There's Nothing Interesting. (AU,M/L,Teen) A/N 11/05/05[WIP]

[maxandliz4ever1357]

RASaero611 - Thanks for reading!

Emz80m - Glad you like this Liz!

taressa05 - Yeah, they're not very covert are they, lol?

hazz - You'll see her reaction soon enough...

loviedovie - Yup, Max and Liz will always be my favorite couple for that reason!

obsession - Yup, she has all of the clues, she just doesn't know how to work it out.

flyawayraven - Max is drawn to Liz because that's his soul mate. And you should try living in Florida! it's 97 degrees here! That is when it's not raining!

ShatteredDreamer - Glad you like this Liz. I hated no backbone Liz from the show.


Hey everyone! Thanks for all the great feedback! Just wanted to give a forewarning, the next parts are angsty. They're also probably going to shock you, since this has been a no angst story so far. Don't worry though, a happy ending is ensured! Oh and sorry this is so short, but I couldn't resist a cliffhanger *Evil laugh*

Part 10

“Where are you, dad?” I muttered angrily, checking my watch for the third time in 5 minutes. He was supposed to be here 30 minutes ago, but so far there was no sign of him. I waited for another 10 minutes, and then, with a muttered curse, I started my walk home.

My dad was in for it when I got home.

I had gotten about halfway home Isabel called my name from behind me. "Liz, Liz! Hold on a second!" she yelled running up to me in an awkward gate due to her high heels.

“What do you want?” I asked rudely, staring up at her.

“Look, I know I haven’t been very nice to you—” she started, but I cut her off.

“That's an understatement.” I said dryly.

She glared, but said, “Ok, so I’ve been really rude to you, but I was wondering if you’d seen my brother?” she asked, sounding distraught.

I stared at her in surprise. Was it some kind of trick? Was she expecting me to say I had so that she could chew me out for being around him? “Lost him have you?” I asked raising my eyebrows. She narrowed her eyes and made a hmmph noise.

“Oh, don’t go getting all huffy, Barbie.” I continued, laughing at her peeved expression. “I haven’t seen him since school. Why? How long has he been missing?” I asked, suddenly worried. Had something happened to him?

“Uh, about 10 minutes. He went to pick up his check from the UFO center but he didn’t come back.” she said, letting her anxiety surface again.

I raised my eyebrows. “Did you try the UFO center?” I asked, talking as if she was slow.

“Of course I did! Do you think I’m an idiot? He isn’t there.” she huffed. “Look if you see him tell him to go home, ok?” she asked, and then walked away, not waiting for an answer.

I shook my head and continued on my way. I had only made it a little ways when I thought I heard a disgruntled yell from somewhere in the distance. I stopped walking and listened hard, trying to figure out if I had imagined the sound.

There it was again! Without thinking, I quickly headed toward where I thought the noise was coming from. I walked down an alleyway that turned shaprly to the right, and the voices and yells seemed as if they were coming from right next to me. I walked up to the brick wall and peered around the corner.

“Well, well, well, King Zan. Your stronger than I thought you were.” a boy of about 12 said to...wait, was that Max? Did he just call Max King Zan? But my mind quickly left this when I noticed that I was looking at Max through some kind of greenish forcefield. A forcefield that Max himself seemed to be projecting from his outstretched hand. There were burn marks and slashes all over the wall behind Max, as if a battle had been taking place, and Max'd shoulder was bleeding.

What the hell had I just walked into?

“You're going to die Nicolas. We destroyed you husks.” Max said from behind the green thing, his face scrunched up in painful concentration.

The 12 year old seemed to disregard this information. “Hmmm, well if I am bound to die, I can at least take you with me.” He said, giving a laugh that sent a shiver down my spine. With those words, he too held up his hand and sent a beam of light to Max’s forcefield. Max's face twisted as the bolt hit the green suface and bounced off. Nicolas kept sending bolts of light at it, and the field seemed to weaken.

"Tell me where the granilith is, Zan!" the boy shouted. Max shook his head, so the boy sent one more bolt out and the green light flickered and went out. Out of nowhere, two large, burly men appeared and grabbed Max by the shoulders, shoving him to his knees. I watched in horrified fascination as the 12 year old boy walked up to Max and put his hands on his forehead. Max flinched away, but appeared to be too weak to fend off the 3 people surrounding him. I realized immediately that I should get help, but after the horrifying light show I has just seen, I didn't know who to call.

“Do you know how all of us will die, Zan?" the boy asked lightly. "It will not be painlessly. Our skins will continue to dry out, slowly but surely starving us of our liquids. The process could last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, until we die from lack of moisture.” the kid said, his hands still resting on Max’s head.

“You...deserve it.” Max said, his voice interrupted with harsh pants. Nicolas smiled at him, and then nodded to one of his men. The man took one hand off of Max’s shoulder, and punched Max in the face. I cringed as I watched Max flinch at the impact of the powerful blow, and then spit blood out of his mouth.

“If your...going to kill...me just do it. I won't tell you where it is.” Max said, still talking in that halting way. I resisted the impulse to run over and help him, which was crazy. I didn’t know what the hell that teenage kid was, but it was pretty clear he had the power to kill, or at least hurt, and he had no inhibitions about doing so.

"You forget about my abilities. I can get the information from you, and at a lot of pain at your expense. Of course I wouldn't mind using it just to to torture you. After all, that’s what you're putting my people through right now. Slow, painful torture.” Nicolas said casually, as if they were talking about the weather. His hands began to glow on Max’s forehead. I watched in wide eyed horror as Max threw back his head and screamed, as if the kid was torturing him. It went on for what seemed like forever, and then the light in Nicolas's hands dimmed.

“Trying to block me are we, young king? You will not last long.” Nicolas promised him, though he looked a little out of breath. “Let’s see what else we can dig up.” and his hands began to glow again.

Max writhed and shouted once more, and I squeezed my eyes shut so I wouldn’t have to witness it. My hands twitched with the need to help him, but what could I do? Obviously these people had far more power than any human. Hell, I couldn't even hit very hard. Still I couldn't sit here and watch them kill him. I had to try something.

The light in Nicolas's hands dimmed once more as I started to turn the corner. I caught Max's eyes and his amber ones widened, and then he shook his head vigorously. I was about to walk further but he stopped me by yelling, "No, no no no!"

I took this to mean that he didn't want me to try and help him. I quickly backed around the corner, my eyes filing up with tears. Nicolas glanced in my direction suspiciously, but I was safely hidden again. He then returned his hands to Max's forehead and began his torture once more.

What could I do to help him?

“Well, you may have blocked the information from me, but you didn't block the fact that you love someone!" Nicolas shouted joyfully after his hands stopped glowing again. He looked slightly paler but triumphant all the same. “And that this love is human! He’s worried about getting involved because he thinks it will put her in danger.” He let go of Max’s head and leaned down to look him in the eye.

“You are absolutely right to worry, my pacifist king. Since you will not tell me the location of the machine that can save us, I could kill you right now with the flip of my hand,” he said casually, flicking his wrist and throwing Max backwards about 20 feet, sending him crashing into the brick wall.

Wordlessly the two thugs beside Nicolas grabbed Max’s shoulders and dragged him back to where he was. Nicolas continued as if nothing had happened. “but that would be too quick, too easy for my taste. I want to hurt you, torture you, and what better way to do it than to torture the one you love?” He gave another evil laugh, but then stopped and closed his eyes, as if feeling something the rest couldn’t.

“And I think we may be in luck.” he said, his eyes snapping back open and a grin forming on his face. Before I could blink he had his back to Max...and was staring me in the eye. I gasped audibly and turned to run. Nicolas quickly flicked his wrist once more, and this time I was the one flying into the wall. I laid there in a heap, feeling as if every bone in my body was broken.

Max, who was still being held by the nameless thugs, saw me and yelled, “Liz!” in fear.

I turned to look at him, but Nicolas stood in front of me, blocking my line of vision. He bent down and brushed my hair off of my face with his fingers. Disgusted, I recoiled from his touch and struggled to sit up.

"I knew I sensed something." he said, grabbing me by the arm.

“What the hell are you people?” I asked, taking a shaky, painful breath. I tried to pull away but he held on tight.

He smiled. “You don’t even want to know.” he said, dragging me over to where Max was being held.

“No...leave...her alone.” Max said painfully, struggling against his captors.

“Nope, I told you I would take the person you love.” Nicolas said, as if talking to a misbehaving 5 year old.

“What are you...talking about, kid?” I asked, covering my fear with anger. “He doesn’t...love me.”

Nicolas shook his head. “My dear, I have been digging inside his mind. Trust me, he does, and he will know the feeling of losing his queen to the enemies once again.”

Max head this and struggled against the men who held him again. "You've...got me....let her...go." Max pleaded desperately.

Nicolas didn't bother to reply to him. Instead he turned to me, and said, “Naptime.” before touching my forehead. I felt a splitting pain in my head, and heard Max yell "Noo!" just before I lost consciousness .


TBC.....

[maxandliz4ever1357]

Thanks for all the feedback! I know that sounds like the typical, robot writer response, but you guys really have no clue what it means to me!!

It just keeps getting better with every part. Nicholas has Liz. She should have found the pod squad. So know Liz is going to know the secret and then everyone will be upset and blame her for being nosy or will just do her voodoo and make her forget. If I wasn't such a loser and paid more attention to the sticky notes, I would have nominated this fic because it's just that great.

Thanks! I've never even considered my work nomination material, so to hear you say that means so much!!!!

And as for the line about Liz being queen, *Snaps* for Akashaa! She got it right. Nicolas just meant that Max loved her and wanted her, which would makes her his queen. No, she’s not a hybrid, and no they haven’t slept together (They won’t be either, due to the teen rating. I lack the capability to write those type scenes so I won't be)

Hope you like the next part! Thanks again for your feedback!

Part 11

I felt a wave of awareness run through me, pulling me out of my dark, peaceful slumber. I would have rather been unconscious. When I was asleep I wasn’t aware of anything, but now that I was awake, the reality of the situation crashed down upon me. I had been kidnapped by a 12 year old X-men mutant wannabe with the power to dig through people’s minds.

