Chapter 10
Next Morning
“Liz, Liz,” Max whispered while gently stroking her hair. “We have school in less than an hour. I thought we were going to have breakfast.”
Serena sat up suddenly startling Max. “Who are you?”
“Well, I could ask you the same thing but you are obviously Max.”
Becoming aware of the sun shining through the window and Max, her Max, sitting next to her and voices pulled her out of her deep sleep. “Ummm, I must have over slept. Max, this is Serena. She just crashed here last night. I’ll explain later. Everything’s fine.” She jumped up and ran to the bathroom to get ready for school telling Max to grab something for both of them downstairs.
Max and Serena stared at each other uncomfortably. “Well, this is awkward.” Serena spoke first.
“So, how do you know Liz?
“Well, I don’t really at all. I was just passing through last night when I got into some trouble and long story short, Liz helped me and let me crash here.”
Liz walked back into the room barely dressed interrupting the conversation. “Come on Max, we are gonna be late. Listen, Serena, here’s my cell number if you need anything, okay. Just let yourself out”
“Thanks. You really saved my life. I won’t forget it. Thanks again and nice to meet you Max.”
Liz pulled Max out of her room and downstairs before he could say anything. As they climbed into the Jeep he turned to her questioning, “So what’s this all about, Liz? Is that why you called me in the middle of the night? I mean I am finally getting used to you and Tess becoming friends and now you are saving some strange girl from who knows what. I mean do you know anything about her. She could be a plant or something like Topolsky?”
Liz sighed. Nothing is ever easy. “Max, really. She was in trouble and needed a place to stay. End of story. No mystery there. You would have done the same thing. Come on let’s go.” She leaned over kissing him gently on the cheek.
Max dropped it. He had something special planned for the two of them. “Liz, how about we go camping next weekend in Frazier Woods. Just the two of us?” He started the Jeep and drove toward school.
“And how am I supposed to get my parents to go along with this?” Liz responded knowing she could always pull the parent card to avoid an intimate situation.
“I’ve thought about it,” he smiled, “and what if we asked the Sheriff for help? What if we say that the eight of us need to go into the woods to “practice” our skills or something. We would need his help covering for some of us at least…mainly, you, Issy, me and well, Maria, I guess.”
“So, this isn’t an only us weekend after all, huh?” Liz inquired.
“Well, it would be only us in a tent together anyway…away from the other tents. You’re the one who has been pushing this reconciliation thing with Tess anyway. So why not?”
This was almost perfect, Liz thought. They did need to practice their skills and explore the Four Square. Unknowingly, Max had started the process even if it was under the guise of his hormones. “Okay, Max. It sounds lovely.”
Liz arrived home after school and found a note from Serena on her pillow in her room. River Dog had sent Eddie to pick her up to take her back to the reservation. They were having a meeting to discuss next steps. Again, without me. Let’s just pull Liz Parker’s strings and have her do this next. This isn’t fair. Liz dialed the cell number Serena had written down for her. She was seething. How dare they decide what I am doing and when and with who without even consulting me. How dare Future Max not include me
“Serena, it’s Liz. What the hell is going on?”
“Can you please calm down, Liz. Has Max asked you to go to Frazier Woods?”
“What, I did not call you to talk about Max or anything that is going on between the two of us. That’s none of your business. I called because you are apparently my new self-appointed keeper and I will not have it. I am a part of this in fact I am THIS. I have every right to be consulted, to be included and to make most if not all decisions for myself and for my child, not you…not River Dog.” Liz finished feeling somewhat better to have gotten that out of her system.
“Are you done?”
“Not really but, go on.”
Serena explained how Future Max told her about the camping trip they had had in the woods in the past time line. He thought that would be the best time to stage her disappearance since it would be just the two of them.
“Well, it’s not the two of us any longer. The whole gang is coming now. So that won’t work. We have to figure something else out.” Liz said.
“There isn’t time. We have to do this soon. We are cutting it too close and you could slip up with Max being too near. He could figure it out, Liz, all he has to do is touch your stomach and the glowing will start. Obviously, you have already altered the future if Max decided to include the others on the camping trip. So, we have to go for it…use it.” Serena finished stating the obvious.
“By this time, my Max already knew about the baby and I’m sure that’s why we went solo before. To talk and figure things out.” Liz felt sad knowing that her future, the future she had first only dreamed about and then found out had been a reality was slipping further out of reach. There would be no going back. It was happening. She was going to be gone soon.
It would be trickier for Liz to get away with everyone there but they would figure something out. They had to.
Choices-Then & Now (M/L mature/adult) Ch 34 8/14/05 [WIP
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amy2344
- Enthusiastic Roswellian
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- Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2003 12:42 am
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Chapter 11
As the weekend approached, Max had met with the Sheriff explaining the need for the group to get together and ‘practice’. They needed his help in covering for the rest of them. The Sheriff came up with an idea for a wilderness survival training camping trip. Miraculously, all parents agreed to allow them to go. Tess was even on stand by in case some mindwarping was needed.
With everything in place, Liz met with Serena and River Dog the night before the trip to finalize plans. “We’ll meet you by the northwest corner of the lake. It will be up to you to get away - obviously, waiting for everyone to go to sleep would be best," Serena lectured her.
"You must be strong. You must protect your child and everyone you hold dear, young one.” River Dog said as gently as possible.
“What should I bring?” Liz said very quietly.
“Liz, you can’t bring anything. You were ‘taken’. An abductor isn’t going to wait for you to pack. Think, please.” Serena said feeling very frustrated.
“You try and think, Serena. This isn’t happening to you, you know. I mean what about my keepsakes, my journal or even a photo?” Liz said raising her voice.
“Listen, I’ll go back with you tonight and you can give me a few things and I mean a few, Liz. You’re right, none of us can know what this is like for you but, you need to trust us. You are in this and because of that you are too close to it. No offense, but you may not be seeing things too clearly. So, a few things but nothing to arouse suspicion. I’ll have them waiting at the Reservation for you. Okay?”
Serena and Liz left River Dog on the outsirts of town and walked slowly back to the Crashdown. Liz gathered up several items and placed them in a bag for her to take. Serena tried to comfort her as best she could telling her this would make them all safe.
Safe, Liz thought. Funny, how in order to keep everyone safe and alive she had to leave the very people who made her feel safe and alive. It was then that she made a decision. She sat down outside on the balcony with paper and pen. She wrote four letters, one to her parents, Maria, Alex and of course, Max. She just couldn’t leave without saying something, anything. She started each letter with…I know this is probably silly but I just wanted you to know that how much I love you. I have a strange feeling about this weekend…Liz didn’t know if she would actually leave the letters for anyone or if she would rip them up but it felt good getting her emotions out on paper. It eased the tension, eased the weight of the world pressing in on her.
As she crawled out of bed in the morning her first thought was that it would be the last time she saw her parents. She silently and mechanically finished packing. They would be hiking in about five miles to the campsite. She randomly threw things in her backpack. As she walked out of her room, she turned back to have one last look. It was then she saw the four letters she had written and immediately heard Serena’s voice, ‘you are too close to this…you may not be thinking clearly…’ She walked back in her room knowing she couldn’t risk it and quickly threw the letters in the trashcan and went downstairs. It was now or never.
“Hey, sweetie, are you all ready? I am so proud of you for doing this. I know it will be tough but you will learn so much. We packed you guys some snacks for the road.”
“Thanks Dad.” Liz felt tears starting the well up again.
“Lizzie, what’s wrong?”
“Oh, nothing. I’m just gonna miss you. I love you so much. You are the best parents anyone could have. I hope that when I have a child that I’m half as good as you.”
“Liz, we love you too.” They hugged as the bell jingled above the door signaling the Sheriff’s entrance.
“Ready, Liz. The vans leaving in five. Morning Jeff, Nancy.” The Sheriff stated tipping his hat.
“Take care of our girl, Jim. We’ll see you Sunday.”
As Liz climbed in the van, she saw Max sitting in back waiting for her. She was the last stop. The drive was uneventful, in fact, every one was looking forward to the time away. Looking around at her friends, she noticed how they were all paired up even Tess and Kyle. With that in mind she stood up and started, “OK, I think we should get organized or something. So, we will hike in and set up camp. While us humans are making dinner maybe the four of you should go try something…alien. Have you talked about how you will try and initiate something? I mean, what you will do to...you know 'activate'."
Kyle piped up, “Yeah, Wonder Twin powers … activate, form of a French Maid.”
“Kyle, son, this is serious,” Jim sighed. “I’m doing this because I think it’s important.”
“Sorry, dad. Just trying to lighten the load.”
It was Max’s turn to take charge. “No, we really haven’t discussed it except that we will need your help Tess to guide us. You know more then the rest of us.”
Tess turned toward Max smiling. “Yeah, whatever I can do to help. I thought that we’d connect like we did last year at the Pod Chamber and go from there. If that is okay with you, Liz?”
Liz smiled inwardly feeling the corner turn with Tess. She couldn’t help but look at Alex who was lost staring at Isabel. Alex won’t have to die and they will be strong enough as a unit. “Yeah, sounds good, Tess.” Liz remained deep in thought while Tess and the others continued.
“I thought we should try and tap into eachother’s gift. Like can I heal or can Max dreamwalk. It always seemed sort of strange to me that we each had this unique gift that was so specialized. There must be a way to cross-pollinate."
Keep going, Tess. Liz thought.
Michael spoke up. “Yeah, I’d like to be able to dreamwalk, then maybe I’d have a clue what Maria wants.”
Maria turned and punched Michael. “Yeah, Space Boy, dream on. Maybe you don’t know what I want because you are too stupid to figure it out,” she teased.
“Okay, that sounds like a plan, Tess.” Max interrupted the laughter while squeezing Liz’s hand.
The van turned off the main road now onto a gravel forest road toward the trailhead. Liz started to feel sick. She didn’t know if it was nerves or the baby. The van stopped moving as her nausea increased. Getting out of the van and starting to shoulder her pack, she stumbled.
“Liz, let me help you with that. Are you all right? You look a little pale.” Max whispered to her.
“I’m fine, just give me a second. I think I might just be car sick from the bumpy ride.” Lying, always lying.
They all started off into the woods together with Liz knowing she would never come out again.
As the weekend approached, Max had met with the Sheriff explaining the need for the group to get together and ‘practice’. They needed his help in covering for the rest of them. The Sheriff came up with an idea for a wilderness survival training camping trip. Miraculously, all parents agreed to allow them to go. Tess was even on stand by in case some mindwarping was needed.
With everything in place, Liz met with Serena and River Dog the night before the trip to finalize plans. “We’ll meet you by the northwest corner of the lake. It will be up to you to get away - obviously, waiting for everyone to go to sleep would be best," Serena lectured her.
"You must be strong. You must protect your child and everyone you hold dear, young one.” River Dog said as gently as possible.
“What should I bring?” Liz said very quietly.
“Liz, you can’t bring anything. You were ‘taken’. An abductor isn’t going to wait for you to pack. Think, please.” Serena said feeling very frustrated.
“You try and think, Serena. This isn’t happening to you, you know. I mean what about my keepsakes, my journal or even a photo?” Liz said raising her voice.
“Listen, I’ll go back with you tonight and you can give me a few things and I mean a few, Liz. You’re right, none of us can know what this is like for you but, you need to trust us. You are in this and because of that you are too close to it. No offense, but you may not be seeing things too clearly. So, a few things but nothing to arouse suspicion. I’ll have them waiting at the Reservation for you. Okay?”
Serena and Liz left River Dog on the outsirts of town and walked slowly back to the Crashdown. Liz gathered up several items and placed them in a bag for her to take. Serena tried to comfort her as best she could telling her this would make them all safe.
Safe, Liz thought. Funny, how in order to keep everyone safe and alive she had to leave the very people who made her feel safe and alive. It was then that she made a decision. She sat down outside on the balcony with paper and pen. She wrote four letters, one to her parents, Maria, Alex and of course, Max. She just couldn’t leave without saying something, anything. She started each letter with…I know this is probably silly but I just wanted you to know that how much I love you. I have a strange feeling about this weekend…Liz didn’t know if she would actually leave the letters for anyone or if she would rip them up but it felt good getting her emotions out on paper. It eased the tension, eased the weight of the world pressing in on her.
As she crawled out of bed in the morning her first thought was that it would be the last time she saw her parents. She silently and mechanically finished packing. They would be hiking in about five miles to the campsite. She randomly threw things in her backpack. As she walked out of her room, she turned back to have one last look. It was then she saw the four letters she had written and immediately heard Serena’s voice, ‘you are too close to this…you may not be thinking clearly…’ She walked back in her room knowing she couldn’t risk it and quickly threw the letters in the trashcan and went downstairs. It was now or never.
“Hey, sweetie, are you all ready? I am so proud of you for doing this. I know it will be tough but you will learn so much. We packed you guys some snacks for the road.”
“Thanks Dad.” Liz felt tears starting the well up again.
