Battersea (Mi/L, Rated MA) Chapter 8 7/9/07 [WIP]

[sixpacschic]

Title: Battersea
Author: Christina Buchanan
Email: SixPacsChic@hotmail.com
Rating: MA
Category: Mi/L
Summary: A dark little story about the twisted inner workings of Liz Parker’s mind.
Spoilers: Sexual Healing
Disclaimer: Nothing’s really mine. Don’t sue. Lyrics courtesy of Hooverphonic.
Author's Notes: Don’t really know where I’m going with this. Just feeling angsty. Title comes from one of my favorite Hooverphonic songs.

Battersea how it is
It’s over forget
Memories full of chocolate
I’ve got to get over it forget
Your world is different than mine
I’ve got to get over I’ve got to forget
And ’sgurd’ is the one I don’t like
I’m afraid of him I’ve got to forget

Knocking on the blue water
It’s over forget
Praline and chocolate ice
Got to get over, forget
Your world doesn’t match with mine
I’ve got to get over I’ve got to forget
And ’sgurd’ rules your friend’s life
I’m afraid of him I’ve got to forget
– Hooverphonic “Battersea”

“So after all your efforts with Max pay off, you dump him?”

I glanced up from my journal briefly as he climbed onto my balcony. “I wouldn’t expect you to understand.”

“You used him.”

“I think you have that a little backwards, Michael.”

“Do I?” he asked sharply.

I closed my journal and set it aside. “I was the one being treated like a View-Master, not him.”

“You owed it to him,” he stated.

“I owed him?”

“He saved your life,” Michael said.

“I never asked to be saved,” I pointed out.

“You ungrateful . . .” He trailed off clenching his fists angrily.

“Bitch?” I finished for him.

He narrowed his eyes at me.

“I’ll let you in on a little secret,” I continued. “I didn’t want to be saved either.”

“Excuse me?”

“I wanted to die,” I stated.

He shook his head. “You’re lying.”

“I’ll prove it,” I said. “Kiss me.”

“You’re out of your goddamn mind.”

I stood toe to toe with him. “Kiss me.”

He planted his hands on my shoulders and pushed me back. “No!”

“Why not?” I demanded. “I’ll even give Isabel a turn so no one feels left out.”

“This isn’t a game,” Michael snapped. “I don’t just kiss random people for information.”

I shrugged. “Max does.”

“He cares about you,” he defended.

“Maybe, but one day, he’ll leave the planet and I’ll just be a stepping stone that got him there.”

Michael sat down on the ledge and stared at his feet. He knew I was right.

“Look, you’re the one who wanted me gone from your exclusive little club,” I said. “You can’t just take it all back because you feel like being contrary.”

“I never–.” He swallowed thickly. “I never wanted you gone.”

“Could’ve fooled me,” I muttered turning toward my window. “Goodnight Michael.”

“Wait.”

I turned slightly. “What?”

“Does Max know that you wanted to die that day?” he asked.

“No,” I answered. “And not that I expect you to, but it’d be really nice if you didn’t tell him.”

“Still trying to spare his feelings?” he challenged.

“Hardly,” I said bitterly. “I just don’t want him trying to get me committed.”

He smirked. “Maybe you deserve to be.”

“One try was enough,” I told him. “And even if it wasn’t, Max wouldn’t let me die so there’s no point.”

[sixpacschic]

Title: Battersea
Author: Christina Buchanan
Email: SixPacsChic@hotmail.com
Rating: MA
Category: Mi/L
Summary: A dark little story about the twisted inner workings of Liz Parker’s mind.
Spoilers: Sexual Healing
Disclaimer: Nothing’s really mine. Don’t sue. Lyrics courtesy of Hooverphonic. Lyrics also from “Dancing Queen” by ABBA.
Author's Notes: Don’t really know where I’m going with this. Just feeling angsty. Title comes from one of my favorite Hooverphonic songs.

Battersea how it is
It’s over forget
Memories full of chocolate
I’ve got to get over it forget
Your world is different than mine
I’ve got to get over I’ve got to forget
And ’sgurd’ is the one I don’t like
I’m afraid of him I’ve got to forget

Knocking on the blue water
It’s over forget
Praline and chocolate ice
Got to get over, forget
Your world doesn’t match with mine
I’ve got to get over I’ve got to forget
And ’sgurd’ rules your friend’s life
I’m afraid of him I’ve got to forget
– Hooverphonic “Battersea”

“You what?!”