I heard a loud bang from somewhere in the vicinity and my eyes sprang open on reflex. I groaned as a sharp pain ran through my head and squeezed my eyes shut again. When my stomach settled and the headache dulled, I open my eyes again slowly. The pain was still there, but I pushed it out of my mind and studied my surroundings.

I was in some kind of metal warehouse; the type a business would use to store supplies. My hands were tied to a pole behind my back, my legs were bound, and there was a gag in my mouth. I immediately realized while looking around the place that even if I was able to somehow undo the ropes and outwit my captors, I would never be able to escape. The whole structure was made of concrete and steel. There were no windows from what I could see, and the only door was most likely being guarded by Thug 1 and Thug 2.

At this point I started to make unintelligible, hiccupping noises through my gag. Tears started to fall from my eyes and I began to shake violently. How was I ever going to get out of here? What were they going to do to me? I stopped my panic fit abruptly when I saw the boy from the alley enter the storage shed and walk over to me.

“Aw, did we make you cry?” Nicolas asked in a mock sympathetic voice when he had reached me.

I swallowed my tears and stopped panicking. No way was I going to let this snot nosed little kid get to me. I tried not to remember the fact that this wasn’t an ordinary 12 year old.

I tried to speak, wanting to spit out a sarcastic comment as I so often did, but then remembered the gag on my mouth. I settled for an evil glare.

“Oh, scary. Are you going to stare me to death?” Nicolas asked, squatting down and reaching for me. I flinched back, trying to avoid his wandering fingers, but he grabbed a chunk of my hair and pulled my head back towards him. Then he took off my gag.

“What do you know about the royal four?” he demanded once he had removed my gag.

I worked my mouth and jaw a little bit, trying to regain some feeling in them. “The royal-whatta?” I asked once I could talk, genuinely confused. He slapped me and I tasted blood in my mouth.

“Don’t lie to me! What about the granolith? Do you know where it is? Tell me what you know!” he shouted, grabbing a fistful of my hair and pulling my face inches from his.

I glared at him, but didn’t pull back. Instead I said quietly, “Right, ok; what I know. You want to know what I know. Here goes; I know that you should start using acne cleanser on your face. If you let those big ugly pimples go untreated for too long, you’ll end up with scars.”

His eyes widened as if he could not believe I had dared insult him. Then they narrowed in anger. “Look, we can do the easy way and you tell me what you know, or we can do this the hard way and I use my powers to get what I want!” he yelled at my face.

I snorted. “That’s how your going to threaten me? By using the ‘easy way hard way’ line? Are you kidding?! You should be little more creative. You know, think outside the box.”

“Ok, now you’re really getting on my nerves.” he said, taking his hands and setting them on the sides of my face. I tried to jerk away, but he grabbed my hair and held on tight. Shit, why didn’t I realize that insulting your kidnapper probably wasn’t a good thing?

His hands started to glow, and then I was in the most excruciating pain I had ever felt. It felt like someone was taking a knife and cutting through my brain with it. Fuzzy images passed by my eyelids, and I knew that these were the things Nicolas was stealing from my mind. I distantly heard someone screaming, and then realized with a jolt that it was coming from me. Finally, after what felt like hours, I felt the pain start to subside. My vision returned, and the first thing I saw was Nicolas's annoyed face.

“Damn it! You don’t know anything.” he said, sounding annoyed and frustrated.

“I told you that, Skippy. Maybe you should have listened.” I spat out, slumping against the wall behind my back. Some of the pain from whatever he had just done still lingered in my head, and I closed my eyes to try and ease it.

“But you’ve been trying to figure out what’s going on, huh?” he asked, the evil sparkle back in his eyes. “Zan and the others have sparked your curiosity?” he asked.

“Zan?” I asked warily, not answering his question. He already knew anyways, since he had gotten that information from my head. Then I remembered Nicolas's words back in the alleyway. He had called Max Zan...King Zan. And Max had made that freaky shield thing, meaning he had weird powers too.

“Yes, that was his past name. Of course you don’t have any idea what I’m talking about. I wouldn’t normally tell a human, but since Zan appears to love you, I'm willing to bet that he wouldn't want you to know what he is in fear of rejection." Nicolas said, positively laughing with glee.

“What is he?” I asked fearfully, almost afraid to know.

“An alien.” he said bluntly. “You know, like ‘beam me up, Scotty’? Max Evans is from outer space. He crashed here in 1947.”

“Wha-what?” I asked, shocked. Of all the things I expected that certainly wasn’t it. I laughed nervously. “Yeah right. There was no crash in 1947. It was a weather vane. And Max can’t be an alien. He looks human.”

“Yes, you’re quite right.” he said, nodding in agreement. I knew it! He was just trying to unnerve me.

“He’s only half alien. Half of his DNA is human.” he said casually, as if this was an everyday occurrence. I stared at him, horrified.

No, that's impossible! “That’s not possible!” I screeched, making Nicolas wince and plug his ears with is fingers. He swiftly picked up my gag from the floor and put it back on before I could even blink or fight him off. This sucker could move fast!

“I don’t want to hear anymore of your horrified denials, ok?” He asked. "Now, what was I saying? Oh yes, Max is an alien. He’s a clone of the king of the ruler of Antar. He was killed by us, The Skins, but then cloned and sent down to this God forsaken planet without us knowing.” Nicolas said in a singsong voice, studying his nails in a show of boredom.

No! It’ not true, it can’t be! It’s crazy! It defies the law of physics, I thought. horrified.

“There’s the truth. Good and horrified?” he asked. He studied my expression and nodded in appreciation. “Looks like it. Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to continue our little mindrape session. I’m very interested to see what happened to you and that boy in 7th grade…” he said, placing his hands on my head again.

An hour later he left me alone, and there wasn’t a single place on my body that didn’t hurt. He'd gone through my mind until he had seen everything from my first grade science project to my first kiss with Max.

Max the alien.

I moaned in pain and lost consciousness again.

[maxandliz4ever1357]

A huge thanks to:

extingman
Akashaa
hazz
flyawayraven
RASaero611
Lizza
RosyLady
g7silvers
loviedovie
I am a dreamer
obsession
taressa05

I think that's the most feedback I've ever gotten!

This part is really long, but I don't think you guys will complain about that, lol. I wasn't going to post it until tomorrow, but I have no willpower, so here you go!

Oh, and as for the idea of Liz being mindwarped into forgetting everything, that idea horrifies me...

Part 12

“Liiiiz...Liz!”

I jerked my head up from my tea party on the top of Mount Everest when I heard someone calling my name. “Wha—what?” I asked, slightly panicked. “Who is it?”

“Liz!” I heard again, and then Max appeared, standing right in front of me. The scenery suddenly changed, and everything was pitch black, except for where Max and I were standing.

“This is a dream, isn’t it?” I asked, spinning in a circle and staring at all the nothingness.

“Yes, listen Liz, I need you to tell me where you are.” Max said urgently, grabbing my shoulders and turning me to face him.

“Why? You’re not real.” I said dreamily.

“Liz! Focus ok! This is the actual Max. I’m real.” he said, his voice becoming even sharper.

I patted him on the cheek. "Ok, Mr. Alien King." I replied. "Whatever you say."

His eyes widened. “What did you say?” he asked, sounding upset.

“Oh, yeah, I know you’re an alien. Or I know the real Max is an alien, because your not him, your just a figment of my imag—”

He grabbed my shoulders again and gave me a shake. “I am the real Max! My sister brought me in here; it’s one of her powers. It’s really me!” he said, grabbing the sides of my face and forcing me to look at him.

I began to regain my wits and come out of my trance like dream state. “Oh god! Max! Help me! Please! I don’t know what’s going on, but that...that kid has me trapped and he did this thing, and my head...it felt like it was going to explode…” Tears started to run down my face, and I fell to my knees, praying that this could actually be Max. I mean, even though I didn’t know how I felt about him being an alien, at least he seemed to be an enemy of Nicolas's, which I was willing to appreciate at the moment.

He bent down next to me, framing my face with his hands and forcing me to look up at him. “Listen, we’re coming, but you have to tell us where you are.”

I decided to go along with make-believe Max, on the doubtful chance that he was actually real. “I...I don’t know where I am. It’s a huge warehouse. Um, it’s made of concrete and steel, and there aren’t any windows...” I racked my brains, trying to figure out what to tell him that would pinpoint what building I was in.

He seemed to be in deep thought. “Your in a warehouse?” he asked, I nodded, and he thought for a while longer. Eventually he said, “Listen, the skins just came back into town, and I think if I get Alex to go online and tap into the records of any storage facility rented in the last few days, we can figure out where you are.”

He paused for a moment, seeming to be listening to someone I couldn't hear or see. Then he said, “I have to go, we’ll get there as soon as we can, Liz, I promise.” and then he disappeared.

I sat down in the drowning darkness, feeling hopeless and alone. Now that I knew I was dreaming, I didn’t want to wake up yet.

Wait a second, it was my dream! I scrunched my eyes in concentration and the blackness faded into the Crashdown Café. I thought for a second longer and a dream Max appeared out of nowhere. I smiled at him, and he smiled back. True, the thought of the real Max kinda scared the hell out of me at that moment, but a normal make-believe one might be nice.

<center>******</center>

“Wake up!” I heard someone say from far away. I felt my shoulders being shaken, and I started to move towards consciousness. I tried to fight it, but the insistent person continued calling to me and shaking. I whimpered as I awoke, squeezing my eyes shut.

“No...no more, please…” I said, starting to struggle.

“Liz, open your eyes!” the voice said, and I realized it was female. I opened my eyes hesitantly and felt a rush of relief. “Isabel!”

She started to untie my wrists. “Come on, help me, we haven’t got much time!” she ordered.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, helping her untie my feet.

“Not now, just go! Michael and Max are fending them off. I don’t know how long they can last.” she said, pulling me to my feet. I wobbled a little, almost toppling over. She put her arm around my shoulders and half drug me toward the exit.

I saw Max and Michael, ducking behind a small concrete shelter a little ways away. Michael was shooting those energy bolts at Nicolas and his crew, and Max was putting up his little shield.

Max caught Isabel’s eyes, and nodded discretely for us to duck behind the shelter. We moved as fast as we could considering I was limping and almost unable to walk.

