Fleeing Roswell (AU, CC, TEEN)

[magikhands]

ooc: no problem isabel...I'll be back tomorrow with Max and Alex post

[KatnotKath]

OOC: sorry guys, with christmas, being sick and exams, just haven't been posting as I should I know. Hope this is okay though

~Liz~

As the subject moves onto what we're doing next, driving arrangements and such, I try to force myself to concentrate a little, although half my attention is still focused on Max of course... I'm more than surprised to find Tess actually suggesting that I ride with Max, but then her look over at Kyle tells me that she's not thinking of me in this, more keeping an eye on the member of the group who everyone's still uncertain about... I do feel sorry for him in a way, he never asked to be pulled into this, and while the rest of us did, he didn't have a choice... I know it must be incredibly hard for him, and I promise myself that later, next time we stop perhaps, when I know that Max is okay, I'll take some more time to really talk to him.

When Max pushes his food away from him, stating that he's finished, I can't help noting that he has hardly eaten anything, and that worry is back full strength as he attempts to crack a joke about joining him in the shower. I think his tone shows that he's till fragile, and that does rather flatten any attempt at levity for me, and most of the other group I imagine. We're so used to him being strong, being the leader and knowing what to do all the time... I'm not saying we follow without question, we don't, but we're not used to seeing Max like this, and it almost scares me...

I keep thinking about what could have happened had we not got there when we did, but more than that, I keep thinking about what DID happen, the things he's trying to block from me, the things he's trying to hide... I swallow and bite my lip, watching as Michael leads Max away. I know it's not practical, but I wish I could go with him...I wish I could be with him and help...

Chewing my lip, I vaguely register Kyle say something, but I don't hear what as I clench my fists and try to stay calm. Is he alright, is something else wrong...? My worries are understandable, and yet at the same time silly, and I know I can't go after them, and yet...

I stand up, looking over at the others. "I'm...uh...going to go and see if there's a restroom..." I excuse myself with the only excuse I can think of, finding myself heading the same way Michael and Max went against my best judgement, and quickening my pace to try and catch up with them as soon as I'm out of sight of the rest of the group.

[StormWolfstone]

bumping this..... I'll be trying to get things situated so that I can post by the end of the weekend.

[magikhands]

Sorry, I lost track of this one I'll be back soon with posts

[isabelle]

*Michael*

I lead Max toward the entrance of the restaurant and then we turn towards the gift shop. I give the lady there a twenty that had just recently been one of the singles she'd given me as change. "One shower," I say.

"Only one person per shower," she insists again, looking at us suspiciously.

"It's just for him," I say, trying not to bristle at her attitude. Max doesn't need it. For a moment, I concider getting a second ticket but Max is standing and walking on his own all right. I don't think he'll really need that sort of help. And hell, if he does, I'll manage without a ticket.

I take the change, smiling to myself. I've certainly gotten good mileage on that one twenty dollar bill that Maria gave me. "This way," I say, gesturing with my head as I stuff the money back in my pocket. Just as we start to walk past the restrooms, Liz suddenly catches up with us.

"Is there a problem?" I ask her, hoping that Kyle hasn't done something stupid.

[KatnotKath]

OOC: hope this doesn't come across too badly...

~LIz~

As soon as I catch up to them, I wonder if I'm being an idiot, but one look at Max is enough to reinforce my concern as much as I might try not to notice. He's still hurting...hurting in ways I can't even begin to help, and that's like a needle sticking into me, seeing him like this, and knowing there's little I can do...

"Is there a problem...?"

Michael looks at me and I swallow, half wondering what I'm doing here. This is so unlike me in some ways...it's crazy, and impulsive... "N-no..." I respond awkwardly, knowing that he doesn't like me being here. "I...uh...just wanted to check you two would be okay..." My explanation is awkward, silly and stilted, but I can't come up with anything else... Can't exactly tell Michael I wish I could get in the shower with Max now can I...?

"If she's going to be in there it's definitely two showers!"

I look round, hardly having noticed the woman before and looking down, not trusting myself to meet anyone's eyes right now as I shake my head. "N-no...I was just being silly...I should...uh...probably go back and join the others..." I murmur, feeling my cheeks flush although I make no move to leave despite my words...

[magikhands]

Max

Michael purchases a ticket for my shower and hands it to me. The thought of hot water washing away the stink of Pierce sounded better than sleep at that moment. I was so involved in my thoughts that I didn't hear his exchange with the cashier.

"This way," He says and points the way.

"Thanks." I say quietly. But before we could get a couple of feet Liz catches up with us.

"Is there a problem?" Michael asks and I see his body tense. I bite my tongue to keep from critizing Michael for his tone. We are not in the safest of positions so if his tone is a little harsh I'm sure it's warrented.

"N-no...I...uh...just wanted to check you two would be okay..."

I can see how she is nervous and it warms my heart. I know she's checking on me and probably wants to help me.

"If she's going to be in there it's definitely two showers!" The cashier butts in.

"N-no...I was just being silly...I should...uh...probably go back and join the others..." She murmurs and blushes.

I can't help but think how adorable she looks with her cheeks flushed. If I'm honest, she's beautiful like that.

I bend my head down and kiss her gently on her cheek. "I'll be fine. Michael will be close by," I glance over at him and I see a slight nod. I reach up and caress where my lips had laid my kiss. "I just need a few minutes." I look her in the eye and hope she understands. "I need to catch my breath, to be alone. Then we'll leave." I assure her.

She nods and I can't stop myself from brushing another kiss over her lips before starting off toward the showers. I know Michael is behind me but I don't look back.

"I'll call if I need anything." I tell Michael when I opened the door. I wanted time alone. No I needed this time.