“I broke up with Max,” I repeated.

“But– but why?” Maria sputtered.

I shook my head. “It’s hard to explain.”

“Well, can you try?” Maria asked.

He used me! I wanted to scream, but I stayed silent while Alex rubbed my back consolingly.

“Okay, well, whatever it is, I’m sure you guys will work it out,” Maria assured me.

“There’s nothing to work out,” I muttered. “It’s over, for good.”

“Come on, you’re just saying that,” Maria said flippantly. “ Max loves you, and is well dressed, and comes from a good family . . .”

“And expected me to give it up to him in the middle of the desert,” I said bitterly

Maria paused mid-list. “Excuse me?”

“He even brought a condom,” I added.

“Oh, babe, I’m sorry,” she said.

If there was something Maria and I agreed on, it was that we wanted our first time to be special.

“I’ll be your partner in chem,” Alex offered.

I smiled slightly. “Thanks, Alex.”

“At least we’re all single together,” Maria said.

Alex raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

“Sadly, Michael and I didn’t work out,” Maria explained. “We’ve decided to be friends.”

I nodded. “Friends is good.”

“We’re going roller skating on Friday,” Maria told us. “Wanna come?”

“Me and the skates kinda disagree on me staying upright,” Alex said. “I’m gonna have to pass.”

“Come on, Liz, you know you want to go,” Maria coaxed. “They’ll probably even play our song.”

I gave her a doubtful look. “I don’t know, Maria.”

“You are the Dancing Queen, young and sweet, only seventeen,” Maria sang.”Dancing Queen, feel the beat–.”

I held up my hands in surrender. “Okay, I’ll go.”

Maria squealed and hugged me across the table.

After making arrangements for Friday, I excused myself to go to the library with the intention of taking a nap instead of going to gym. For once, the couch in the back wasn’t occupied by some horny couple so I stretched out, using my book bag as a pillow. If I was lucky, the librarian wouldn’t notice me for an hour.

“I don’t understand what I did wrong.”

“Girls have all sorts of hangups that we don’t understand, Maxwell.”

I stayed on the couch, not caring if they found me.

“Well, I did try to . . .” Max trailed off uncomfortable.

“To what?” Michael prodded.

“We almost had– you know.”

“If you can’t say it, Max, then you shouldn’t be doing it!” I called loudly.

Michael poked his head around the corner and then glanced back at Max. “She does have a point, Maxwell.”

“Shut up,” Max muttered as he came around the corner.

Michael walked up beside Max and stared down at me. “Skipping class, Liz?”

I yawned. “Didn’t feel like running laps today.”

He smirked. “Gonna be in lit?”

“If I feel like it,” I tossed back casually. “Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to finish my nap.”

“By all means,” Michael said walking back around the corner. “Come on, Max.”

“Look, I think we should talk,” Max said, ignoring Michael.

“You didn’t want to talk when you had your hand down my pants the other night when I was telling you to wait,” I snapped.

“I’m sorry. It won’t happen again,” he told me. “Give me another chance.”

I turned over facing the back of the couch. “Just leave me alone Max.”

“But–.”

“You’re just making it worse, man,” Michael said. “Come on.”

“She owes me!” Max hissed when he thought I was out of earshot.

I curled up tightly on the couch as the tears began to fall.

“Jesus Max, just because you save someone doesn’t give you free rein over their life,” Michael said. “She made a choice, now live with it.”

Was he defending me?

“I love her!” Max cried defensively.

“Then listen to her!” Michael shot back.

A sob tore its way out of my throat before I could suppress it.

“Shit, she can hear us,” Michael muttered. “Get out of here, Max.”

“I– .”

“Go!” Michael cut him off.

I heard Max exit the library as I felt Michael sit on the edge of the couch by my feet. “Do you want me to get Maria?”

I nodded. “Thank you.”

[sixpacschic]

Title: Battersea
Author: Christina Buchanan
Email: SixPacsChic@hotmail.com
Rating: MA
Category: Mi/L
Summary: A dark little story about the twisted inner workings of Liz Parker’s mind.
Spoilers: Sexual Healing
Disclaimer: Nothing’s really mine. Don’t sue. Lyrics courtesy of Hooverphonic.
Author's Notes: Don’t really know where I’m going with this. Just feeling angsty. Title comes from one of my favorite Hooverphonic songs.

