of you. The way your eyes look into mine. Your smile. The touch of your skin. Your lips. Knowing you has made me human. Whether I die tomorrow or fifty years from now, my destiny is the same: it's you. I want to be with you, Liz. I love you.
Tess felt Max's agony as Liz walked away from him in the cave.
She felt his heart shatter when Max saw Liz in bed with Kyle.
She felt him forgive that and decide that prom was going to be a new beginning for the two of them.
Tess felt his pain when Liz gave him the 'just friends' speech.
She felt the utter revulsion he felt after she'd planted the false memory of Zan and Ava's first kiss and mind warped him into reliving it.
She felt his guilt when he took Liz's accusations of Alex's murder personally.
Tess felt his pain when Liz chose to pursue Alex's murder over their friendship.
She felt his refusal to betray his heart, which still belonged to Liz, as she tried to seduce him only moments ago.
As Tess finished processing the flashes she knew that she would never be able to complete her mission. That even now, with Max's life a shambles and his relationship with Liz as broken as it was ever going to get, Max would still choose death over giving himself to another.
Khivar would kill her for her failure. Her best, her only, chance for survival was to help Max win. She once again went over to Max. This time she removed all her influences from his mind. When he awoke, he would remember everything.
Max would remember both what he wanted to do and what his real memories were, as well as what she'd made him do and the false memories she'd planted. And he would know which was which. He would be aware of everything she'd done to him.
Max awoke hours later to find Tess sitting in front of him. His mind reeled with the knowledge of all that she'd done to him. His face pale as the full impact began to sink in, he shouted angrily, "What do you want from me? You've already taken away everything that matters!!!"
Tess cried, "I was just doing what I was told. I'm sorry! I had to connect to you to heal you. I didn't know how much I was hurting you. What can I do, Max, to make it up to you?"
Max glared at her, not sure whether to trust her or not. Finally he spoke. "I don't know if you can make it up to me, Tess. I can't think clearly right now. But I know, if there is a way, what your downpayment would be.."
Tess looked up at him hopefully. "What?"
Max answered, "My life is in ruins. You broke it, you fix it. Get Michael and Isabel to be family I can count on again, and get Liz back in my arms. Then I'll be in a position to determine if you'll ever be able to make it up to me."
Tess nodded and began to leave when Max called out to her. "And, Tess. No mind warping. Unless they come back to me of their own free will, it will be worthless to me."
Tess nodded again. As she turned to leave, Max slumped back to the floor, and curled up into the fetal position, his body beginning to heave with the force of his sobs as he finally released his grief. Tess glanced back at him one last time and quickly slipped away.
She knew that her only chance of survival was Max. He was the only one who could defeat Khivar. Tess also knew that Max was in no position to do that now. She knew that there was only one person in the universe that could give him back the strength he'd need.
That made one of Max's demands more important than the rest. Tess knew she'd have to mend that rift first. She had to find Liz and convince her to take Max back.
tbc?
You Broke It, You Fix It M/L chapter 10 10/15/06 [WIP]
Moderators: Anniepoo98, ISLANDGIRL5, truelovepooh, Forum Moderators
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Christmasnazi
- Enthusiastic Roswellian
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2005 12:53 am
You Broke It, You Fix It M/L chapter 10 10/15/06 [WIP]
Last edited by Christmasnazi on Sun Oct 15, 2006 6:01 pm, edited 16 times in total.
-
Christmasnazi
- Enthusiastic Roswellian
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2005 12:53 am
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Isabel stomped down the hallway, away from Max. She needed to put as much distance between herself and that damn brother of hers as possible before she did something unforgivable. Not that he wouldn't completely deserve it!
How dare he threaten her! He had no right to control her life this way. God! No wonder she'd betrayed him in their past life if this new behavior was an example of how he'd behaved as King Zan!
Isabel released an anguished gasp at the path her thoughts had taken, but couldn't force herself to truly regret them. She'd meant her parting words. Isabel Evans, Max's loving sister, straight A student and model daughter was dead. The new Isabel Evans didn't give a damn... about anyone or anything.
If Khivar attacked tomorrow and she was the only person that could save the whole damn world... well she hoped Planet Earth could protect itself... because the new Isabel Evans didn't give a shit if Earth fell down around her ears.
Reaching her locker, Isabel yanked out her books one by one, and dumped them unceremoniously on the floor at her feet. The new Isabel Evans had no use for books. Grabbing her jacket, she turned and headed for the nearest exit. Screw school. If her future was to be spent trapped in this hellhole of a town then school was just a big waste of time.
Reaching the parking lot, Isabel climbed into Max's jeep and used her powers to hotwire it. Without so much as a backward glance, Isabel slammed on the gas and streaked out of the lot, barely missing a couple of cheerleaders who were crossing the lot too slowly for her liking.
The furious alien drove aimlessly, no real destination in mind until she found herself screeching to stop in front of the cemetery. Turning onto the single paved road that wound it's way through the graves, Isabel stopped and hopped out, her feet reluctantly taking over to the gravestone that marked the final resting place of Alex Charles Whitman.
Dropping to her knees on the dewy grass, Isabel buried her face in her hands, releasing her furious tears. "Why, Alex? How could you leave me like this?" she demanded, her icy voice belying the grief she still felt so strongly at losing him. "Everything is falling apart without you!"
"I know."
Whipping her head around, Isabel found herself staring up into Alex's beloved face. "Alex..." she breathed. "How?"
"It's okay, Isabel. It's okay to mourn me. It's okay to miss me. But running away won't solve anything. I think you know that."
Isabel shook her head in denial. "It's too hard, Alex. And Max... the things he said... I'll never forgive him for that," Isabel whispered tearfully.
"I know it's hard, Izzy. But it's always been hard for us, for you." Alex placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You've always made it through before. I know you'll make it through again. You're the strongest person I know," Alex replied softly.
"I'm not, Alex," she protested weakly, tears rolling down her cheeks. "I'm not strong at all. I'm falling apart. I can't do this without you."
"Yes, you can, Isabel!" Alex replied earnestly. "You don't give yourself enough credit. I know you can do this. You just have to let me go."
"No! I can't do that, Alex! I need you!" Isabel clung to him tightly. "Please don't leave me, Alex."
"I'm already gone," Alex prodded gently. "And this isn't helping you."
~*~*~*~
Isabel stormed into the house, her hands balled into fists as her earlier fight with Max played over and over in her head.
How dare Max ruin her life like this?!? Why couldn't he understand how much she want... needed... to get out? It was just too hard. Everywhere she turned, Isabel saw Alex and it was killing her.
She'd wasted so much time, time she could never get back. And now he was gone, and Isabel didn't know how to go on without him.
She needed to get out of Roswell. Max couldn't make good on his threat anyway. He would never risk that kind of exposure.
"Screw Max," she hissed, striding into her room with a renewed sense of purpose. She was going to San Francisco whether Max and Michael liked it or not. This was her life and she was going to make her own decisions.
"Max? Isabel?"
Wiping at the stray tears rolling down her cheeks, Isabel walked into the kitchen. "Hi, Mom," she greeted softly, hugging her mother tightly.
"Oh, Izzy. Don't cry, Honey," Diane coaxed softly, hugging her precious daughter fiercely. "Shh, it'll be ok, Isabel. I promise you it will get better."
"I loved him, Mom. I loved him so much! Why did it take me so long to realize it? God, Mom. I spent so much time pushing him away. And now... Now he's really gone, Mom, and it's too late..."
"I know it hurts, Honey, but Alex's death wasn't your fault. You can't blame yourself," Diane answered, stroking her daughter's hair. "It was a horrible accident."
"I see him everywhere, Mom. At school, at the CrashDown. I dream about him every night. I just... I'm suffocating. Mom, I... I need to get away," the tall blond sobbed, pulling back to look at her with pleading eyes.
Diane took in her eldest child's desperate eyes and felt her heart clench. It was painfully obvious that not only was being surrounded by the memories of the past year she'd spent around Alex Whitman not making his loss easier on her daughter, it seemed to be making things that much worse instead. Perhaps some time away would do Isabel good. Perhaps it would give her the time she needed to come to terms with what she'd lost and help her begin to heal.
"All right, Isabel. I'll call your Aunt Louise in Philadelphia. You can go stay with her and your Uncle Steve for a few weeks," Diane answered, and was quickly rewarded with her daughter's profound relief and gratitude.
"Thank you, Mom," she whispered hoarsely, tears in her eyes. "Thank you so much for understanding how badly I need to do this."
"You don't have to thank me, Honey. I know how hard this has been on you. I'll do anything I can to help you get through this."
~*~*~*~
Zipping her last bag closed, Isabel let out a shaky breath, gazing around the room she'd grown up in. Fresh tears filled her eyes as they fell on her Prom photo, falling on Alex's face. "I love you, Alex," she whispered softly. "I'm so sorry it took me so long to tell you."
Taking the photo in her hands, she traced Alex's face with her fingertip before placing a soft kiss on the glass. "I miss you so much. I don't know how to go on without you," she confessed brokenly.
With one last soft kiss to Alex's image she placed the photo gently into her bag and moved toward the door. She sighed and closed the door behind her, the final click as the door closed echoing loudly in her mind. It sounded so final. Her shoulders sagged as reality set in. This was the last time she would see that room. The last time she would walk down these stairs, she thought as she descended slowly, reluctantly.
The last time she would see her mother, the nagging voice continued as she entered the kitchen to see her mother talking on the phone. "... so wonderful of you and Stephen to do this, Louise. I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate it. Yes, we will definitely have to come for Thanksgiving this year. Yes Lou, I'll make sure to let Philip know. I'm sure he'll be pleased to hear about Steve's promotion. Yes, it's a wonderful opportunity. All right, Lou. Yes, we'll talk soon. Good bye, Lou."
Isabel stood in the doorway, watching as her mother hung up the phone and turned to her. "It's all set, Honey. I'll just drive you to the airport and Lou and Stephen will be waiting for you at the airport in Philadelphia."
"Mom," Isabel interjected softly. "Mom, would it be okay if... if I went alone?"
"Oh, Honey... I don't think..."
"Please, Mom. I need to do this alone. I'll just call a taxi to get me to the airport okay?" Isabel pressed hopefully. She knew how furious Max was going to be when he discovered she'd left despite his threats, and while she didn't care how angry he was with her, she wanted to spare her parents Max's anger. They didn't deserve it.
"All right, Izzy..." Diane agreed reluctantly. "But you promise you'll call me the moment you reach the airport."
"I promise, Mom. Thank you so much for understanding how much I need to do this." Isabel hugged Diane tightly.
"Do you want something to eat before you leave, Honey?" Diane asked, opening the fridge.
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Isabel finally managed a "sure, Mom" before she dialed the taxi company.
~*~*~*~
Tears rolled down Isabel's cheeks as she stared at Diane as the taxi carried her away from the only mother she'd ever known. She couldn't help wondering if she'd ever see her family again, her friends, again. She hadn't even gotten the chance to say goodbye to Michael.
