I have around 18 parts of this written but I am going to be reposting them slowly. I will post probably 2 new parts every other day, and then I will start writing again!
Feedback please!
Britt
Title: A Tale of Two
By: Brittany (Lizzie_Parker17)
Email: Brittanyh60@hotmail.com
Rating: MATURE
Disclaimer: I own nothing! It all belongs to Melinda Metz and all the wonderful people at UPN (especially if they give us a forth season) Please don't sue!
Category: dreamer but there is a little bit of polar going on. But I promise this is a dreamer fic.
Summary: Michael asks for Liz's help with Maria. But something happens to them that night…something that turns their world upside down. Can't tell you anymore or else I will give away the whole story!
Feedback: YES please!!! When you post feedback I post new parts! Without how do you know if anyone is reading your fics?
Authors note: Usually I don't write more than one fic at a time but this idea came to me last night and I just had to start it! So if any of you out there are waiting for the next part of Its Never Too Late. I am almost done with part 8 so hopefully I will get it posted soon. (
A Tale of Two
************
Part one
Liz Parker snuggled herself more tightly into her boyfriend's arms inhaling his scent. It was unique and distinctly Max. She closed her eyes and rested her head against his chest. She could really stay like this forever. She looked up into his beautiful amber eyes and smiled
"This is perfect," she breathed
"Just being here like this…with you. Its perfect."
Max looked down at the angel in his arms and thanked his lucky stars. He finally had her and he was never going to let her go again. He didn't care who his supposed destiny was. He decided that he was going to make his own destiny…and that included Liz Parker.
"Your right" he replied as he kissed her forehead
"Perfect"
***************************
Maria wiped her brow as she finished wiping down the counter of the Crashdown after a busy shift. She had been kind enough to close for Liz so that she could spend time with Max. The things you do for friends she thought to herself. Oh well Maria didn't have much of a romantic life these days so she had to survive intravenously off of Liz'.
She was so tired she didn't even look up when she heard the jingle of the door.
"Sorry were closed" She called out
Isabel appeared in front of her and said
"Maria it's just me" Isabel took a long look at her friend
"Long day?" She asked
Maria nodded her head vigorously
"It was packed"
"Wasn't Liz supposed to close tonight?" Isabel asked
Maria gave her a look
"Oh" Isabel replied "Max"
Maria smiled and nodded her head
"Oh well. My love life is pretty much non-existent, so I figure why not help Lizzie out? You know?"
Isabel smiled a sad smile
"Michael still not coming around?" She asked concerned
Maria shook her head
Maria came up and put her arms around her friend
"I am sorry Maria. Michael is a blockhead"
"Its okay Isabel. Michael. Well he is still all like 'Being with me will put you in danger. Bla bla bla' Well what Michael fails to realize is that I don't care. I just want to be close to him. I mean Max and Liz took the plunge why can't we?"
Isabel couldn't stop her mind from wandering. Should she take the plunge, and let Alex in. She really wanted too, but she was afraid. But she was sick of being afraid she wanted to be happy and she was determined to be.
Maria couldn't help but chuckle. She knew exactly what was going on in Isabel's head.
"Did I get you thinking?"
She put on one of her famous Deluca smiles and took off her apron
"Well Isabel I think I am in the need of some chocolate cake now, and you are going to join me."
**************************
Isabel walked with purpose over to Alex's house. She was going to do it! She needed to let him know how she felt. She wondered briefly about where her ice queen persona had gone. She couldn't know for sure but she was pretty sure that it had to do with four humans. She took a deep breath and knocked on the door. After a few moments Alex appeared at the doorway clad in his Pajama pants and one of his bands t-shirts.
He looked adorable.
Alex was momentarily stunned when he opened up the door but he recovered quickly
"Isabel what are you doing here?" He yawned
"I…I am sorry it's late but…I needed to talk to you"
Alex stepped aside and gestured for her to come inside. He led her into his living room and she sat down on the couch.
"Can I get you something to drink?"
"No…I am fine. Thanks"
Alex sat down on the couch careful to give her her space.
"Well what can I do for you Isabel?" Alex asked
Isabel took a deep breath 'here goes nothing' she thought.
"Alex. I wanted to talk about us"
Alex braced himself for her following words. He could clearly see them coming out of her mouth like they had that night in the woods
"It can't be a date, Alex. Don't you understand? It can't be anything like that."
Alex closed his eyes. If he had to hear another one of those
"Alex your such a great friend" Speeches again he might be sick.