Battersea how it is
It’s over forget
Memories full of chocolate
I’ve got to get over it forget
Your world is different than mine
I’ve got to get over I’ve got to forget
And ’sgurd’ is the one I don’t like
I’m afraid of him I’ve got to forget

Knocking on the blue water
It’s over forget
Praline and chocolate ice
Got to get over, forget
Your world doesn’t match with mine
I’ve got to get over I’ve got to forget
And ’sgurd’ rules your friend’s life
I’m afraid of him I’ve got to forget
– Hooverphonic “Battersea”

He placed his hand on my lower leg and began rubbing from my ankle to mid-calf. I sighed and let myself relax under the soothing rhythm. Before I had realized it his soothing caress had traveled up to the back of my knee. I turned to face him. “Hey . . .” The rest of the words died in my throat when I met his eyes.

He smirked almost daring me to tell him to stop.

I bit back a moan that as he leaned over me and his fingers brushed my inner thigh. This was way beyond the point of friendly contact and it had to stop. “Please–.”

“Shh,” he whispered in my ear as he stroked my panty clad sex.

I bit my lower lip and whimpered as his fingers inched their way inside my panties. I arched into his touch as he began stroking me expertly. Why was I trying to stop this? His other hand brushed my hair aside and his lips grazed my shoulder. I tilted my head to give him better access which he took advantage of by bitting my neck. I moaned loudly.

“You know what I think?” he asked, nipping at my ear lobe as he tore my underwear away from my body.

“N– no, what?” I panted.

“I think you’re ready for a fuck,” he growled positioning himself between my thighs.

I watched intently as he drew his zipper down, freeing his erection. Then, anchoring one hand on my hip and grasping my hair with the other, he thrust inside of me. “I just think the wrong alien asked you first.”

“Fuck!”

“You okay?” Maria asked as I tumbled off the library couch.

I sat up dazed for a moment. “Where’s Michael?”

“He went to knock some sense into your idiot ex,” she explained taking my hand and helping me to my feet.

I let out a shuddering sigh. “I didn’t even realize he left.”

She cocked her head to the side. “You look exhausted. You should go home.”

“Home,” I repeated, nodding.

“I’ll drive you,” Maria said looping her arm around my shoulder and guiding me out of the library.

“Thanks,” I murmured.

***
Eyeing my balcony ladder warily, I took my journal out. I hadn’t had one of those dreams since before the shooting. Sure, I’d had erotic dreams since then, but I knew they were dreams and not some offshoot of reality.

“I need to get a fucking grip,” I muttered as I settled into my lawn chair and opened my journal.

“Talking to yourself?”

I grimaced and briefly considered stabbing Michael with my uncapped pen. “What do you want?”

“Just checking to see if you’re okay,” he said cautiously.

“I’m exorcizing some personal demons,” I muttered.

He smirked. “Need some help?”

“Not from you,” I said.

He shrugged. “I was never much into demon slaying anyway.”

“Then why are you here?” I asked.

“To see if you’re okay,” he repeated.

“Well, I’m not going to throw myself off the balcony or anything,” I said, “but I might drink a forty of rum later.”

“And fall off the balcony,” he said.

I shrugged. “Accidents happen.”

“You’re sick,” he muttered.

“I thought we already established that last time you were here,” I said.

He glared at me. “You’re getting off on this.”

“On what?” I asked innocently.

“Pissing me off,” he snapped.

“Well, you keep coming back so I figure you’re enjoying this as much as I am,” I shot back.

“Fuck you,” he bit out as he turned and climbed down the ladder.

“If it was anything like the dream earlier, I probably would,” I murmured to myself after he was gone.

Additional A/N: For those who didn't realize, I kinda altered the ending of Sexual Healing to suit my purposes with this fic. Don't like what I'm doing? Feel free to read something else.

[sixpacschic]

Title: Battersea
Author: Christina Buchanan
Email: SixPacsChic@hotmail.com
Rating: MA
Category: Mi/L
Summary: A dark little story about the twisted inner workings of Liz Parker’s mind.
Spoilers: Sexual Healing
Disclaimer: Nothing’s really mine. Don’t sue. Lyrics courtesy of Hooverphonic.
Author's Notes: Don’t really know where I’m going with this. Just feeling angsty. Title comes from one of my favorite Hooverphonic songs.