Shoulders slumped she looked out the window as the scenery passed, not knowing when, or even if, she'd ever see this town again. West Roswell High, The CrashDown, the UFO Museum, the Quarry; all the places that had made Roswell home. As they passed the *You Are Now Leaving Roswell* sign, Isabel felt her heart shatter yet again, knowing she was truly leaving the only life she'd ever known behind.
"Driver wait!" she suddenly shouted, and the driver pulled off to the side of the road. Isabel jumped out and approached the luggage that had caught her eye through as they had driven past. Picking up one familiar bag, she read the tag, her face paling as she whipped around, eyes scanning the area wildly.
"Liz..." Desperately she searched for any sight of the girl. Why would Liz's luggage be sitting here on the side of the road? She tried to come up with any reasonable reason and came up blank. No! This could not be happening again! They'd just lost Alex... they couldn't lose Liz, too. "LIZ?"
She strained for any whisper of an answer. Nothing but the wind and the loud idle of the taxi cab. Oh God. What if Liz had been right all along about Alex's death? What if an alien really did kill him? Oh, God, what if whoever it was wanted to stop Liz from finding them? "LIIIIIIIZZZZZZZZZ!!!"
tbc?
Isabel stomped down the hallway, away from Max. She needed to put as much distance between herself and that damn brother of hers as possible before she did something unforgivable. Not that he wouldn't completely deserve it!
How dare he threaten her! He had no right to control her life this way. God! No wonder she'd betrayed him in their past life if this new behavior was an example of how he'd behaved as King Zan!
Isabel released an anguished gasp at the path her thoughts had taken, but couldn't force herself to truly regret them. She'd meant her parting words. Isabel Evans, Max's loving sister, straight A student and model daughter was dead. The new Isabel Evans didn't give a damn... about anyone or anything.
If Khivar attacked tomorrow and she was the only person that could save the whole damn world... well she hoped Planet Earth could protect itself... because the new Isabel Evans didn't give a shit if Earth fell down around her ears.
Reaching her locker, Isabel yanked out her books one by one, and dumped them unceremoniously on the floor at her feet. The new Isabel Evans had no use for books. Grabbing her jacket, she turned and headed for the nearest exit. Screw school. If her future was to be spent trapped in this hellhole of a town then school was just a big waste of time.
Reaching the parking lot, Isabel climbed into Max's jeep and used her powers to hotwire it. Without so much as a backward glance, Isabel slammed on the gas and streaked out of the lot, barely missing a couple of cheerleaders who were crossing the lot too slowly for her liking.
The furious alien drove aimlessly, no real destination in mind until she found herself screeching to stop in front of the cemetery. Turning onto the single paved road that wound it's way through the graves, Isabel stopped and hopped out, her feet reluctantly taking over to the gravestone that marked the final resting place of Alex Charles Whitman.
Dropping to her knees on the dewy grass, Isabel buried her face in her hands, releasing her furious tears. "Why, Alex? How could you leave me like this?" she demanded, her icy voice belying the grief she still felt so strongly at losing him. "Everything is falling apart without you!"
"I know."
Whipping her head around, Isabel found herself staring up into Alex's beloved face. "Alex..." she breathed. "How?"
"It's okay, Isabel. It's okay to mourn me. It's okay to miss me. But running away won't solve anything. I think you know that."
Isabel shook her head in denial. "It's too hard, Alex. And Max... the things he said... I'll never forgive him for that," Isabel whispered tearfully.
"I know it's hard, Izzy. But it's always been hard for us, for you." Alex placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You've always made it through before. I know you'll make it through again. You're the strongest person I know," Alex replied softly.
"I'm not, Alex," she protested weakly, tears rolling down her cheeks. "I'm not strong at all. I'm falling apart. I can't do this without you."
"Yes, you can, Isabel!" Alex replied earnestly. "You don't give yourself enough credit. I know you can do this. You just have to let me go."
"No! I can't do that, Alex! I need you!" Isabel clung to him tightly. "Please don't leave me, Alex."
"I'm already gone," Alex prodded gently. "And this isn't helping you."
~*~*~*~
Isabel stormed into the house, her hands balled into fists as her earlier fight with Max played over and over in her head.
How dare Max ruin her life like this?!? Why couldn't he understand how much she want... needed... to get out? It was just too hard. Everywhere she turned, Isabel saw Alex and it was killing her.
She'd wasted so much time, time she could never get back. And now he was gone, and Isabel didn't know how to go on without him.
She needed to get out of Roswell. Max couldn't make good on his threat anyway. He would never risk that kind of exposure.
"Screw Max," she hissed, striding into her room with a renewed sense of purpose. She was going to San Francisco whether Max and Michael liked it or not. This was her life and she was going to make her own decisions.
"Max? Isabel?"
Wiping at the stray tears rolling down her cheeks, Isabel walked into the kitchen. "Hi, Mom," she greeted softly, hugging her mother tightly.
"Oh, Izzy. Don't cry, Honey," Diane coaxed softly, hugging her precious daughter fiercely. "Shh, it'll be ok, Isabel. I promise you it will get better."
"I loved him, Mom. I loved him so much! Why did it take me so long to realize it? God, Mom. I spent so much time pushing him away. And now... Now he's really gone, Mom, and it's too late..."
"I know it hurts, Honey, but Alex's death wasn't your fault. You can't blame yourself," Diane answered, stroking her daughter's hair. "It was a horrible accident."
"I see him everywhere, Mom. At school, at the CrashDown. I dream about him every night. I just... I'm suffocating. Mom, I... I need to get away," the tall blond sobbed, pulling back to look at her with pleading eyes.
Diane took in her eldest child's desperate eyes and felt her heart clench. It was painfully obvious that not only was being surrounded by the memories of the past year she'd spent around Alex Whitman not making his loss easier on her daughter, it seemed to be making things that much worse instead. Perhaps some time away would do Isabel good. Perhaps it would give her the time she needed to come to terms with what she'd lost and help her begin to heal.
"All right, Isabel. I'll call your Aunt Louise in Philadelphia. You can go stay with her and your Uncle Steve for a few weeks," Diane answered, and was quickly rewarded with her daughter's profound relief and gratitude.
"Thank you, Mom," she whispered hoarsely, tears in her eyes. "Thank you so much for understanding how badly I need to do this."
"You don't have to thank me, Honey. I know how hard this has been on you. I'll do anything I can to help you get through this."
~*~*~*~
Zipping her last bag closed, Isabel let out a shaky breath, gazing around the room she'd grown up in. Fresh tears filled her eyes as they fell on her Prom photo, falling on Alex's face. "I love you, Alex," she whispered softly. "I'm so sorry it took me so long to tell you."
Taking the photo in her hands, she traced Alex's face with her fingertip before placing a soft kiss on the glass. "I miss you so much. I don't know how to go on without you," she confessed brokenly.
With one last soft kiss to Alex's image she placed the photo gently into her bag and moved toward the door. She sighed and closed the door behind her, the final click as the door closed echoing loudly in her mind. It sounded so final. Her shoulders sagged as reality set in. This was the last time she would see that room. The last time she would walk down these stairs, she thought as she descended slowly, reluctantly.
The last time she would see her mother, the nagging voice continued as she entered the kitchen to see her mother talking on the phone. "... so wonderful of you and Stephen to do this, Louise. I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate it. Yes, we will definitely have to come for Thanksgiving this year. Yes Lou, I'll make sure to let Philip know. I'm sure he'll be pleased to hear about Steve's promotion. Yes, it's a wonderful opportunity. All right, Lou. Yes, we'll talk soon. Good bye, Lou."
Isabel stood in the doorway, watching as her mother hung up the phone and turned to her. "It's all set, Honey. I'll just drive you to the airport and Lou and Stephen will be waiting for you at the airport in Philadelphia."
"Mom," Isabel interjected softly. "Mom, would it be okay if... if I went alone?"
"Oh, Honey... I don't think..."
"Please, Mom. I need to do this alone. I'll just call a taxi to get me to the airport okay?" Isabel pressed hopefully. She knew how furious Max was going to be when he discovered she'd left despite his threats, and while she didn't care how angry he was with her, she wanted to spare her parents Max's anger. They didn't deserve it.
"All right, Izzy..." Diane agreed reluctantly. "But you promise you'll call me the moment you reach the airport."
"I promise, Mom. Thank you so much for understanding how much I need to do this." Isabel hugged Diane tightly.
"Do you want something to eat before you leave, Honey?" Diane asked, opening the fridge.
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Isabel finally managed a "sure, Mom" before she dialed the taxi company.
~*~*~*~
Tears rolled down Isabel's cheeks as she stared at Diane as the taxi carried her away from the only mother she'd ever known. She couldn't help wondering if she'd ever see her family again, her friends, again. She hadn't even gotten the chance to say goodbye to Michael.
Shoulders slumped she looked out the window as the scenery passed, not knowing when, or even if, she'd ever see this town again. West Roswell High, The CrashDown, the UFO Museum, the Quarry; all the places that had made Roswell home. As they passed the *You Are Now Leaving Roswell* sign, Isabel felt her heart shatter yet again, knowing she was truly leaving the only life she'd ever known behind.
"Driver wait!" she suddenly shouted, and the driver pulled off to the side of the road. Isabel jumped out and approached the luggage that had caught her eye through as they had driven past. Picking up one familiar bag, she read the tag, her face paling as she whipped around, eyes scanning the area wildly.
"Liz..." Desperately she searched for any sight of the girl. Why would Liz's luggage be sitting here on the side of the road? She tried to come up with any reasonable reason and came up blank. No! This could not be happening again! They'd just lost Alex... they couldn't lose Liz, too. "LIZ?"
She strained for any whisper of an answer. Nothing but the wind and the loud idle of the taxi cab. Oh God. What if Liz had been right all along about Alex's death? What if an alien really did kill him? Oh, God, what if whoever it was wanted to stop Liz from finding them? "LIIIIIIIZZZZZZZZZ!!!"
tbc?
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Christmasnazi
- Enthusiastic Roswellian
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2005 12:53 am
chapter 2
Chapter 2
Many many thanks to all you wonderful readers who took the time to leave me fb. They fuel the muse and result in faster updates.
83 Angel Alien
Chemchic
Blackknight1864
RoswellDreamer_bb10
LovinGuerin2Much
extingman
IluvMaxEvans
polarchica
Nikki04
begonia9508
Emz80m
Spacegal17
maya
Drogyn
Buffsteraddict
g7silvers
AlwaysRoswell
Erina
tequathisy
nibbles2
Zanity - I am loving writing this fic in response to your wonderful challenge
Flamehair
brillantsmiles
mlover25
Michael stroked a hand tenderly through Maria's silky hair, drinking in the peaceful expression on her sleeping face. He knew the grief would reclaim her the instant she woke and wished for the thousandth time that he could just somehow take her pain away.
He couldn't even begin to imagine how he would feel if he lost Max or Isabel and he prayed he'd never have cause to find out. They were the only family he had and he never wanted to lose that connection. No matter how annoying Maxwell could be. No matter how closed off Isabel got. He'd take whatever he could get.
