The Missing Piece (CC, MATURE/ADULT accepted)

[KatnotKath]

~Alex~

Sister’s with the same taste in guys it seems…because Sarah is making little secret of the fact that she obviously likes the look of at least one of us… Despite the fact that she is now supposedly working on her homework, I have to wonder how much is actually getting done considering the amount of time she’s spending looking over here…

Terry shoots a warning look over in her direction, obviously used to her sister’s antics I guess, and shakes her head. At least for a little while it seems to do the job, and while Terry begins to tell us a little about herself, Sarah seems to turn her attention to her books.

When Terry asks what we do, I decide to let Max go first, although of course I have the more definite answer… Still, I don’t mind waiting…

There’s something wrong with Max though… Terry won’t notice I suppose, and I wouldn’t think any other outsider would, but I know Max pretty well…and right now, there’s just something…

Of course unfortunately I can’t exactly ask what at the moment…I guess I’ll have to wait until we’re alone…

Still, realising that Max isn’t now in a very talkative mood, I take over, carrying the conversation a little further for now. “Oh nothing very interesting…I work for a computer company…” I volunteer in what I hope is an easy voice.

~Liz~

“Liz…?” I swallow and look over at Kyle, still fighting to keep my calm. This wasn’t supposed to happen…not yet… I was supposed to have time, time I needed… I’m not ready to talk to them right now…I’m not ready to meet them or anything… I just need a normal night…a normal shift…

“What the hell is he doing here…?” Kyle asks, revealing that obviously he’s recognised him too.

I shake my head silently, breathing in, and out…in…and out… “I don’t know Kyle…I don’t know… They were supposed to be leaving me today…Max said I could call when I was ready…” I respond, unable to keep my voice from shaking a little.

*Liz? What’s the matter? Are you okay?*

As I hear Max’s voice sounding in my head, it’s both strange and familiar, all at the same time. His question doesn’t exactly come across well though… Obviously something of what I was feeling must have come across to him, but seriously what did he expect…?

As well as feelings of uncertainty, worry and trepidation, I’m also beginning to feel pretty angry too… This is my life, this is my job… I told them I didn’t have time to meet them tonight… *What do you think is the matter Max…? You said I could have time, I told you I was busy today, I can’t do this, not now…*

[isabelle]

*Max*

I hear Alex picking up the conversation where I just dropped it, but I’m barely paying attention. “Yeah, I’m still looking for something…” I say, hoping that Alex hadn’t said that already. I can’t worry about that right now. Not with Liz so distressed. The fear and worry in her mental voice spike up as well as anger directed at me. *What do you think is the matter Max…? You said I could have time, I told you I was busy today, I can’t do this, not now…*

“I’m going to get a soda for Alex. You and Sarah want something?” I manage, turning away without even hearing Terry’s answer. Walking towards the counter, I focus my attention on Liz.

*I was giving you time. I was hoping to hear from you tonight or tomorrow,* I plead, stung by her accusatory tone. I’ve been on edge all day, but I have been waiting – successfully resisting all those inner voices that wanted me to call her first – not to mention the external one provided by Michael. *I haven’t called. I only answered you now because you contacted me first --* But then I stop in mid-thought as I remember that it wasn’t my name she called. *Although you called Michael’s name. Liz, what’s happening?*

I heard Michael’s name but it certainly didn’t sound like she was calling for him. Not to mention the fact that I don’t have any idea why she would be calling him, not me…

*~*~*~*~*

*Kyle*

Liz looks completely freaked and I don’t blame her. I can’t believe they came here, after promising to give her space. This is almost stalker behavior. I could probably even call my dad about it – without referencing the stuff about aliens, of course.

Shoving my order-pad in my apron pocket, I take a deep breath. After all, this is a guy who has powers like Liz and he doesn’t seem to be friendly. Still, I can hope that like Liz, he’s not going to want to use those powers in public. Especially a place like this. Although Liz has managed to make little things happen sometimes even with people around...

I'm actually a little more concerned about Mr. Brooks. He'll have my head if he thinks I'm turning custom away from the diner, but I won't have Liz upset this way...

I say to Liz, “Well, I told you I would take care of this table for you, and I will. You stay here. I’ll get rid of him.”

.

[KatnotKath]

OOC: hope this works for you Isabelle. Hope you don't mind my tiny use of Max. I'll have an Alex up this evening hopefully.