Alex was jerked out of his thoughts by Isabel's voice
"Alex?"
"Yeah sorry. I am pretty tried"
Isabel looked down suddenly very interested in the color of her nails. She couldn't believe she was nervous. Isabel Evans is never nervous around guys.
But Alex is special something told her
"I was wondering if you still wanted to be together? Because I am ready now Alex. I want to give you and me a try. And I know that in the past I have been closed off to you, but not this time I want to show you Alex…will you let me?"
Alex was dumbstruck. He couldn't think of a single thing to say
'Come on Alex anything say anything. A vowel sound anything'
He finally found his voice
'Uh yeah sure that would be…great." He smiled
Isabel beamed back at him with that smile of hers that always made his heart skip beats and then she leaned over and kissed him. Alex was in heaven Isabel's lips on his was the most exhilarating experience of his life.
Isabel pulled away and looked up at Alex who was still a little glazed over from her kiss. She still couldn't believe she had done that.
"Well I gotta get going Alex. I have something that I gotta do." Isabel said as she got up and headed to the door
"Wait where are you going?" Alex called out to her
Isabel laughed
"Bye Alex"
******************
Isabel was very satisfied with the work she had done so far in the evening that she felt the need to do more She knocked on the door to Michaels apartment a few times until she heard grumbling coming from inside
"You better be a naked chick with a pizza" He said as he opened the door. When he realized it was Isabel he added to his previous statement
"Unless your Isabel"
Michael opened the door wider to let Isabel in
"So what brings you over here?" he asked as he ran his fingers through his tousled hair
"We need to talk Michael" Isabel replied seriously
Michael groaned and plopped down onto the couch with a thud.
Isabel. If this has anything to do with what happened at the-"
"No" Isabel interrupted
"No. Believe me Michael I love you, but it's a brother sister love. Actually this is about Maria"
Michael released an even louder groan than before
"Gosh did she set you up to this?"
Isabel sighed. Why did he always make things difficult?
"Michael. You love her I know it!"
Michael made no response so she decide on a different approach
"Michael! Max and Liz are together, and I just got together with Alex, stop trying to protect Maria she doesn't want protection; she just wants you. You Max and I deserve some happiness. And nothing has happened yet Michael the signal went up months ago and nothing has happened. Everything is fine"
Michael rubbed his hands over his face. She had a point there, but he still wasn't sure
"I just don't want to hurt her Isabel. And just being who I am could hurt her."
Isabel came over and sat down beside him. She misses you and I know that you miss her too. Go to her make it up to her. She doesn't care about anything else just that you are together."
Isabel smiled and left the apartment leaving Michael alone to think about everything she had just said.
******************
"I need that Will Smith Burger Carlos" Liz yelled into the kitchen
"Yes It's coming"
Liz groaned inwardly as she saw another customer come in and sit in her section
"Hi I'm Liz I will be your waitress today. Can I start you off with something to drink?" She asked without looking up
Michael laughed
"Wow your really weeded aren't you?" He asked with a chuckle
"Oh hey Michael I didn't realize it was you. Yeah it is crazy in here. Well what can I get you?"
"I need your help"
Liz looked up surprised
"Um yeah sure on what?"
"Maria" he answered simply
"I wanna get back together with her but I want to make it really special. I know I have been a dick to her lately."
Liz sat down and
"Who are you and what have you done to Michael?"
"Liz I am serious."
"Ok yeah sure. How can I help?"
"Well your Maria's best friend. I don't know what does she like? I suck at the romantic shit."
"Umm hmm let me think about it" Liz replied
"Lizzie your up" Carlos called
"Gotta go" Liz said and started to walk away
"Liz" Michael called after her
"Meet me at Senor Chows at 8:00. I want it to be a surprise for Maria so don't tell anyone ok?
Liz nodded her head at Michael and then went back to work
*********************
Nicholas couldn't help but smile as he thought his plan through one more time. It was sure to work he knew it and then pitiful Zan will be left without his queen. Kivar was going to be very happy with him when he got back to Antar
*********************
Liz showed up at Senor Chows at 8 as was planned and went up to the hostess podium.
"Hi I'm meeting somebody here"
"Let me guess tall, dark hair, gorgeous"
"Uh I guess so" Liz replied
"You are so lucky I would like kill to have a boyfriend like that"
"Uh. He's not my boyfriend"
Liz was led to the table where Michael was already waiting for her. She sat down across from him
"Ok Michael lets try to make this meeting kind of quick because I am meeting Max at my house in around an hour."