"How is she doing?"
Michael looked up into the worried eyes of Amy Deluca. "As well as can be expected, I guess. She finally fell asleep a little while ago," he answered softly.
Amy nodded and entered, moving to sit on the other side of the bed, pressing a soft kiss to her daughter's forehead. "I remember when Maria's father left, Maria wouldn't leave her bedroom for days. I guess this is just her way of dealing with the pain."
"Well, she has you and... and me... to help her through this. We'll take care of her," Michael vowed softly.
"I was wrong about you. That morning when I caught you in Maria's bed I thought... and then when she told me that night that you'd been arrested... but I was wrong. You love my daughter. Thank you." Michael stared at Amy silently, too stunned to form a coherent thought. "I just want you to know that you will always be welcome in this house. On the couch..." she clarified, a pointed look on her face.
"Of course," Michael mumbled uncomfortably.
"Right."
"Right."
"Are you going to school this morning?" Amy asked, piercing the uncomfortable silence.
"I... I thought I'd just follow Maria's lead," Michael answered nervously.
Amy smiled sadly and nodded before rising and moving toward the door. "I'll make breakfast. You just... just keep taking care of my daughter."
~*~*~*~
"Mom!" Maria huffed indignantly. She snatched the embarrassing photos from her mother's hands, her face red with abject humiliation. She couldn't believe her mother was showing Michael, her boyfriend for crying out loud!, her baby pictures. It was beyond mortifying. How was she ever going to live this down? She'd never be able to look Michael in the eyes again!
Michael smirked, barely able to suppress his chuckles at Maria's embarrassment. She looked so cute when she blushed. And Michael would embrace anything that replaced the pain on her face, even if only for a moment.
It seemed the pain had become etched on her face since Alex's death. And Michael couldn't help his anger toward Liz. Didn't she realize how much she was hurting Maria? Did she even care? Was she so immersed in her consipracy theories and alien killer scenarios that she couldn't see how much her actions were hurting the people around her?
It didn't matter if deep down Michael thought it was possible that Liz was right. What mattered was how it affected Maria. She didn't deserve any of this. She deserved to have all the love and support she needed to get her through this. And she wasn't getting any of that from Liz Parker. Quite the opposite, Liz had chosen instead to abandon Maria, abandon them all, and it angered Michael, what he saw as selfishness on Liz's part.
Shaking away his disturbing thoughts, Michael offered Maria a cocky smirk. Yup, he knew just which buttons to push, he thought proudly, watching her brow furrow in that quirky little way that signalled that Hurricane Deluca was stirring.
More than happy to make himself the brunt of the unleashed storm, Michael winked at her. His girl did not disappoint.
"What's so funny, Michael?" she demanded. Oh, yeah. That was his Maria, a Catagory Five easy. "You can just wipe that smirk right off your face, Spaceboy! Cuz there is no way you are ever gonna see any of those.. those... ideas I know are flashing through your head right now! Well forget it, Mister! Never gonna happen!"
Michael shared a brief understanding glance with Amy before turning his attention back to Maria. "No idea what you're taking about," he answered simply, his smirk still in place. "I'm not thinking anything like that," he teased.
Michael's grin only grew. It thrilled the deepest part of him to know that he could affect her so easily. As pissed as he was with her right now, he sent a silent Thank You to Liz, wherever she was right now. If it hadn't been for her, he wouldn't have Maria in his life. It was a debt he could never fully repay.
The moment was lost at the frantic knocking on the front door. "Who on Earth...?" Amy muttered, irritated at the intrusion on what she saw as a family moment. She stood and stalked to the door, intent on giving whoever it was a piece of her mind.
"Whatever you're selling, we don't want any," Amy stated, opening the door. "Oh! Isabel! Oh, Honey, I'm so sorry. Maria's told me how close you were to Alex."
"Michael!" Isabel cried the instant her red, tear filled eyes met his.
Michael was immediately on his feet, his teasing forgotten as his stomach clenched tightly, painfully in dread. "What is it, Izzy?"
"Oh God, Michael! She was right!" the hysterical girl cried, hugging her pseudo brother tightly.
"Who was right? Isabel, what happened?" Michael asked reluctantly, quite certain he really didn't want her to answer him.
"I was on my way to the airport in Las Cruces and-"
"WHAT!? You were leaving!? After Max-"
"Michael!! Yell at me later! We have to find her!" Isabel interruped tearfully.
"Find who?" he demanded.
"Liz," she sobbed, fresh tears welling in her eyes.
"Liz?" Maria echoed, panic dripping from that one word.
"I was on my way to Las Cruces," Isabel repeated hollowly. "And then I found... found her luggage... on the side of the road. Don't you see, Michael? Liz was right and now... God, Michael, where is she? What if... if she's..."
"NO!!!" Maria screamed. "Nonononono! She can't be... Michael?"
Seeing the desperation in her eyes knocked the breath clean out of his body. He couldn't breathe, let alone form an answer.
"What is going on here?" Amy asked, confused.
Michael swallowed the lump in his throat and answered, "Liz had this crazy idea that Alex was murdered."
"She's gone, Michael! I checked the CrashDown! She wasn't there! God, Michael, she was right!"
"Stop it, Isabel! Just take a deep breath and relax!" Michael commanded, trying to gain control of the situation. He turned and moved toward the phone.
"Who are you calling?" Maria asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I'm calling Max. Maybe she's with him," Michael answered, praying that Parker really was with Maxwell. He was absolutely certain that Maria wouldn't be able to survive losing another friend.
"NO! Michael, you can't! You can't tell Max! Not until-" Isabel pleaded. If Max knew she was leaving...
"Until what, Isabel? Until Maria completely freaks out thinking Liz is dead only to find out later that she and Max were finally getting their shit together and fixing their screwed up relationship? Is that when we can talk to him and get this mess settled?" Michael demanded angrily.
"She's not with Max, Michael," Isabel whispered.
"How would you know that, Isabel?" Michael asked sarcastically.
"Because her luggage was just sitting on the side of the road. Max and Liz are the most responsible people we've ever known, Michael. They would never just leave her stuff like that," Maria answered thickly, bursting into heartwrenching sobs. "She's gone... Oh, God! I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry..."
"Shh," Michael soothed, hugging her to him tightly. "Liz is fine, Maria. She's fine. It's ok. We'll find her and she'll spend every day of the rest of her life appologizing for making you worry," Michael vowed.
tbc?
Many many thanks to all you wonderful readers who took the time to leave me fb. They fuel the muse and result in faster updates.
83 Angel Alien
Chemchic
Blackknight1864
RoswellDreamer_bb10
LovinGuerin2Much
extingman
IluvMaxEvans
polarchica
Nikki04
begonia9508
Emz80m
Spacegal17
maya
Drogyn
Buffsteraddict
g7silvers
AlwaysRoswell
Erina
tequathisy
nibbles2
Zanity - I am loving writing this fic in response to your wonderful challenge
Flamehair
brillantsmiles
mlover25
Michael stroked a hand tenderly through Maria's silky hair, drinking in the peaceful expression on her sleeping face. He knew the grief would reclaim her the instant she woke and wished for the thousandth time that he could just somehow take her pain away.
He couldn't even begin to imagine how he would feel if he lost Max or Isabel and he prayed he'd never have cause to find out. They were the only family he had and he never wanted to lose that connection. No matter how annoying Maxwell could be. No matter how closed off Isabel got. He'd take whatever he could get.
"How is she doing?"
Michael looked up into the worried eyes of Amy Deluca. "As well as can be expected, I guess. She finally fell asleep a little while ago," he answered softly.
Amy nodded and entered, moving to sit on the other side of the bed, pressing a soft kiss to her daughter's forehead. "I remember when Maria's father left, Maria wouldn't leave her bedroom for days. I guess this is just her way of dealing with the pain."
"Well, she has you and... and me... to help her through this. We'll take care of her," Michael vowed softly.
"I was wrong about you. That morning when I caught you in Maria's bed I thought... and then when she told me that night that you'd been arrested... but I was wrong. You love my daughter. Thank you." Michael stared at Amy silently, too stunned to form a coherent thought. "I just want you to know that you will always be welcome in this house. On the couch..." she clarified, a pointed look on her face.
"Of course," Michael mumbled uncomfortably.
"Right."
"Right."
"Are you going to school this morning?" Amy asked, piercing the uncomfortable silence.
"I... I thought I'd just follow Maria's lead," Michael answered nervously.
Amy smiled sadly and nodded before rising and moving toward the door. "I'll make breakfast. You just... just keep taking care of my daughter."
~*~*~*~
"Mom!" Maria huffed indignantly. She snatched the embarrassing photos from her mother's hands, her face red with abject humiliation. She couldn't believe her mother was showing Michael, her boyfriend for crying out loud!, her baby pictures. It was beyond mortifying. How was she ever going to live this down? She'd never be able to look Michael in the eyes again!
Michael smirked, barely able to suppress his chuckles at Maria's embarrassment. She looked so cute when she blushed. And Michael would embrace anything that replaced the pain on her face, even if only for a moment.
It seemed the pain had become etched on her face since Alex's death. And Michael couldn't help his anger toward Liz. Didn't she realize how much she was hurting Maria? Did she even care? Was she so immersed in her consipracy theories and alien killer scenarios that she couldn't see how much her actions were hurting the people around her?
It didn't matter if deep down Michael thought it was possible that Liz was right. What mattered was how it affected Maria. She didn't deserve any of this. She deserved to have all the love and support she needed to get her through this. And she wasn't getting any of that from Liz Parker. Quite the opposite, Liz had chosen instead to abandon Maria, abandon them all, and it angered Michael, what he saw as selfishness on Liz's part.
Shaking away his disturbing thoughts, Michael offered Maria a cocky smirk. Yup, he knew just which buttons to push, he thought proudly, watching her brow furrow in that quirky little way that signalled that Hurricane Deluca was stirring.
More than happy to make himself the brunt of the unleashed storm, Michael winked at her. His girl did not disappoint.
"What's so funny, Michael?" she demanded. Oh, yeah. That was his Maria, a Catagory Five easy. "You can just wipe that smirk right off your face, Spaceboy! Cuz there is no way you are ever gonna see any of those.. those... ideas I know are flashing through your head right now! Well forget it, Mister! Never gonna happen!"
Michael shared a brief understanding glance with Amy before turning his attention back to Maria. "No idea what you're taking about," he answered simply, his smirk still in place. "I'm not thinking anything like that," he teased.
Michael's grin only grew. It thrilled the deepest part of him to know that he could affect her so easily. As pissed as he was with her right now, he sent a silent Thank You to Liz, wherever she was right now. If it hadn't been for her, he wouldn't have Maria in his life. It was a debt he could never fully repay.
The moment was lost at the frantic knocking on the front door. "Who on Earth...?" Amy muttered, irritated at the intrusion on what she saw as a family moment. She stood and stalked to the door, intent on giving whoever it was a piece of her mind.