“Lizzie, what’s wrong?”
“Oh, nothing. I’m just gonna miss you. I love you so much. You are the best parents anyone could have. I hope that when I have a child that I’m half as good as you.”
“Liz, we love you too.” They hugged as the bell jingled above the door signaling the Sheriff’s entrance.
“Ready, Liz. The vans leaving in five. Morning Jeff, Nancy.” The Sheriff stated tipping his hat.
“Take care of our girl, Jim. We’ll see you Sunday.”
As Liz climbed in the van, she saw Max sitting in back waiting for her. She was the last stop. The drive was uneventful, in fact, every one was looking forward to the time away. Looking around at her friends, she noticed how they were all paired up even Tess and Kyle. With that in mind she stood up and started, “OK, I think we should get organized or something. So, we will hike in and set up camp. While us humans are making dinner maybe the four of you should go try something…alien. Have you talked about how you will try and initiate something? I mean, what you will do to...you know 'activate'."
Kyle piped up, “Yeah, Wonder Twin powers … activate, form of a French Maid.”
“Kyle, son, this is serious,” Jim sighed. “I’m doing this because I think it’s important.”
“Sorry, dad. Just trying to lighten the load.”
It was Max’s turn to take charge. “No, we really haven’t discussed it except that we will need your help Tess to guide us. You know more then the rest of us.”
Tess turned toward Max smiling. “Yeah, whatever I can do to help. I thought that we’d connect like we did last year at the Pod Chamber and go from there. If that is okay with you, Liz?”
Liz smiled inwardly feeling the corner turn with Tess. She couldn’t help but look at Alex who was lost staring at Isabel. Alex won’t have to die and they will be strong enough as a unit. “Yeah, sounds good, Tess.” Liz remained deep in thought while Tess and the others continued.
“I thought we should try and tap into eachother’s gift. Like can I heal or can Max dreamwalk. It always seemed sort of strange to me that we each had this unique gift that was so specialized. There must be a way to cross-pollinate."
Keep going, Tess. Liz thought.
Michael spoke up. “Yeah, I’d like to be able to dreamwalk, then maybe I’d have a clue what Maria wants.”
Maria turned and punched Michael. “Yeah, Space Boy, dream on. Maybe you don’t know what I want because you are too stupid to figure it out,” she teased.
“Okay, that sounds like a plan, Tess.” Max interrupted the laughter while squeezing Liz’s hand.
The van turned off the main road now onto a gravel forest road toward the trailhead. Liz started to feel sick. She didn’t know if it was nerves or the baby. The van stopped moving as her nausea increased. Getting out of the van and starting to shoulder her pack, she stumbled.
“Liz, let me help you with that. Are you all right? You look a little pale.” Max whispered to her.
“I’m fine, just give me a second. I think I might just be car sick from the bumpy ride.” Lying, always lying.
They all started off into the woods together with Liz knowing she would never come out again.
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amy2344
- Enthusiastic Roswellian
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2003 12:42 am
- Location: seattle
- Contact:
hi all, sorry to double post but like i said i want to get on with it. okay this is my first attempt at an actual 'sex scene'. it has taken forever to write. i was hesitant about it but feel like it is really necessary due to circumstance.
Chapter 12
Exploring what the Four Square meant consumed all talk around the campfire that evening. A bond definitely existed between Max and Tess, as well as, Isabel and Michael while the four had gone off to practice on there own. Their energy moved freely between eachother and felt familiar. Paired off, they were able to create a harmonious flow. As Max explained everything to the group, he looked at Liz and took her hand again to reinforce his feelings for her. As far as being able to access eachothers’ powers, they had not been successful. There had to be a way to activate the energy flow between all four of them uniting the two halves to make it whole.
“I’m open to any suggestions. I feel like we tried everything.” Max practically begged.
“Did you switch partners and try that way?” Kyle piped up offering anything to keep Max away from Tess.
“Yeah, we tried that with Michael and Tess and me and Izzy and we were able to enhance or boost each other’s power but not access it. All but me, that is. My ability to heal seems to be exclusive – no one can tap into it. It was like hitting a brick wall when anyone tried.” Max answered looking down at the ground.
“So like getting super size fries at Mickey D’s?” Kyle chuckled.
“Son,” Jim said exasperated.
“Dad, I’m trying to wrap my puny human pea brain around this. It seems to me that you’ve already learned something. I mean Max is the King, right? He can heal. He has a power that no one else has or can even super size right? Just stay with me, dad, before you say anything. This sets Max apart from the others. That’s why he is King. So, Michael is like General Patton or something married to his sister. Sorry Isabel. Michael’s power is opposite from Max’s you know, like North and South.”
“Heads or Tails,” Alex added.
“Tom and Jerry,” Kyle continued the volley back and forth.
“Mulder and Scully.”
“Where are you going with this Kyle?” Michael asked seeming irritated by the way Kyle and Alex were so flippant about the aliens.
“It just seems to me that you should square off north-south and east-west instead of Max and Tess, Michael and Isabel. You should do the yin yang thing, man. I don’t know it might work. Opposites attract.”
Liz jumped in, “Kyle, I think you may have something here. Have you guys ever tried pairing up girls and guys separately?”
“Nope.” Michael said flatly.
“Probably because you’re homophobic Guerin.” Kyle joked.
“Yeah, Kyle, and what sparked your insight. It sure as hell wasn’t Buddha. More likely the thought of Tess and Izzy paired up having some pillow fight,” Michael fired back.
“Shut up, Michael,” Isabel interrupted the bantering between Michael and Kyle, “Look, I am tired. It has been a long day. Thank you Kyle for your ever so graphic insight into our lives. I think we should try that it the morning, pairing up differently. I mean why not? Now if you’ll excuse me, I need my beauty sleep.” Isabel got up and walked toward the tent she and Tess were sharing.
Tents had been set up upon arrival around the now smoldering fire pit. The Valenti’s sharing one tent, Tess and Isabel another, Maria and Liz, Max and Michael leaving Alex in a tent by himself. By some unspoken agreement, everyone except the Sheriff knew that Max and Liz would pair up, as well as Michael and Maria as soon as everyone was asleep.
As Michael made his way quietly to the girl’s tent, Max started lighting candles. He wanted tonight to be special for them. It had been too long since they had spent any time alone together with school and work. Liz really hadn’t been herself lately. She deserved something special, romantic and stress free. So did he, for that matter.
Michael poked his head into Maria and Liz’s tent with his eyes closed. “Are you decent?” he whispered.
“Yeah, Space Boy, thought you’d catch us in some naked girl pillow fight…oh, Liz, hit me again…yeah, baby right there. That pillow feels sooooo good,” Maria feigned for Michael.
“Jeez, what is it with the pillow fight talk? Whatever, Max is waiting for you, Liz.”
“Thanks, I’ll just leave you two to…well…bye.” Liz blushed grabbing her things before leaving the tent and as silently as possible walked toward the boy’s tent. Before she got there she could see the glow of candles illuminating the large four-man nylon tent. Tonight was going to be special. It would be their last night together. She peered inside before entering. Max had lit tiny votive candles that were ‘magically’ hovering near the top of the tent. White, red and pink rose petals were strewn on the floor. Liz smiled making eye contact with her soulmate.
“All for you, Liz.” He said as he helped her inside. “I want tonight to be special. I want tonight to be about you. To make you relax and just let go and feel, now give me your pack.” Taking her gear, he placed it away from the center of the tent where he had zipped two sleeping bags together. “Why don’t you come over here and lay down, Ms. Parker,” he added while placing a kiss reverently on her forehead.
“Max…” Liz whispered feeling slightly overwhelmed by all his doting attention.
“Shhhh, just relax.” He gently laid her down onto of the sleeping bags and knelt beside her. She had already changed into her pajamas. “We’ll have to do something about these. You must not have gotten the invitation, no clothing allowed.” Max smiled and Liz couldn’t help but giggle until she felt his hands start to unbutton her cardigan. Suddenly, she felt very warm despite the cool air nipping at her now exposed shoulders.
Max slowly removed her sweater and looked at her laying there in a tank top and pajama pants. She was so beautiful, so lovely under the flickering of the magical candlelight above. For Max, Liz wasn’t striking in her appearance, like Isabel, but she had this simple, understated beauty that shone from inside out. That's what made her so special.
He reached to untie her pants and very carefully slid them over her hips, which she slightly raised. Trailing his fingers lightly on her now exposed thighs and then down the inside of her leg caused Liz to moan. She reached out to touch his hand. He stopped his caressing for a moment, just long enough to put both her hands up over her head where she couldn’t interrupt him again. “Keep your hands up there, Liz. Let me enjoy touching you.”
Liz closed her eyes still feeling his feather light touch on her calves, her knees and then back up to the top of her thighs. He hooked a finger inside the elastic of her panties and inched them down slightly. Leaning down, he began kissing her right below her bikini line while his finger slid her panties down farther until she again raised her hips to grant him better access. Max lifted her leg up trailing kisses. “Liz, look at me.”
His voice startled her as she fluttered open her eyes. “I love all of you, your heart, your mind and your body.” He ended the torture of caressing her and moved on top of her to kiss her waiting mouth.
She would not deny him this…she knew she couldn’t even if she tried. It had to be enough to last them both. It had to - because tomorrow would come and tomorrow she would be gone. She focused all her energy on hiding the growing fetus inside her. Little one, please, we just have to hide a bit longer from your daddy and then everything will be all right. Please understand and help me.
While the kiss became more urgent between them, Liz slid her hand to the waistband of Max’s sweatpants pulling them down revealing a very naked Max underneath. “No boxers, Max? I like it.” Max responded by pulling up her thin tank top so there was nothing separating them.
As he sat back to admire her once more, she swiftly removed the last barrier between them. “Liz…so beautiful,” he moaned and moved back in to capture her now exposed breasts.
“We have to be quiet, Max.” Liz panted between his kisses. “We can’t wake up the Sheriff. He’ll think we took advantage of him.”
“That sounds like a great idea…taking advantage. I can’t not touch you right now. Trust me and roll over, love.” Max had spent ample time touching the front of her body and now wanted to love the rest of it. As she complied, he gazed down at her curvaceous ass and the hollow of her back. Max laid down next to her and ran his fingers up and down her spine slowly tracing each notch and groove…memorizing her body. Leaning in closer he switched from touching to feather light kisses on the back of her neck and shoulders but still touching the sides of her breasts. Max was feeling more aroused than he had ever been in his life as Liz softly moaned his name. She reached out a hand groping for him…to touch some part of him to satisfy the need building inside her. More forceful than before, he took her hands and placed them above her head, “Don’t move, Liz, I’m just getting started. Do you like this?” he whispered huskily into her ear as began caressing her round bottom tracing it from the base of her back to between her thighs.
Liz felt so incredible; her whole body was throbbing and aching like never before. No one had ever touched her like this. She felt vulnerable and yet totally safe and loved at the same time. As his finger came in contact with her wetness, she couldn’t help but moan and move her body up toward him wanting more. Wanting to feel him inside her making her complete. He inserted one finger gently feeling how ready she already was and then another finger causing another low moan.
Liz could feel Max press his body down completely on her back, rubbing against her wanting desperately to be inside her again. But she didn’t want to end this touching. She didn’t want any of it to end. Feeling bold, she pushed up on her knees moving Max up off of her and rolled over facing him. “My turn, to touch you, now lay down.” She needed to fill a lifetime of loving him, touching his body. She began by stroking his chest gently. Then encircling his nipples trying to memorize every expression, every in take of breath. “Do you like that, Max?”
“Yes…mmmmhmmmm.”
She climbed on top of his waist pressing her wetness against him straddling his body. “And this, Max, do you like this?”
“Oh, God, Liz you feel so good.”
Inching her way down his body until she came in contact with his erection, she hovered above him taking him in her hand and gently pumping while trailing her tiny fingers around his shape. “Tell me if you like this, Max.” Liz purred before moving between his legs and lowering her mouth onto his glistening head.
Max’s whole body bucked and shuddered upon feeling her warm mouth encompass him. “Liz…oh, God.” His fingers laced through her hair as she slowly moved up and down hoping she was adequate – this being her first time. She felt him tense up underneath and try to move her head up towards his mouth.
If I can control this I can control my mind and I can control the flashes. She continued her assault on Max slowly at first and then faster taking him to the brink before pulling away and looking at his face. His eyes closed tight, she spoke, “Look at me, Max.” He slowly opened his eyes. “I love you. I will always love you. For me, there will be no one but you. You complete me, make me whole and I never want to forget what that feels like.” She slithered up to hover above his hardness and then slowly descended down his shaft. “Keep looking at me, Max. Don’t stop looking at me. I want this, I want you and I want to see it as well as feel it.”
Truth be told, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. “Liz, my Liz…” he moaned as her reached up to pull her body down to kiss her. He had not expected this from Liz, not that he minded at all but, it had been his intention to blow her mind, to love her completely and now she had turned the tables. Liz was making love to him with a fierceness he had only dreamed of.