“Liz.” he whispered, ducking behind the building after Isabel and I were safely behind it. He grabbed me away from his sister and pulled me to him. I saw Tess also hidden behind the concrete shelter, her face scrunched up in concentration. As I watched, she broke out of whatever spell she was under and gasped for breath. A rock nearby splintered and broke as the enemies' energy bolts blasted into it.

“Maxwell, we gotta get out of here!” Michael shouted, his eyes still steadily trained on the enemies.

“Right! Tess, are you ok? Can you still use your power?” he asked, talking to the tired looking blonde.

“Yeah, but not for too long.” she informed him, leaning up against the wall for support.

“Ok.” he said, “Michael and Isabel, take Liz and get to the jeep. Tess, make the skins unable to see them. After they’re safely out of the way, I’ll throw up my shield to cover us both, and we’ll go.” he said, sounding very much like the leader of another race.

Everyone followed these orders immediately. Michael put his hand around my other shoulder, and as soon as Tess got the look of concentration again we made a break for it, running to the jeep that was hidden a little ways away. We made it and jumped in the car, waiting for Max and Tess. After a few tense minutes, the two appeared; Max half carrying Tess. The got in the car, and Isabel started the engine and stepped on the gas.

Once out on the open road, Max dialed a number on his cell phone. "Hey." he said, listening to the person on the other end of the line.

"Yeah, we got her, and we're driving back right now. Everything's ok."

<center> ******</center>

We pulled up to Max’s house a while later. I was itching to get away from these people and started to jump out of the car before it had even stopped, but Max grabbed my arm. “No, you need to come with us.” he said gently, not releasing me.

As we started to get out of the car, Michael asked, “Maxwell, your plan worked pretty well and all, but how exactly do you figure that we can walk into your parents house with the missing girl thats been on the news since this morning without them noticing?”

“They aren’t home.” Max said, helping me out of the car and then switching his grip form my arm to my wrist.

“Max, I think I should just get home, my parents are probably really worried—” I started, but he cut me off.

“No.” he said simply, pulling me towards his house.

I pulled my hand out of his grip. “Excuse me, who says you get to decide what I do and don’t do…” The anger fell out of my voice as I began to feel lightheaded and lost my balance. Max caught me before I hit the ground and said, “Liz, you can’t even walk straight, so stop being difficult and come with us, ok?” he asked, and I was too woozy to argue.

“So all of you are...are…aliens?” I asked quietly as we were walking up the stairs to Max's room. Everyone turned to stare at me and then at Max, who slowly nodded.

“Oh god, oh god oh god oh god…” I whispered.

When we reached Max’s room he set me down on his bed.

“Ok, she’s out of there, now we have to decide what to do with her.” Michael said immediately, starting to pace the room.

“Do with me?” I asked weakly, struggling to sit up. “What do you plan on doing with me?” I asked nervously

They all ignored me and turned Isabel turned toward Tess. “Can you do it?” she asked, staring at her intently.

Tess shook her head. “I could, but her mind has been weakened by Nicolas's mindrapes. If I attempted it, there’s a chance I could kill her.” she said
thoughtfully. I was too busy worrying about what they wanted to ‘do with me’ when she said this, so all I heard was ‘kill her’.

“Kill me?” I shrieked, jumping off the bed. “Your going to kill me?” I asked, terrified. Max started to walk towards me, but I backed away from him, pushing myself into the corner of his room. “Oh God, don’t kill me. Please! I won’t tell anyone, I swear, but please, don’t kill me…” I begged them. A wave of nausea took over me, and I sank down to the ground, closing my eyes.

I heard movement in front of me, and I snapped my eyes opened to find Max kneeling next to me. “Liz, trust me, we’re not going to hurt you, ok? I promise.” he said gently. I stared at him for a moment and then nodded slowly. He stood up and reached out his hand. I took it and he helped me up, and then over to the bed again.

“I got it!” Michael said, appearing to be thinking hard. “You heal her so that she’s not weakened anymore, and then Tess can mindwarp her and make her forget.”

“What?!” I asked loudly, remembering everything that Nicolas had done to me. Mindwarping sounded way too close to mindraping. “No!” I yelled, standing up again. “Stay out of my mind! For god’s sake don’t do it again!” I shrieked, just one the verge of losing it. I started to shake and my eyes filled up with tears. What was with the tears!? I never cried!

“It wouldn’t be like Nicolas's was.” Max said, though he looked thoroughly miserable over the idea. “It wouldn’t hurt at all, I promise.”

I stared into his sad, amber eyes. “I don’t want to forget.” I whispered softly.

Max turned towards the others. “I don’t think we should.” he said, speaking in a loud, clear voice.

“What!?” Isabel asked.

“Why not?” Michael bellowed.

“Because,” Tess began, studying both of us carefully. “He loves her.” she said with quiet accusation. A stunned silence greeted these words. I felt my face heat up and bent my head down, covering the blush with my long hair.

“What the hell are you talking about? Of course he…” Isabel started finally, but then stopped, studying the guilty embarrassed look on Max’s face.

“Shit.” Michael muttered, also catching Max's look.

“Max!” Isabel yelled. “What are you thinking? We can’t bring another human into this! It’s not right! Plus we don’t even know if we can trust her. How do we know she won’t sell us out to the highest bidder?” Isabel demanded.

“I wouldn't do that, and you're not digging through my mind!” I shouted, getting angry. Why were they talking about me as if I wasn’t here?

“We will if it saves our lives!” Michael shouted, halting his fidgety pacing movements.

“Look, I know you’ve got this whole chain of command thing going on within your...peoples or whatever, but I’m not one of them. I don’t have a king.” I said.

Silence settled in at my words. I chanced a look at Max and found myself staring into his eyes, where hurt was evident.

Finally Tess broke up the silence. “But you want one, don’t you?” Tess asked, the accusation back with a vengeance.

“I beg your pardon?” I asked, not comprehending.

“You want Max, right?” Tess rephrased, her eyes narrowed. The look on her face was akin to something a 5 year old would wear when another kid was trying to take her favorite toy away.

“Uh—uh…” I stuttered. I didn’t know what to say. If I said I didn’t want him, it would hurt him (if he really does love me, which I find hard to believe) but if I say I do, the others wouldn’t be too happy.

Wait a minute, why was I going to give little Miss rude girl an answer anyways?

“None of your damn business Blondie.” I said, smiling when her eyes widened in surprise, then frowning when they narrowed slyly.

“It is kind of my business,” She said smugly, “considering I’m his wife.”

Whoa. That was the mother of all comebacks. I had nothing to say to that. I stood there, staring stupidly as Tess’s lips curved up into a sly grin. I turned to Max and sent him an expectant, if not slightly pushy look, waiting for him to explain.

“No she’s not.” He said quickly, catching my eyes. Tess started to speak but Max interrupted her. “She was, but not here.”

I raised my brows at him. “So where, in Vegas?” I asked.

His eyes widened. “No! I mean, not on this planet.” he said quickly.

"Oh I see." I said. “So you married her up at Anwar, and then came down here to visit?” I asked.

“No! I mean not in this lifetime.” He said, wiping sweat off his brow. “And it’s Antar, actually.”

"How do you know so much about us, anyways? Pretty damn good guess for someone who's never heard of Antar before, and you knew about Max being king.” Isabel pointed out, her eye narrowed suspiciously.

“Nicolas.” I answered, not looking away from Max’s amber eyes. “He told me that Max was a king on...uh that place that starts with an ‘A’, but he was killed by the...skins but then cloned and sent to earth.”

Michael folded his arms over his chest in an aggravated gesture. “Why would he tell you all that? He hates humans.” Michael asked.

I felt a blush rise over my cheeks and I ducked my head again. I didn't want to tell them Nicolas had told me because he believed Max to be in love with me. “Uh…I don’t know…” I said pathetically.

Tess said, “Yes you do. Tell us why, or I’ll just get it from you myself.”

My head shot up and my eyes widened in alarm. “No! Don’t even try to use any mind crap on me!” I yelled, ducking behind Max’s tall frame. I put my hands on his shoulders and peered over them.

My hands vibrated as Max spoke. “Tess, just leave her alone.” Max said tiredly, running his hands through his hair.

Tess’s face scrunched up in anger. “You want her to know! Your hoping that she’ll get over the fact that you’re an alien and fall in love with you, so that you can live happily ever after!” she screeched.

“No, that’s not—” he started, but she cut him off.

“Whatever, Max. Throw away your destiny for some stupid human chick. I’m leaving!” she exclaimed angrily, stomping out of Max’s room.

“Tess…” Isabel called, but the short blonde had already left. “Nice going, Max.” Isabel said, turning to glare at him. She noticed where I was still standing and said, “Could you please remove your person from my brother?”

I pulled my hands from his shoulders like they had been burned and quickly stepped away. Unfortunately my mind was still mush from Nicolas, so I became dizzy again. Ah! This was so annoying! I couldn't even move without being all tired and woozy. Max caught me again, and placed his hands on my head. “Let me heal you.” he said, and all of a sudden it felt like we were the only two in the room.

“What?” I asked, slightly hesitant.

“ It’s my power. I can heal with my hands.” he said, staring down at me.

I looked up at him and nodded. He smiled. “Take deep even breaths, and try to make your mind blank out…” he said in a voice that gave me goosebumps. I did as I was told and all of a sudden images appeared in front of my eyes.

A small boy emerging from an egglike structure. A little boy and girl walking naked in the desert and seeing the headlights of a car. A small brunette boy exiting a yellow school bus, terrified about his first day of school. A younger looking Michael with spiky hair and a black eye. Kate lying on the floor in the Crashdown, blood gushing from her stomach. Me in the UFO center, talking to myself. And then it was over. Max pulled his hands from the sides of my head, looking pale and breathing shallowly.

“Your better now.” he whispered, looking into my eyes. I stared at him in shock. Was everything I had seen from his mind? Had I just witnessed the real Max Evans? I felt the urge to throw myself into his arms and never leave, and the urge to run out of his room as quickly as I could at the same time. The feelings terrified me, so I chose the latter.

“Th-thanks...I gotta go.” I said, turning and walking swiftly toward the door. Max grabbed my arm to stop me from leaving.

“Liz—” he started, but I cut him off.

“No, Max don’t... just don’t.” I said, pulling myself out of his grip and leaving his room as quickly as possible.