~Liz~

*I was giving you time. I was hoping to hear from you tonight or tomorrow…*

The pleading tone of Max’s mental voice inside my head makes me rethink my previous words…

“Well I told you I would take care of this table for you, and I will. You stay here, I’ll get rid of him for you…”

It’s hard enough for me to hold a mental conversation over this distance it seems…I’m not used to doing it, and yesterday it was a lot easier when I could actually see Max… Adding a verbal one into this really doesn’t help, and now of course I have Pam and her cronnies passing on their orders… I bite my lip in concentration for a moment, trying to take in what they’re saying, and note a few orders down on my pad. I just hope they’re right…if they’re not I’m sure I’ll know soon enough…

“I’ll just go get them for you…” I tell them hurridly, without waiting to ask if there’s anyone else. Taking their orders over to the hatch, I pass them through and then turn back to Kyle who’s still right behind me. Before I can say anything to him though, I hear Max’s voice again.

*I haven’t called. I only answered you now because you contacted me first --*

I’m about to respond that I didn’t do that anyway…I didn’t intentionally contact him, I’m presuming he must have picked up some stray thought of mine given I was rather shocked… It would have to have gotten past the blocks he told me I was putting up yesterday…unless I dropped them for a moment although I don’t suppose I really have enough control over it to say either way…

I’m brought out of my musing as Max’s voice returns in my head. *Although you called Michael’s name. Liz, what’s happening…?*

Could he be for real…? Could he really not know what Michael was doing… When I saw him here, I just assumed that it was on Max’s instruction, or order…but then again he did mention that Michael was a bit of a hot-head at one point last night… Maybe I’m misjudging Max, blaming him for something that just isn’t his fault…? *Y-you don’t know…?* I ask more hesitantly, the anger I felt towards him at least beginning to evaporate…

*No…*

I can hear the confusion in his voice, the desire to know what’s wrong… And for the first time, I realise that his first message had a concerned tone…

I take a few deep breaths, forcing myself to focus. *I’m sorry Max…I assumed he was here on your orders…*

I’m met by a silence and sense of complete blankness… Obviously he doesn’t have a clue what I’m on about… *Michael…h-he just turned up at the Crashdown…* I supply after a moment, sure that if I don’t it’s merely a question of time before he asks…

Waiting for a response from Max, I look back at Kyle once more. I really need to get the hang of this multitasking… With Kyle it’s not so dangerous because I can explain later, but with someone else…or at school even… I shake my head mentally and try to concentrate on the second conversation I’m having, shaking my head in response to Kyle’s earlier ‘offer’. “No Kyle…I-I don’t think that would be a very good idea…” I tell him somewhat awkwardly. It's not that I'm not grateful to him for offering, but I guess this is something I should do myself... “I-I should go…” I think I’m a lot calmer now that I know Max isn’t behind this… Of course it doesn’t make Michael’s presence here anymore welcome, but at least I know Max isn’t pushing me…at least I know he meant what he said about giving me time…

[isabelle]

*Max*

I’m beginning to get a really bad feeling about this. I started off feeling more than concerned about whatever was bothering Liz, but now, I’m thinking that it’s something to do with us – and not just because we showed up yesterday and upturned her entire life…. The guy at the counter is giving me a crooked look so I quickly place an order for two lemonades, a regular soda, and a diet cola, hoping that mix will be appropriate.

*I’m sorry Max…I assumed he was here on your orders…* Liz says and I feel my stomach sinking. ‘He’ Liz had said, and earlier it started with ‘Michael.’ I’m sure I know exactly what she’s going to say next although I hoping I’m wrong with everything I got. Unfortunately, it doesn’t help. * Michael…h-he just turned up at the Crashdown…*

DAMMIT! The thought explodes from me and I hope she doesn’t hear it. The thoughts I do send to her are a lot calmer, meant to be firm and re-assuring. *Liz, I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I told him to stay away. I’ll make him leave.*

Then, turning my attention to Michael, I let my temper rise again, allowing him to feel the full force of my feelings. *MICHAEL! What the HELL are you doing?*

*Max! I –* I hear Michael’s mental voice, sounding surprised, but I don’t even want to hear his explanation. He’s upsetting her and that’s not acceptable. I promised her I’d give her time and dammit that’s what I’m going to do. I know he wants to hurry things but this little stunt is likely to just make everything take even longer if she thinks she can’t trust us…

*I told you to leave her alone. You get out of there IMMEDIATELY!* I tell him silently, gritting my teeth on the harsher things I want to say – at least for now. I’m suddenly glad that I’m the king. He’s supposed to listen to me. Of course, he was supposed to listen to me before when I told him to give her time and space. This time he had better obey or I will definitely find a way to make him regret it.