Battersea how it is
It’s over forget
Memories full of chocolate
I’ve got to get over it forget
Your world is different than mine
I’ve got to get over I’ve got to forget
And ’sgurd’ is the one I don’t like
I’m afraid of him I’ve got to forget

Knocking on the blue water
It’s over forget
Praline and chocolate ice
Got to get over, forget
Your world doesn’t match with mine
I’ve got to get over I’ve got to forget
And ’sgurd’ rules your friend’s life
I’m afraid of him I’ve got to forget
– Hooverphonic “Battersea”

Michael and I were sparing again, only this time it involved a bright orange puck and an air hockey table.

"So why are you here again?" I asked as I knocked the puck toward his end of the table.

He blocked. "It was the only way I could get her to shut up."

"Wish it was as easy to get you to do the same," I huffed.

"If I shut up, who would you verbally abuse?"

I snorted. "Max, of course."

He raised an eyebrow. "So we're past the crying stage, I take it."

Scowling, I slammed the puck into his goal. "Game over."

He grimaced.

"I'm heading back out in the rink," I informed him turning away from him.

"Jesus Christ, I thought we talked about this," said an exasperated Michael.

"Wha-- ," I trailed off as I turned around.

Fucking Max.

"Liz, I didn't know you were here," he said casually.

"Horse shit," I muttered.

He looked at me pleadingly. "Come on, Liz, I said I was sorry."

I sat down on a nearby bench and began to remove my skates. "Not yet, but you will be."

"Maxwell, maybe you should throw in the towel on this one," Michael suggested.

"Why?" Max demanded. "So you can have her?"

A bark of laughter escaped my lips before I could supress it. "Excuse me?"

Max glared at me. "I saw him on your balcony the other night."

"So I won't sleep with you, but I'll sleep with Michael," I said sarastically. "Right."

"I knew it," he muttered.

"That's right, Max," I continued as I got up in Max's face. "Michael and I are doing it."

"Liz . . ." Michael warned.

"No, Michael," Max snapped. "I want to hear every detail about how you two were screwing behind my back!"

"Every night sometimes twice," I added.

"I thought I knew you," he said scathingly.

"And that was just your first mistake," I shot back.

"Slut," he muttered.

My hands felt like they were on fire and a red haze settled over my vision. "Better than being your whore!" Max flew backward into the air hockey table.

What the hell had I just done?

I sprinted to the exit as fast as my legs would carry me.

Michael caught up to me in the parking lot. "What the hell was that, Liz?"

"I don't know!" I cried. "Just stay away from me!"

"If you have powers, we need to get them under contol," Michael reasoned.

I backed away shaking my head. "You mean control me."

"Liz . . ."

"Forget it," I snapped. "And while you're at it, just forget I ever existed."

Michael grabbed my arm and pulled me toward him. "It's not safe."

I pressed closer to him in hopes of weirding him out enough to let me go." It's never been safe."

He didn't back down."I'm not letting you go until you agree to let me help you."

My mind went back to out argument last week and I found my way out of this uncomfortable situation. I wrapped my free arm around the back of his neck and pressed my lips against his in a brutal kiss. He tried to pull back, but I pressed harder, snaking my tongue out to trace his lips. His mouth opened for me, warm, inviting, our tongues tangled and his grip on my wrist loosened. All at once I wrenched myself away from him and ran toward home leaving, Michael stunned in the parking lot.

[sixpacschic]

Title: Battersea
Author: Christina Buchanan
Email: SixPacsChic@hotmail.com
Rating: MA
Category: Mi/L
Summary: A dark little story about the twisted inner workings of Liz Parker’s mind.
Spoilers: Sexual Healing
Disclaimer: Nothing’s really mine. Don’t sue. Lyrics courtesy of Hooverphonic.
Author's Notes: Don’t really know where I’m going with this. Just feeling angsty. Title comes from one of my favorite Hooverphonic songs.

Battersea how it is
It’s over forget
Memories full of chocolate
I’ve got to get over it forget
Your world is different than mine
I’ve got to get over I’ve got to forget
And ’sgurd’ is the one I don’t like
I’m afraid of him I’ve got to forget

Knocking on the blue water
It’s over forget
Praline and chocolate ice
Got to get over, forget
Your world doesn’t match with mine
I’ve got to get over I’ve got to forget
And ’sgurd’ rules your friend’s life
I’m afraid of him I’ve got to forget
– Hooverphonic “Battersea”

I spent the next two days on the Mescalero reservation trying to get some answers from Riverdog.