"Whatever you're selling, we don't want any," Amy stated, opening the door. "Oh! Isabel! Oh, Honey, I'm so sorry. Maria's told me how close you were to Alex."
"Michael!" Isabel cried the instant her red, tear filled eyes met his.
Michael was immediately on his feet, his teasing forgotten as his stomach clenched tightly, painfully in dread. "What is it, Izzy?"
"Oh God, Michael! She was right!" the hysterical girl cried, hugging her pseudo brother tightly.
"Who was right? Isabel, what happened?" Michael asked reluctantly, quite certain he really didn't want her to answer him.
"I was on my way to the airport in Las Cruces and-"
"WHAT!? You were leaving!? After Max-"
"Michael!! Yell at me later! We have to find her!" Isabel interruped tearfully.
"Find who?" he demanded.
"Liz," she sobbed, fresh tears welling in her eyes.
"Liz?" Maria echoed, panic dripping from that one word.
"I was on my way to Las Cruces," Isabel repeated hollowly. "And then I found... found her luggage... on the side of the road. Don't you see, Michael? Liz was right and now... God, Michael, where is she? What if... if she's..."
"NO!!!" Maria screamed. "Nonononono! She can't be... Michael?"
Seeing the desperation in her eyes knocked the breath clean out of his body. He couldn't breathe, let alone form an answer.
"What is going on here?" Amy asked, confused.
Michael swallowed the lump in his throat and answered, "Liz had this crazy idea that Alex was murdered."
"She's gone, Michael! I checked the CrashDown! She wasn't there! God, Michael, she was right!"
"Stop it, Isabel! Just take a deep breath and relax!" Michael commanded, trying to gain control of the situation. He turned and moved toward the phone.
"Who are you calling?" Maria asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I'm calling Max. Maybe she's with him," Michael answered, praying that Parker really was with Maxwell. He was absolutely certain that Maria wouldn't be able to survive losing another friend.
"NO! Michael, you can't! You can't tell Max! Not until-" Isabel pleaded. If Max knew she was leaving...
"Until what, Isabel? Until Maria completely freaks out thinking Liz is dead only to find out later that she and Max were finally getting their shit together and fixing their screwed up relationship? Is that when we can talk to him and get this mess settled?" Michael demanded angrily.
"She's not with Max, Michael," Isabel whispered.
"How would you know that, Isabel?" Michael asked sarcastically.
"Because her luggage was just sitting on the side of the road. Max and Liz are the most responsible people we've ever known, Michael. They would never just leave her stuff like that," Maria answered thickly, bursting into heartwrenching sobs. "She's gone... Oh, God! I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry..."
"Shh," Michael soothed, hugging her to him tightly. "Liz is fine, Maria. She's fine. It's ok. We'll find her and she'll spend every day of the rest of her life appologizing for making you worry," Michael vowed.
tbc?
-
Christmasnazi
- Enthusiastic Roswellian
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2005 12:53 am
chapter 3
Just a quick author's note: Before you read and assemble various hard objects to pummel me with... I was expecting the Liz situation to be resolved this chapter, too. I can't help it if my muse is an evil evil muse. Many thanks to all you wonderful readers out there. This update is 3 days early thanks to you feedbackers. Also dialogue taken From eppies CYN and ITLaITB.
IluvMaxEvans and polarchica - you two know how much I luv ya
83 AlienAngel - glad you're likin' it
Zanity - I'm loving writing this challenge lol hope it continues to show just how much
begonia9508 - there are reasons why the characters are acting so... contrary... right now
Temptress - glad to know you're enjoying reading this as much as I'm lovin' writin' it
tequathisy - thanks babe, and don't worry, it won't be too much longer til I'm ready to start posting my fic to your challenge too lol
Reamhar - I'm glad you're enjoying
blackknight1864 - yeah, lol, I'd love some answers, too, but the muse is just evil
Timelord31 - I promise, as soon as I know, so will you. the outline kinda flew out the window with this chapter
AlwaysRoswell - thanks for reading hun
kittens - guess we'll have to wait and see lol
pandas2001 - as I told begonia, there are specific reasons to why the characters are acting the way they are
Flamehair - glad you're enjoying the ride. Hang tight, it's about to get bumpy
Nikki04 - is this quick enough for ya? I wish I could say I'll be increasing to two updates a week, but with working on tequathisy's challenge also, I just don't see it happening right now. Hopefully getting steady updates once a week will keep you happy
spacegal17 - you'll understand better soon
behrstars - glad you're likin' it
eLIZabeth - here's the long awaited Liz chappy... hope it doesn't disappoint lol
Chapter 3
Liz huddled in the back of the rundown cab, knees drawn up to her chest, tears rolling silently down too pale cheeks, her grief momentarily drowning out the guilt. So much of both emotions sitting heavily on her shoulders. How much grief could any one person be expected to handle?
She'd been right. Alex hadn't killed himself like Max wanted to believe. She'd known it from the start that it wasn't true. Known that his death was alien related. And she'd felt the crushing weight of guilt resting squarely on her weary shoulders.
Why did fate continue to torture her this way? Hadn't she sacrificed enough when she gave up her life, her future happiness, to save the whole damn ungrateful world? Hadn't she given up the only man who would ever own her heart?
And this was her reward? This was what being selfless got you? Heartache and guilt and the knowledge that hey, you save billions of lives and your whole damn planet but, oh did we forget to tell you that it would come at the expense of not just your soulmate and your happily ever after, but oh yeah, at the expense of your best friend's life too?
The pain was crushing her, and a part of Liz welcomed it, accepted it as her due, her penance for trying to play God. Liz had laughed in Fate's face and now she was being punished, slapped down like the insignificant little bug that she was.
Liz made a silent vow to her lost friend. She wouldn't stop until she found the person responsible. The other person, alien, whatever. And she would make them pay. And then... then she would accept her own
punishment. "I swear, Alex," she murmured softly, wiping ineffectually at her tears. Her shoulders straightened resolutely. She could wallow in self pity later. After she found Alex's killer. There would be plenty of time then to deal with her own guilt.
Stepping from the cab at the outskirts of town, Liz paused momentarily.
"If you get in that car, our friendship is over, Liz."
"I guess that's the price I have to pay. Somebody killed Alex and covered up his death. Why don't you see that, Max? Wake up."
She owed him that and so much more. A debt she could never hope to repay. She owed Alex her life. And if, at the end of this, she could find a way, she would gladly exchange her life for his.
The tiniest seed of an idea took root in her mind but Liz brushed it aside. She'd deal with that later. First things first, Liz. Gotta stick to the plan. First task is to find out who killed Alex. Everything else can wait.
Liz trudged along the side of the deserted road. She knew she couldn't do this alone. She couldn't go to Max again. He'd made it clear there were through.
"If you get in that car, Liz, our friendship is over."
Not just as a couple. They were completely and irrevocably over now, no ties left to be broken.
Maria didn't want to hear her 'crazy theories' anymore. The blond had made that point crystal clear the last time they'd spoken.
Stop it and listen to me, all right? I need my best friend right now because our other best friend just died, and I feel lost and scared and just completely wrecked, and I know that we're supposed to go to school, and go to work, and finish this yearbook tribute, but I just can't-- I don't have a handle on things. I feel like everything is just slipping by me, and I don't even-- I don't even know if I'm alive right now. So please, just stop focusing on this thing, that isn't even there. And just be sad with the rest of us, ok? Please.
So you don't believe me, either.
I'm--no, I'm sorry, I guess I don't, Liz.
The only person who'd even expressed the slightest hint of support in her assertion was... Kyle.
I'm with Liz. There's somethin' not right about this.
Kyle had been there every time she'd needed a friend, or a favor, lately.
I'm here to help. My body's merely a vessel.
Well. I guess it's us versus them.
She would go to him this one last time. She would tell him everything and she could only hope that Kyle would come through for her one last time.
Liz dropped her heavy suitcases, wrapping her arms around her waist, her teeth beginning to chatter as the cold desert chill settled in. Not sparing her discarded belongings a second thought, the petite brunette continued her weary trek back toward town. The sooner she reached Kyle, the sooner she could continue her search.
~*~*~*~*~
Reaching the outskirts of town, Liz kept to the back alleys and the shadows, just wanting, needing, to avoid running into Max. She wasn't sure she'd ever really be ready to see him again. She'd just get to Kyle, explain what she'd discovered, and together the two of them would figure out their next step.
Liz smiled slightly, realizing that she hadn't even asked him yet, but she knew, without a doubt, that he'd help her.
"...and even if it weren't... I'm going out with Kyle. He's honest and loyal... and he appreciates me."
"Sounds like you're describing a poodle."
Loyal. That was Kyle. Even after how badly she'd treated him, he was still there for her when she needed him. No questions; no hesitations. He was just there.
Shaking her thoughts away, Liz found herself on Marshall and her eyes immediately strayed to the house Tess and Nasedo had lived in briefly when they first came to town, and did a double take.
Was that a light she'd caught a glimpse of? No, that was impossible. Nasedo was dead and Tess was staying with Kyle and his dad. There was no reason for anyone to be in there.
And there it was again. The briefest flash of light. There was someone in there! Maybe it was Alex's killer. She had to know! Throwing caution to the wind, Liz moved closer to the house, desperate at the thought of finding her best friend's killer.
Reaching the window where she'd last seen the light, Liz lifted up on tiptoe to peek inside. As the light flickered again, Liz found herself staring at a ghost, and couldn't stifle her shocked gasp.
Ducking and crouching below the window, in case they'd heard her, Liz heard the snap of a branch behind her. She didn't even have time to turn around before something heavy came into contact with the back of her head and darkness claimed her.
tbc?
*commences with the running and hiding*
IluvMaxEvans and polarchica - you two know how much I luv ya
83 AlienAngel - glad you're likin' it
Zanity - I'm loving writing this challenge lol hope it continues to show just how much
begonia9508 - there are reasons why the characters are acting so... contrary... right now
Temptress - glad to know you're enjoying reading this as much as I'm lovin' writin' it
tequathisy - thanks babe, and don't worry, it won't be too much longer til I'm ready to start posting my fic to your challenge too lol
Reamhar - I'm glad you're enjoying
blackknight1864 - yeah, lol, I'd love some answers, too, but the muse is just evil
Timelord31 - I promise, as soon as I know, so will you. the outline kinda flew out the window with this chapter
AlwaysRoswell - thanks for reading hun
kittens - guess we'll have to wait and see lol
pandas2001 - as I told begonia, there are specific reasons to why the characters are acting the way they are
Flamehair - glad you're enjoying the ride. Hang tight, it's about to get bumpy
Nikki04 - is this quick enough for ya? I wish I could say I'll be increasing to two updates a week, but with working on tequathisy's challenge also, I just don't see it happening right now. Hopefully getting steady updates once a week will keep you happy
spacegal17 - you'll understand better soon
behrstars - glad you're likin' it
eLIZabeth - here's the long awaited Liz chappy... hope it doesn't disappoint lol
Chapter 3
Liz huddled in the back of the rundown cab, knees drawn up to her chest, tears rolling silently down too pale cheeks, her grief momentarily drowning out the guilt. So much of both emotions sitting heavily on her shoulders. How much grief could any one person be expected to handle?