[maxandliz4ever1357]

RASaero611
G7silvers - Tess is kind of like she was on the show (before the whole ‘you’re my brother’ thing with Kyle) She started to become attracted to Kyle, but Max and her ‘destiny’ never moved very far from her mind.
Hazz
Taressa05 - Nope, it’s definitely not going to be easy!
Loviedovie - I’m quick on the updates because I’m already out of school. Of course, not before 2 Biology projects, a World History project, and finals. I still don’t know how I survived . Glad your liking!
I am a dreamer - Like I said, school’s finished and I have a lot of free time now (I’m so pathetic )
Nirvana - Uh...thanks
Emz80m
Extingman - Wow! Thanks for the really long feedback!
Flyawayraven - He called her queen because he knew Max loved her. I actually didn’t even mean that much by that line, lol, but everyone was really shocked by it!
Little_Miss_Roswell - Thanks for reading!
kay_b
Lizza

Thanks guys!!!

Part 13

I took a deep, steadying breath and let it out slowly, trying to regain my bearings. I had wanted so much to find out what they were hiding, but now I was almost praying that I had just left them well enough alone like everybody told me to. Damn me and my nosiness! Oh well, what’s done is done.

I was about to open the door to my house when a thought occurred to me. What was my cover story? Michael said I had been on the news, so that meant my parents probably panicked and called the police. What could I tell them that would keep me out of trouble? I brushed my fingers over my lips, trying to think of a plausible excuse. I doubted my parents would believe ‘Oh, well this alien had this grudge against this other alien, so he kidnapped me because said other alien loved me’

Loved me. Max Evans loved me. And I felt something pretty close to love for him too. I didn’t know which was scarier, finding out that aliens walk among us or falling for one.

As I was thinking, my finger brushed against my split lip. I flinched and felt the wound gingerly. I hadn’t been able to look in the mirror lately, but I was guessing I have a pretty good bruise there. I wonder if Max was too preoccupied with my ‘weakened’ mind to heal it.

Wait, that’s it!

I turned the doorknob and walked in. Immediately my mother rushed out under the mistaken impression that I was my father. “Jeff, any sign of her…?” her words drifted off as she saw me, and her eyes filled up with tears.

“Liz.” she whispered, and then a second later I was being crushed by her viselike hug.

“Mom, your suffocating me.” I squeaked into her shoulder. She pulled back quickly, but kept her hands on my shoulders.

“Honey, where were you?” she asked tearfully. “We were so worried.” she said, pulling me into a softer hug.

“I...I was walking home from work and this guy—” I heard my mother inhale sharply and I instantly knew what she was thinking. “No, he didn’t do anything like that. He just mugged me. He slapped me and I hit my head, and then I guess I passed out.” I said, trying to be as convincing as possible.

She hugged me yet again. “Oh, Lizzie! We were so worried when you didn’t come home last night. We’re going car shopping tomorrow, and your never walking anywhere again!” she said with vigilance, and I realized that I probably wouldn’t be able to go anywhere by myself for a long time.

“I’m ok, mom. Just a little shaken.” I said reassuringly. Boy was that an understatement.

“Oh,” she cried. “Let me go call your father. I don't think he slept as all last night. Neither did I come to think of it.” she said, running to get the kitchen phone. I gave a prayer of thanks to be out of my mother’s loving, yet somewhat suffocating embrace, and I ran to the cover of my room.

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

“Dad, I don’t want to do this!” I said desperately as we pulled into the sheriff station.

“Lizzie, I know it scared you, but we have to try and catch this guy! You can’t let him get away with it!” my dad said sternly. Normally I would agree, but there’s just the little fact that the person he was talking about; the one who mugged me, he didn’t exist! I had no idea what I was going to say to the sheriff. Still, my dad wouldn’t listen to any of my protests, so as we walked into the police station, I began to desperately think of what I was going to say.

We walked into Sheriff Valenti’s office, and the old looking man stood up and shook my father’s hand.

“Hello, Jeff. Nice to meet you folks.” he said, all formality and business. Then he turned to me. “And nice to meet you too, Liz. I must say, on behalf of Roswell and the Police department, I’m sorry this happened to you.”

I shook his hand as well and mumbled, “Yeah, well, it wasn’t your fault.”

He sat down in his desk chair again and motioned for me to sit in the chair in front of him.

“Now, why don’t you tell me what this person looked like?” he said carefully, studying my face.

“Oh...uh,” I said intelligently, shooting a nervous glance at my dad. He had always been good at catching me in a lie. I was lucky to get away with the mugged story. What if I blew it?

Sheriff Valenti saw the look and said, “Jeff, would you mind stepping outside? It might be easier for her if your not here.”

My dad looked startled but he said, “If it will help.” and exited the room. I breathed a sigh of relief.

“How are you doing, Liz?” The sheriff asked once we were alone.

“Ok, I guess. A little shaken. I just never though it could happen.” I said, hoping I sounded convincing.

“I know what you mean, when my son Kyle was shot and Max healed him, I thought it was impossible. That I had to be lying in an insane—”

“Wait what?!” I questioned loudly, my mouth hanging open stupidly. Did he just say when Max healed Kyle?

“The fact that alien exist.” he said, studying my face as if he was worried I’d gone crazy. “Max told me you knew about their secret.”

“You know?!” I asked, incredulous. And then it sank in. Kyle got shot; as in Kyle from the eraser room. The one who Max saved. Oh, I get it now. This must have been his father.

“Yeah, I’ve known for a while now.” he said. “And I know it’s a lot to take in, but you must keep it a secret at all costs. They’re lived depend on it. Max has already had a close call with the FBI—”

“The FBI?” I asked, struggling to take in yet another piece of startling news. This was just too much information to absorb! “They know about Max?”

“They did, unfortunately. They ended up catching him last year and torturing him.” The sheriff said solemnly, sadness in his voice.

I stared at him wide-eyed, remembering the conversation I had heard so long ago at the dinner with the Evans’. That must have been what he had nightmares and wouldn’t talk to his friends about.

Mr. Valenti was about to say something else when my dad popped his head back in the office. “I don’t want to disturb anything, but is everything going ok?” he asked anxiously, switching his weight from one foot to the other.

“Yup we were just finishing here.” the Sheriff replied, standing up. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to submit the paperwork on this case.” he said, walking in the opposite direction as us.

As we were walking to the car my dad asked, “See, that wasn’t so hard was it?”

“No,” I said, still slightly shocked. “Not hard as all.”

^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^

I got out of my brand new Honda Vibe and walked up the steps to school first thing Monday. It was funny how everything seemed different. It was as if everything had changed, but everything had stayed the same too. I shook my head at these philosophical thoughts. What was up with me lately?

I walked to my locker, keeping my head bent and trying to be as unnoticed as possible. Of course that didn’t work. Everyone had heard that I had gone missing, and everybody was staring and whispering and talking.

“I heard she got drunk and passed out in an alleyway.” one kid said.

“Well I heard she went to New York to sleep with her old boyfriend.” The other one commented.

“Yeah?” I asked, “Well I heard she got mugged, hit on the head, and then passed out.” I growled. They turned, recognized me, and scurried away.

“Hey.” A voice said behind me. I knew it was him before I even turned around.

“H—hi.” I said nervously, fidgeting with my hands. He noticed the tension and his eyes flashed with hurt, but he quickly hid it.

“How’s it going?” he asked evenly as we started to walk to class together.

“Uh good.” I said uncomfortably.

There was a strained silence. “Uh, you came up with a good cover story.” Max complemented.

“Thanks. Thought it up all by myself and everything.” I said, giving something resembling a joke.

“Well, you should probably get used to it. Cover stories, lies, hiding...It all kind of goes with the secret.” he said.

“Yeah…” I said, not knowing how to respond. He sounded bitter; which I guess I would be too if my entire life people hunted me because of what I was.

“Listen, can you come with me for a second?” he asked, grabbing my arm lightly to stop me from walking away.

“Uh, where?” I asked.

“The eraser room.” he replied. I sent him a confused look. “So we can talk.” I added.

Oh, to talk. I don’t know if I want to talk just yet.

“Uh actually I should get to class. My parents would kill me if they found out I was skipping--”

“Please?” He asked, giving me an earnest look. How could I turn him down when he looked so sincere?

“Uh, ok.” I said uncertainly.

We walked casually over to the room and entered it one at a time, but I knew that at least one person had seen us go in together.

“You realize that there are going to be all sorts of rumors about us by lunch, right?” I asked as he shut the door and locked it.

“Yeah, probably. Listen, Liz. I know your probably pretty uncomfortable with all of us now, and I get it. But we won’t hurt you.” he said earnestly. I looked up at him, and our gazes caught and held. butterflies started flapping in my stomach and my breath caught. I hastily moved my gaze to a spot on the wall behind him.

“I know you won’t.” I said softly. “I just don’t know about them. They seem to hate me; like really hate me. I mean will they go into my mind or something?” I said, my voice rising an octave in fear.

“No, not if I tell them not to.” He reassured me. “And they don’t hate you.” he added. I raised my eyebrows and he said, “Ok, they hate that you know. But you don’t understand what we’ve gone through. We always have to hide, and when someone finds out, it’s...terrifying.” he said with a slight shudder.

“I won’t say anything.” I said, concerned about him. “You can trust me.”

He smiled wryly. “I know that we can, but they don’t believe it. You did snoop around and try to figure out what we were, after all. That generally makes you an enemy on our list.”

“I’m sorry.” I said regrettably. “I get now why you told me to leave you alone.”

His eyes flashed with emotion. “Do you wish you hadn’t found out?” he asked cautiously.

“I..I,” I started, not quite sure what to say. “No. Wait yes...I don’t know!” I said, throwing up my hands. “I’m just really confused right now, ok?”

“About us being aliens?” he asked, sounding regretful.

“No... well partly,” I said. I took a deep breathe and said, “ but it’s more you I’m confused about.”

He glanced up from the spot he was staring at on the floor. “Me?” he asked, sounding confused.

“Do you love me?” I asked softly. “Please tell me.”

A blush heated his cheeks and he looked down again. “I, uh…”

“Max?” I prompted, walking closer and forcing his chin up with me hand.