While Liz maintained control over Max’s body, her mind managed to stay one step ahead blocking the presence of the baby. But as she began to feel her own orgasm near, she started to lose her grip. “Max…oh, Max…,” she moaned try to hold on a little bit longer.
Flash
Max and Liz getting married in Vegas
Max and Liz working together at school in a hospital setting
Liz at home with a little baby
Enough, this had to end. She couldn’t risk it. It had to be enough. As Max stiffened losing control he pulled her down hard on top of him while Liz was overwhelmed by her own release. She collapsed on top of his drenched chest panting. Neither moved for a very long time.
“Liz, what…what was that?”
She knew he had seen. Seen them together, a memory of their now lost future. “It’s what I hope for everyday, Max. You and me together.” She whispered feeling the tears build up and roll down her cheeks as she slid off his chest and cuddled his side.
Max wrapped his arms around her and then grabbed the top of the sleeping bags and pulled it over their now shivering bodies.
“I want that too, Liz. I want to spend the rest of my life loving you. We never really talked about, you know, a family. I mean having children. I don’t even know if that’s possible because of what I am. Liz, what if we can’t? What if I can’t give you that…a family? You deserve so much.” He gently kissed her forehead. He had planned tonight out so meticulously and Liz had completely reversed his intentions in a matter of seconds. He had tomorrow night. Tomorrow night he would show her. She made him feel whole…normal. Made him believe in himself when all the doubt and fears and questions threatened to drown his psyche. She was his lifeline.
Liz began to feel the panic rise as his comments fell too close to the flame. She hated lying to him…keeping him from his child and all that it meant. Throughout the whole ordeal, that is what she hated the most. It went against the grain of who she was as a person. “We can talk about this later just hold me. I love you, Max. I will love you forever with all my heart, my soul. Don’t ever doubt that. Promise me you won’t ever forget that. It will always be you.”
He softly stroked her hair feeling the exhaustion of the day settle in. Hearing the sound of the wind rustling through the trees outside, he waved his hand extinguishing the candlelight and let the night rock them to sleep.
Chapter 12
Exploring what the Four Square meant consumed all talk around the campfire that evening. A bond definitely existed between Max and Tess, as well as, Isabel and Michael while the four had gone off to practice on there own. Their energy moved freely between eachother and felt familiar. Paired off, they were able to create a harmonious flow. As Max explained everything to the group, he looked at Liz and took her hand again to reinforce his feelings for her. As far as being able to access eachothers’ powers, they had not been successful. There had to be a way to activate the energy flow between all four of them uniting the two halves to make it whole.
“I’m open to any suggestions. I feel like we tried everything.” Max practically begged.
“Did you switch partners and try that way?” Kyle piped up offering anything to keep Max away from Tess.
“Yeah, we tried that with Michael and Tess and me and Izzy and we were able to enhance or boost each other’s power but not access it. All but me, that is. My ability to heal seems to be exclusive – no one can tap into it. It was like hitting a brick wall when anyone tried.” Max answered looking down at the ground.
“So like getting super size fries at Mickey D’s?” Kyle chuckled.
“Son,” Jim said exasperated.
“Dad, I’m trying to wrap my puny human pea brain around this. It seems to me that you’ve already learned something. I mean Max is the King, right? He can heal. He has a power that no one else has or can even super size right? Just stay with me, dad, before you say anything. This sets Max apart from the others. That’s why he is King. So, Michael is like General Patton or something married to his sister. Sorry Isabel. Michael’s power is opposite from Max’s you know, like North and South.”
“Heads or Tails,” Alex added.
“Tom and Jerry,” Kyle continued the volley back and forth.
“Mulder and Scully.”
“Where are you going with this Kyle?” Michael asked seeming irritated by the way Kyle and Alex were so flippant about the aliens.
“It just seems to me that you should square off north-south and east-west instead of Max and Tess, Michael and Isabel. You should do the yin yang thing, man. I don’t know it might work. Opposites attract.”
Liz jumped in, “Kyle, I think you may have something here. Have you guys ever tried pairing up girls and guys separately?”
“Nope.” Michael said flatly.
“Probably because you’re homophobic Guerin.” Kyle joked.
“Yeah, Kyle, and what sparked your insight. It sure as hell wasn’t Buddha. More likely the thought of Tess and Izzy paired up having some pillow fight,” Michael fired back.
“Shut up, Michael,” Isabel interrupted the bantering between Michael and Kyle, “Look, I am tired. It has been a long day. Thank you Kyle for your ever so graphic insight into our lives. I think we should try that it the morning, pairing up differently. I mean why not? Now if you’ll excuse me, I need my beauty sleep.” Isabel got up and walked toward the tent she and Tess were sharing.
Tents had been set up upon arrival around the now smoldering fire pit. The Valenti’s sharing one tent, Tess and Isabel another, Maria and Liz, Max and Michael leaving Alex in a tent by himself. By some unspoken agreement, everyone except the Sheriff knew that Max and Liz would pair up, as well as Michael and Maria as soon as everyone was asleep.
As Michael made his way quietly to the girl’s tent, Max started lighting candles. He wanted tonight to be special for them. It had been too long since they had spent any time alone together with school and work. Liz really hadn’t been herself lately. She deserved something special, romantic and stress free. So did he, for that matter.
Michael poked his head into Maria and Liz’s tent with his eyes closed. “Are you decent?” he whispered.
“Yeah, Space Boy, thought you’d catch us in some naked girl pillow fight…oh, Liz, hit me again…yeah, baby right there. That pillow feels sooooo good,” Maria feigned for Michael.
“Jeez, what is it with the pillow fight talk? Whatever, Max is waiting for you, Liz.”
“Thanks, I’ll just leave you two to…well…bye.” Liz blushed grabbing her things before leaving the tent and as silently as possible walked toward the boy’s tent. Before she got there she could see the glow of candles illuminating the large four-man nylon tent. Tonight was going to be special. It would be their last night together. She peered inside before entering. Max had lit tiny votive candles that were ‘magically’ hovering near the top of the tent. White, red and pink rose petals were strewn on the floor. Liz smiled making eye contact with her soulmate.
“All for you, Liz.” He said as he helped her inside. “I want tonight to be special. I want tonight to be about you. To make you relax and just let go and feel, now give me your pack.” Taking her gear, he placed it away from the center of the tent where he had zipped two sleeping bags together. “Why don’t you come over here and lay down, Ms. Parker,” he added while placing a kiss reverently on her forehead.
“Max…” Liz whispered feeling slightly overwhelmed by all his doting attention.
“Shhhh, just relax.” He gently laid her down onto of the sleeping bags and knelt beside her. She had already changed into her pajamas. “We’ll have to do something about these. You must not have gotten the invitation, no clothing allowed.” Max smiled and Liz couldn’t help but giggle until she felt his hands start to unbutton her cardigan. Suddenly, she felt very warm despite the cool air nipping at her now exposed shoulders.
Max slowly removed her sweater and looked at her laying there in a tank top and pajama pants. She was so beautiful, so lovely under the flickering of the magical candlelight above. For Max, Liz wasn’t striking in her appearance, like Isabel, but she had this simple, understated beauty that shone from inside out. That's what made her so special.
He reached to untie her pants and very carefully slid them over her hips, which she slightly raised. Trailing his fingers lightly on her now exposed thighs and then down the inside of her leg caused Liz to moan. She reached out to touch his hand. He stopped his caressing for a moment, just long enough to put both her hands up over her head where she couldn’t interrupt him again. “Keep your hands up there, Liz. Let me enjoy touching you.”
Liz closed her eyes still feeling his feather light touch on her calves, her knees and then back up to the top of her thighs. He hooked a finger inside the elastic of her panties and inched them down slightly. Leaning down, he began kissing her right below her bikini line while his finger slid her panties down farther until she again raised her hips to grant him better access. Max lifted her leg up trailing kisses. “Liz, look at me.”
His voice startled her as she fluttered open her eyes. “I love all of you, your heart, your mind and your body.” He ended the torture of caressing her and moved on top of her to kiss her waiting mouth.
She would not deny him this…she knew she couldn’t even if she tried. It had to be enough to last them both. It had to - because tomorrow would come and tomorrow she would be gone. She focused all her energy on hiding the growing fetus inside her. Little one, please, we just have to hide a bit longer from your daddy and then everything will be all right. Please understand and help me.
While the kiss became more urgent between them, Liz slid her hand to the waistband of Max’s sweatpants pulling them down revealing a very naked Max underneath. “No boxers, Max? I like it.” Max responded by pulling up her thin tank top so there was nothing separating them.
As he sat back to admire her once more, she swiftly removed the last barrier between them. “Liz…so beautiful,” he moaned and moved back in to capture her now exposed breasts.
“We have to be quiet, Max.” Liz panted between his kisses. “We can’t wake up the Sheriff. He’ll think we took advantage of him.”
“That sounds like a great idea…taking advantage. I can’t not touch you right now. Trust me and roll over, love.” Max had spent ample time touching the front of her body and now wanted to love the rest of it. As she complied, he gazed down at her curvaceous ass and the hollow of her back. Max laid down next to her and ran his fingers up and down her spine slowly tracing each notch and groove…memorizing her body. Leaning in closer he switched from touching to feather light kisses on the back of her neck and shoulders but still touching the sides of her breasts. Max was feeling more aroused than he had ever been in his life as Liz softly moaned his name. She reached out a hand groping for him…to touch some part of him to satisfy the need building inside her. More forceful than before, he took her hands and placed them above her head, “Don’t move, Liz, I’m just getting started. Do you like this?” he whispered huskily into her ear as began caressing her round bottom tracing it from the base of her back to between her thighs.
Liz felt so incredible; her whole body was throbbing and aching like never before. No one had ever touched her like this. She felt vulnerable and yet totally safe and loved at the same time. As his finger came in contact with her wetness, she couldn’t help but moan and move her body up toward him wanting more. Wanting to feel him inside her making her complete. He inserted one finger gently feeling how ready she already was and then another finger causing another low moan.
Liz could feel Max press his body down completely on her back, rubbing against her wanting desperately to be inside her again. But she didn’t want to end this touching. She didn’t want any of it to end. Feeling bold, she pushed up on her knees moving Max up off of her and rolled over facing him. “My turn, to touch you, now lay down.” She needed to fill a lifetime of loving him, touching his body. She began by stroking his chest gently. Then encircling his nipples trying to memorize every expression, every in take of breath. “Do you like that, Max?”
“Yes…mmmmhmmmm.”
She climbed on top of his waist pressing her wetness against him straddling his body. “And this, Max, do you like this?”
“Oh, God, Liz you feel so good.”
Inching her way down his body until she came in contact with his erection, she hovered above him taking him in her hand and gently pumping while trailing her tiny fingers around his shape. “Tell me if you like this, Max.” Liz purred before moving between his legs and lowering her mouth onto his glistening head.
Max’s whole body bucked and shuddered upon feeling her warm mouth encompass him. “Liz…oh, God.” His fingers laced through her hair as she slowly moved up and down hoping she was adequate – this being her first time. She felt him tense up underneath and try to move her head up towards his mouth.
If I can control this I can control my mind and I can control the flashes. She continued her assault on Max slowly at first and then faster taking him to the brink before pulling away and looking at his face. His eyes closed tight, she spoke, “Look at me, Max.” He slowly opened his eyes. “I love you. I will always love you. For me, there will be no one but you. You complete me, make me whole and I never want to forget what that feels like.” She slithered up to hover above his hardness and then slowly descended down his shaft. “Keep looking at me, Max. Don’t stop looking at me. I want this, I want you and I want to see it as well as feel it.”
Truth be told, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. “Liz, my Liz…” he moaned as her reached up to pull her body down to kiss her. He had not expected this from Liz, not that he minded at all but, it had been his intention to blow her mind, to love her completely and now she had turned the tables. Liz was making love to him with a fierceness he had only dreamed of.
While Liz maintained control over Max’s body, her mind managed to stay one step ahead blocking the presence of the baby. But as she began to feel her own orgasm near, she started to lose her grip. “Max…oh, Max…,” she moaned try to hold on a little bit longer.
Flash
Max and Liz getting married in Vegas
Max and Liz working together at school in a hospital setting
Liz at home with a little baby
Enough, this had to end. She couldn’t risk it. It had to be enough. As Max stiffened losing control he pulled her down hard on top of him while Liz was overwhelmed by her own release. She collapsed on top of his drenched chest panting. Neither moved for a very long time.
“Liz, what…what was that?”
She knew he had seen. Seen them together, a memory of their now lost future. “It’s what I hope for everyday, Max. You and me together.” She whispered feeling the tears build up and roll down her cheeks as she slid off his chest and cuddled his side.
Max wrapped his arms around her and then grabbed the top of the sleeping bags and pulled it over their now shivering bodies.