She'd been right. Alex hadn't killed himself like Max wanted to believe. She'd known it from the start that it wasn't true. Known that his death was alien related. And she'd felt the crushing weight of guilt resting squarely on her weary shoulders.
Why did fate continue to torture her this way? Hadn't she sacrificed enough when she gave up her life, her future happiness, to save the whole damn ungrateful world? Hadn't she given up the only man who would ever own her heart?
And this was her reward? This was what being selfless got you? Heartache and guilt and the knowledge that hey, you save billions of lives and your whole damn planet but, oh did we forget to tell you that it would come at the expense of not just your soulmate and your happily ever after, but oh yeah, at the expense of your best friend's life too?
The pain was crushing her, and a part of Liz welcomed it, accepted it as her due, her penance for trying to play God. Liz had laughed in Fate's face and now she was being punished, slapped down like the insignificant little bug that she was.
Liz made a silent vow to her lost friend. She wouldn't stop until she found the person responsible. The other person, alien, whatever. And she would make them pay. And then... then she would accept her own
punishment. "I swear, Alex," she murmured softly, wiping ineffectually at her tears. Her shoulders straightened resolutely. She could wallow in self pity later. After she found Alex's killer. There would be plenty of time then to deal with her own guilt.
Stepping from the cab at the outskirts of town, Liz paused momentarily.
"If you get in that car, our friendship is over, Liz."
"I guess that's the price I have to pay. Somebody killed Alex and covered up his death. Why don't you see that, Max? Wake up."
She owed him that and so much more. A debt she could never hope to repay. She owed Alex her life. And if, at the end of this, she could find a way, she would gladly exchange her life for his.
The tiniest seed of an idea took root in her mind but Liz brushed it aside. She'd deal with that later. First things first, Liz. Gotta stick to the plan. First task is to find out who killed Alex. Everything else can wait.
Liz trudged along the side of the deserted road. She knew she couldn't do this alone. She couldn't go to Max again. He'd made it clear there were through.
"If you get in that car, Liz, our friendship is over."
Not just as a couple. They were completely and irrevocably over now, no ties left to be broken.
Maria didn't want to hear her 'crazy theories' anymore. The blond had made that point crystal clear the last time they'd spoken.
Stop it and listen to me, all right? I need my best friend right now because our other best friend just died, and I feel lost and scared and just completely wrecked, and I know that we're supposed to go to school, and go to work, and finish this yearbook tribute, but I just can't-- I don't have a handle on things. I feel like everything is just slipping by me, and I don't even-- I don't even know if I'm alive right now. So please, just stop focusing on this thing, that isn't even there. And just be sad with the rest of us, ok? Please.
So you don't believe me, either.
I'm--no, I'm sorry, I guess I don't, Liz.
The only person who'd even expressed the slightest hint of support in her assertion was... Kyle.
I'm with Liz. There's somethin' not right about this.
Kyle had been there every time she'd needed a friend, or a favor, lately.
I'm here to help. My body's merely a vessel.
Well. I guess it's us versus them.
She would go to him this one last time. She would tell him everything and she could only hope that Kyle would come through for her one last time.
Liz dropped her heavy suitcases, wrapping her arms around her waist, her teeth beginning to chatter as the cold desert chill settled in. Not sparing her discarded belongings a second thought, the petite brunette continued her weary trek back toward town. The sooner she reached Kyle, the sooner she could continue her search.
~*~*~*~*~
Reaching the outskirts of town, Liz kept to the back alleys and the shadows, just wanting, needing, to avoid running into Max. She wasn't sure she'd ever really be ready to see him again. She'd just get to Kyle, explain what she'd discovered, and together the two of them would figure out their next step.
Liz smiled slightly, realizing that she hadn't even asked him yet, but she knew, without a doubt, that he'd help her.
"...and even if it weren't... I'm going out with Kyle. He's honest and loyal... and he appreciates me."
"Sounds like you're describing a poodle."
Loyal. That was Kyle. Even after how badly she'd treated him, he was still there for her when she needed him. No questions; no hesitations. He was just there.
Shaking her thoughts away, Liz found herself on Marshall and her eyes immediately strayed to the house Tess and Nasedo had lived in briefly when they first came to town, and did a double take.
Was that a light she'd caught a glimpse of? No, that was impossible. Nasedo was dead and Tess was staying with Kyle and his dad. There was no reason for anyone to be in there.
And there it was again. The briefest flash of light. There was someone in there! Maybe it was Alex's killer. She had to know! Throwing caution to the wind, Liz moved closer to the house, desperate at the thought of finding her best friend's killer.
Reaching the window where she'd last seen the light, Liz lifted up on tiptoe to peek inside. As the light flickered again, Liz found herself staring at a ghost, and couldn't stifle her shocked gasp.
Ducking and crouching below the window, in case they'd heard her, Liz heard the snap of a branch behind her. She didn't even have time to turn around before something heavy came into contact with the back of her head and darkness claimed her.
tbc?
*commences with the running and hiding*
Last edited by Christmasnazi on Tue Mar 28, 2006 8:40 am, edited 1 time in total.
-
Christmasnazi
- Enthusiastic Roswellian
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2005 12:53 am
chapter 4
Just dropping this off... be back tonight to respond to fb...
Chapter 4
Tess gazed back at the observatory as she moved numbly down the drive. Her heart ached at the knowledge that Max Evans would never be hers. Of course the threat of Khivar and the deal Nasedo had made with their enemy had been a huge motivater in her plans to seduce Max, but there was a part of her, the part that remembered their lives back on Antar, that just wanted that life, that love, back.
Zan and Ava had been inseperable, two parts of a whole, much like Max and Liz were in this lifetime, Tess conceded bitterly. It hurt to know that the love they had shared in their past lives had not been strong enough to follow them into this one. It hurt that, after all those years of running with Nasedo, of having her *destiny* spoon fed to her on a daily, hourly, schedule, instead of being welcomed with open arms, she had been shunned from the very beginning.
Looking up at the stars, Tess acknowleged just how very far away her home truly was. It hadn't been with Nasedo. She hadn't found it here, with Max, Michael and Isabel. Tess wondered morosely if she'd ever find that home, that sense of belonging, of rightness, again. She wondered if it even existed anymore, or if, like their previous lives, it had been extinguished on the day that an alien King, Queen, Princess and General had fallen at the hands of a conniving, powerhungry enemy.
Sure the Valentis had taken her in, given her a roof over her head, a place to come to at the end of the day, but they were humans. They could never understand what she needed, who she was, who she had been and wanted to be again. They could never be the family she had expected to find in Max, Michael and Isabel.
"Why, Max? Why couldn't you have just loved me? I would have found a way. I would have told you about Nasedo's deal with Khivar. We could have saved our world. Why did you have to give your heart to a human, when you were supposed to save it for me?" Tess wiped angrily at the tears rolling down her cheeks. She would not cry over things she couldn't change, she silently vowed. Max knew the truth now. There was no turning back. If she wanted to protect her own ass, she would have to swallow her pride, her dignity, and convince Liz to take Max back. Her stomach rolled at the very thought, and Tess fell to her knees as the enormity of her actions tonight finally hit her.
If Nasedo found out that she'd told Max about his deal with Khivar... For the first time since the night she'd mindwarped the others into believing Nasedo had died in Max's arms, a shudder ran through her mind as she wondered where Nasedo was now. She wasn't a fool, she knew that he was with Khivar, planning their strategy on how to bring their evil plans to fruition. Khivar wouldn't stop until he had Zan and Rath in his dungeon, and Vilandra back in his bed.
And for the first time, Tess questioned exactly where she fit into their plans once she'd accomplished their orders. Where would she have ended up? If Khivar wanted Vilandra at his side and Zan and Rath dead, where did that leave her?
Her stomach rolled again and she stumbled, falling to her knees. All those years, all those promises of a glorious homecoming had been a lie. There was no place for her in the future Khivar wanted. She would have ended up right next to Max and Michael. Tortured and executed.
Anger burned hotly at the knowledge that Nasedo had been using her to further his own goals. He'd been lying to her all along. All his promises of a future as Queen had been empty lies spoken to keep her in line.
Well no more, Tess swore. She was through being used. No more lies, no more broken promises. She was through! She would keep her promise to Max. She would fix what she could. She would find a way to repair all the damage she'd caused in the name of Destiny. And then she would get her revenge. Nasedo would pay for what he'd done.
Reaching the Crashdown, Tess peeked through the front window. No Liz. Probably up in her room, still playing Nancy Drew. For the first time, an inkling of fear shivered up her spine. She knew the truth would eventually come out. And it was a given that the others would be out for her blood. How could she possibly explain away Alex's death? Heaving a deep sigh, Tess moved to the alley behind the cafe. She had to find Liz and get her to take Max back.
The truth about her part in Alex's death would wait. Helping Max regain his strength was the most important thing right now. And she couldn't accomplish that goal if she was worrying about other things. Climbing the ladder to Liz's balcony, she rehearsed what she could possibly say to convince Liz to forgive Max.
Max loves you, Liz. He just wants you back. Oh yeah, Tess, that's going to work. Hell she probably won't even listen to you. And why should she?, Tess conceded morosely. You've ruined her life from day one, haven't you?
Reaching the balcony, Tess poked her head through the window. "Liz?" she called softly. Her eyes widened at the sight that greeted her. Liz's closet door stood open, the rod emptied of most of its contents. Liz's dresser drawers also sat opened and emptied.
No! Liz couldn't have left Roswell! How could she possibly return to Max and tell him that his precious Liz was gone? It couldn't be over like this. Max would never forgive her. He'd never be able to beat Khivar. They were all doomed! How could so much depend on one insignificant human?
Her plan to reunite Max and Liz failing miserably, Tess tried to figure out how to salvage something out of this miserable night. There were still Isabel and Michael. She would just go to one of them. She knew what she'd have to do once she chose. And she dreaded what the reaction would be. Definitely Isabel first. If she went to Michael, he was likely to kill first and ask questions later.
Tess's decision made, she trudged reluctantly toward the Evans house. Walking down Marshall, her icy blue eyes strayed to the house she'd briefly shared with Nasedo. She would make him pay for what he'd done to her. The flicker of light caught her by surprise.
Would he really risk being seen to come back here?, she wondered. But it had to be him. Who else could it possibly be? Her anger grew as she stalked toward the house, her mission momentarily forgotten as her desire to cause her guardian as much pain as possible grew.
Keeping to the shadows, Tess made her way toward the house, crouching low as she saw a figure near the window. Fury washed through her as she glared at the man who'd made her life an emotionless existance. Picking up a sturdy looking branch, she stalked her prey. The crack of a breaking twig alerted the crouching figure and their head began to whip around.