“Yes.” he whispered, staring down at me. I felt warmth spread through me at his words. He leaned in tentatively and brushed my lips with his. I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck, and his came to rest on my throat. His tongue entered my mouth and a wide range of emotions rushed through me. Passion, belonging, tenderness, acceptance, love. It was all way too much, way too fast. I had never felt so many feelings in one little kiss. I jerked back away from him.

“What’s wrong?” he asked worriedly, his breath coming out in short spurts.

“No...no...this isn’t...it’s not what I want.” I panted, staring at him. I didn’t want to be in love. I didn’t want a be all end all relationship at 17. I didn’t want to open myself up completely to him like I knew I’d do if we got close.

“What?” he asked, sounding pained. I didn’t want to cause him pain.

“Max, I can’t...be like this.” I said desperately.

He nodded his head slowly, hurt burning brightly in his eyes. “I understand. I could never be normal anyway, so it wouldn’t be right to bring you into that.”

“No,” I said, waving my hand, “I don’t care about that. I...I don’t want to be in love with you. I don’t want to depend on you to make me happy. I’ve seen it happen to too many people and I won’t be that girl.”

His eyes flashed with emotion. “Do you love me?” he asked hesitantly.

I stared at him for a long moment before answering. “Yeah, but I don’t want to.” I said, exiting the eraser room. The bell rang and students filed out. I blended in with them and walked to my next class, thankful that Max wasn’t in it.





~I know, you don't like Liz right now, right? Sorry, but our little Lizzie has a fear of commitment. Hopefully she'll get over it...~

[maxandliz4ever1357]

Ahh, it's pathetically short, but I hope you like it anyways. Thanks for all the great feedback!


Part 14

“Miss? Miss?” A pushy customer called.

Ok, this guy was a step away from being on my bad side. “Yes, sir?” I asked, trying to be as polite as I could.

“I need more salt.” he snapped.

“Right away.” I bit out, turning and looking around the restaurant. Damn, all of the table were full so I couldn’t snatch it from anywhere.

“Excuse me, sir. I’m going to go get it from the back.” I said, putting on a tight smile. He snapped his fingers impatiently.

Just remember Liz, now that you have that shiny new Honda Vibe your going to need gas money, and you can’t get that if you shove the salt down the customer's throat and lose your job!

I pushed the back door open and walked through it, surprising 8 people in the process. I looked around at all the faces. Whoa, the whole gang was here; the aliens, the humans, and even the sheriff’s kid.

“Wow, is this an intervention?” I asked while walking over to the storage shelves.

“No, it’s a meeting. Now get out.” Michael snapped rudely.

Crap, salt’s on the very top shelf. Who puts something as useful as salt on the top shelf?

“You know, if this is a meeting, you should all have nametags,” I said, while looking around for the step ladder. “Yours would say ‘Asshole’ ” I said, turning and smiling sweetly at him.

I spotted the step ladder to my left, picked it up, and placed it at the shelf.

The sheriff’s son, Kyle, walked over to me. “Don’t listen to him, he’s always like that. On behalf of the whole ‘I know An Alien’ club, I would like to welcome you as a new member. We have meetings every Tuesday, and on Thursday we get together for book readings—”

“Kyle! Do us all a favor and shut up.” Michael growled.

I ignored him, grinning at Kyle. “Wow, you actually have a sense of humor. I'm impressed.” I said, chuckling.

“Yeah, well, gotta have something to get me through the alien infested day.” he said, shaking my hand and winking. I laughed again, but stopped abruptly when I felt a hot gaze on my back. I turned to find Max staring at me, his eyes narrowed in jealousy. I noticed Tess, who was standing annoyingly close to Max, had the same look, only she was staring at Kyle.

“Kyle, again I say shut up. Liz, go away.” Michael said.

I rolled my eyes and returned to my task. “As soon as I get the salt for a rude customer sitting out there, I will. It’s not like I have time to be in here, since I’m on the clock and all.” I said pointedly to Maria. “I mean, since every waitress seems to have disappeared—”

“All right, all right! I get your point.” Maria interrupted. “I’ll be right out, just let us finish our conversation.”

“I’m not stopping you.” I said, stepping up to the top step of the ladder. Wow, it was kinda high all the way up here. I swayed a little.

“Liz, be careful.” Max said, coming over and grabbing my waist to steady me.

I felt the butterflies start to flap in my stomach. “I’m fine.” I snapped, jerking away. Stupid thing to do on a ladder, since that caused me to lose my balance and a second later I was tumbling down and landing in a pair of strong, muscular arms.

We stared at each other for a second, and then he murmured, “I told you to be careful.”

“Yeah...well, you made me fall.” I said, sounding slightly breathless.

“’Scuse us!” Kate yelled, pulling us out of the fog we were in and looking annoyed. “Are we interrupting?”

“Nope,” I said, jumping out of his arms and sending her a peeved look. “Why did you heal her, again?” I asked Max, staring at the annoying red-head.

Max was about to answer when Isabel interrupted. “How did you know he healed her?” she asked suspiciously. “I don’t remember us telling you that.”

I rolled my eyes. “That’s ‘cause you didn’t,” I said. “I saw it when Max healed me.”

Kate’s eyes widened and she gasped in surprise. “You healed her?” she asked Max, sounding hurt. I was guessing she was hurt because she had no reason to think she was special anymore.

“Yeah.” Max said, looking taken aback by the hurt shining in her eyes. “Nicolas tortured her. I couldn’t just leave her to recover on her own. Just like I couldn’t just leave you to die.” he said.

“Oh right, so you just did it out of the goodness of your heart!” Kate snapped, turning and stomping up the stairs.

“Katie…” Max called, but she was already gone.

“Good going Max!” Maria scolded him, and then sent me a look. “Are you coming?” she asked, tapping her foot impatiently.

“Don’t get all witchy on me.” I told her, mirroring her actions and tapping my foot too. “You’re the one who was having personal hour while your supposed to be working.”

She rolled her eyes and walked out the door, leaving me to follow her. I walked to a table to take their orders when a voice behind me said, “Miss, the salt?”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I was walking to get in my new car to leave work when I heard a strange, sniffly sound coming from the back alleyway. Knowing my bad experiences with sounds and alleys I realized I shouldn't investigate, but it sounded like someone crying, and I wanted to make sure that someone wasn't hurt or in trouble. I walked cautiously towards the sound, and saw Kate sitting on the steps beside the dumpster. Intrigued, I walked up to her.

“Hey, Kate.” I said hesitantly. “What’s wrong?”

She looked up to see who it was, and then looked back down again. “Nothing, just go away.” she said, wiping her eyes.

I shrugged. “Fine, if that’s what you want.” I said, turning to walk back to my car.

“Why does he want you?” she asked softly, stopping me in my tracks.

“I’m sorry?” I asked, confused. And then it hit me. This was probably about Max.

“He loves you. He hasn’t said it, but I know he does. Why else would the skins have taken you? It’s because you mean so much to him.” she said, fresh tears starting to leak from her lashes. I walked up to her cautiously and sat down next to her. I didn’t talk, figuring she needed to say whatever it was she wanted to say.

“I always had a crush on him you know,” she said, giving a watery smile. “I used to wonder about his mysteriousness and dream that he would open up to me and tell me his secrets. That he’d trust me, and love me.” she said. “But I never though it could happen.”

"And then he healed you." I stated quietly.

"Yeah, and all of it came true. He trusted me, and he let me in, but there was one thing missing. He still didn’t love me.” she cried.

“He does.” I told her, patting her awkwardly on the back. Ok, so comforting people is not one of my major skills, but I can put both feet behind my head. That's something. “I mean, obviously he cares about you or he wouldn’t have healed you, and I think he loves you in a little sister kind of way.”

She shook he head angrily. “But I don’t want to be his little sister!” she said. “And then I figured, since he healed me, that deep down he must have feelings for me, you know? And that he was too shy to bring them up because of his whole alienness.” she said. “But I’m just starting to realize that he doesn’t. For some reason, he fell for you.” she said, and I shifted uncomfortably.

“Yeah well...it’s not as if I asked for it or anything. I didn't intend for it to happen.” I said uneasily.

“I know.” she sighed, “and I’m sorry for being rude to you. I was just…”

“Jealous?” I finished for her.

“Yeah, insanely,” she said laughing a little.

“So why are you telling me all of this?” I asked.

She shrugged. “I guess it’s my way of an apology.” she said, and then stuck out her hand for me to shake. “Friends?” she asked.

I stared at her hand for a long moment. I didn’t usually get into gushy crap like this, but I liked the idea of having friends. “Friends.” I said, shaking her hand.

[maxandliz4ever1357]

First off, I have no clue where this came from. I was just sitting there about to write, listening to the beautiful “Collide” by Howie Day and this is what came out. *Sigh* that song is so pretty. If you have it I strongly suggest you listen to it while reading. Writing the words out never really does a song justice Anyways, I’ve never used a song in a fic before, so I hope it’s ok!

Part 15

I stood at his door nervously, shifting from foot to foot. Why was I doing this again? I mean, I know Kate invited me, but she was probably just being polite. It's not like anyone would actually want me there. I shook my head and turned, having every intention of walking back to my house and forgetting this insane streak when the door opened.

“We have more out in the…” Max was saying over his shoulder. He drifted off when he saw me standing at the door. “Oh, Hi.” he said awkwardly.

“Hello.” I said in a stiff voice.

“What are you doing here?" he questioned.

“Actually Kate invited me over. She said you were having a get together with everyone.” I replied nervously.

His eyebrows rose in surprise. “Kate invited you?” he asked.

“Uh yeah.” I said defensively, and then shook my head. "This was a mistake. I should go.” I said, turning to leave. He opened his mouth to say something when Katie suddenly appeared at his side.

“Max, what’s taking you so long?” she asked. Then she caught sight of me and said happily, “Liz, Your here! Come on.” she said, grabbing my wrist and pulling me into the house.

“Uh, no maybe I shouldn’t…” I said, but my words fell to deaf ears. I walked in to find everyone there, dancing and eating and laughing. They all turned to look at us and fell silent when they saw me.

“What’s she doing here?” Michael asked in typical Michael manner.

Kate sent him a look. “I invited her.” she said, pulling me over to the snacks table. “Get over it Michael.”

Michael glared but didn’t say anything, and eventually everyone started to talk again. Maria walked over to us.