*~*~*~*~*

*Kyle*

Liz seems a bit more collected as she tries to stop me from interviening, but I can see she's still upset. “I-I should go…” she says.

"No, Liz," I say, holding her back with a hand on her elbow. I got the feeling she was uncomfortable about this one -- more than the others. Whatever caused that feeling, I think she should trust her instincts and stay away. I may not have powers, but I'm not going to let him try to inimidate her. Or Max, either. Liz actually thought the 'king' was going to play fair. Maybe now she'll be a little more careful about him, too. He might not be as truthful as he claimed.

"Max is obviously not as undemanding as he's lead you to believe. He sent this goon to shake you up and you're already upset. Michael doesn't know me. I'll take care of it," I promise her.

.

[KatnotKath]

~Liz~

*Liz, I’m sorry…I didn’t know…I told him to stay away…I’ll make him leave!*

Perhaps surprisingly, given the situation, I actually believe him… I barely know him any better than the others, yet somehow, I trust him… *I believe you…* I send back to him as he goes silent.

Despite what he says, I still move to go and talk to Michael though… I know he said he would make him leave, but I don’t know how… If he came when Max didn’t want him there…what’s going to make him leave now…? I step forward, intending to go and talk to him, but Kyle reaches out and stops me, shaking his head. “No Liz…” He looks at me. “Max sent this goon to shake you up, and you’re already upset. He doesn’t know me. I’ll take care of it…”

His promise can’t fail to make me smile, but at the same time I know that I have to set him straight. I know he’s only going on what I told him, but it’s not true…Max didn’t do that… I swallow and shake my head softly. “No Kyle…it’s not like that…he says that he didn’t know…”

[KatnotKath]

~Alex~

“A computer company…really…so what, you’re starting at the bottom and working your way up…?” She asks. I’m surprised to see that she actually seems interested in what I have to say, and given that Max is now completely NOT paying attention to a thing that is being said, I guess that’s probably a very good thing…

“I’m gonna get a soda for Alex…You and Sarah want anything…?”

I look over at Max, surprised by his announcement. I know we were supposed to be getting a drink, but still… It’s unusual, but he’s not doing a very good job of hiding his feelings, and I can’t help thinking that that means that something is very wrong… Usually he keeps a reasonable front up…making out that he is still listening… It’s obvious he’s not doing that now though, and he doesn’t even wait to get an answer before heading off…

This means of course that my questions about what’s going on are multiplying, but I know Max will explain when he can, and for now it’s more important to keep Terry’s attention away from him…

“Well…I guess in a way…but I’ve been working for them for about four years now, so I’m not so much down at the bottom anymore…” I respond grinning.

“Four years…” She raises her eyebrows. “And you’re what…twenty two now…?”

I smile and shake my head. “Not quite…I’m twenty…”

“Wow…” She seems pretty impressed and I’m feeling a little awkward…

I don’t usually tend to boast about it or anything…but when needs must…

“You must be good then…” She looks at me expectantly before turning back, as though suddenly aware that her sister is staring…yet again. “SARAH!” She frowns and shoots her a warning look before turning back to me. “I’m really sorry…she’s not usually like this…”

I laugh and smile. “Honestly, it’s fine…” I look over at Sarah, deciding to try and bring her into the conversation too. “So do you know what you want to do when you graduate?” I ask her curiously.

Terry rolls her eyes. “Graduating would be a good start…” She looks over at the younger girl again. “Sarah, if you don’t actually do some work, I’m going to pack up here and we’ll go back to my apartment…and needless to say, even once you’re done, you won’t be going to the arcade!”

Sarah pulls a face behind her back.

“Sarah…”

I can’t help smirking as she shows she knows her sister so well. She smiled at me and shrugs. “Practice…” She looks back again. “If I have to tell you once more…”

“Yes mom…” Sarah rolls her eyes and settles down to her books once more.

[isabelle]

*Kyle*

"Who didn't know?" I ask Liz, not understanding where her comment is coming from. Only a few minutes ago she was panicking because Michael had been sent here and now she's claiming he didn't know. I know she told him where she works, so she can't mean he wandered in here by mistake ...

"Max? When did he say that? Is he here, too?" I ask, trying to make sense of it. Liz can make people see things that aren't there, or not see things that are there. Is Max doing that? Making me not see him, although Liz can? I glance around trying to figure out when and where he had been talking to Liz and when he arrived.