"Yeah sure thats fine" Michael mumbled
Their waitress came up to them She was some blonde. Liz had never seen her around before she must be new Liz thought and shrugged it off. Liz looked at her nametag
"Hi Courtney"
"Hey guys." She answered back but she seemed to be paying most attention to Micahel.
"What can I start you off with?"
"I'll have a lemonade" Liz answered
"Coke"
"Alright I will be right back with those." She said with a smile directed at Michael.
"So Maria" Michael said, "Where should I take her?"
"Liz thought for a moment
"Well if you really wanna impress her there is always Chez Pierre"
Michael nodded listening attentively.
Just then the waitress reappeared
"Here you go," she said as she placed the drinks down in front of them.
They both took a long drink.
They hadn't noticed that the restaurant was completely empty besides them and they didn't see the short teenage boy pouring something into their drinks.
*********************
Max walked into the Crashdown and sat in his usual booth. He loked around for Liz but didn't see her.
"Looking for Liz?" Maria asked as she sat down across from him
"Yeah I was supposed to meet her here"
"Oh she probably just feel asleep she worked the lunch crowd today and it was crazy. Orthodontist convention." Maria explained
"So what are your plans for tonight?" Max asked
"Well. I just got off so I was thinking of going home wallowing in own self pity and watching a chick flick" Maria answered
"No luck with Michael?" Max asked
Maria sighed
"Don't worry you'll wear him down. But I have a great idea why don't you hang with Liz and I tonight. I know you two haven't been able too spend time with each other because I have been hogging her all to myself but I am willing to share her tonight"
He smiled.
Maria smiled
"Ok that sounds fun. But be warned we may force you to watch 10 things I hate about you and you can not complain when we droll over Heath and his sexy accent. Ok?"
"Deal"
"Alright then lets head on up"
Max and Maria walked up the stairs to Liz apartment. Max was about to knock but Maria said
"Oh don't worry her parents went out of town till tomorrow night."
Max could have kicked himself. Why was it he invited Maria again
"Honey I'm home" Maria called into the quiet house.
"Liz honey? Where are you?"
the heard a faint sound of music coming from her closed door
"Hey baby" Max said as he pushed open the door
TBC…
Part two
From part 0ne
"Alright then lets head on up"
Max and Maria walked up the stairs to Liz apartment. Max was about to knock but Maria said
"Oh don't worry her parents went out of town till tomorrow night."
Max could have kicked himself. Why was it he invited Maria again
"Honey I'm home" Maria called into the quiet house.
"Liz honey? Where are you?"
they heard a faint sound of music coming from her closed door
"Hey baby" Max said as he pushed open the door
Max's smile dropped from his face and he stood frozen in his spot. He couldn't feel anything, not even Maria sobbing into his shoulder. He stood there transfixed. He struggled for words, but he was unable to find them He almost couldn't even comprehend what he was seeing. He closed his eyes to block out the sight in front of him and before he opened them again he prayed that he had just imagined it…or maybe it was a mindwarp…maybe Tess was messing with him. But when he opened he opened them again it was still right there before him. He felt the tears start to sting at his eyes, and he turned around and ran out of the apartment with Maria still attached to him.
Maria's eyes burned with tears as she furiously tried to blink them back. Sobs wreaked through her entire body uncontrollably. She clung onto Max as he dragged them both out of the Crashdown. She looked up at the soft light drifting from Liz's room, and the disturbing image flashed before her eyes. She had never expected it. She never had any clue. Liz had been her best friend since third grade! Maria buried her head in her hands as Max drove them far away from that place.
Max tightly gripped the steering wheel his knuckles turning white with the force. He could see the same hands squeezing just as tightly around someones neck. He was holding on by a thin thread. How could they have done that…his best friend.
Max grinded his teeth together as he imagined them making love on her bed before they had walked in. It must have been something they didn't even wake up when he yelled in her room. This thought only infuriated him further.
Max pulled over and stopped the car. He slammed his fists into the steering wheel which caused the horn to blare loudly. He closed his eyes tightly trying his best to maintain the shred of control he had left…the part that was keeping him sane.
Michael and Liz. Michael and Liz. Michael and Liz. Michael and Liz.
He repeated over and over in his mind like a broken record. Max leaned back in his seat and rested his head on the headrest.
And then the floodgate broke
Max cried… for the first time in a long time.