“Hey Liz.” she said in an ‘I come in peace’ kind of way.

“Hi.” I said cautiously.

“Ugh, let me go see what’s taking Max so long. All he had to do was find some tobacco sauce. Can’t guys do anything by themselves?” she asked, rolling her eyes. She left, leaving Maria and I alone.

“So listen Liz.” she started. “I know I haven’t been very nice to you lately, and I’m sorry. It’s just that, Kate’s my best friend, and it was kind of obvious that you had a thing for Max and he had one for you…” she said, and I coughed uncomfortably. “Well anyways, if Kate’s willing to make peace than so am I.” she said.

“Um thanks.” I said uncertainly. She nodded and then started listening to the radio again. A new song came on and she let out a squeal, making me jump.

The dawn is breaking
A light shining through
You're barely waking
And I'm tangled up in you

“I love this song!” she said happily, running over to Michael and grabbing his arm. “Dance with me Spaceboy!”

“Maria.” he grunted, not moving from his seat.

She rolled her eyes. “Oh come on. You didn’t take dance lessons for nothing.” she said, tapping her foot impatiently.

Alex, Isabel, and Kyle started to snicker as Michael's face turned red. “Maria!" he hissed, and she gave him a look. "Fine.” he muttered standing up.

Alex walked over to Isabel. “My lady?” he said, giving a funny little bow. Isabel giggled and took his outstretched hand.

I'm open, you're closed
Where I follow, you'll go
I worry I won't see your face
Light up again

Tess shifted her eyes to Kyle, who slowly walked over to her. “Want to dance?” he asked her awkwardly. “I mean, since the king isn’t here and all.” he added.

She stared at him and then nodded, taking his hand. And just like that I was all alone, couples all around me and Howie Day crooning on the radio. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Max and Kate walked back in from the garage. I felt my stomach clench, knowing they were going to pair off next and leave me awkward and alone over by the Cheeto bowl. To my surprise, however, Kate reached up and whispered something in his ear. He nodded and she moved off to the side as Max made his way toward me.

“Hey.” he said nervously.

“Um, Hi.” I said, and then added, “I think we’ve had this conversation before.”

“Right.” he said. “So, want to dance?” he asked, holding out his hand. I stared at it warily.

“Max…” I said slowly.

“It’s a dance, not a marriage vow.” he said, smiling slightly. I nodded reluctantly and took his hand, letting him lead me over to the others.

Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the wrong words seem to rhyme
Out of the doubt that fills my mind
I somehow find
You and I collide

He wrapped his arms around me. I breathed in his unique scent, and then sighed and snuggled closer. His embrace felt safe, like nothing bad could ever happen as long as I stayed there.

I'm quiet, you know
You make a first impression
I've found I'm scared to know I'm always on your mind

We moved together slowly, following the rhythm of the song. He pulled me closer, and I wrapped my arms around his neck. I let him lead, trusting him completely. It was such a strange feeling, since I was never very trusting. Strange and scary.

“Max…” I started, pulling back and looking away from him.

He felt my withdrawal and cupped my cheek, moving my gaze back to his. "What are you so afraid of?” he asked quietly.

Don't stop here
I lost my place
I'm close behind

“I...I don’t know.” I said, tears filling my eyes. “Nothing...everything.” I whispered confusedly.

Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the wrong words seem to rhyme
Out of the doubt that fills your mind
You finally find
You and I collide

He stared at me seriously as the song ended, and then bent down, moving his lips close to mine. I stared into his eyes, and then felt mine start to drift closed. He shifted closer, and I could feel his hot breath of my face--

“Max!”

His head snapped up abruptly. Startled by the interruption, I quickly moved away from him, and turned to see Tess standing with her hands on her hips.

“Yeah?” he asked, sounding annoyed.

“I think I lost one of my bracelets,” she said, hoisting a fake look of concern on her face. I glanced over her shoulder and saw Kyle glaring at her reproachfully. Yup, apparently your second best, buddy.

“Tess—” Max started, but I interrupted him.

“I’m gonna go, ok?” I asked, already moving toward the door. I didn’t notice how everyone had gone quiet and was staring at either Max or me.

“Liz, wait—”

“No, I just remembered I had a... project due tomorrow, and I have to work on it.” I said. “Bye.”

And then I walked out the door.

[maxandliz4ever1357]

Sorry for the long wait guys!!! Do you hate me for it ?? I've been so busy (counselor at a horse camp) and I haven't been very punctual with any of my updates! So sorry!!! Anyways, here's the next part, hope you like!

Thanks for all the feedback!!! I love you guys for it!!!!

<center>Part 16</center>



I had made it halfway when I heard someone running towards me. I didn’t stop walking, but looked over my shoulder and said, “Go home Max.”

He caught up with me. “I can’t, no spaceship,” he said. I snorted and continued on my way. “Look, would you please stop walking away from me?” he asked, grabbing my shoulders and turning me to face him.

“Let go.” I said, struggling in his grip.

“No.” he said again, increasing his hold at my stuggling.

“Why me?!” I burst out. “You have two other girls in there who would sell their souls for you to be in love with them. Why me??” I reiterated.

He stared at me incredulously. “You think I had a choice in the matter? I have my best friend in there, who I risked my entire life for, and I don’t love her like that. I have a wife from another planet that I hardly care for, and supposedly we had some great love back in a life that I can’t remember. By any right it should be her that I feel this way for, but it’s not. We can’t pick who we love, it just happens.”

“Is there a point hidden somewhere in there?” I asked, but the would be sarcastic comment came out sounding breathless. Why is it I lose every ounce of sanity I have while I’m around him?

“Yes.” he said, almost angrily. “I love you! And you love me too, but your scared. And I don’t know why.” he said, and then an anxious look came to his eyes. “Is it what I am?” he asked hesitantly, letting go of my shoulders and taking a step back. “Are you...scared of me?”

I stared at him, surprised he even had to ask. “No, of course not! I’ve told you that before.” I replied honestly.

“Then what?” he asked, looking thoroughly confused.

“Do you know what my other boyfriend was like?” I asked, not answering his question. “He was a jackass; only out for one thing. But despite that, somehow towards the beginning of our relationship I cared about him. I might have even loved him.” I said, blinking back unexpected tears. “But then I figured out what a pig he was….and I...I don’t know I put up a wall. It kept me from caring about him, so when he broke up with me because I wouldn’t give him what he wanted, it didn’t hurt. I guess I kept the wall even after he was gone.” I said softly, coming to the realization as I spoke the words.

“I'm sorry." he said, sounding as if he truly meant it. "But I'm not like him. I won’t hurt you.” he promised earnestly, lowering his lips to mine. I let him, even though I knew that this would change things. I wouldn’t be able to run anymore after this... but then I realized I didn’t want to. I wanted to stay right here, in his arms, forever. And the feeling wasn't so scary this time.

I leaned into him, melting in his arms. I was about to grant his tongue entrance into my mouth when the trashcans three feet away from us blew 10 feet in the air and then landed back to the ground, smoking.

Max broke away from me and ducked behind the bushes in his front yard, pulling me with him. He peeked out from them, and a series of blasts erupted all around us.

“Shit, is it them?” I asked, unable to keep the panic out of my voice.

“Come on!” he said, grabbing my hand. We made a break for the Evans’ house. As we entered everyone rushed up to us, looking pale and frightened.

“What happened, Max? We heard a bang…” Isabel started, her tone very different from her usual Ice princess one.

“Skins.” Max replied simply, and everyone caught his drift. “Listen, we have to get rid of these people once and for all.” he said, and I was surprised yet again at how easily he became the leader of his people. I knew for a fact that whether he was leading the group surrounding him at this moment or a whole race of people, he would be great at it.

“How Max? We thought we’d already done that.” Isabel said, sounding exhausted and hopeless. It hit me, not for the first time, how hard their lives must have been. I gripped Max's hand harder.

“We fight.” he said, and then started barking out orders. “Isabel and Michael, come with me. Use your fire power. Tess, mindwarp anyone looking. Make it seem like an empty street. God knows we don’t need to alert the FBI or anyone else.” He said, a shadow passing over his face. A second later it was gone and his mask was back in place.

“Everyone ready?” he asked, and the other aliens nodded.

“Wait!” I said as he started to let go of my hand. “What do I do?” I asked.

His face softened and his emotions shown through. He leaned down and kissed me gently, and then pulled away. “No matter what, stay here.” he said seriously.

“But Max—”

“Liz, please!” he interrupted, and I saw a small flicker or fear in his eyes. I nodded, trying to swallow me tears.

“Max…be careful.” I said, my voice thick. He bent down and pecked me on the lips again, and then followed Isabel and Michael out of the house. Tess stood in the doorway, the same look of concentration on her face that I had seen her where once before. I couldn’t help but stand beside her, watching the action taking place.

Max was alternating between putting up his shield to protect them all and firing at the enemies. Isabel and Michael fired every time the green barrier was out of their way, determined looks on their faces. I stared over at the other side of the street, seeing the skins darting and weaving around the houses. I hoped that Max and the others had a way to repair the damage to the houses surrounding the battle, because everything within a five mile radius was going to be scorched to hell.

Max lowered his shield and started firing at the same moment a large man with a horrible peeling face took aim. I waited for Max to catch sight of him and put his shield back up, but he didn’t. Max didn’t see him.

Without a second thought I darted out of the house before Alex and Maria had a chance to stop me. I broke into a dead run, pummeling into Max and knocking both of us to the ground. The pavement hissed as the skin’s shot hit the ground not two feet away from us, right where Max used to be standing. Max stared at the mark as if in a daze, and then cast an angry look in my direction.

“I told you to stay inside!” he yelled, jumping up and putting his shield up with one hand. With the other he helped me up, still fuming. “You could have been killed! Have you lost your mind?”

I stared at him incredulously. “I just saved your life!” I shouted.

“At risk to your own!” he yelled right back without missing a beat. Then the anger died from his face and he pulled me into a one armed hug. “Damn it Liz! Can’t you just listen to me for once?” he asked softly, and I felt a connection open up between us. I felt all of his emotions, including his love for me and his fear for my safety flow into me. But I felt something else too, like a tickle at the back of my mind. It almost felt like my mind was expanding somehow.