Tess didn't wait to strike. She knew that any hesitation on her part would get her killed. The branch connected with the back of their head and the figure slumped to the ground. Satisfaction filled her heart as she raised her hand, prepared to blast Nasedo straight to Hell. The flicker in the window distracted her and she turned to see who Nasedo had been watching.
As the face came into view Tess gaped, shocked. "Oh. My. God." she mumbled a moment before the blast struck her in the chest, sending her flying backward.
tbc?
Chapter 4
Tess gazed back at the observatory as she moved numbly down the drive. Her heart ached at the knowledge that Max Evans would never be hers. Of course the threat of Khivar and the deal Nasedo had made with their enemy had been a huge motivater in her plans to seduce Max, but there was a part of her, the part that remembered their lives back on Antar, that just wanted that life, that love, back.
Zan and Ava had been inseperable, two parts of a whole, much like Max and Liz were in this lifetime, Tess conceded bitterly. It hurt to know that the love they had shared in their past lives had not been strong enough to follow them into this one. It hurt that, after all those years of running with Nasedo, of having her *destiny* spoon fed to her on a daily, hourly, schedule, instead of being welcomed with open arms, she had been shunned from the very beginning.
Looking up at the stars, Tess acknowleged just how very far away her home truly was. It hadn't been with Nasedo. She hadn't found it here, with Max, Michael and Isabel. Tess wondered morosely if she'd ever find that home, that sense of belonging, of rightness, again. She wondered if it even existed anymore, or if, like their previous lives, it had been extinguished on the day that an alien King, Queen, Princess and General had fallen at the hands of a conniving, powerhungry enemy.
Sure the Valentis had taken her in, given her a roof over her head, a place to come to at the end of the day, but they were humans. They could never understand what she needed, who she was, who she had been and wanted to be again. They could never be the family she had expected to find in Max, Michael and Isabel.
"Why, Max? Why couldn't you have just loved me? I would have found a way. I would have told you about Nasedo's deal with Khivar. We could have saved our world. Why did you have to give your heart to a human, when you were supposed to save it for me?" Tess wiped angrily at the tears rolling down her cheeks. She would not cry over things she couldn't change, she silently vowed. Max knew the truth now. There was no turning back. If she wanted to protect her own ass, she would have to swallow her pride, her dignity, and convince Liz to take Max back. Her stomach rolled at the very thought, and Tess fell to her knees as the enormity of her actions tonight finally hit her.
If Nasedo found out that she'd told Max about his deal with Khivar... For the first time since the night she'd mindwarped the others into believing Nasedo had died in Max's arms, a shudder ran through her mind as she wondered where Nasedo was now. She wasn't a fool, she knew that he was with Khivar, planning their strategy on how to bring their evil plans to fruition. Khivar wouldn't stop until he had Zan and Rath in his dungeon, and Vilandra back in his bed.
And for the first time, Tess questioned exactly where she fit into their plans once she'd accomplished their orders. Where would she have ended up? If Khivar wanted Vilandra at his side and Zan and Rath dead, where did that leave her?
Her stomach rolled again and she stumbled, falling to her knees. All those years, all those promises of a glorious homecoming had been a lie. There was no place for her in the future Khivar wanted. She would have ended up right next to Max and Michael. Tortured and executed.
Anger burned hotly at the knowledge that Nasedo had been using her to further his own goals. He'd been lying to her all along. All his promises of a future as Queen had been empty lies spoken to keep her in line.
Well no more, Tess swore. She was through being used. No more lies, no more broken promises. She was through! She would keep her promise to Max. She would fix what she could. She would find a way to repair all the damage she'd caused in the name of Destiny. And then she would get her revenge. Nasedo would pay for what he'd done.
Reaching the Crashdown, Tess peeked through the front window. No Liz. Probably up in her room, still playing Nancy Drew. For the first time, an inkling of fear shivered up her spine. She knew the truth would eventually come out. And it was a given that the others would be out for her blood. How could she possibly explain away Alex's death? Heaving a deep sigh, Tess moved to the alley behind the cafe. She had to find Liz and get her to take Max back.
The truth about her part in Alex's death would wait. Helping Max regain his strength was the most important thing right now. And she couldn't accomplish that goal if she was worrying about other things. Climbing the ladder to Liz's balcony, she rehearsed what she could possibly say to convince Liz to forgive Max.
Max loves you, Liz. He just wants you back. Oh yeah, Tess, that's going to work. Hell she probably won't even listen to you. And why should she?, Tess conceded morosely. You've ruined her life from day one, haven't you?
Reaching the balcony, Tess poked her head through the window. "Liz?" she called softly. Her eyes widened at the sight that greeted her. Liz's closet door stood open, the rod emptied of most of its contents. Liz's dresser drawers also sat opened and emptied.
No! Liz couldn't have left Roswell! How could she possibly return to Max and tell him that his precious Liz was gone? It couldn't be over like this. Max would never forgive her. He'd never be able to beat Khivar. They were all doomed! How could so much depend on one insignificant human?
Her plan to reunite Max and Liz failing miserably, Tess tried to figure out how to salvage something out of this miserable night. There were still Isabel and Michael. She would just go to one of them. She knew what she'd have to do once she chose. And she dreaded what the reaction would be. Definitely Isabel first. If she went to Michael, he was likely to kill first and ask questions later.
Tess's decision made, she trudged reluctantly toward the Evans house. Walking down Marshall, her icy blue eyes strayed to the house she'd briefly shared with Nasedo. She would make him pay for what he'd done to her. The flicker of light caught her by surprise.
Would he really risk being seen to come back here?, she wondered. But it had to be him. Who else could it possibly be? Her anger grew as she stalked toward the house, her mission momentarily forgotten as her desire to cause her guardian as much pain as possible grew.
Keeping to the shadows, Tess made her way toward the house, crouching low as she saw a figure near the window. Fury washed through her as she glared at the man who'd made her life an emotionless existance. Picking up a sturdy looking branch, she stalked her prey. The crack of a breaking twig alerted the crouching figure and their head began to whip around.
Tess didn't wait to strike. She knew that any hesitation on her part would get her killed. The branch connected with the back of their head and the figure slumped to the ground. Satisfaction filled her heart as she raised her hand, prepared to blast Nasedo straight to Hell. The flicker in the window distracted her and she turned to see who Nasedo had been watching.
As the face came into view Tess gaped, shocked. "Oh. My. God." she mumbled a moment before the blast struck her in the chest, sending her flying backward.
tbc?
-
Christmasnazi
- Enthusiastic Roswellian
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2005 12:53 am
chapter 5
A/N: so sorry for the long delay... and thank you so much to everyone who left fb for the last chapter... I'll try to get back tonight to thank you all properly.
Chapter 5
Max woke to unfamiliar surroundings and his pulse raced before memory came flooding back, drowning him in the pain of guilt and regret. His anger returned at the memory of Tess's betrayal.
She had entered his life and destroyed it completely, and he had been too blind to see the truth. He longed to lose himself in Liz's soothing arms, longed for her sweet lips on his.
"If you get in that car, our friendship is over."
More pain washed over him at the helplessness of his situation. She was gone, halfway across the world by now. Off hunting down some alien killer. Panic filled him at the thought that she could be right, that some unknown alien had killed Alex. What was to stop them from killing Liz to protect their identity?
The mere thought of losing Liz so completely stole his breath and turned his blood to ice, his heart clenching painfully in his chest.
But you've already lost her, a voice mocked him silently. She chose Kyle over you. Max moaned at the truth of that nagging reminder. Liz had given him up to his *destiny* with Tess and had moved on, and back, to Kyle.
Why, Liz? he wondered miserably. Why wasn't I enough for you? The sight of Liz in bed with Kyle was indelibly etched into his brain, a lasting reminder of just how completely Liz had moved on.
Max knew he would forgive her in a heartbeat if she would only be his again. If only she would give her heart to him again, he'd cherish every moment he had with her.
"... killed Alex. Why can't you see that? Wake up, Max!"
He was awake now. Too late to salvage is relationship with her. Too late to win her back. He was condemned to a life spent alone; a life void of the love and happiness he could only find with Liz, and Max seriously questioned whether there was even a point to going on without her.
And then another thought struck him. Tess had nearly killed him tonight with her vicious attack on his mind. What if he wasn't Tess's only victim? Oh god! What if she'd unleashed her powers on Michael? Isabel? He sucked in a shuddering breath. On Liz?
Stumbling to his feet, Max bolted for the door. He had to stop Tess before she could hurt anyone else. Isabel. He had to get to his sister first. He had to see for himself that she was safe.
Max sped toward home, nightmarish visions filling his head. What if Tess lied? What if she went after everyone he loved? He had seen firsthand the lengths she would go to to get what she wanted.
Max didn't think he could bear it if he lost anyone else. He decided then and there that he would take back control of his life. As he'd once told Liz, they made their own destinies. Well, he'd chosen his and he wouldn't let anyone stand in his way again. Not Tess, not even Liz herself. he would do whatever it took to win her back, because failure wasn't an option. Liz was it for him.
Screeching to stop outside his house, Max jumped out and streaked across the perfectly manicured lawn. Reaching the front door, Max yanked it open and stumbled inside.
"Mom? Dad? Isabel?" he called out frantically, holding in a terrified breath as he waited for an answer.
"Oh, Max! Where have you been?" Diane asked, moving quickly to his side and pulling him into a tight hug. "We were starting to think you'd left with Isabel."
"Left? Isabel?" Max repeated, trying to make sense of his mother's emotional outburst. "Wait, Isabel's gone?" His blood chilled. "Where, Mom? Where did she go?"
"She needs some time away, Max. Time to heal. So I called your Aunt Louise and Isabel left for the airport a few hours ago," Diane explained gently.
Max groaned softly as the knife twisted in his stomach. Isabel was gone, just when he needed her the most. Her desertion so mirrored Liz's own desertion of him the summer before, Max doubled over beneath the weight of the pain.
"Max! Honey, what's wrong?" Diane pleaded, frightened by her son's intense reaction.
"I... I have to get out of here," Max murmured, pulling from her arms and bolting out the door.
tbc?
Chapter 5
Max woke to unfamiliar surroundings and his pulse raced before memory came flooding back, drowning him in the pain of guilt and regret. His anger returned at the memory of Tess's betrayal.
She had entered his life and destroyed it completely, and he had been too blind to see the truth. He longed to lose himself in Liz's soothing arms, longed for her sweet lips on his.
"If you get in that car, our friendship is over."
More pain washed over him at the helplessness of his situation. She was gone, halfway across the world by now. Off hunting down some alien killer. Panic filled him at the thought that she could be right, that some unknown alien had killed Alex. What was to stop them from killing Liz to protect their identity?
The mere thought of losing Liz so completely stole his breath and turned his blood to ice, his heart clenching painfully in his chest.
But you've already lost her, a voice mocked him silently. She chose Kyle over you. Max moaned at the truth of that nagging reminder. Liz had given him up to his *destiny* with Tess and had moved on, and back, to Kyle.