After telling my parents that I was at Maria's and taking a bus all the way out to the reservation, I didn't get any answers.

"So after I covered for you all weekend, you didn't find anything?" Maria asked at lunch on Monday.

"Nope," I replied.

"Sucktown," Maria said.

"Yup," I agreed.

"So . . ."

I raised an eyebrow. "Spit it out, Maria."

"I've been meaning to ask what happened Friday at the skating rink while I was getting my groove on," she said casually.

I grimaced. "A lot of stuff I'd rather not think about right now."

"Max has been walking with a limp," Maria noted. "Michael said you threw him into an air hockey table."

"Can't say he didn't deserve it," I responded. "What else did Michael say?"

"Nothing much," Maria supplied, "but he did ask about you a couple times."

"Oh."

"Any particular reason he'd be asking about you, Liz?" she prodded.

I bit my lip. "He would say that it was a matter of alien security."

"And you would say?"

"He's being a condesending prick," I answered.

"So why is Max going around the school saying that you and Michael are sleeping together?" Maria asked.

I shrugged. "New one on me."

"Liz Parker, I've been very patient with you up until this point," Maria said with a rising edge to her voice, "but so help me god, if you keep dancing around the subject, I will be forced to injure you!"

Aw crap. She meant business.

"Friday night when Max showed up I kinda lost it," I explained. "I threw Max into the table, but what Michael didn't tell you was that I did it with my powers."

"Your powers?"

I ignored her and continued on. "I got scared and ran outside. Michael followed me and we fought. Then I went to the reservation in hopes of getting some answers about what's causing this to happen to me."

"So Max pushes you over the edge, you give him the hurting he's been asking for and he starts spreading rumors about you and Michael," Maria deduced. "And somehow, you have powers."

I nodded. "That about sums it up."

"I feel like we're back in middle school."

"I know."

"So are you going to let Michael help you with your powers now?" Maria asked.

"Not likely," I replied.

"Who are you going to ask? Isabel?"

"I'll think of something," I muttered.

"Just let him help you," Maria insisted. "I mean he offered, right? Plus he seemed really concerned about you these last two days."

"He should be more concerned about getting his best friend to shut up, if you ask me."

Maria rolled her eyes. "What was that saying about leading a horse to water?"

"I said I'd figure something out and I will," I insisted.

"Okay," she said doubtfully.

I stood up and gabbed my backpack. "I need to go somewhere and think."

"Fine, but at least consider letting Michael help you," Maria said.

"I'll talk to you later," I said over my shoulder as I headed toward the parking lot.

I'd just made it to the exit when a familiar voice came from behind me.

"Fancy meeting you here," Michael said.

I sighed in exhasperation. "Can we not do this right now?"

"I think now is as good a time as any," he replied.

Resigned, I leaned up against the railing that lined the sidewalk. "So talk."

"Where were you?" he asked.

"River Dog," I answered. "Thought maybe he had some answers."

"Did he?"

I stared at the concrete. It would be so easy to lie and say I had it all under control. Maria would probably rat me out sooner or later though. That and I was tired of lying.

"No."

"So do you want my help now?" he offered.

I shook my head. "No."

"Why not?"

Tears ran down my cheeks. "I don't want you to see me."

His eyebrows knitted together. "I'm not following you."

"You'll have to connect with me at some point and I don't want you to see how fucked up I really am inside," I told him wiping my eyes.

"But Max-- "

I cut him off. "What Max saw was a bunch of superficial shit on the surface."

"And why would it be different with me?" Michael asked.

I edged around him and headed for the parking lot. "Just trust me when I say that it would be."

[sixpacschic]

Title: Battersea
Author: Christina Buchanan
Email: SixPacsChic@hotmail.com
Rating: MA
Category: Mi/L
Summary: A dark little story about the twisted inner workings of Liz Parker’s mind.
Spoilers: Sexual Healing
Disclaimer: Nothing’s really mine. Don’t sue. Lyrics courtesy of Hooverphonic.
Author's Notes: Don’t really know where I’m going with this. Just feeling angsty. Title comes from one of my favorite Hooverphonic songs.