“I want that too, Liz. I want to spend the rest of my life loving you. We never really talked about, you know, a family. I mean having children. I don’t even know if that’s possible because of what I am. Liz, what if we can’t? What if I can’t give you that…a family? You deserve so much.” He gently kissed her forehead. He had planned tonight out so meticulously and Liz had completely reversed his intentions in a matter of seconds. He had tomorrow night. Tomorrow night he would show her. She made him feel whole…normal. Made him believe in himself when all the doubt and fears and questions threatened to drown his psyche. She was his lifeline.
Liz began to feel the panic rise as his comments fell too close to the flame. She hated lying to him…keeping him from his child and all that it meant. Throughout the whole ordeal, that is what she hated the most. It went against the grain of who she was as a person. “We can talk about this later just hold me. I love you, Max. I will love you forever with all my heart, my soul. Don’t ever doubt that. Promise me you won’t ever forget that. It will always be you.”
He softly stroked her hair feeling the exhaustion of the day settle in. Hearing the sound of the wind rustling through the trees outside, he waved his hand extinguishing the candlelight and let the night rock them to sleep.
-
amy2344
- Enthusiastic Roswellian
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2003 12:42 am
- Location: seattle
- Contact:
hope you enjoy...
Chapter 13
Liz woke hearing movement outside the tent. “Maxwell, wake up, man, we gotta switch. It’s late.” She whispered to Michael that she was dressing and would be out soon. She leaned over to Max, who was just waking up and gently touched his face.
“Morning, I have to get out of here. Michael’s outside. I don't want to go but...thank you for an amazing evening. I love you, Max.”
As she turned to leave, he reached out and grabbed her, pulling her down on top of him. “Where do you think you're going?” he kissed her passionately and began caressing her body.
“Maxwell, dude, get a move on. I’m coming in ready or not. It's freezing,” Michael announced starting to unzip the tent slowly.
Liz and Max broke away, smiling. “Tonight, Liz Parker, pay back.”
She knew there would be no tonight but, kissed him on the cheek and climbed past Michael. She crept silently back to her tent wishing the sun wasn’t rising. Maria had fallen back asleep after Michael left. Liz crawled into her sleeping bag feeling very alone and cold knowing that was the last time she would be with Max like that. She hoped it was good enough. She hoped it would sustain her. She wanted him to know and remember that she loved him…all of him.
As the gang woke, the Sheriff started a fire with Kyle’s help. I’m just glad to be doing this the old fashioned way. Nothing like a flip of the wrist to make a man feel inadequate. Kyle thought to himself. Michael cooked breakfast for everyone while the others talked about the agenda for the day. The plan consisted of pairing Max and Michael first then Tess and Isabel.
“Will all the aliens please report to the far end of camp?” Kyle announced loudly. "Will all the humans report for KP duty, pronto.”
Max took Liz’s hand as he prepared to leave. “I love you. I don’t know how I’ll concentrate today after what you did to me last night.”
“You will and you better. Now go, don’t make this any harder.”
“Are you sure you're okay with this…me spending time with Tess?”
“This is important. I trust you and I even trust Tess for that matter. Now go, the sooner you leave, the sooner you’ll be back.” She leaned in and kissed him.
As she turned to leave still feeling his lips on her, he whispered to her, “Tonight, Liz Parker, tonight is about you.” She hugged him tightly knowing it would never be.
As the four aliens walked from the campsite to a distant clearing in the woods, Tess approached Max. “Umm, Max, can I talk with you?”
Feeling apprehensive and wishing Michael and Isabel weren’t so far ahead of them, he stuttered, “Well, okay.”
“I just wanted to thank you, Max.”
“What?” he had no idea what she was talking about.
“For including me lately.”
“Um, Tess, you should be thanking Liz. She's been your cheerleader.”
“I know that but, none of you had to go along with it. I know this is awkward, but I just wanted you to know that I am dropping the whole destiny issue. I mean it would have been nice to be queen of an entire planet,” she laughed, “but there are more important things.”
Max couldn’t believe he was hearing this, “Like what?”
“Friendship, for one. Family and belonging to something that is bigger than just yourself.” Tess stated matter of factly. “I’m glad you’re with Liz. Jealous, but glad and not of her, but of what the two of you have. I’ve decided that’s what I want too.”
“Well, maybe you will now that you're open to it.”
“Yep, I hope so. I just wanted to let you know, Max. I want to be your friend. Nothing more. Deal?”
“I’d like that too, Tess.”
“Great,” Tess smiled before running ahead to catch up with Michael and Isabel.
Whoa, did that really just happen? Max thought. Did she just give me her blessing to be with Liz? Liz was right. Liz was always right. Max Evans was happy, truly and gloriously happy. He even started whistling.
After the conversation with Tess, he felt as if some mental block he had during the first practice session had lifted. By trying to combine their powers the way Kyle suggested, something just clicked into place. Everyone was able to learn each other’s gift except Max’s ability to heal. They took turns mindwarping and sending energy blasts but knew that they would have to wait until tonight to try dreamwalking. It seemed logical though that they would be able to do it based on what they'd learned. By working together in pairs of opposites, the bond between the four of them grew in intensity. Their power flowed more freely and yet in a more controlled manner. Something had absolutely changed between the group. There was a renewed sense of purpose as they headed back to camp tired, but satisfied.
Tess walked back with Michael having what appeared to be a deep conversation. Max and Isabel walked behind them in silence for awhile until she said, “Tess talked to me. She said she wanted to be my friend. Strange huh?”
“I know. She basically gave Liz and me her blessing earlier. She told me she was giving up her destiny. I believe her Isabel. Do you?”
“She told me she wanted me to help her learn more about her human side. I wonder if that’s what she’s talking to Michael about? I guess I believe her. It’s just hard sometimes. It’s been us, the three of us, the three musketeers. And now...she comes into the picture and it wasn’t the best of times at first. Those dreams that Michael and I had. I still think she had something to do with them. I want to believe but I guess I’m scared. I trust you and Michael with everything. I don’t know if I can have that with her,” Isabel drifted off in thought.
Max put his arm around his sister, “I think she’s trying. I think she feels differently than she did when she first arrived. A lot has changed; a lot has happened to all of us. We’ll just take it slow. But she is reaching out so, maybe you should meet her half way. It’s everything I've wanted... her dropping the destiny talk and just fit in. Liz started her wheels turning; she’s the one who wanted us to give her another chance.”
“Come on, brother dear. Let’s catch up and save Michael. I don’t know how he will react to her olive branch. And thanks, Max.”
Dinner at camp was uneventful. Everyone sat near the fire discussing the practice session and much to Michael’s chagrin watching Kyle’s victory lap around the group.
“So Kyle, as much as I hate to admit it, you were right,” Michael sputtered.
“Yeah, something changed today when we paired up differently. We seemed much more connected and focused," Max added.
“Valenti shoots, he scores.”
“So how about tomorrow we just relax kids, before heading back. Maybe hike up to the lake?” the Sheriff suggested.
Relax. Liz thought as her stomach lurched. The lake...she had to make it to the northwest corner of the lake to meet up with River Dog. The sand was running out. Max had pulled her aside upon his return to let her know about his chat with Tess and her giving up on her destiny. Now Liz was about start her own. She clung to Max tighter.
Just like last night, everyone went to his or her respective tents. Liz and Maria sat together talking softly, listening to the sounds of Jim putting out the fire. “Maria, you’re my best friend and I love you. You know that, don’t you?”
“Yeah, babe, what’s up? Aunt Flow visiting?” Maria joked at Liz’s sudden gush of emotion.
“Nothing. I just wanted you to know. Can’t a girl just tell her best friend how she feels?”
“Me too, Lizzie. I mean we are trapped in this alien soap opera together with no hope for escape…” Michael poked his head inside the girl’s tent interrupting her.
“Hey, Space Boy, that was fast. You are so whipped,” Maria joked.
“Well, I’m off. Michael take care of her.” Liz stepped out into the cool night air. She couldn’t look back. She had thought about spending the evening loving him again but knew last night would have to be enough. She couldn’t be that selfish or risky not when the end was near. She quietly turned and went in the opposite direction of Max’s tent. She figured she would have maybe a 15-minute head start before Max checked to see what was taking her so long. She moved as efficiently as she could in the dark not wanting to risk the use of the flashlight.
Earlier in the day, while the others were away, she had asked Alex to go for a walk. She used that time to lay out her escape route while he was none the wiser as she maneuvered them through the forest towards the lake. She was also able to tell Alex how she felt about him too. She was glad she was able to tell Maria even though it felt rushed. She hated herself for not telling Max one more time. But Liz knew, knew if she went into that tent with him tonight, she would have never come out again and all would be lost.
She checked her watch and found she had at least another half-hour before she would be able to glimpse the lake. She picked up her pace expecting at any second to hear Max calling for her. As she did she felt a jolt of pain in her leg. Looking down, she felt the tear in her pajama pants and felt the blood trickle down her thigh. She couldn’t stop. With her heart pounding, she pressed on.
Max waited in the tent for her arrival. This time he would have the upper hand. He laid back on the sleeping bags feeling the exhaustion set in from another day of using his power. Liz, he thought, my beautiful Liz, while listening to the light breeze blowing through the pine trees, rippling the fabric of the tent in a hypnotic rhythm. He closed his eyes briefly and felt his body jerk as his muscles released the last couple days of stress. His last thought before drifting off to sleep was of Liz.
Liz felt she had gone far enough to turn on the flashlight. As she did, she checked her compass, praying she was still on course. The moon peeked through the clouds briefly helping to illuminate her path. Using the light, she checked her leg and saw the fabric of her pants torn and bloody. She knew she had to keep going and that any moment she would see the shimmer of the water and the end of her life as she had known it.
Chapter 13
Liz woke hearing movement outside the tent. “Maxwell, wake up, man, we gotta switch. It’s late.” She whispered to Michael that she was dressing and would be out soon. She leaned over to Max, who was just waking up and gently touched his face.
“Morning, I have to get out of here. Michael’s outside. I don't want to go but...thank you for an amazing evening. I love you, Max.”
As she turned to leave, he reached out and grabbed her, pulling her down on top of him. “Where do you think you're going?” he kissed her passionately and began caressing her body.
“Maxwell, dude, get a move on. I’m coming in ready or not. It's freezing,” Michael announced starting to unzip the tent slowly.
Liz and Max broke away, smiling. “Tonight, Liz Parker, pay back.”
She knew there would be no tonight but, kissed him on the cheek and climbed past Michael. She crept silently back to her tent wishing the sun wasn’t rising. Maria had fallen back asleep after Michael left. Liz crawled into her sleeping bag feeling very alone and cold knowing that was the last time she would be with Max like that. She hoped it was good enough. She hoped it would sustain her. She wanted him to know and remember that she loved him…all of him.
As the gang woke, the Sheriff started a fire with Kyle’s help. I’m just glad to be doing this the old fashioned way. Nothing like a flip of the wrist to make a man feel inadequate. Kyle thought to himself. Michael cooked breakfast for everyone while the others talked about the agenda for the day. The plan consisted of pairing Max and Michael first then Tess and Isabel.
“Will all the aliens please report to the far end of camp?” Kyle announced loudly. "Will all the humans report for KP duty, pronto.”
Max took Liz’s hand as he prepared to leave. “I love you. I don’t know how I’ll concentrate today after what you did to me last night.”
“You will and you better. Now go, don’t make this any harder.”
“Are you sure you're okay with this…me spending time with Tess?”
“This is important. I trust you and I even trust Tess for that matter. Now go, the sooner you leave, the sooner you’ll be back.” She leaned in and kissed him.
As she turned to leave still feeling his lips on her, he whispered to her, “Tonight, Liz Parker, tonight is about you.” She hugged him tightly knowing it would never be.
As the four aliens walked from the campsite to a distant clearing in the woods, Tess approached Max. “Umm, Max, can I talk with you?”
Feeling apprehensive and wishing Michael and Isabel weren’t so far ahead of them, he stuttered, “Well, okay.”
“I just wanted to thank you, Max.”
“What?” he had no idea what she was talking about.
“For including me lately.”
“Um, Tess, you should be thanking Liz. She's been your cheerleader.”
“I know that but, none of you had to go along with it. I know this is awkward, but I just wanted you to know that I am dropping the whole destiny issue. I mean it would have been nice to be queen of an entire planet,” she laughed, “but there are more important things.”
Max couldn’t believe he was hearing this, “Like what?”
“Friendship, for one. Family and belonging to something that is bigger than just yourself.” Tess stated matter of factly. “I’m glad you’re with Liz. Jealous, but glad and not of her, but of what the two of you have. I’ve decided that’s what I want too.”
“Well, maybe you will now that you're open to it.”
“Yep, I hope so. I just wanted to let you know, Max. I want to be your friend. Nothing more. Deal?”
“I’d like that too, Tess.”
“Great,” Tess smiled before running ahead to catch up with Michael and Isabel.