Why, Liz? he wondered miserably. Why wasn't I enough for you? The sight of Liz in bed with Kyle was indelibly etched into his brain, a lasting reminder of just how completely Liz had moved on.
Max knew he would forgive her in a heartbeat if she would only be his again. If only she would give her heart to him again, he'd cherish every moment he had with her.
"... killed Alex. Why can't you see that? Wake up, Max!"
He was awake now. Too late to salvage is relationship with her. Too late to win her back. He was condemned to a life spent alone; a life void of the love and happiness he could only find with Liz, and Max seriously questioned whether there was even a point to going on without her.
And then another thought struck him. Tess had nearly killed him tonight with her vicious attack on his mind. What if he wasn't Tess's only victim? Oh god! What if she'd unleashed her powers on Michael? Isabel? He sucked in a shuddering breath. On Liz?
Stumbling to his feet, Max bolted for the door. He had to stop Tess before she could hurt anyone else. Isabel. He had to get to his sister first. He had to see for himself that she was safe.
Max sped toward home, nightmarish visions filling his head. What if Tess lied? What if she went after everyone he loved? He had seen firsthand the lengths she would go to to get what she wanted.
Max didn't think he could bear it if he lost anyone else. He decided then and there that he would take back control of his life. As he'd once told Liz, they made their own destinies. Well, he'd chosen his and he wouldn't let anyone stand in his way again. Not Tess, not even Liz herself. he would do whatever it took to win her back, because failure wasn't an option. Liz was it for him.
Screeching to stop outside his house, Max jumped out and streaked across the perfectly manicured lawn. Reaching the front door, Max yanked it open and stumbled inside.
"Mom? Dad? Isabel?" he called out frantically, holding in a terrified breath as he waited for an answer.
"Oh, Max! Where have you been?" Diane asked, moving quickly to his side and pulling him into a tight hug. "We were starting to think you'd left with Isabel."
"Left? Isabel?" Max repeated, trying to make sense of his mother's emotional outburst. "Wait, Isabel's gone?" His blood chilled. "Where, Mom? Where did she go?"
"She needs some time away, Max. Time to heal. So I called your Aunt Louise and Isabel left for the airport a few hours ago," Diane explained gently.
Max groaned softly as the knife twisted in his stomach. Isabel was gone, just when he needed her the most. Her desertion so mirrored Liz's own desertion of him the summer before, Max doubled over beneath the weight of the pain.
"Max! Honey, what's wrong?" Diane pleaded, frightened by her son's intense reaction.
"I... I have to get out of here," Max murmured, pulling from her arms and bolting out the door.
tbc?
Last edited by Christmasnazi on Sat Apr 29, 2006 7:51 am, edited 1 time in total.
-
Christmasnazi
- Enthusiastic Roswellian
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2005 12:53 am
chapter 5
A/N: so sorry for the long delay... and thank you so much to everyone who left fb for the last chapter... I'll try to get back tonight to thank you all properly.
Chapter 5
Max woke to unfamiliar surroundings and his pulse raced before memory came flooding back, drowning him in the pain of guilt and regret. His anger returned at the memory of Tess's betrayal.
She had entered his life and destroyed it completely, and he had been too blind to see the truth. He longed to lose himself in Liz's soothing arms, longed for her sweet lips on his.
"If you get in that car, our friendship is over."
More pain washed over him at the helplessness of his situation. She was gone, halfway across the world by now. Off hunting down some alien killer. Panic filled him at the thought that she could be right, that some unknown alien had killed Alex. What was to stop them from killing Liz to protect their identity?
The mere thought of losing Liz so completely stole his breath and turned his blood to ice, his heart clenching painfully in his chest.
But you've already lost her, a voice mocked him silently. She chose Kyle over you. Max moaned at the truth of that nagging reminder. Liz had given him up to his *destiny* with Tess and had moved on, and back, to Kyle.
Why, Liz? he wondered miserably. Why wasn't I enough for you? The sight of Liz in bed with Kyle was indelibly etched into his brain, a lasting reminder of just how completely Liz had moved on.
Max knew he would forgive her in a heartbeat if she would only be his again. If only she would give her heart to him again, he'd cherish every moment he had with her.
"... killed Alex. Why can't you see that? Wake up, Max!"
He was awake now. Too late to salvage is relationship with her. Too late to win her back. He was condemned to a life spent alone; a life void of the love and happiness he could only find with Liz, and Max seriously questioned whether there was even a point to going on without her.
And then another thought struck him. Tess had nearly killed him tonight with her vicious attack on his mind. What if he wasn't Tess's only victim? Oh god! What if she'd unleashed her powers on Michael? Isabel? He sucked in a shuddering breath. On Liz?
Stumbling to his feet, Max bolted for the door. He had to stop Tess before she could hurt anyone else. Isabel. He had to get to his sister first. He had to see for himself that she was safe.
Max sped toward home, nightmarish visions filling his head. What if Tess lied? What if she went after everyone he loved? He had seen firsthand the lengths she would go to to get what she wanted.
Max didn't think he could bear it if he lost anyone else. He decided then and there that he would take back control of his life. As he'd once told Liz, they made their own destinies. Well, he'd chosen his and he wouldn't let anyone stand in his way again. Not Tess, not even Liz herself. he would do whatever it took to win her back, because failure wasn't an option. Liz was it for him.
Screeching to stop outside his house, Max jumped out and streaked across the perfectly manicured lawn. Reaching the front door, Max yanked it open and stumbled inside.
"Mom? Dad? Isabel?" he called out frantically, holding in a terrified breath as he waited for an answer.
"Oh, Max! Where have you been?" Diane asked, moving quickly to his side and pulling him into a tight hug. "We were starting to think you'd left with Isabel."
"Left? Isabel?" Max repeated, trying to make sense of his mother's emotional outburst. "Wait, Isabel's gone?" His blood chilled. "Where, Mom? Where did she go?"
"She needs some time away, Max. Time to heal. So I called your Aunt Louise and Isabel left for the airport a few hours ago," Diane explained gently.
Max groaned softly as the knife twisted in his stomach. Isabel was gone, just when he needed her the most. Her desertion so mirrored Liz's own desertion of him the summer before, Max doubled over beneath the weight of the pain.
"Max! Honey, what's wrong?" Diane pleaded, frightened by her son's intense reaction.
"I... I have to get out of here," Max murmured, pulling from her arms and bolting out the door.
tbc?
Chapter 5
Max woke to unfamiliar surroundings and his pulse raced before memory came flooding back, drowning him in the pain of guilt and regret. His anger returned at the memory of Tess's betrayal.
She had entered his life and destroyed it completely, and he had been too blind to see the truth. He longed to lose himself in Liz's soothing arms, longed for her sweet lips on his.
"If you get in that car, our friendship is over."
More pain washed over him at the helplessness of his situation. She was gone, halfway across the world by now. Off hunting down some alien killer. Panic filled him at the thought that she could be right, that some unknown alien had killed Alex. What was to stop them from killing Liz to protect their identity?
The mere thought of losing Liz so completely stole his breath and turned his blood to ice, his heart clenching painfully in his chest.
But you've already lost her, a voice mocked him silently. She chose Kyle over you. Max moaned at the truth of that nagging reminder. Liz had given him up to his *destiny* with Tess and had moved on, and back, to Kyle.
Why, Liz? he wondered miserably. Why wasn't I enough for you? The sight of Liz in bed with Kyle was indelibly etched into his brain, a lasting reminder of just how completely Liz had moved on.
Max knew he would forgive her in a heartbeat if she would only be his again. If only she would give her heart to him again, he'd cherish every moment he had with her.
"... killed Alex. Why can't you see that? Wake up, Max!"
He was awake now. Too late to salvage is relationship with her. Too late to win her back. He was condemned to a life spent alone; a life void of the love and happiness he could only find with Liz, and Max seriously questioned whether there was even a point to going on without her.
And then another thought struck him. Tess had nearly killed him tonight with her vicious attack on his mind. What if he wasn't Tess's only victim? Oh god! What if she'd unleashed her powers on Michael? Isabel? He sucked in a shuddering breath. On Liz?
Stumbling to his feet, Max bolted for the door. He had to stop Tess before she could hurt anyone else. Isabel. He had to get to his sister first. He had to see for himself that she was safe.
Max sped toward home, nightmarish visions filling his head. What if Tess lied? What if she went after everyone he loved? He had seen firsthand the lengths she would go to to get what she wanted.
Max didn't think he could bear it if he lost anyone else. He decided then and there that he would take back control of his life. As he'd once told Liz, they made their own destinies. Well, he'd chosen his and he wouldn't let anyone stand in his way again. Not Tess, not even Liz herself. he would do whatever it took to win her back, because failure wasn't an option. Liz was it for him.
Screeching to stop outside his house, Max jumped out and streaked across the perfectly manicured lawn. Reaching the front door, Max yanked it open and stumbled inside.
"Mom? Dad? Isabel?" he called out frantically, holding in a terrified breath as he waited for an answer.
"Oh, Max! Where have you been?" Diane asked, moving quickly to his side and pulling him into a tight hug. "We were starting to think you'd left with Isabel."
"Left? Isabel?" Max repeated, trying to make sense of his mother's emotional outburst. "Wait, Isabel's gone?" His blood chilled. "Where, Mom? Where did she go?"
"She needs some time away, Max. Time to heal. So I called your Aunt Louise and Isabel left for the airport a few hours ago," Diane explained gently.
Max groaned softly as the knife twisted in his stomach. Isabel was gone, just when he needed her the most. Her desertion so mirrored Liz's own desertion of him the summer before, Max doubled over beneath the weight of the pain.
"Max! Honey, what's wrong?" Diane pleaded, frightened by her son's intense reaction.
"I... I have to get out of here," Max murmured, pulling from her arms and bolting out the door.
tbc?
-
Christmasnazi
- Enthusiastic Roswellian
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2005 12:53 am
chapter 6
thanks so much to the fbers... here's the next part, a little short but 3 days early 
chapter 6
Pain, sharp and blinding. Liz whimpered softly as the pain grew. "Well, well, well. If it isn't Zan's human plaything."
Liz stiffened, recognizing the voice. She forced her eyes open, blinking against the blinding white surrounding her and groaned loudly as her eyes confirmed what her ears had already told her. "But... but you... you're dead," she stammered.
His chuckle grated through her throbbing head. "You hit me?" she asked, confused.
"I would not waste my time on a mere human, child. Such a pity that you will pay for Zan's crimes. But it has long been said that the way to crush a man is to take what he values most."
Liz glared hatefully at him. "Max will kill you."
"You poor misguided fool. Zan will be so... distraught... over your death that he will be only too happy to join you. And I will be happy to oblige. But that will come later. For now, I insist that you accept my hospitality. I have taken the liberty of having dinner prepared for you."
Liz turned, wincing as the movement caused a wave of nausea to crash through her, and glared as Nasedo entered, carrying a tray of food. "Oh, God. You're still alive too?" she mumbled.
"Did you really think it would be so easy to be rid of me, Liz?" Nasedo smirked. "And after we had such a good time together the last time we saw each other."