Battersea how it is
It’s over forget
Memories full of chocolate
I’ve got to get over it forget
Your world is different than mine
I’ve got to get over I’ve got to forget
And ’sgurd’ is the one I don’t like
I’m afraid of him I’ve got to forget

Knocking on the blue water
It’s over forget
Praline and chocolate ice
Got to get over, forget
Your world doesn’t match with mine
I’ve got to get over I’ve got to forget
And ’sgurd’ rules your friend’s life
I’m afraid of him I’ve got to forget
– Hooverphonic “Battersea”

After randomly blowing things up for a few weeks, I was almost ready to resign myself to letting Michael help me control my powers when my salvation came in the form of one Tess Harding. I felt it the moment she stepped on campus. Isabel and Max started talking about how funny they felt around her. She was making them lose time, see things that weren't there. I followed her to the library a few days later.

"Can we talk?" I asked.

"Sure," she replied. "What about?"

"I need your help," I told her.

She arched an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Look," I said. "I know what you are so you can just cut the crap."

Her blue eyes narrowed. "So, you're the one who's got the FBI on our tails."

"Don't put Max's shit on me," I snapped. "I didn't ask for this."

"Kitten's got claws," she drawled out.

I zapped her arm. "And powers."

"Shit," she muttered rubbing the burn I left on her.

"That's an understatement," I said. "Now how do I get rid of them?"

"You don't."

"Excuse me?" I sputtered.

"When Max did what he did to you, he changed you," Tess explained. "He opened a door that can't be closed."

"Then help me get this under control before I kill someone," I demanded. "I was barely keeping it together before and now I'm really wishing that bullet had hit my head instead of my gut."

Tess sighed. "Alright."

"Good," I said turning to leave. "I'll meet you at your place at six."

"I have one condition," Tess added.

"And that is?"

"Don't come between Max and me," she stated.

"Wouldn't dream of it," I said. "He's all yours."

She smiled a cat-like grin. "See you at six then."

I left the library after Tess only to be dragged into the janitor's closet a few seconds later

"Wanna tell me what you're doing with Tess?" Michael demanded.

I yanked my arm out of his grasp. "Wanna tell me when you're going to mind you're own fucking business?"

"For all you know she could be FBI and you're in there acting all buddy buddy with her," he snapped. "Now explain."

"She's one of you and she's going to help me," I said angrily as I tried to push past him.

He used his body to block me in the closet. "Not so fast."

"I don't have time for this," I growled.

"You have the time," he said as he pinned my arms to the wall. "And sooner or later, you're going to run out of excuses to avoid me."

I struggled against him for a bit and then sagged against the wall. I wasn't going anywhere unless he wanted me to. "What do you want?"

His eyes turned dark as he hovered over me. "I think you know."

"Then just take it," I challenged him.

He smirked and released me. "Good. I'll see you after your lesson with Tess for our own lesson."

I wanted to scream. Instead, I shattered the light bulb overhead and stormed out of the janitor's closet, slamming the door behind me.

[sixpacschic]

Title: Battersea
Author: Christina Buchanan
Email: SixPacsChic@hotmail.com
Rating: MA
Category: Mi/L
Summary: A dark little story about the twisted inner workings of Liz Parker’s mind.
Spoilers: Sexual Healing
Disclaimer: Nothing’s really mine. Don’t sue. Lyrics courtesy of Hooverphonic.
Author's Notes: Don’t really know where I’m going with this. Just feeling angsty. Title comes from one of my favorite Hooverphonic songs.

Battersea how it is
It’s over forget
Memories full of chocolate
I’ve got to get over it forget
Your world is different than mine
I’ve got to get over I’ve got to forget
And ’sgurd’ is the one I don’t like
I’m afraid of him I’ve got to forget

Knocking on the blue water
It’s over forget
Praline and chocolate ice
Got to get over, forget
Your world doesn’t match with mine
I’ve got to get over I’ve got to forget
And ’sgurd’ rules your friend’s life
I’m afraid of him I’ve got to forget
– Hooverphonic “Battersea”

"I want you to know that nothing is going on with Tess," Max told me as soon as I got to his table that afternoon at the Crashdown.

I set down his cherry coke in front of him. "What do I care?"

"I saw you talking in the library and I figured . . ." he said with a shrug. "You know."