Michael seems to be looking at the two of us, his scowl deepening, but he doesn't seem to have responded to anyone new here. If I can figure out where Max is hiding, I'll kick them BOTH out. They gave Liz some assurances about having some time to think and I'm going to make sure they keep those promises...

*~*~*~*~*~*

*Max*

The server sets the drinks in front of me, and I give him a few dollars without counting it exactly. I'm not sure I'm even going to get a chance to drink one if I don't hear the responses I need from Michael right away.

*Michael! Answer me!* I demand as I quickly review the conversation with Liz but she didn't indicate what he'd done or said, only that he was there. If I'm lucky, maybe he hasn't had time to do too much damage...

.

[KatnotKath]

OOC: I'll edit later, tell me if I need to change anything won't you

~Liz~

“Who didn’t know…”

Kyle looks at me without understanding, and I realise I must have been doing a better job of keeping up the conversation with him than I thought… Well, either that or he put down my lack of concentration to something else – hardly beyond the realms of possibility…

Before I can answer, he goes on though, getting more agitated by the minute… “Max? When did he say that? Is he here too?”

I might be nervous, a little anxious even…my anger is dissipating now that I know Michael wasn’t sent by Max…but it takes little to see that Kyle is mad…

Of course I know he’s only like that because he cares…he wants to be a good friend to me, and he doesn’t like seeing me upset…

I notice him looking over at Michael again, but then his eyes begin to wander and I realise what he seems to be thinking. Quickly I shake my head. “No Kyle…he’s not here…or at least not that I know…” I chew my lip a moment and look up at him. “I even know if he can do ‘that’…” I tell him, referring, albeit vaguely to the power of mine that I have yet to master properly…

Michael is looking over at us now, and he doesn’t look too happy… I sigh and shake my head again. “Max isn’t here Kyle…” I repeat softly. “…and I should go talk to Michael…” I comment somewhat reluctantly. I feel exceedingly awkward about this, I can’t deny that of the five of them, Michael is the one that I’m least comfortable about… Isabel at least tried last night…same with Alex and Maria… Similar is true for Max of course, although his little stunt after school last night did get me a little nerved… Still, the others I can manage…in a group at the moment, or alone I guess with Max…but Michael…

I shake my head, trying not to think like this. The longer I put it off, the worse it could be strictly speaking… Besides, if Mr Brook comes over and sees us stood about chatting, while there are clearly customers who need serving…well I don’t suppose that will go down too well…

Setting my mind to, I take a step forward to go and face him…

[isabelle]

*Kyle*

He's not here? I look at Liz in confusion. I know she was mad with Max a few minutes ago but now she says he didn't know, although he's not here to have told her that and he might not even have that power? Isn't he an alien like her?

I stare at her trying to sort it when suddenly I remember. The telepathy. He taught her how to talk to him in her head. I thought she was just distracted by this alien menace. But she was actually having a whole other conversation... From how far away? Where is he, really?

"... and I should go talk to Michael..." Liz says, moving away.

"Not without me," I say, stepping up next to her. "It's my customer, after all." It is her table but it was my turn -- although that's not really why I want to be there. I need to check out this guy that has her so freaked. I won't let him scare her or pressure her. Liz is my friend.

.

[KatnotKath]

OOC: hope this works for you Isabelle

~Liz~

As I step forward, approaching the table, I realise that Kyle is coming with, and I have to admit to some extent I am relieved. Maybe I shouldn’t be, but I can’t in truth say that I am completely comfortable with everything that I’m being told… The things I have heard over the last two days have changed everything… Things I thought I knew have proved to be untrue, and others that I never dreamed of have become reality…

As he mentions that Michael is his customer, I shake my head and shrug. “If you can get him to order anything…you’re welcome to him…”

I swallow and chew my lower lip, smoothing my apron in a nervous fashion as we walk towards the table. While we’re still a little way back, I look over at Kyle, offering him what I hope will be a smile – I’m trying anyway… “Thanks…” I tell him softly, hoping that I look a bit more calm than I feel…

As we get closer and closer, my heartbeat speeds up and I feel my chest tighten. I don’t want to do this…I really don’t…but I know I have to…

Taking one more deep breath, I step up, stopping in front of the table. I can feel Michael’s gaze, that’s been following me ever since he came in, and I force myself to meet his gaze. “What do you want Michael…? You’re not supposed to be here!”

I’m doing what I can to keep my tone even, to stop my voice from shaking… I just hope I’m succeeding, I don’t want him to have the advantage of knowing he makes me nervous…