"You kidnapped me! You got Max caught by... Why? And how is he... how are you still alive?" Liz demanded, anger rising inside her.
"Our plans are finally coming together. This has been 40 years in the making. You see, Liz, I made a deal with Khivar. I agreed to deliver Zan and his heir to Khivar. And in return, Khivar will grant me safe passage home and enough reward to keep me pampered for the remainder of my life," Nasedo answered smugly.
"You... you're supposed to be their Protector!" Liz shouted, incensed. "How can you betray them this way?"
Nasedo laughed loudly. "Do you honestly think I would risk my life, give up everything, for some dethroned King? Max is more human than Antarian now. Khivar is the man in power. Why shouldn't I align myself with the true and rightful King?"
"You're disgusting," Liz murmured softly. "You'll never get away with this."
"But of course we will, Elizabeth. We have a secret weapon. We have Tess," Nasedo answered.
"That's why she's pushing so hard about Destiny. You promised Khivar Max's heir... OhmyGod," she cried, raising her hand to her mouth, trying to hold back the urge to retch at the thought of Max and Tess... "No! It will never happen!" Liz denied angrily. "Max will never sleep with... with Tess!"
"Oh but he will, Elizabeth, thanks to you," Nasedo countered.
"Thanks to me?" Liz repeated, confused.
"You pushed him away, just as you were meant to. You pushed him straight to Tess." Nasedo shifted, and when he was finished Liz shook her head in abject horror, her head shaking in denial. "You have to make me... fall out of love... with you..."
"Th... that was you?!" Liz choked out, the pain from those few days washing over her, crushing her.
"And you fell for it, just as we expected," Nasedo answered snidely. "You humans are pathetic, always following your hearts. Emotions are your biggest weakness."
"Eat your dinner, child. Nasedo and I have much to discuss."
Liz watched the men leave and gave in to the sobs that demanded immediate release. The thought of Max with Tess caused a fresh wave of pain to wash through her. Oh God, it's all my fault, she thought. Nasedo was right, I pushed him right to her. "I'm so sorry, Max," she whispered softly.
Crawling back to one hard tiled wall, Liz curled herself into a tiny ball, letting herself drown in her guilt and grief. All she wanted at that moment was to die.
tbc...
chapter 6
Pain, sharp and blinding. Liz whimpered softly as the pain grew. "Well, well, well. If it isn't Zan's human plaything."
Liz stiffened, recognizing the voice. She forced her eyes open, blinking against the blinding white surrounding her and groaned loudly as her eyes confirmed what her ears had already told her. "But... but you... you're dead," she stammered.
His chuckle grated through her throbbing head. "You hit me?" she asked, confused.
"I would not waste my time on a mere human, child. Such a pity that you will pay for Zan's crimes. But it has long been said that the way to crush a man is to take what he values most."
Liz glared hatefully at him. "Max will kill you."
"You poor misguided fool. Zan will be so... distraught... over your death that he will be only too happy to join you. And I will be happy to oblige. But that will come later. For now, I insist that you accept my hospitality. I have taken the liberty of having dinner prepared for you."
Liz turned, wincing as the movement caused a wave of nausea to crash through her, and glared as Nasedo entered, carrying a tray of food. "Oh, God. You're still alive too?" she mumbled.
"Did you really think it would be so easy to be rid of me, Liz?" Nasedo smirked. "And after we had such a good time together the last time we saw each other."
"You kidnapped me! You got Max caught by... Why? And how is he... how are you still alive?" Liz demanded, anger rising inside her.
"Our plans are finally coming together. This has been 40 years in the making. You see, Liz, I made a deal with Khivar. I agreed to deliver Zan and his heir to Khivar. And in return, Khivar will grant me safe passage home and enough reward to keep me pampered for the remainder of my life," Nasedo answered smugly.
"You... you're supposed to be their Protector!" Liz shouted, incensed. "How can you betray them this way?"
Nasedo laughed loudly. "Do you honestly think I would risk my life, give up everything, for some dethroned King? Max is more human than Antarian now. Khivar is the man in power. Why shouldn't I align myself with the true and rightful King?"
"You're disgusting," Liz murmured softly. "You'll never get away with this."
"But of course we will, Elizabeth. We have a secret weapon. We have Tess," Nasedo answered.
"That's why she's pushing so hard about Destiny. You promised Khivar Max's heir... OhmyGod," she cried, raising her hand to her mouth, trying to hold back the urge to retch at the thought of Max and Tess... "No! It will never happen!" Liz denied angrily. "Max will never sleep with... with Tess!"
"Oh but he will, Elizabeth, thanks to you," Nasedo countered.
"Thanks to me?" Liz repeated, confused.
"You pushed him away, just as you were meant to. You pushed him straight to Tess." Nasedo shifted, and when he was finished Liz shook her head in abject horror, her head shaking in denial. "You have to make me... fall out of love... with you..."
"Th... that was you?!" Liz choked out, the pain from those few days washing over her, crushing her.
"And you fell for it, just as we expected," Nasedo answered snidely. "You humans are pathetic, always following your hearts. Emotions are your biggest weakness."
"Eat your dinner, child. Nasedo and I have much to discuss."
Liz watched the men leave and gave in to the sobs that demanded immediate release. The thought of Max with Tess caused a fresh wave of pain to wash through her. Oh God, it's all my fault, she thought. Nasedo was right, I pushed him right to her. "I'm so sorry, Max," she whispered softly.
Crawling back to one hard tiled wall, Liz curled herself into a tiny ball, letting herself drown in her guilt and grief. All she wanted at that moment was to die.
tbc...
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Christmasnazi
- Enthusiastic Roswellian
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2005 12:53 am
a/n: I apologize for the long delay... moving home from college, finding a job, etc conspired to eat up all the hours of my days... this is a little short but hopefully welcome update. Enjoy! and thanks to everyone who left me fb... I love you all...
chapter 7
Tess stood on shaky legs, taking in her surroundings. White tiled walls. White tiled ceiling, White tiled floor. Stumbling across the room, Tess was surprised when the door opened before her. She had expected to find herself a prisoner.
"Ah, there's my little Tessie now. You're looking none the worse for wear."
Tess glared up at the only parent she'd ever known. "You're working with him?" she asked incredulously.
"But of course, Tess. I did after all make a deal with him, didn't I?" Nasedo smirked.
"You made a deal with him? But I thought you made a deal with... Oh my god! He's... but how...?"
"Do you really think Khivar a fool, Tess? Do you honestly think he didn't know that you were all here? He knew about the cloning. He knew everything. So he cloned himself. He hatched early and made certain he was in the perfect position to eliminate you all."
"You wanted Max to be captured! You knew he'd try to rescue Liz. That's why you took her as bait. She was bait for Max, not Pierce!" Tess exclaimed in disbelief.
"Why, Tess, you sound surprised. That behavior is unbecoming of a Queen."
Tess stared up at Nasedo blankly for a long drawn out moment, her thoughts racing. What are you doing, Tess? You know better than to show emotions, around Nasedo! Get a grip before you get yourself killed!
Tess felt the familiar icy mask settle over her and she smirked up at her protector. "Emotions are weakness, Nasedo. You taught me that. Why would I waste my time worrying about Max anyway? Once I'm carrying the heir, Max is as good as dead. And I'll be Khivar's Queen."
She watched Nasedo closely from behind her mask of indifference. If he suspected that she'd betrayed them, she knew she was as good as dead. She sighed inwardly as Nasedo visibly relaxed and turned to Khivar. "It won't be long now. With Zan's little human concubine out of the picture, Tess will be carrying the heir in no time."
Khivar smiled. "Ah, yes. Our dear little Miss Parker. I will enjoy seeing Zan's expression when he discovers his little whore's body. Tell me, Nasedo. Would leaving the human carcass on his doorstep be too... over the top?"
Tess arched a brow. "Liz is dead? Well that will make my job easier." Inwardly, Tess cringed, her mind crying out at the news that Liz was dead. How could she ever expect Max to defeat khivar if Liz was truly dead?
"Yes well, I might have let her in on our little secret. You really should have seen her face when she realized that I was her precious *future Max* and that she'd finally succeeded in pushing Max into your arms. There's nothing like the look of a crushed and broken human," Nasedo smirked.
tbc...
chapter 7
Tess stood on shaky legs, taking in her surroundings. White tiled walls. White tiled ceiling, White tiled floor. Stumbling across the room, Tess was surprised when the door opened before her. She had expected to find herself a prisoner.
"Ah, there's my little Tessie now. You're looking none the worse for wear."
Tess glared up at the only parent she'd ever known. "You're working with him?" she asked incredulously.
"But of course, Tess. I did after all make a deal with him, didn't I?" Nasedo smirked.
"You made a deal with him? But I thought you made a deal with... Oh my god! He's... but how...?"
"Do you really think Khivar a fool, Tess? Do you honestly think he didn't know that you were all here? He knew about the cloning. He knew everything. So he cloned himself. He hatched early and made certain he was in the perfect position to eliminate you all."
"You wanted Max to be captured! You knew he'd try to rescue Liz. That's why you took her as bait. She was bait for Max, not Pierce!" Tess exclaimed in disbelief.
"Why, Tess, you sound surprised. That behavior is unbecoming of a Queen."
Tess stared up at Nasedo blankly for a long drawn out moment, her thoughts racing. What are you doing, Tess? You know better than to show emotions, around Nasedo! Get a grip before you get yourself killed!
Tess felt the familiar icy mask settle over her and she smirked up at her protector. "Emotions are weakness, Nasedo. You taught me that. Why would I waste my time worrying about Max anyway? Once I'm carrying the heir, Max is as good as dead. And I'll be Khivar's Queen."
She watched Nasedo closely from behind her mask of indifference. If he suspected that she'd betrayed them, she knew she was as good as dead. She sighed inwardly as Nasedo visibly relaxed and turned to Khivar. "It won't be long now. With Zan's little human concubine out of the picture, Tess will be carrying the heir in no time."
Khivar smiled. "Ah, yes. Our dear little Miss Parker. I will enjoy seeing Zan's expression when he discovers his little whore's body. Tell me, Nasedo. Would leaving the human carcass on his doorstep be too... over the top?"
Tess arched a brow. "Liz is dead? Well that will make my job easier." Inwardly, Tess cringed, her mind crying out at the news that Liz was dead. How could she ever expect Max to defeat khivar if Liz was truly dead?
"Yes well, I might have let her in on our little secret. You really should have seen her face when she realized that I was her precious *future Max* and that she'd finally succeeded in pushing Max into your arms. There's nothing like the look of a crushed and broken human," Nasedo smirked.
tbc...
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Christmasnazi
- Enthusiastic Roswellian
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2005 12:53 am
nominee
all I can say is WOW! lol I never expected to be nominated, let alone to make it to the voting round! I just want to thank all of you who took the time to read and review, and all of you wonderful lurkers out there who have taken the time to read YBI...
nominated for Best Portrayal of Tess Harding
nominated for Best Portrayal of Tess Harding