*********************
Nicholas laughed and smiled to himself. His plan had worked out better than he thought. Michael's girlfriend had showed up as well. He could still see the look on Zans face when he saw his perfect little queen in bed with Rath. Nicholas would cherish that look forever. He stared in the window at the two of them. It looked wonderful of course. He had done an amazing job of making them look very comfy together. They looked very much like a couple in love sleeping peacefully and deeply after a night of making love. And at least part of that was true they were sleeping deeply in fact they shouldn't even wake up for several more hours. And that's when the real fun begins…
*********************
Max and Maria walked into the Evans house with grief stricken looks upon both of their faces. Isabel and Alex were watching a movie on the couch. When they heard them enter Isabel turned around
"Hey you guys? Where's Liz and Michael?" She asked with a smile still half laughing at a joke Alex had said
"Hey guys." Alex called out
Then they both noticed the looks on their two friends faces
"Max Maria what's wrong? Are you ok? Is everybody ok?" Isabel asked getting up and walking over towards them. She was seriously worried. She had never seen this look on her brothers face before.
"Maria! What's wrong?" Alex asked as he got up and walked towards the three of them.
"Well to answer your first question Iz. Liz and Michael are together" Max spat out with a deadly tone of voice
"Max what's wrong? What happened?"
**************************
Liz's eyes fluttered open, and she sat up in bed. She felt really groggy. Her head felt as though it were going to roll right off.
"I feel like I was drugged" she mumbled sarcastically as she rubbed her eyes trying to wake her self up.
She heard music coming from her stereo. She pulled herself out of bed and went over to turn it off. It was then that she realized that she was not wearing any clothes. As if on cue she heard a loud snore coming from her bed.
She turned around slowly and screamed when she saw who it was
"AHHHHHHH! Michael!"
Liz quickly went and pulled on her robe
"Michael what? What?" She was at a loss for words
Michael woke when he heard a scream coming from inside the room. He sat up and looked around for whoever made the noise.
"Liz?" He asked when his eyes finally landed on her.
"What are you doing here Micahel? Liz asked in a desperate voice
"Oh god Oh god oh god" She chanted to her self as she paced the room.
Michael looked at her in confusion.
"Where the fuck am I? And why are you wearing a robe?" He asked.
Liz ran a had through her dark hair looking extremely pail
"Liz are you ok?" Michael asked starting to get up
"NO NO! Don't get up" Liz screamed.
"Look at what your wearing Michael"
Michael looked down and he didn't see anything
Liz nodded her head
"And that is exactly how I looked when I woke up right next to you" Liz shouted
"Do you remember anything Michael?" She asked her voice pleading with him
Michael struggled to remember the events of the evening
"I asked your help with Maria, and I met you at Senor Chows. We ordered and…"
"That's all I can remember too Michael. We got our drinks and that's all I can remember of the evening."
Liz looked down and asked
"Michael you don't think we-
"I don't know" Michael replied honestly
"DO you feel sore at all?" He asked with difficulty
Liz shook her head
"No. I feel fine physically. But Michael can't you…you know check…with your powers?"
Michael nodded his head
"I can try Liz but I am not as good at this as Max is, or even Isabel"
"I uh. I need to form a connection. Could you um get me my clothes" Michael stammered
Liz handed him his clothes and turned her back while he changed.
Michael stood up and walked over to Liz.
"Ready?" he asked
Liz nodded her head yes
Michael placed his hands over her arms and was in after a few moments.
He quickly searched through her body for any signs of a sexual encounter…he found none. Michael pulled away and the connection severed immediately
Liz looked up at him expectantly
"Theres nothing Liz. Nothing at all that suggests you had sex tonight."
Liz sighed in relief.
"That only brings more questions Michael" She said as she sat down beside him on her bed
"How in the world did we get her and get naked in my bed?" She asked
Michael sighed
"I have no idea Liz."
"What are we going to tell Max and Maria?" She asked
Michael jumped up and bounded over to her
"Nothing Liz! We cannot tell them anything. Even though nothing happened they still won't believe it."
"Michael I really think we should tell them. I mean we could let Max do the same thing you did."
"Why tell them at all? Why hurt them over nothing? Liz you gotta swear to me that you will not tell them."
"But Michael-
"Say it Liz!"
Tears fell down Lizs cheek
"I promise she chocked out"
"Thank you Liz. I know that if Maria ever found out about this there would be no hope for us Liz, and I can't lose her." Michael sighed
"I have to go" he said and climbed out the window and down the ladder.
Liz felt a chill run over her body.
She had a bad feeling that something was about to go horribly wrong.
To be continued…