Stepping in, I let out a relief of breath to find that it was empty. I went to the farthest shower stall and turned on the water. While it heated I discarded my clothing. Looking down at my chest I can see the faintest scar. It itched and I tried not to touch it but my fingers drifted up and traced the line that went down my sternum.

My throat felt thick and forced myself to look away. Steam was rising in the air from the heat of the water. Adjusting the water so it was as hot as I could stand I stepped under the flow. The heat ran over my body, warming my muscles and skin but it didn't reach the chill deep inside. It didn't come close to washing away the fear embedded deep in my heart.

As I stood there, head under the rushing water, I opened my mouth and let out a choked sob. Tears mingled with the water. I braced my hands against the wall for support. Another sob escaped and no matter how hard I held back they kept coming. Soon my legs weakened and I fell to my knees. Knowing I couldn't stop this, I cried. I let it out.

The cold and fear deep inside spread a little more as images of Pierce swept across my mind. I could still feel the pick of the needles in my arms, the coldness of the room, the pain the drugs caused in my body. I could hear Pierce's voice demanding answers to his questions. Answers I didn't know. Then the knife. I felt it as it cut through skin and the top layers of muscles. He was going to cut me open. He was going to make me feel every slice.

My body trembled and a hand went to my chest. I couldn't stop crying. I couldn't stop the fear that nearly paralyzed me. I tried to tell my body to get up off the shower floor, to unfold from the ball I'd curled up in, but my body wouldn't listen to my brain.

I don't know how long I was like that. It could have been five minutes or twenty-five minutes. When I next came back to reality, my tears were gone, I felt exhausted but the bitter cold was back in its place deep inside, the water was cool, and a hand was on my shoulder while a voice called my name.


ooc: Sorry, I got started and couldn't stop I'll try to think of an Alex tomorrow afternoon

[KatnotKath]

OOC: very cool magik...

~Liz~

Max kisses my cheek, and then again on my lips after assuring me he'll be fine, Michael is near, and he just needs some time alone.

I nod silently as he heads through the door, telling Michael he would call if needed. I should go back to the others probably, but I don't want to... I've eaten as much as I can, and all I'll be doing is worrying about Max. Michael is probably fuming at me being here, but you know what, this isn't about him! This is about Max...who I care about...

Biting my lip, and avoiding looking at Michael for 'fear' of what he might say, I wait around outside, pacing back and forth.

While he had said he would only be a few minutes, time passes, and a cold feeling passes over me as I look over at the door. I can't explain it, but I can't help thinking that there's something wrong...

Turning, I look over at Michael, shaking my head. "This doesn't 'feel' right...there's something wrong Michael...he's been in there too long..."

[isabelle]

*Michael*

Apparently Liz is just here to butt in and interfere. She doesn't seriously think she's going in the shower with him, does she? Max assures her that I'll be nearby, and I will. I'm not letting him out of my sight for any more time than it actually takes for him to shower.

After a few kisses with her, he's off. I stand nearby listening to the water run, anticipating how soon he'll be out. I'm thinking he should be about done, but I'm not seeing him and I can still hear the water running. He's not even getting dressed yet. I feel a strangely detatched sense of desolation and misery. Is that Max? Damn, I'm no good at this. I'm trying to sort it out and getting more and more worried.

Liz says something, but I don't even hear her. Don't even bother to talk to her. I don't have a shower token but I put my hand on the door and use my powers to get in. He's there, kneeling on the floor with the water running down over him.

I race over and drop to my knees beside him, wrapping my arms around him, heedless of my clothes in the spray of the shower. The water is warm but getting cooler, and I'm not even sure that Max knows I'm there. He's crying so hard.

"I'm here, Max. I'm here," I tell him. Rocking him, gently. He doesn't respond. I don't know what to do. I can't seem to reach him. I can't make him hear me. It's killing me to see him like this and it's all I can do to keep from crying, too. Max is Max. He's not supposed to be like this. "Max. It's okay. You're safe. I'm here, Max."

As the water cools, he eventually he stills, leaning against my arms. "Max. I'm here," I tell him again, hiding the sob that's not far from my throat. I think he actually hears me this time. I reach up and turn off the water. "You're going to get sick," I tell him, not sure if that's true. Normally, we never get sick and he does seem to be over the drugs, but I don't know if his system has really fully recovered. Obviously, his heart hasn't. The mark on his chest is angry and red, no longer bleeding but far from healed. I guess his powers aren't fully back.

I don't trust my powers to dry him off. Not now when my emotions are so out of control. Or are they his emotions? I don't know and I don't care. "Let me get you a towel," I tell him. Wrapping my arms more tightly around him and helping him to his feet. We walk a few feet to where his clothes are and I wrap him in the towel they provided.

He looks better when he's partly covered. Or at least, I think so. "You're going to be okay," I promise him again.

[KatnotKath]

OOC: hope this works

~Liz~

Michael goes into the shower room and I wait a second, watching the door begin to swing closed behind him before stepping forward and reaching out to stop it. I don't go in at the moment though, just listening...and waiting...

When Michael doesn't come back though, that feeling in the pit of my stomach is just getting worse and worse, and although I know Michael is probably going to want to kill me for this, I slip quietly through the door, stepping forward trepidently.

Upon seeing Michael with Max though, I don't care what he might think... He can be mad at me, he can be angry even, that's all up to him... It won't stop me worrying about Max though, and nor will it stop me wanting to help...or be there for him... He's the guy I love, the guy I'd do practically anything for...

"Max!" I walk towards them quickly, refusing to look at Michael for the moment as I look at him. "What happened, are you okay...?" In any other circumstance I would probably be blushing right now, feeling extremely concious of the fact that he's wearing nothing but a towel, but right now his state of undress hardly even registers in my mind. What I care about is the look in his eyes...that look which tells me he's hurting, and he's been crying...