Whoa, did that really just happen? Max thought. Did she just give me her blessing to be with Liz? Liz was right. Liz was always right. Max Evans was happy, truly and gloriously happy. He even started whistling.
After the conversation with Tess, he felt as if some mental block he had during the first practice session had lifted. By trying to combine their powers the way Kyle suggested, something just clicked into place. Everyone was able to learn each other’s gift except Max’s ability to heal. They took turns mindwarping and sending energy blasts but knew that they would have to wait until tonight to try dreamwalking. It seemed logical though that they would be able to do it based on what they'd learned. By working together in pairs of opposites, the bond between the four of them grew in intensity. Their power flowed more freely and yet in a more controlled manner. Something had absolutely changed between the group. There was a renewed sense of purpose as they headed back to camp tired, but satisfied.
Tess walked back with Michael having what appeared to be a deep conversation. Max and Isabel walked behind them in silence for awhile until she said, “Tess talked to me. She said she wanted to be my friend. Strange huh?”
“I know. She basically gave Liz and me her blessing earlier. She told me she was giving up her destiny. I believe her Isabel. Do you?”
“She told me she wanted me to help her learn more about her human side. I wonder if that’s what she’s talking to Michael about? I guess I believe her. It’s just hard sometimes. It’s been us, the three of us, the three musketeers. And now...she comes into the picture and it wasn’t the best of times at first. Those dreams that Michael and I had. I still think she had something to do with them. I want to believe but I guess I’m scared. I trust you and Michael with everything. I don’t know if I can have that with her,” Isabel drifted off in thought.
Max put his arm around his sister, “I think she’s trying. I think she feels differently than she did when she first arrived. A lot has changed; a lot has happened to all of us. We’ll just take it slow. But she is reaching out so, maybe you should meet her half way. It’s everything I've wanted... her dropping the destiny talk and just fit in. Liz started her wheels turning; she’s the one who wanted us to give her another chance.”
“Come on, brother dear. Let’s catch up and save Michael. I don’t know how he will react to her olive branch. And thanks, Max.”
Dinner at camp was uneventful. Everyone sat near the fire discussing the practice session and much to Michael’s chagrin watching Kyle’s victory lap around the group.
“So Kyle, as much as I hate to admit it, you were right,” Michael sputtered.
“Yeah, something changed today when we paired up differently. We seemed much more connected and focused," Max added.
“Valenti shoots, he scores.”
“So how about tomorrow we just relax kids, before heading back. Maybe hike up to the lake?” the Sheriff suggested.
Relax. Liz thought as her stomach lurched. The lake...she had to make it to the northwest corner of the lake to meet up with River Dog. The sand was running out. Max had pulled her aside upon his return to let her know about his chat with Tess and her giving up on her destiny. Now Liz was about start her own. She clung to Max tighter.
Just like last night, everyone went to his or her respective tents. Liz and Maria sat together talking softly, listening to the sounds of Jim putting out the fire. “Maria, you’re my best friend and I love you. You know that, don’t you?”
“Yeah, babe, what’s up? Aunt Flow visiting?” Maria joked at Liz’s sudden gush of emotion.
“Nothing. I just wanted you to know. Can’t a girl just tell her best friend how she feels?”
“Me too, Lizzie. I mean we are trapped in this alien soap opera together with no hope for escape…” Michael poked his head inside the girl’s tent interrupting her.
“Hey, Space Boy, that was fast. You are so whipped,” Maria joked.
“Well, I’m off. Michael take care of her.” Liz stepped out into the cool night air. She couldn’t look back. She had thought about spending the evening loving him again but knew last night would have to be enough. She couldn’t be that selfish or risky not when the end was near. She quietly turned and went in the opposite direction of Max’s tent. She figured she would have maybe a 15-minute head start before Max checked to see what was taking her so long. She moved as efficiently as she could in the dark not wanting to risk the use of the flashlight.
Earlier in the day, while the others were away, she had asked Alex to go for a walk. She used that time to lay out her escape route while he was none the wiser as she maneuvered them through the forest towards the lake. She was also able to tell Alex how she felt about him too. She was glad she was able to tell Maria even though it felt rushed. She hated herself for not telling Max one more time. But Liz knew, knew if she went into that tent with him tonight, she would have never come out again and all would be lost.
She checked her watch and found she had at least another half-hour before she would be able to glimpse the lake. She picked up her pace expecting at any second to hear Max calling for her. As she did she felt a jolt of pain in her leg. Looking down, she felt the tear in her pajama pants and felt the blood trickle down her thigh. She couldn’t stop. With her heart pounding, she pressed on.
Max waited in the tent for her arrival. This time he would have the upper hand. He laid back on the sleeping bags feeling the exhaustion set in from another day of using his power. Liz, he thought, my beautiful Liz, while listening to the light breeze blowing through the pine trees, rippling the fabric of the tent in a hypnotic rhythm. He closed his eyes briefly and felt his body jerk as his muscles released the last couple days of stress. His last thought before drifting off to sleep was of Liz.
Liz felt she had gone far enough to turn on the flashlight. As she did, she checked her compass, praying she was still on course. The moon peeked through the clouds briefly helping to illuminate her path. Using the light, she checked her leg and saw the fabric of her pants torn and bloody. She knew she had to keep going and that any moment she would see the shimmer of the water and the end of her life as she had known it.
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amy2344
- Enthusiastic Roswellian
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2003 12:42 am
- Location: seattle
- Contact:
enjoy. thanks for all of you who are reading.
Chapter 14
Eight Months Later Roswell, New Mexico
They met as usual on Saturday morning at The Crashdown – the seven of them. It sounded so strange. Seven was supposed to be a lucky number but now it only seemed odd, incomplete without Liz.
Tess had been the first to suggest organizing search parties with Kyle and the Sheriff’s help. Without Liz there as the glue to hold them together they were coming closer to falling apart. How could one small person have held such power?
It wasn’t even really power. It was something else. Something no one could really explain. It was as if Liz was the heartbeat, the core of the group. Max had been right to trust her with their secret and Liz in turn had been right to trust Maria and Alex widening the scope of the group. They really had been stronger for it.
Since her disappearance in so many ways the group had become closer and yet distant, guarded and fearful. Maria and Alex kept up a brave face mainly for the Parker’s, but she knew they were hurting and scared. Michael seemed angry. Angry at Liz for vanishing - as if she had any control over it. He insisted something wasn’t right that it felt wrong somehow. Of course, Michael based his uneasiness on some rather unsettling facts.
First, after searching Frazier Woods repeatedly for Liz after they realized she was gone, Maria went through her pack. The contents seemed less than suitable for a weekend camping trip - no real outdoor gear or equipment. Everything packed seemed random and so unlike Liz to not be prepared.
Second, after returning to Roswell, Maria, Alex and Max were in Liz’s room with Isabel seeing if they could sense or find anything. Nothing, except Alex found four notes in the trashcan written by Liz before leaving for the trip. They were addressed to her parents, Max, Alex and Maria. However, something had spilled in the trashcan running the ink. What was legible made them all feel uneasy – as if Liz had had some sort of premonition about not coming back. What had caused her to write these notes full of a desperate need to convey her love for those closest to her?
Maria was the one to notice that her stuffed bear was missing and then Max discovered that her Journal was not behind the brick in its usual hiding spot. They searched through her pack again at the Sheriff’s office. The only other evidence was a torn piece of fabric from her pajamas which DNA testing revealed as having traces of her blood on it. The ripped fabric was found about three quarters of a mile away from the campsite near the lake. Michael stayed in the area for hours after getting a brief and confusing flash from the dried blood and torn fabric. He could sense Liz’s fear and felt the presence of someone else but couldn’t see who it was. Max also noticed that the picture frame he gave her with a photo of himself that she kept by her bed was gone. They asked the Parker’s if they had moved anything but to no avail. It was as if Liz Parker ceased to exist that night...vanished without a trace.
Max was broken, empty. He blamed himself and felt that everyone else did too. No one did, of course. He had, after all, fallen asleep waiting for her. They knew she had to have been taken or gotten lost and disoriented on her way to his tent, on her way to him. He had been the one that brought Liz into this by saving her life and now she was either taken by the Skins or worse in Max’s mind – the FBI. He had nightmares of Liz being tortured in the White Room…all because of what she knew…because she loved him.
Shortly after her disappearance, Max begged Isabel to try dreamwalking her. He felt he was still too new to his ability of dreamwalking after the Four Square practice sessions. He also felt he was too emotionally charged to calm down and really focus. She tried but couldn’t get anything. She felt as if she was being blocked, powerfully blocked from Liz. This made Max feel as if was the Skins that had taken her. He felt that any day they would receive some sort of ransom.
Max never wavered knowing he would sacrifice himself in an instant for Liz’s safe return. But deep down, he also knew that she might be doing precisely the same for him. Sacrificing herself for the safety of him and the others.
With Isabel’s inability to contact Liz, this only fueled Michael’s obsession. Ever paranoid, he was convinced that the Skins were going to one by one pick off the ‘humans’ to get to the Royal Four. He would become increasingly protective of Maria one minute and then push her away saying it was because of him that she was in danger.
Liz’s disappearance is actually what pushed Alex and Isabel together. Isabel was determined to protect him. They became closer and closer locked in their mutual grief and fear until they were inseparable.
For Tess, she felt this growing protectiveness for the rest of them. They had become her friends, her family. They all accepted her even needed her - a concept she had never fully grasped until now - needing another. Nasedo had always taught her to look out for number one or at least the Royal Four. It seemed different now. Liz Parker actually believed in her and convinced the others to give her another chance. The least she could do was continue to search for her because in her heart of hearts … she knew Liz would have done the same for her.
“I’m not saying we give up but it’s been eight months now and nothing,” Michael stated as he sat in the booth with the others. “I just don’t know where to go next. I mean we haven’t heard anything from the Skins, if that’s who has her and the FBI hasn’t descended on Roswell in swarms.”
Hearing this Max shuddered. He felt he would know if Liz were gone – dead. He felt it in his bones, in every breath he took. She was still alive but unreachable. “What’s your plan, Tess?” he asked wearily rubbing his face.
“You guys talked about that guy from the Reservation, River Dog? He helped you all heal Michael, right?. He knew Nasedo. Maybe we ask him for help. I don’t understand it, but Nasedo said that he had powers of his own – some Native American stuff and Nasedo never went into any detail. I know you all may not have trusted Nasedo, but he seemed to trust this River Dog character. It’s worth a try,” Tess pleaded.
“That’s a good idea, so who’s on deck this week?” Isabel asked.
“I’m up. I’ll go later on today after my shift. I just don’t see…nevermind,” Michael stopped in mid-sentence knowing everyone there was still clinging to whatever small thread of hope this wild goose chase might bring. “I gotta go to work. Isabel, Max will one of you stay with Maria until I get back? I just don’t want her to be alone and…unprotected…since she isn’t working tonight I can’t keep an eye out.”
“Hey, maybe she’ll want to go to the movies with me and Alex,” Isabel asked trying to lighten things up. “Max, do you want to join us?”
Knowing he wouldn’t. Max spent more and more time alone in his room or at the Pod Chamber. He kept trying to contact Liz by dreamwalking her. He had been practicing with both Isabel and Tess and felt he was becoming stronger.
“No thanks, Is. I’m gonna go home and …well, you know. Michael, let us know what River Dog says.” Max turned and walked out of the Crashdown looking defeated.
Chapter 14
Eight Months Later Roswell, New Mexico
They met as usual on Saturday morning at The Crashdown – the seven of them. It sounded so strange. Seven was supposed to be a lucky number but now it only seemed odd, incomplete without Liz.
Tess had been the first to suggest organizing search parties with Kyle and the Sheriff’s help. Without Liz there as the glue to hold them together they were coming closer to falling apart. How could one small person have held such power?
It wasn’t even really power. It was something else. Something no one could really explain. It was as if Liz was the heartbeat, the core of the group. Max had been right to trust her with their secret and Liz in turn had been right to trust Maria and Alex widening the scope of the group. They really had been stronger for it.
Since her disappearance in so many ways the group had become closer and yet distant, guarded and fearful. Maria and Alex kept up a brave face mainly for the Parker’s, but she knew they were hurting and scared. Michael seemed angry. Angry at Liz for vanishing - as if she had any control over it. He insisted something wasn’t right that it felt wrong somehow. Of course, Michael based his uneasiness on some rather unsettling facts.
First, after searching Frazier Woods repeatedly for Liz after they realized she was gone, Maria went through her pack. The contents seemed less than suitable for a weekend camping trip - no real outdoor gear or equipment. Everything packed seemed random and so unlike Liz to not be prepared.
Second, after returning to Roswell, Maria, Alex and Max were in Liz’s room with Isabel seeing if they could sense or find anything. Nothing, except Alex found four notes in the trashcan written by Liz before leaving for the trip. They were addressed to her parents, Max, Alex and Maria. However, something had spilled in the trashcan running the ink. What was legible made them all feel uneasy – as if Liz had had some sort of premonition about not coming back. What had caused her to write these notes full of a desperate need to convey her love for those closest to her?