I snorted. "What? That we're fighting over you?"

He nodded.

Bark of laughter escaped my lips before I could supress it. "Newsflash, Maxwell, the world does not revolve around you."

His mouth opened and closed rapidly like a fish out of water.

"It'll be okay," I said consolingly as I patted his shoulder. "Someone had to break it to you sometime. Aren't you glad it was someone who you claim to love so much?"

"Liz, th-that's not--," Max stammered.

"Do you want the special today?" I asked changing the subject. "It's a jalapeno burger with seasoned fries."

He nodded mutely and handed me the menu from his table.

"Good choice," I said, making my way back to the kitchen.

"Jeez, Liz," Maria commented. "Way to lay waste to the man's heart."

"I did, didn't I?"

"While I think that it was pretty egotistical of him to assume that you and Tess were fighting over him, you didn't have to be that mean," Maria told me.

"Being mean keeps me from exploding his head every time I see him," I stated.

Maria frowned. "How about I take his table for the rest of the afternoon then?"

I smiled. "I thought you'd never ask."

"Alright," she said, "but you and I are going to have a talk later tonight."

I grimaced. "That'll have to be after the other two talks I have to have tonight."

She sighed. "Tomorrow then?"

"Absolutely," I agreed."I'll bring the ice cream."

"I'll bring Alex," she said. "Eight?"

"Sure."

I finished my shift without incident and headed over to Tess's house.

Her "father" answered the door. "Hello?"

"Hi," I greeted him. "Is Tess home?"

He smiled the most disturbing smile I'd ever seen. "You must be Liz."

I nodded while resisting the urge to run down the street screaming..

"Come in, please."

I slid past him into the foyer. Everything was immaculate. Even the cardboard boxes we neatly stacked.

"We had some trouble with the movers, but we're finally getting settled," he explained. "Tess!"

The petite blonde came bouncing out of the kitchen. "Liz, there you are."

"Hi," I responded.

She grabbed my hand and led me upstairs. "We'll be in my room, dad."

"You're father's a creep," I muttered when we were behind closed doors.

She smirked. "He does that on purpose."

I rolled my eyes. "Figures."

"So," she said clapping her hands together, "Let's get this lesson started."

A few hours later, we were both ready to throw in the towel for good.

"If we're ever going to get anywhere, you have to let go of all this emotional crap you have inside you," Tess said irately.

"I wish it were that easy," I muttered. "I wish I could just turn it off like you, but I'm completely human."

"See a shrink and get some pills," Tess told me, "Do something or I can't help you."

I grimaced. "Can't you--"

"I might be able to make you see things, but as far as fixing emotional trauma, I'd rather not risk turning you into a vegetable," Tess said, cutting me off.

"Right," I agreed, nodding. "I'll see you in a few weeks when the pills kick in."

"You already have a prescription, don't you?" she asked me in realization.

"And a shrink," I told her as I opened her bedroom door. "Later, Tess."

[sixpacschic]

Title: Battersea
Author: Christina Buchanan
Email: SixPacsChic@hotmail.com
Rating: MA
Category: Mi/L
Summary: A dark little story about the twisted inner workings of Liz Parker’s mind.
Spoilers: Sexual Healing
Disclaimer: Nothing’s really mine. Don’t sue. Lyrics courtesy of Hooverphonic.
Author's Notes: Don’t really know where I’m going with this. Just feeling angsty. Title comes from one of my favorite Hooverphonic songs.

Battersea how it is
It’s over forget
Memories full of chocolate
I’ve got to get over it forget
Your world is different than mine
I’ve got to get over I’ve got to forget
And ’sgurd’ is the one I don’t like
I’m afraid of him I’ve got to forget

Knocking on the blue water
It’s over forget
Praline and chocolate ice
Got to get over, forget
Your world doesn’t match with mine
I’ve got to get over I’ve got to forget
And ’sgurd’ rules your friend’s life
I’m afraid of him I’ve got to forget
– Hooverphonic “Battersea”

"Good to see you again, Liz," my therapist greeted me as I stepped into her office.

I smiled thinly. "Hi Dr. Shelly."

"How have you been? she asked.

"Not so good," I admitted. "After we stopped our sessions, I was doing okay and then I stopped my pills."

"Did you stop cold turkey?" she asked.

I shook my head.