I instinctively sent my love back to him through the connection, finally letting him in, and felt the feeling grow. I pulled back with a gasp, wondering what was going on and figuring it must be the connection, but the tickle didn’t go away when we lost contact. If anything it seemed to grow as I looked into Max’s slightly hurt eyes. My own eyes widened as I began to feel energy flowing through my body, as if it filled my veins. I could imagine every molecule of energy in my being, and I felt as if I just raised my hand and focused, it would flow out of me easily.

Something freaky was going on.

“Max!” Isabel yelled, breaking me out of my spell and gaining Max’s attention. He turned to her and she pointed at a figure through the shield. Standing in the middle of the street was a man of about 25. He was about 6 feet tall and his features were the exact opposite of Max's. I could tell even through the green shield that his hair was a striking blonde and his eyes were very light in color, probably blue.

The man waited until he had our attention and then said in a booming voice, “This is my enemy and main competition, King Zan? A teenager who can barely keep a defensive shield in place?” he scoffed, giving a distinctly evil laugh.

Ignoring the strange feelings coursing through my body from our earlier connection, I whispered to Max, “Who is he?”

His answer was simple, one word.

“Khivar.”

[maxandliz4ever1357]

I am soo sorry guys!! I've just had a very hectic (and kind of bad) week. I got back on Friday, and then someone who I didn't know personally but we're a friend of their family's, died in a car wreck (she was only 17 and she wasn't even driving badly ) So among the fourth of July parties, we had a viewing and funeral, and it just got me so depressed, and then out of the blue we left for the beach for two days. I hope you guys understand!!!

And this is a little short, I know, but I hope you enjoy!

<center>Part 17</center>

“Ki-who?” I asked, not comprehending. He didn’t answer, just grabbed my hand protectively, and pushed me back behind him. Uh-oh, this must have been serious.

"Max?" I prodded.

“The short version is he’s the present ruler of our planet, and he's the one who killed us in our past lives.” Max replied, his tone clipped and short. He was also looking a little pale, and I knew he wouldn’t be able to hold the shield up for much longer.

“Oh,” I said dumbly.

“Tsk tsk, Zan. No need to be so defensive. Lower the shield so we can negotiate.” Khivar said, his voice full of confidence and power. He was obviously used to people listening to him without question.

“Negotiate?” Max yelled harshly. “Is that political talk for killing all of us?”

Khivar pretended to be hurt. “Ah, who said I was going to kill you? I merely wanted to discuss our current... situation.” he said, and looked thoughtfully at Max from behind the shield. “I’m tired of talking to you through that.” he said, lifting his hand and effortlessly sending a bolt of energy into the already weakened shield. It flickered and then went out as Max half collapsed. I saw him fall and quickly threw his arm over my shoulder, helping him stand up.

Khivar was looking at us with an amused grin on his face. “Who’s the little human chick?” he asked, pointing towards me. Max’s arm tightened around my shoulders.

“No one of your concern.” he said, his voice giving away that he realized we were all standing here in front of their greatest enemy with no protection whatsoever. I, on the other hand, understood that we were safe for the moment. It was clear that this Khivar character wanted to play with us first.

Khivar studied Max’s possessiveness towards me thoughtfully. “Surely she's not your queen? I was told they sent one down with you, that pretty little Ava, and even if they hadn’t, why on earth would you pick a weak and pathetic human?”

You know how when you're really scared you don’t think about things, and sometimes end up doing something really stupid? Well that’s what happened to me. Before I knew it I had pulled away from Max’s embrace and was yelling, “Pathetic? Who're you calling pathetic, you egotistical ass!” I started to walk towards him until I felt Max’s restraining hand on my arm. He jerked me back to him.

“What the hell do you think your doing?” he asked angrily, staring down into my face harshly.

I came back to my senses in that moment. “Shit! I’m sorry! I do this thing where when I get really scared I get stupid!” I told him, and he pulled me tighter against him.

“Max—” I heard Isabel say from beside us. Khivar looked over her way as if noticing her for the first time. “Oh!” he said delightedly. “Vilandra! So wonderful to see you again. You're looking exceptionally beautiful.” he said, but the complement came out sounding more mocking than anything.

Isabel held her chin up in haughty distain. “And you are exceptionally sickening.” she said, but there was a small tremor in her voice.

Khivar let out another laugh. “Is that any way to greet your old ally? You do remember that is was you who betrayed your family and friends, and led them to their deaths don’t you? And all because of your love for me.” he said, laughing once more. I stared at Isabel, wondering what Khivar was talking about. I glanced back at Max, but he didn’t look surprised by what his enemy was saying. Apparently they had known about this already.

“You fooled me.” Isabel said, her eyes narrowed in anger. “You told me that you wanted to meet my brother to sign a peace treaty. You turned my feelings against me and used them to kill us all.”

“Yes, and it was so much fun.” he replied casually.

I turned to Max. “What is he talking about?” I demanded. I knew that it was a really bad time to ask, but I couldn’t help it. I hated to be left out of a secret.

“What? About Isabel?” he asked. “I’ll tell you later.”

“No, I want to—” I started, but was cut off when he pressed his lips against mine. It only lasted seconds, and then he pulled away.

“Your being stupid again.” he said, smiling fondly.

I was about to reply when a throat cleared somewhere near us, and we turned to see Khivar staring.

“Hm, so it is true, this is the one you have chosen as your queen. What, may I ask, is so special about this human?” he asked, saying the word ‘human’ as if he was talking about a fly or a cockroach. Max didn’t reply, so Khivar said, “Not willing to tell me, are you? Well then I’ll just have to find out for myself.” As he said these words, he stared at me and raised his hand, holding his palm outwards. I felt my feet take a step forward, and then another, and then another.

“Liz, no! What are you doing?” Max asked in a panicky voice, grabbing my arm. Khivar raised his other hand, and the next second Max went flying through the air. I gasped and told my feet to run towards him, but they didn’t work. They just kept walking toward Khivar. I reached him and he turned me around, wrapping one of his arms around me and holding his hand up to my head. Max had gotten up and started running towards us when Khivar said, “Auh, auh, auh. One more step and I kill her.” he said, sliding his hand down my cheek.

“Let her go!” Max said, his eyes flashing in fear, which only made my own fear grow.

“Nah, I don’t think so.” Khivar said, sounding as if he was bating Max.

“What do you want from us?” he asked, going into barter mode. He’d give Khivar anything he wanted to get him to let me go.

“I want you dead.” he said simply. “When we killed you back on Antar, we never imagined that your worthless mother would send clones of the royal family to this pitiful planet. No one ever found out that you existed, so everything had been just fine; I ruled, and the people submitted.” he said. I closed my eyes and tried to clear my mind of my fear. When the panic stopped overriding me, I realized that I was still feeling that strange sort of power that I had felt after Max connected with me.

Khivar continued, oblivious to my thoughts. “But lately, there had been rumors, whispers about Zan returning from the dead. The resistance became more active, and eventually started an uprising. We squashed it pretty quickly, but they were getting stronger. We resulted to placing spies in their midst, and eventually we came across some valuable information. Apparently Zan, Ava, Vilandra, and Rath had been cloned and sent to earth. So here I am.” he said. "You've given the people hope, and now they've started fighting. I can't have that now can I?"

Tuning out his words, I concentrated and tried to focus my mind on the power he had over me that rendered me unable to move. I closed my eyes and focused, and felt something release. I tried to move my fingers, and found, to my surprise, that I was able to.

I looked up at Khivar to see if he had noticed, but he was too busy hearing himself speak. Not even aware of what he was saying anymore, I concentrated, trying to release the rest of my body. After about a minute of this, I felt as if a huge burden had dropped off me, and without a second thought I rammed my elbow back into Khivar’s stomach.

He let out a gasp of surprise, and for a second his grip loosened on me. I brought my elbow to his stomach again, and then snapped my foot back into his groin. This caused his grip to effectively weaken, and I jerked away, taking off towards Max.

“Oh no you don’t, bitch!” Khivar yelled, and I turned to see him holding his hand up at me. I felt the energy he was building up to throw at me, and I concentrated on building up my own. I didn’t know what I was doing, or how I was doing it, but I felt more powerful than I had ever been in my life.

Right as Khivar focused to shoot his energy at me, I raised my hand and sent my own in his direction. I watched in shock as he flew back 30 feet and hit the wall of neighboring house. There was dead silence as we all stared at Khivar flat on his back, and then Michael spoke up.

“Max, I don’t think your girlfriend is normal.”

[maxandliz4ever1357]

A big thanks to:

kay_b
taressa05
RASaero611
Timelord31
Michelle
Lizza
Gaby7tvm
loviedovie
lizard_queen
I am a dreamer
Emz80m
hazz
linliz68
obsession

Thanks so much guys!!! Here's the next part, it's a short one, sorry! Hope you enjoy!

<center>Part 18</center>

There was more silence after Michael’s somewhat obvious statement, in which I alternately stared at my hand and Khivar in fascination. The silence remained thick until—

“Max!!” Tess yelled, running over to them. She looked exhausted and extremely worried.

“Tess what—?” Max started.

“Max, someone heard that last blast, the one that knocked Khivar on his ass.” she said quickly, waving her arms frantically. “No one saw what happened, but I lost the mindwarp for a second and—” she was cut off by the sound of a police car wailing.

“Shit!” Max exclaimed, and I realized that the sounds were close… and getting closer every second. The skins also appeared to realize this, because they crept out of their hiding places, grabbed their leader and fled.

“Guess they want to keep a low profile.” I said in amusement, though there was little to be amused about.

Everyone ignored me. “Tess, can you put the mind warp back up for a second while I get rid of the scorch marks?” Max asked gesturing toward the houses, where burn marks were evident. The short blonde nodded, and then closed her eyes. Max and the others held up their hands, and I watched in fascination as the marks and damage disappeared.

“Ok, let’s get inside, and if anyone questions us, two guys were fighting out here, and one through the other against the wall.” he commanded as we entered the house.

“Max, tell me Liz didn’t do what I think she did.” Isabel said, looking doubtful and worried.

Max opened his mouth to speak, but then shut it again, looking baffled. Everyone turned to me, looking expectant.

“Oh, yeah, like I understand it any better than you do.” I said, rolling my eyes. “Maybe I’m an alien.”