Maria was the one to notice that her stuffed bear was missing and then Max discovered that her Journal was not behind the brick in its usual hiding spot. They searched through her pack again at the Sheriff’s office. The only other evidence was a torn piece of fabric from her pajamas which DNA testing revealed as having traces of her blood on it. The ripped fabric was found about three quarters of a mile away from the campsite near the lake. Michael stayed in the area for hours after getting a brief and confusing flash from the dried blood and torn fabric. He could sense Liz’s fear and felt the presence of someone else but couldn’t see who it was. Max also noticed that the picture frame he gave her with a photo of himself that she kept by her bed was gone. They asked the Parker’s if they had moved anything but to no avail. It was as if Liz Parker ceased to exist that night...vanished without a trace.
Max was broken, empty. He blamed himself and felt that everyone else did too. No one did, of course. He had, after all, fallen asleep waiting for her. They knew she had to have been taken or gotten lost and disoriented on her way to his tent, on her way to him. He had been the one that brought Liz into this by saving her life and now she was either taken by the Skins or worse in Max’s mind – the FBI. He had nightmares of Liz being tortured in the White Room…all because of what she knew…because she loved him.
Shortly after her disappearance, Max begged Isabel to try dreamwalking her. He felt he was still too new to his ability of dreamwalking after the Four Square practice sessions. He also felt he was too emotionally charged to calm down and really focus. She tried but couldn’t get anything. She felt as if she was being blocked, powerfully blocked from Liz. This made Max feel as if was the Skins that had taken her. He felt that any day they would receive some sort of ransom.
Max never wavered knowing he would sacrifice himself in an instant for Liz’s safe return. But deep down, he also knew that she might be doing precisely the same for him. Sacrificing herself for the safety of him and the others.
With Isabel’s inability to contact Liz, this only fueled Michael’s obsession. Ever paranoid, he was convinced that the Skins were going to one by one pick off the ‘humans’ to get to the Royal Four. He would become increasingly protective of Maria one minute and then push her away saying it was because of him that she was in danger.
Liz’s disappearance is actually what pushed Alex and Isabel together. Isabel was determined to protect him. They became closer and closer locked in their mutual grief and fear until they were inseparable.
For Tess, she felt this growing protectiveness for the rest of them. They had become her friends, her family. They all accepted her even needed her - a concept she had never fully grasped until now - needing another. Nasedo had always taught her to look out for number one or at least the Royal Four. It seemed different now. Liz Parker actually believed in her and convinced the others to give her another chance. The least she could do was continue to search for her because in her heart of hearts … she knew Liz would have done the same for her.
“I’m not saying we give up but it’s been eight months now and nothing,” Michael stated as he sat in the booth with the others. “I just don’t know where to go next. I mean we haven’t heard anything from the Skins, if that’s who has her and the FBI hasn’t descended on Roswell in swarms.”
Hearing this Max shuddered. He felt he would know if Liz were gone – dead. He felt it in his bones, in every breath he took. She was still alive but unreachable. “What’s your plan, Tess?” he asked wearily rubbing his face.
“You guys talked about that guy from the Reservation, River Dog? He helped you all heal Michael, right?. He knew Nasedo. Maybe we ask him for help. I don’t understand it, but Nasedo said that he had powers of his own – some Native American stuff and Nasedo never went into any detail. I know you all may not have trusted Nasedo, but he seemed to trust this River Dog character. It’s worth a try,” Tess pleaded.
“That’s a good idea, so who’s on deck this week?” Isabel asked.
“I’m up. I’ll go later on today after my shift. I just don’t see…nevermind,” Michael stopped in mid-sentence knowing everyone there was still clinging to whatever small thread of hope this wild goose chase might bring. “I gotta go to work. Isabel, Max will one of you stay with Maria until I get back? I just don’t want her to be alone and…unprotected…since she isn’t working tonight I can’t keep an eye out.”
“Hey, maybe she’ll want to go to the movies with me and Alex,” Isabel asked trying to lighten things up. “Max, do you want to join us?”
Knowing he wouldn’t. Max spent more and more time alone in his room or at the Pod Chamber. He kept trying to contact Liz by dreamwalking her. He had been practicing with both Isabel and Tess and felt he was becoming stronger.
“No thanks, Is. I’m gonna go home and …well, you know. Michael, let us know what River Dog says.” Max turned and walked out of the Crashdown looking defeated.
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amy2344
- Enthusiastic Roswellian
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2003 12:42 am
- Location: seattle
- Contact:
Chapter 15
Michael finished his shift, changed clothes, grabbed his helmet and headed out on his bike towards the reservation with a feeling of uneasiness growing inside him. The sun was beginning to set as he pulled up to wood framed houses lining the dirt road that cut through the heart of the reservation.
Parking his bike at the General Store, he set off to locate River Dog. The store had closed for the evening and the streets were deserted. He walked along the road towards the Community Center knowing he would eventually run into someone who could help him. He saw movement at the far end of the road, someone walking into a small house that had looked as deserted as the rest. He approached the house and knocked tentatively on the paint chipped door.
“Serena, I’m in back, come on in,” a familiar voice called out. Michael opened the door and walked in. The main room was sparse with only a second hand, patched sofa and a single flickering light bulb hanging from the ceiling. He heard footsteps coming from what appeared to be the kitchen and then he saw her.
Liz froze, seeing not Serena, but Michael Guerin staring back at her. Tears started to well up in her eyes as his line of vision traveled from her face to her swollen belly.
Michael flew into an immediate rage. “So this is your little secret? This is why we’ve been going crazy trying to find you…believing you’d been taken by the Skins or God knows. Are you ashamed, Liz? Messing up your plans for college…didn’t want to disappoint mom and dad, but it’s okay to betray your friends.”
She continued to stand there dumfounded, her heart pounding inside her small frame. They were so close to getting away with things…leaving Roswell and not being found out. She had to tell him. She had to hope beyond all hope that Michael could keep her secret. If she didn’t, she knew he would most assuredly go back and tell Max and the others. And then where would she be? Where would they all be? But she already knew the answer…dead. Everything she had done and sacrificed would’ve been for nothing.
“Answer me, Liz!” Michael shouted grabbing her arm shaking her out her thoughts. “Is the baby Max’s or is it someone else’s? At least then I could wrap my mind around why you’d leave versus breaking his heart completely. I can’t imagine you denying Max of his child. You did love him or did you? I don’t even know anymore what you were thinking. How could you?”
Michael pushed her away. As he released his grip on her arm, Liz stumbled back into the wall. It was now or never. She had to tell him, but not before she felt a searing pain cut through her abdomen. She clutched her rounded belly and slid down the wall to the floor. Oh, no not now, she thought.
“Michael, please. You have to listen to me. You have to help me. You have to help Max’s son,” Liz panted as the contraction subsided. Michael just stared at her leaning against the wall sitting on the dirty wood floor.
“Why should I? You destroyed him Max sits in his room blaming himself. If it weren’t for Tess trying to hold him together, keep him believing that we’ll find you. The irony is she is your biggest supporter. She and Kyle organize these weekly search parties and this time it was my turn. We thought we’d ask River Dog for help. Maybe he could put the word out…do some sort of Native American mumbo jumbo…” Michael trailed off as he saw Liz’s small body tighten up as another contraction came on.
Again, Liz relaxed as the pain subsided and said, “Michael, there may not be much time and I have no choice but to trust you. Trust you with something that I swore I never would tell anyone.”
“What the hell are you talking about, Liz. Have you lost your mind?” Michael said, his voice beginning to rise as his anger was once again building.
“No, Michael. I am more clear and sane than I have ever been. I’ll just have to show you,” Liz stated matter of factly as she carefully leaned forward to try and stand.
“Show me what?" Michael demanded.
“I’ll have to connect with you Michael. It’ll be easier that way and then you 'll know. You’ll know everything,” Liz spoke softly as she waddled towards the sofa and sat down with a heavy sigh.
“We can’t connect, Liz. There’s no bond between us, not like you and Max and besides you are human,” Michael more calmly said as he turned to face her.
“Yes, we can. I’m not exactly human anymore,” Liz almost said in an amusing way. For as stressful as this situation was she had to try and relax. What were the odds that of all people Michael Guerin would find her?
“What?” Michael squealed quickly losing whatever self-control he had left. “Look, I need answers here. I don’t know how I can even start to believe anything you have to say.”
“Because she is telling you the truth, my son.” Michael whirled around as River Dog spoke.
“You…you’re in on this too?” Michael asked.
“Michael, sit down. She speaks the truth. Listen to her and all will be answered. Now it will be your burden to bear as well,” River Dog said as he gestured for Michael to sit. Michael ran his fingers through his hair and moved towards the sofa where Liz sat rhythmically breathing.
“Okay, whatever, it’s not gonna work. What do you want me to do?” he said with venom still in his voice.
“Michael, look at me and let your mind go blank. I’m just gonna touch you here,” she said taking his hand in hers. “It’ll happen, relax.”
As he knelt down in front of Liz he looked into her tear streaked face and suddenly felt sad. “It’s not gonna…”’ Michael started to say and then all of the sudden he was bombarded with images.
Flash
Liz and Max…a much older Max talking on her balcony.
Max and Liz married in Vegas.
Having a son.
Michael and Maria living together in Roswell. Happy.
The attack by Khivar’s people and Tess betraying them.
Maria dying to try and save Max’s son.
Michael trying to save Isabel, but being blasted by an pulse of energy…his life force leave his body.
Max, Liz and the girl, who was now standing by River Dog, running to the Pod Chamber with Isabel’s lifeless body in tow.
Liz couldn’t take anymore. The tears had started again as another contraction wracked her body. She broke the connection. Michael jumped up.
“What was that, Liz?” he asked softly.
Serena, sensing Liz’s distress at what she had to endure to show Michael the truth of what was to come, decided to take over. “It’s the future. It will happen in less than 14 years unless you help us. You have got to get a grip here, Michael. Can’t you see? That’s why Liz left. She had to prevent that from happening.” Liz held her breath while Serena continued, silently thanking her for taking over the story.
“Look, I modified the Granolith in order to bring Max back in time. We had to change things. We were all that was left. It was the only way to keep Tess from leaving…keep Alex alive…keep you all alive…protect the baby. He can save us from Khivar and the Skins. He can restore order and balance to Antar. He can prevent the world from ending 14 years from now,” Serena finished still holding Michael’s gaze.
Michael sat down and turned to Liz who was trying to breathe through her contractions, still hoping he would understand. Calmly he said, “Why not just tell us? Why all the clock and dagger stuff? You could’ve just told us.”
“Michael, if I am seen with Max’s child, Nicholas will know and then Khivar will know. Khivar will mount an army. He knows that our son is the true heir and poses a threat if he doesn’t strike first. I had to leave. I also had to convince Tess to stay. Michael, she defects to the other side because of me and Max…because of the way we all treated her. But she doesn’t go quietly; she takes Alex with her. She kills him, Michael. Can’t you see why I had to go? Max cannot know about this baby so that Khivar won't know. The baby is coming soon. I can feel it.” Liz almost chuckled to herself the absurdity of the situation not lost. “I should have asked Future Max his birthday although I think it could be today.” She said as another contraction started.
Serena continued as Liz breathed her way through the wave of pain. “Liz and I were leaving New Mexico and moving East after the baby came. The only reason we were staying close was in case something did go wrong with the birth. Since we have already altered the time line we did not know if we might have inadvertently changed what was a normal delivery in the past timeline - what with the stress Liz has been under given the present circumstance and no thanks to you. We thought if we had to we would have to call in for reinforcements…meaning Max. That was only a last resort. We will do whatever we need to in order to protect the baby.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Michael said.
Feeling another contraction starting, she replied hastily, “Say that you’ll help us. Say you’ll keep our secret. At least with you knowing you can encourage the training of the Four Square. Owww…” A trickle of silver, luminescent liquid fell to the floor between Liz’s legs. Her water had broken. It was time.
“Liz, it’s time we need to take you to the healers. Michael, can you stay and bear witness? We may need your help to connect with Liz to calm her,” River Dog asked.
“Yeah, I need a cover though. I mean if I don’t show up soon…they will start to wonder,” Michael said his mind racing as he met Serena’s gaze.
“I’m Serena, Michael. Sorry we are meeting under less than normal circumstance. Apparently in the future you and I had quite a tempestuous relationship…that is according to Future Max,” Serena said almost taunting him.
“Great, Maxwell trusted you, a complete stranger, versus me,” Michael said obviously overwhelmed by the turn of events as he helped a very distressed Liz out the door and down the steps towards a new chapter in all their lives.