"Do you want to sketch for a while?"

"I'd like that," I answered.

She handed me a sketch book and took a seat at her desk as I made myself comfortable in the over-stuffed armchair on the other side of the room."Music?"

I nodded. "Sure."

Dr.Shelby started playing one of the many random Chill Out CDs she owned since I had fallen asleep to most of her classical music selections.

"Still with Kyle?" she questioned casually.

I bit my lip while concentrating on my sketch. "Single for now."

"Have you been seeing anyone else after Kyle?"

"Max," I replied. "He's a big reason why I'm here."

Dr. Shelly arched one eyebrow. "Oh?"

"He tried to force me, so I broke up with him, and even though we're broken up, I still feel like he's pressuring me." I explained in one breath. "I really don't know how to deal with it."

"If you've made your feelings for him clear and he's still pursuing you, I'd either cut off contact completely or seek legal advice," she suggested.

"I know," I told her. "I'm working up to one of those solutions right now."

"What were your feelings about sex with Max?" she asked me point-blank.

"I wasn't ready," I murmured. "I also kinda felt like I was being used."

"Did you feel that way with Kyle?"

"No," I answered slowly. "I was pretty comfortable with where we were."

"How far?"

"Second base."

I turned back to my pad for a few more minutes until Dr. Shelly cleared her throat.

"Can I see your sketch, Liz?" she asked.

I stood up and handed my book to her. "I'm a little rusty since I don't normally sketch outside of therapy."

She smiled. "Decided not to take art this year?"

"I decided to go more in the academic direction," I said. "I'm trying to graduate early."

"Who's the male in your sketch?" she asked.

"Michael," I replied. "He's Max's best friend and he's been kind of a buffer between Max and I since we broke up."

"You two argue?" she inquired. "I see a lot of tension between you in this drawing."

I nodded. "We're more similar than he thinks so we end up butting heads a lot."

She closed my sketch book and handed it back to me. "I've been meaning to ask you about your waking dreams."

"I've only had one lately," I answered. "but it was shortly after that when I decided that it would be a good thing to get back on meds and start seeing you again."

"I'm glad."

"So, next week, then?"

"Same bat time, same bat channel," Dr. Shelly said. "Try to have a good week, Liz."

"Thanks," I said. "I will."

Michael was waiting outside when I exited the doctor's office. "You blew me off last night."

"I had a lot on my mind," I said with a grimace.

"You could have called," he said irately.

"Who the hell do you think you are, my boyfriend?" I snapped.

"Someone who's trying to help you actually," he told me, "but you're too stubborn to accept it."

"I'm tired of you bullying me," I told him. "I get enough of that from Max."

"Max bullies you because he thinks he owns you," Michael pointed out. "I just don't want to see you get hurt."

"What's the difference?" I demanded. "I still feel shitty afterward."

"You want to know what's shitty?" he said with a rising edge to his voice. "Trying to be your friend, that's what."

"I never asked for you to be my friend," I shot back.

"Fine," he said. "You want me to leave you alone, I'll do it, but that means no more middle man with you and Max. You're on your own."

I started chewing on my lower lip as he turned and walked away. Could I deal with Max, without him? Would Max survive? Did I really want Michael Guerin out of my life? "No."

He paused, his shoulders tensing as if he'd heard me. I almost prayed that he had, but I couldn't find the courage to speak up. Somebody should have kicked my ass for how I was behaving.

Dejectedly, I started walking toward the bus stop, but before I reached the bench, he pulled me back. "Wha--"

He smothered my words with his mouth, holding me against him tightly. Then as quickly as the kiss had started, it was over.

Dazed, I stumbled back a bit, trying to think of a response.

"I'll have to take that under consideration," I said decisively.

"What the hell does that mean?"

I sighed. "Michael, you will soon find out that I don't even know what I'm talking about half the time. I just got out of a therapy session for god's sake and you started jumping all over me and yeah, I was a jerk and I'm really sorry. I'm not sure how that warrants a kiss in your mind, but whatever. I have problems asking for help, but I still need it. I want to be friends with you. Maybe more than friends someday," I paused for a breath. "I've just got a lot of problems to sort through right now and I need you to be patient with me."

"Okay," he said with a confused expression.

"What?" I asked.

"Normally when I kiss someone, it makes them shut up," he replied.

I smirked. "Well, I'm not normal."