This emitted a wide-eyed look from Max, a scowl from Michael, and gasps from Isabel and Tess. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes again. “I was kidding. I know I’m not an alien.” I frowned. “Or at least, I don’t think I am. I’ve never felt anything like that until…” I trailed off, meeting Max’s eyes. A spark of understanding went through those dark amber depths.

“Until what?” Tess said impatiently, noticing the way Max and I were looking at each other.

“Until we connected.” Max responded in a quiet but clear voice. “Do you think that could have anything to do with your… uh, powers?” he asked, speaking directly to me.

I shrugged helplessly. “I don’t know, I’m new to all the alien stuff.”

“But Michael and I have connected before.” Maria said, catching on and sending us a confused look. “And I’ve never developed powers.”

We all sat back and thought about that. What was different between Michael and Maria and Max and me? Max and I have kissed, but I’m sure they’ve done that too. We’ve connected, but as Maria pointed out, they have too. So what could possibly—

“He healed you.” a quiet voice said, and we turned to see Kate staring at me with a contemplative expression.

“Yeah,” Max conceded, “But I healed you too, and you didn’t develop powers.” Kate shrugged.

“Well, you connected with her, and I’m assuming you love her, so that could have triggered it.” she offered. “Or the fact that you healed her mind could be the key. I mean, didn’t Nasedo say that your powers are actually human capabilities, but your brains are much more evolved than us?”

Maria snorted. “If that’s true then why is Michael failing in almost every subject he takes?” she quipped.

“Maria!” he said, sending her a glare that was cold enough to freeze water. Maria simply shrugged, apparently unaffected by his scowl.

I half-listened to them bicker, my scientific mind taking in what Kate had said.

“If that’s true, then your saying that I expanded her use of her brain or something?” Max asked slowly.

“Do you see any other option?” Kate asked.

“So… so what?” I asked, getting a tad hysterical. “Am I some… some mutant freak now?” I asked, my voice raising an octave.

“Liz—” Max started.

“No, no, it’s true, right? I’m not alien, but I’m not quite human, so what am I?” I asked.

“Useful.” Michael replied simply. I turned to look at him.

“What the hell are you talking about?” I asked him. Max sent Michael a warning look.

“No, look, here me out. We could use her help. If she really has got powers, then maybe we should train her, teach her how to use them. You know, figure out what she can do, and how powerful she is.”

“Uh, hello?” I said, waving my hand in the air. “I’m not some toy or weapon or whatever. If I don’t want to be trained, then you can’t make me.” I replied somewhat childishly, crossing my arms over my chest.

“She’s just doing that to be difficult.” Tess grumbled, looking sulky. “If she doesn’t want to do it, don’t force her.” she said in a louder voice, but I could tell it wasn’t for my own benefit, but because she didn’t want me to become an important member of their group. I narrowed my eyes are her.

“I’ll do it.”

[maxandliz4ever1357]

Thanks for the feedback everyone!!!! This part's not my favorite in the world, so I hope it's ok! lol, I have added Part 19 on the 19th, and it's located on page 19. Weird !

Anyway, hope you like! Thanks again for the FB!!!

Part 19

“Focus!”

“I am!”

“Then focus harder!”

I threw up my hands up in frustration, causing the lamp behind me to break. I cringed and ran over to it, assessing the damage. Smashed to smithereens. Yikes.

“Oh, good going Liz!” Isabel said, looking annoyed.

“Well maybe if you didn’t try to piss me off, I wouldn’t lose my temper like this!” I exclaimed, breathing deeply. I started to throw my hands up again, but then thought better of it.

“Both of you calm down.” Max said quietly, walking over to the lamp and holding his hand over it. Within seconds the lamp was whole again; he set it back on the table and turned towards us.

“Maybe Isabel working with you wasn’t such a good idea.” he said, shoving his hands in his pockets.

“Well maybe if Isabel was a little more patient, I’d be able to get it.” I huffed. I had been trying for the last hour and a half to make a glass of water turn into ice. Most of the time it ended up a few degrees cooler, sometimes the glass broke, and once I think I turned it into snow.

“Well maybe if you weren’t so difficult, you’d be able to do it right.” Isabel huffed right back.

“Enough.” Max said in a soft but firm voice. He rubbed his eyes wearily. “What have we figured out so far?”

“That Liz is a lot more volatile than you or me.” Isabel said immediately. I sent her a dirty look, which she returned steadily. “Well, you are! She’s more like Michael.” Isabel added to Max.

“But that could just be because she’s new at this.” Max said.

“Maybe.” Isabel conceded.

"So what else?" Mac pressed.

Isabel considered for a moment. “She seems powerful. As much as you, Tess, Michael, and me.”

“Hey,” I said, annoyed that they were talking about me as if I wasn't there. “still in the room.”

Isabel rolled her eyes, but Max turned to me. “Why don’t I help you?” he asked, walking towards me. I resisted the urge to throw myself at him, shrugging nonchalantly. He took this as consent and walked over to me, grabbing my hand. I felt a shiver pass through me as he put my hand up to the cup of water.

“Now concentrate. Let your mind blank out.” he said soothingly, keeping his hand pressed to the back of mine. “Picture the water getting cooler, turning hard… close your eyes if it helps.” he instructed. Despite my rapidly beating heart I closed my eyes obediently and imagined the water turning into ice. I concentrated for about a minute, and then felt something shift. My hand suddenly felt cold, and my eyes popped open.

“Look!” I exclaimed. “It’s ice!” Without thinking I flung my arms around him, bringing his lips to mine. He responded immediately, wrapping his arms around me.

“Oh sick.” Isabel said disgustedly, her voice bringing me back to my senses. I pulled away from Max, ignoring his small moan of protest.

“Ok, what now?”

<center> ********** </center>

I walked up into my room, exhausted from the power session, but very pleased. After turning the water to ice, I managed to change the color of Max’s wall in his room, and then open and close the door with a wave of my hand. I started to change, about to strip my shirt off, when my mother knocked on the door. I quickly lowered my shirt and told her to come in.

“Hey mom, what’s—” I started.

“What were you doing over there, Liz?? And don’t you dare lie to me.” My mom said, her voice hard and serious.

I crossed my arms over my chest at the accusation and certainty in her voice. More nervous than I wanted to admit, I snapped, “Why don’t you tell me what I was doing, since you seem to know.”

She waved her finger at me. “Don’t you dare get smart with me!” she exclaimed, and then started pacing and talking in Italian. I didn’t understand any of it, since our family’s never even been to Italy, and we’re certainly not from there. My mother decided she needed to spice up her life a little, so she took a class on the language. Now she could curse all she wanted, and no one would be able to understand her.

“Uh, mom, English is preferable.” I stated, staring at her.

“I don’t know what’s gotten into you lately! You go over there every day, disappearing for hours at a time, and I know you’re seeing that boy, don’t even try to deny it. I also know that both his parents work during the day so you’d be there alone—”

“You think I’m sleeping with him.” I stated, dumbstruck. My mom’s never worried about things like this before.

My mother inhaled sharply. “Are you?”

“Yeah, and I’m pregnant!” I snapped, suddenly too angry to see straight.

“What!??” My mom yelled, looking horrified. “Elizabeth Parker how could you be so—!”

“I was joking!” I yelled. “And how dare you barge into my room, accusing my of things that you're so sure I’m doing without even asking me about it!”

“You are aren't you?" she asked tearfully, ignoring my words. "Oh, Lizzie! Are you at least using protection? If not, we need to go out and get--"

I stood up and started to pace, too agitated to sit still. “Of course I’m not, mom!" I interrupted. "And if I was, I'd certainly use protection, I'm not an idiot!" I said, hurt seeping into my voice. “And how could you barge in here like this, positive that I am, when you never even asked me?”

She took a deep breath and regained her composure. “I’m sorry Liz.” she said sincerely. “But ever since this move… you’ve been so closed off. I don’t feel like I even know you anymore.”

“Did you ever?” I asked softly. I didn’t want to hurt her feelings, but it was true. My mother and I never got along.

“I try to.” she said honestly. “But you don’t let me in.”

“I’m 17, mom. Nobody my age lets their parents in.” I informed her. “You're just going to have ot trust me."

She stood up and walked slowly to the door. “Just know… that you can always come to me… if something’s wrong.”

I nodded at her, and she walked out the door without another word. With a small crashing sound, my light blew out, the bulb shattering and sending sparks and glass all over my room.

<center> ****** </center>

I woke up groggily, feeling as if something wasn't right. Listening to the sounds around me, I realized that the phone was ringing beside me. I groaned and glanced at my clock, wondering who would calling me so late. Then I realized it was only 8:30; I must have gotten really tired from our training session.

I picked it up and held it to my ear. "Hello?" I said, somewhat annoyed at the caller for waking me up.

"Liz?" Max asked through the receiver.

"Hey." I said, sitting up quickly. "What's up? Is everything ok?" I asked, worried that he was calling because something was wrong.

"No, no." he said, but then stopped there. I waited for him to continue and tell me why he called, but the words didn't come.

"Was there something you wanted?" I asked hesitatingly.

"Uh yeah." he said, and I heard him take a deep breath. "Have you ever been to Senor Chow's?" he asked, his voice nervous and quivering.

Was this why he called? To ask me whether or not I'd been to a certain restaurant? "Uh... no." I said slowly.

“Oh, well. It’s great. The food’s really good, and they have fortune cookies, which are always fun…” he rambled.

“Thanks for the recommendation.” I said, very confused. “I’ll… I’ll be sure to go there sometime.”

“No, that’s not what meant!” he said. “I wanted to know if you'd like to go… you know, with me?” he asked in a rush.

“Like a date?” I blurted excitedly.

“Oh... No!” he said, much to my disappointment. “I mean, not if you don’t want it to be… but if you do, then yeah.” he added, and my heart lifted.

I felt joy and shock run through me. Of all the things I had expected, this wasn’t it. I guess I sat there thinking about how lucky I was for too long, because he said, “Look, if you don’t want to… I get it. I should just—”

“No!” I yelled loudly. “I mean, no. I definitely want to go.” I assured him.

“Really?” he breathed. “Um, is 8:00 tomorrow night ok?”

“Perfect!” I beamed. After that we said goodbye to each other and then hung up.

“Perfect.” I repeated to myself.