Michael finished his shift, changed clothes, grabbed his helmet and headed out on his bike towards the reservation with a feeling of uneasiness growing inside him. The sun was beginning to set as he pulled up to wood framed houses lining the dirt road that cut through the heart of the reservation.
Parking his bike at the General Store, he set off to locate River Dog. The store had closed for the evening and the streets were deserted. He walked along the road towards the Community Center knowing he would eventually run into someone who could help him. He saw movement at the far end of the road, someone walking into a small house that had looked as deserted as the rest. He approached the house and knocked tentatively on the paint chipped door.
“Serena, I’m in back, come on in,” a familiar voice called out. Michael opened the door and walked in. The main room was sparse with only a second hand, patched sofa and a single flickering light bulb hanging from the ceiling. He heard footsteps coming from what appeared to be the kitchen and then he saw her.
Liz froze, seeing not Serena, but Michael Guerin staring back at her. Tears started to well up in her eyes as his line of vision traveled from her face to her swollen belly.
Michael flew into an immediate rage. “So this is your little secret? This is why we’ve been going crazy trying to find you…believing you’d been taken by the Skins or God knows. Are you ashamed, Liz? Messing up your plans for college…didn’t want to disappoint mom and dad, but it’s okay to betray your friends.”
She continued to stand there dumfounded, her heart pounding inside her small frame. They were so close to getting away with things…leaving Roswell and not being found out. She had to tell him. She had to hope beyond all hope that Michael could keep her secret. If she didn’t, she knew he would most assuredly go back and tell Max and the others. And then where would she be? Where would they all be? But she already knew the answer…dead. Everything she had done and sacrificed would’ve been for nothing.
“Answer me, Liz!” Michael shouted grabbing her arm shaking her out her thoughts. “Is the baby Max’s or is it someone else’s? At least then I could wrap my mind around why you’d leave versus breaking his heart completely. I can’t imagine you denying Max of his child. You did love him or did you? I don’t even know anymore what you were thinking. How could you?”
Michael pushed her away. As he released his grip on her arm, Liz stumbled back into the wall. It was now or never. She had to tell him, but not before she felt a searing pain cut through her abdomen. She clutched her rounded belly and slid down the wall to the floor. Oh, no not now, she thought.
“Michael, please. You have to listen to me. You have to help me. You have to help Max’s son,” Liz panted as the contraction subsided. Michael just stared at her leaning against the wall sitting on the dirty wood floor.
“Why should I? You destroyed him Max sits in his room blaming himself. If it weren’t for Tess trying to hold him together, keep him believing that we’ll find you. The irony is she is your biggest supporter. She and Kyle organize these weekly search parties and this time it was my turn. We thought we’d ask River Dog for help. Maybe he could put the word out…do some sort of Native American mumbo jumbo…” Michael trailed off as he saw Liz’s small body tighten up as another contraction came on.
Again, Liz relaxed as the pain subsided and said, “Michael, there may not be much time and I have no choice but to trust you. Trust you with something that I swore I never would tell anyone.”
“What the hell are you talking about, Liz. Have you lost your mind?” Michael said, his voice beginning to rise as his anger was once again building.
“No, Michael. I am more clear and sane than I have ever been. I’ll just have to show you,” Liz stated matter of factly as she carefully leaned forward to try and stand.
“Show me what?" Michael demanded.
“I’ll have to connect with you Michael. It’ll be easier that way and then you 'll know. You’ll know everything,” Liz spoke softly as she waddled towards the sofa and sat down with a heavy sigh.
“We can’t connect, Liz. There’s no bond between us, not like you and Max and besides you are human,” Michael more calmly said as he turned to face her.
“Yes, we can. I’m not exactly human anymore,” Liz almost said in an amusing way. For as stressful as this situation was she had to try and relax. What were the odds that of all people Michael Guerin would find her?
“What?” Michael squealed quickly losing whatever self-control he had left. “Look, I need answers here. I don’t know how I can even start to believe anything you have to say.”
“Because she is telling you the truth, my son.” Michael whirled around as River Dog spoke.
“You…you’re in on this too?” Michael asked.
“Michael, sit down. She speaks the truth. Listen to her and all will be answered. Now it will be your burden to bear as well,” River Dog said as he gestured for Michael to sit. Michael ran his fingers through his hair and moved towards the sofa where Liz sat rhythmically breathing.
“Okay, whatever, it’s not gonna work. What do you want me to do?” he said with venom still in his voice.
“Michael, look at me and let your mind go blank. I’m just gonna touch you here,” she said taking his hand in hers. “It’ll happen, relax.”
As he knelt down in front of Liz he looked into her tear streaked face and suddenly felt sad. “It’s not gonna…”’ Michael started to say and then all of the sudden he was bombarded with images.
Flash
Liz and Max…a much older Max talking on her balcony.
Max and Liz married in Vegas.
Having a son.
Michael and Maria living together in Roswell. Happy.
The attack by Khivar’s people and Tess betraying them.
Maria dying to try and save Max’s son.
Michael trying to save Isabel, but being blasted by an pulse of energy…his life force leave his body.
Max, Liz and the girl, who was now standing by River Dog, running to the Pod Chamber with Isabel’s lifeless body in tow.
Liz couldn’t take anymore. The tears had started again as another contraction wracked her body. She broke the connection. Michael jumped up.
“What was that, Liz?” he asked softly.
Serena, sensing Liz’s distress at what she had to endure to show Michael the truth of what was to come, decided to take over. “It’s the future. It will happen in less than 14 years unless you help us. You have got to get a grip here, Michael. Can’t you see? That’s why Liz left. She had to prevent that from happening.” Liz held her breath while Serena continued, silently thanking her for taking over the story.
“Look, I modified the Granolith in order to bring Max back in time. We had to change things. We were all that was left. It was the only way to keep Tess from leaving…keep Alex alive…keep you all alive…protect the baby. He can save us from Khivar and the Skins. He can restore order and balance to Antar. He can prevent the world from ending 14 years from now,” Serena finished still holding Michael’s gaze.
Michael sat down and turned to Liz who was trying to breathe through her contractions, still hoping he would understand. Calmly he said, “Why not just tell us? Why all the clock and dagger stuff? You could’ve just told us.”
“Michael, if I am seen with Max’s child, Nicholas will know and then Khivar will know. Khivar will mount an army. He knows that our son is the true heir and poses a threat if he doesn’t strike first. I had to leave. I also had to convince Tess to stay. Michael, she defects to the other side because of me and Max…because of the way we all treated her. But she doesn’t go quietly; she takes Alex with her. She kills him, Michael. Can’t you see why I had to go? Max cannot know about this baby so that Khivar won't know. The baby is coming soon. I can feel it.” Liz almost chuckled to herself the absurdity of the situation not lost. “I should have asked Future Max his birthday although I think it could be today.” She said as another contraction started.
Serena continued as Liz breathed her way through the wave of pain. “Liz and I were leaving New Mexico and moving East after the baby came. The only reason we were staying close was in case something did go wrong with the birth. Since we have already altered the time line we did not know if we might have inadvertently changed what was a normal delivery in the past timeline - what with the stress Liz has been under given the present circumstance and no thanks to you. We thought if we had to we would have to call in for reinforcements…meaning Max. That was only a last resort. We will do whatever we need to in order to protect the baby.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Michael said.
Feeling another contraction starting, she replied hastily, “Say that you’ll help us. Say you’ll keep our secret. At least with you knowing you can encourage the training of the Four Square. Owww…” A trickle of silver, luminescent liquid fell to the floor between Liz’s legs. Her water had broken. It was time.
“Liz, it’s time we need to take you to the healers. Michael, can you stay and bear witness? We may need your help to connect with Liz to calm her,” River Dog asked.
“Yeah, I need a cover though. I mean if I don’t show up soon…they will start to wonder,” Michael said his mind racing as he met Serena’s gaze.
“I’m Serena, Michael. Sorry we are meeting under less than normal circumstance. Apparently in the future you and I had quite a tempestuous relationship…that is according to Future Max,” Serena said almost taunting him.
“Great, Maxwell trusted you, a complete stranger, versus me,” Michael said obviously overwhelmed by the turn of events as he helped a very distressed Liz out the door and down the steps towards a new chapter in all their lives.
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amy2344
- Enthusiastic Roswellian
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2003 12:42 am
- Location: seattle
- Contact:
thanks to all who are reading/posting feedback: emz80m, ice queen, issis 7777, chione, ellie, youre my dreamgirl, coley 452, kay_b, famers amers, cocopucks, roswellluver, sheisty 23, shattered dreamer, lvb, hopeless romantic, behrstars, jrsy gurl520, kittens, aurorasky, woodwinds, katmchen, sali 103, bright eyes, su-lyn, lvlyfem, et al...
Chapter 16
Max sat crossed legged on his bed trying to calm himself to try yet again to reach Liz. As his breathing slowed, he felt his mind drawn toward something, something familiar. He focused his attention on that feeling and followed it trying not to get his hopes up.
All of the sudden he felt a searing pain wrack his body. He heard her, heard Liz cry out his name. She was in pain, in agony. What was happening to her? What were they doing to her? In his heightened state, the anger - tinged with fear - flooded his mind. He cried out, as he shared the same pain Liz was experiencing and then as quickly as it came he lost the connection.
“I’ve got to focus, calm down…” he said aloud to himself beginning to pace when Isabel and Alex ran through his door.
“Max, what’s wrong?” Isabel asked even though she was scared to find out.
“Liz, I felt Liz and she…she’s in pain. I was trying to connect with her and all of the sudden I felt this pain and I heard her cry out to me. She needs me and I don’t…I don’t know what to do, Is. You’ve gotta help me. I’ve gotta try again…right now…before it’s too late,” Max demanded as he pulled Isabel towards him and then fell to the floor writhing in agony.
“Alex, call everyone. Tell them to meet us here ASAP,” Isabel barked.
The waiting was excruciating for Isabel. Memories of what had happened to Michael when he fell ill for no apparent reason kept flashing through her mind and then wondering if she would be next. She had been able to get Max back into his bed with Alex’s help but she didn’t know what to do next. She needed the others.
“Alex, we have to do something. I don’t know what’s happening to him? God, where are they? Where’s Michael?”
Max kept fading in and out of consciousness. What’s happening to me? What are they doing to her? Liz…Liz, hold on, tell me where you are his mind screamed. Please. He was vaguely aware of someone entering the room.
“Max, please look at me. Can you hear me?” Isabel begged as Maria walked in. “Maria, have you been able to get a hold of Michael?”
“I’ve called and he’s not picking up. Isabel, we have to get him out of here. I could hear him screaming from outside when I pulled up. When are your parents gonna be home?” Maria suggested. She was trying to stay calm but couldn’t help thinking about Michael.
“Alex, call the Sheriff again…we should move him and tell them…”
Tess entered the room followed by Kyle and Jim. They looked at Max who was now sweating profusely making his clothes appear damp. He had curled up in a ball on his bed and was shaking with his eyes and fists clinched shut. His breath was strained and would become erratic and then almost nonexistent.
Liz, please. I’m here. I heard you. What is happening to you? Without a doubt he knew that this wasn’t his pain. It was hers. She was in agonizing pain…wave after wave. He felt like his body was being ripped in half. His fear only made him more tense, which in turn only made the pain worse. He couldn’t relax his body because the pain he was feeling wasn’t ending…there was no respite like before. Then he heard her voice in his head as clear as if she was standing there beside him, ‘Oh God, I’m going to die...Max, please forgive me…I can’t do this...I’m too tired... He’s here, oh God, not another one...Please make them stop…please get him out of me...I want him out…Max…’ He heard her and felt her, felt her fear and exhaustion and most of all the pain.
Just as he was starting to push the pain away so he could focus on what he was hearing, he felt arms wrap around him and lift him off the bed. “Noooo,” he screamed, “Don’t touch me. I have her; I can hear her. She’s in pain. This is her pain, not mine. Someone is hurting her…” Oh God, please don’t let her die. Make it stop but don’t let her die. Max screamed again once more as they cover his mouth with a towel before walking out to the garage. Tess had pulled her SUV in to be more discreet. She started the engine and heard Kyle say, “Drive.”
Meanwhile…
His phone kept ringing. He had avoided answering it now for several hours but he knew he had to. He had only stepped out of the community center where Liz was with the healers for a moment to get some fresh air. “Yeah,” he siad into the phone.
“Michael, thank God, where the hell are you and why haven’t you picked up? We have a problem and we need you stat. Max is really sick. He’s in lots of pain and says he can hear Liz.”
Shit. This isn’t happening. Is Max experiencing the birth? He’s has to stall because there was no way he would leave before this baby was born and from the sound of it, it would sooner than later. He couldn’t do this right now with Maria.
“Well, I have a problem too, my…uh…my uh bike is busted.”
“Great, well do some hocus pocus and fix it. Meet us over at the Valenti’s. we need you here.”
“What do you think I tried to do Maria? I just made it worse. You know I can’t control my powers that well.”
Okay, wait, just tell me where you are and I’ll send Kyle to get you. Michael, i swear you are an alien defect or something.”
“No! Look I’ll get Eddie to drop me off. He’s right here. I’ll be there soon. I gotta go.” Shit, shit, shit. This sucks. Michael took a deep breath before heading back to be with Liz.
Max woke up feeling the bile rise in his throat. Where am I? Liz…he thought. He clutched his gut feeling as if they had been ripped out and thrown back in randomly. Opening his eyes, he squinted at the sunlight pouring through the window. I’m at Kyle’s. What’s happened?
Isabel walked into the bedroom seeing Max awake for the first time in hours. “Oh Max, you’re awake. We were so worried. How do you feel?”
“Okay, I guess, can I have some water? How did I get here?”
“We didn’t know what to do, you were screaming. We had to get you away from the house,” Isabel said as she handed him a glass of water and moved to the bed to sit next to him. “I was so worried. I can’t lose you,” Isabel began sobbing now.
Liz, he remembered. Liz was gone. Someone was hurting her. She was calling me. “Is, I’m okay now. We need to try and contact Liz again. Do you understand? I felt her. We need to all get together and try. She needs me…us.”
“Max, we tried last night while you were unconscious. There’s nothing…no trace. None of us could feel her at all.” Isabel said almost apologetically.
“Well, you didn’t try with me there. Please, we have to try again. I have to find her. I can’t live with myself knowing what she felt if I don’t try. I won’t abandon her.” He could still feel it in his body. His pain, her pain, it was all the same mingled together. The thoughts of what they had done to her was maddening. Not knowing hurt far more than body at this point. He had to convince the others to try again.
Chapter 16
Max sat crossed legged on his bed trying to calm himself to try yet again to reach Liz. As his breathing slowed, he felt his mind drawn toward something, something familiar. He focused his attention on that feeling and followed it trying not to get his hopes up.
All of the sudden he felt a searing pain wrack his body. He heard her, heard Liz cry out his name. She was in pain, in agony. What was happening to her? What were they doing to her? In his heightened state, the anger - tinged with fear - flooded his mind. He cried out, as he shared the same pain Liz was experiencing and then as quickly as it came he lost the connection.
“I’ve got to focus, calm down…” he said aloud to himself beginning to pace when Isabel and Alex ran through his door.
“Max, what’s wrong?” Isabel asked even though she was scared to find out.
“Liz, I felt Liz and she…she’s in pain. I was trying to connect with her and all of the sudden I felt this pain and I heard her cry out to me. She needs me and I don’t…I don’t know what to do, Is. You’ve gotta help me. I’ve gotta try again…right now…before it’s too late,” Max demanded as he pulled Isabel towards him and then fell to the floor writhing in agony.
“Alex, call everyone. Tell them to meet us here ASAP,” Isabel barked.
The waiting was excruciating for Isabel. Memories of what had happened to Michael when he fell ill for no apparent reason kept flashing through her mind and then wondering if she would be next. She had been able to get Max back into his bed with Alex’s help but she didn’t know what to do next. She needed the others.
“Alex, we have to do something. I don’t know what’s happening to him? God, where are they? Where’s Michael?”
Max kept fading in and out of consciousness. What’s happening to me? What are they doing to her? Liz…Liz, hold on, tell me where you are his mind screamed. Please. He was vaguely aware of someone entering the room.
“Max, please look at me. Can you hear me?” Isabel begged as Maria walked in. “Maria, have you been able to get a hold of Michael?”
“I’ve called and he’s not picking up. Isabel, we have to get him out of here. I could hear him screaming from outside when I pulled up. When are your parents gonna be home?” Maria suggested. She was trying to stay calm but couldn’t help thinking about Michael.
“Alex, call the Sheriff again…we should move him and tell them…”
Tess entered the room followed by Kyle and Jim. They looked at Max who was now sweating profusely making his clothes appear damp. He had curled up in a ball on his bed and was shaking with his eyes and fists clinched shut. His breath was strained and would become erratic and then almost nonexistent.
Liz, please. I’m here. I heard you. What is happening to you? Without a doubt he knew that this wasn’t his pain. It was hers. She was in agonizing pain…wave after wave. He felt like his body was being ripped in half. His fear only made him more tense, which in turn only made the pain worse. He couldn’t relax his body because the pain he was feeling wasn’t ending…there was no respite like before. Then he heard her voice in his head as clear as if she was standing there beside him, ‘Oh God, I’m going to die...Max, please forgive me…I can’t do this...I’m too tired... He’s here, oh God, not another one...Please make them stop…please get him out of me...I want him out…Max…’ He heard her and felt her, felt her fear and exhaustion and most of all the pain.
Just as he was starting to push the pain away so he could focus on what he was hearing, he felt arms wrap around him and lift him off the bed. “Noooo,” he screamed, “Don’t touch me. I have her; I can hear her. She’s in pain. This is her pain, not mine. Someone is hurting her…” Oh God, please don’t let her die. Make it stop but don’t let her die. Max screamed again once more as they cover his mouth with a towel before walking out to the garage. Tess had pulled her SUV in to be more discreet. She started the engine and heard Kyle say, “Drive.”
Meanwhile…
His phone kept ringing. He had avoided answering it now for several hours but he knew he had to. He had only stepped out of the community center where Liz was with the healers for a moment to get some fresh air. “Yeah,” he siad into the phone.
“Michael, thank God, where the hell are you and why haven’t you picked up? We have a problem and we need you stat. Max is really sick. He’s in lots of pain and says he can hear Liz.”
Shit. This isn’t happening. Is Max experiencing the birth? He’s has to stall because there was no way he would leave before this baby was born and from the sound of it, it would sooner than later. He couldn’t do this right now with Maria.
“Well, I have a problem too, my…uh…my uh bike is busted.”
“Great, well do some hocus pocus and fix it. Meet us over at the Valenti’s. we need you here.”
“What do you think I tried to do Maria? I just made it worse. You know I can’t control my powers that well.”
Okay, wait, just tell me where you are and I’ll send Kyle to get you. Michael, i swear you are an alien defect or something.”
“No! Look I’ll get Eddie to drop me off. He’s right here. I’ll be there soon. I gotta go.” Shit, shit, shit. This sucks. Michael took a deep breath before heading back to be with Liz.
Max woke up feeling the bile rise in his throat. Where am I? Liz…he thought. He clutched his gut feeling as if they had been ripped out and thrown back in randomly. Opening his eyes, he squinted at the sunlight pouring through the window. I’m at Kyle’s. What’s happened?
Isabel walked into the bedroom seeing Max awake for the first time in hours. “Oh Max, you’re awake. We were so worried. How do you feel?”
“Okay, I guess, can I have some water? How did I get here?”
“We didn’t know what to do, you were screaming. We had to get you away from the house,” Isabel said as she handed him a glass of water and moved to the bed to sit next to him. “I was so worried. I can’t lose you,” Isabel began sobbing now.
Liz, he remembered. Liz was gone. Someone was hurting her. She was calling me. “Is, I’m okay now. We need to try and contact Liz again. Do you understand? I felt her. We need to all get together and try. She needs me…us.”
“Max, we tried last night while you were unconscious. There’s nothing…no trace. None of us could feel her at all.” Isabel said almost apologetically.
“Well, you didn’t try with me there. Please, we have to try again. I have to find her. I can’t live with myself knowing what she felt if I don’t try. I won’t abandon her.” He could still feel it in his body. His pain, her pain, it was all the same mingled together. The thoughts of what they had done to her was maddening. Not knowing hurt far more than body at this point. He had to convince the others to try again.
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amy2344
- Enthusiastic Roswellian
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2003 12:42 am
- Location: seattle
- Contact:
thanks to all who are/have been reading. my computer was down but all is well now.
Chapter 17
Baby Zan was born with no great fanfare considering he was now heir to the Antarian throne. Michael and Serena had stayed with her through the entire experience witnessing the birth and hope for a safe, new future.
“He’s so small,” Liz whispered not able to take her eyes off him. “Hello, little one. I’m your Momma, welcome.” She was crying softly but these were tears of joy, a welcomed change from all the pain and sadness leading up to this moment.
“What are you going to name him?” Michael asked softly still amazed at the events that transpired today.
“Zan...Zan Michael. If that’s okay with you? Thank you for being here, Michael, but you should go. The others will start to worry and question where you are. We’ll be okay. I know it will be hard for you…to keep this to yourself but you have to. I’m glad you know the truth.” And she truly was happy that Michael knew. A part of her was glad to know she would not be completely cut off from the others when they went East to start a new life. She supposed it was a little selfish but it made her feel for the moment anyway, relieved.
He knew he should go but he felt it was his duty to make sure they were safe. Liz reached out to him, “Michael, go. Take care of them, please. Take care of him for me. We’ll have River Dog contact you once we're settled in Boston. Say bye-bye to your Uncle Michael, sweetie.” Liz picked up the baby’s tiny hand and waved it.
Michael leaned down and touched Zans’ small fingers and then placed a kiss on his downy head. Staring into Liz’s eyes for what seemed like forever, he smiled and then walked away.
We are on our own now, baby. She heard the motorcycle start and spin out on the gravel road. She prayed he would be able to keep their secret and keep them all safe. She knew he would though, she trusted Michael; she had to.
Michael drove back slower than usual after speaking with Maria again. He knew Max would be okay – physically at least. He didn’t understand the connection between what Liz experienced and Max had felt. He kept it to himself and did not let Liz know; there was no need to burden her anymore. He assumed it was because the future had changed. Maybe because Liz and Max were together when Zan was born in the past timeline it was different. Maybe Max had connected with Liz and eased her pain versus experiencing it. Maybe it was actually Zan reaching out for his father who wasn’t there this time. Who knew? They would probably never have an answer.
All he did know was he was about to face Max after witnessing the birth of his son. He wasn’t sure how he was going to be able to keep up this front, acting as though he knew nothing. He felt like he had uncovered the cure for cancer and now he had to keep quiet and let people die when he could save them. But he had no choice, just like Liz; he was a part of it all.
And Max, the repercussions from this, feeling Liz and what she experienced but not knowing what was really going on. He will have to help Max put the pieces back together somehow. He didn’t know how, but he’d have to find a way.
Liz, she would be okay. She has the baby; she’ll be so busy dealing with a newborn it will distract her at least for awhile. Max, he has nothing, except hope and after tonight and what he experienced, Michael wasn’t sure that even Max Evans could hold onto that.
For Michael, he had purpose. He felt like something had awakened inside him. Something from the past. He knew he had to protect Liz and Zan. He also knew he wasn’t going to waste anymore time pushing Maria away. Even with all the sacrifice and change that had occurred in this timeline, it still didn’t guarantee the future was safe. But Michael did feel for the first time…free, free to love Maria completely.
Chapter 17
Baby Zan was born with no great fanfare considering he was now heir to the Antarian throne. Michael and Serena had stayed with her through the entire experience witnessing the birth and hope for a safe, new future.
“He’s so small,” Liz whispered not able to take her eyes off him. “Hello, little one. I’m your Momma, welcome.” She was crying softly but these were tears of joy, a welcomed change from all the pain and sadness leading up to this moment.
“What are you going to name him?” Michael asked softly still amazed at the events that transpired today.
“Zan...Zan Michael. If that’s okay with you? Thank you for being here, Michael, but you should go. The others will start to worry and question where you are. We’ll be okay. I know it will be hard for you…to keep this to yourself but you have to. I’m glad you know the truth.” And she truly was happy that Michael knew. A part of her was glad to know she would not be completely cut off from the others when they went East to start a new life. She supposed it was a little selfish but it made her feel for the moment anyway, relieved.
He knew he should go but he felt it was his duty to make sure they were safe. Liz reached out to him, “Michael, go. Take care of them, please. Take care of him for me. We’ll have River Dog contact you once we're settled in Boston. Say bye-bye to your Uncle Michael, sweetie.” Liz picked up the baby’s tiny hand and waved it.
Michael leaned down and touched Zans’ small fingers and then placed a kiss on his downy head. Staring into Liz’s eyes for what seemed like forever, he smiled and then walked away.
We are on our own now, baby. She heard the motorcycle start and spin out on the gravel road. She prayed he would be able to keep their secret and keep them all safe. She knew he would though, she trusted Michael; she had to.
Michael drove back slower than usual after speaking with Maria again. He knew Max would be okay – physically at least. He didn’t understand the connection between what Liz experienced and Max had felt. He kept it to himself and did not let Liz know; there was no need to burden her anymore. He assumed it was because the future had changed. Maybe because Liz and Max were together when Zan was born in the past timeline it was different. Maybe Max had connected with Liz and eased her pain versus experiencing it. Maybe it was actually Zan reaching out for his father who wasn’t there this time. Who knew? They would probably never have an answer.
All he did know was he was about to face Max after witnessing the birth of his son. He wasn’t sure how he was going to be able to keep up this front, acting as though he knew nothing. He felt like he had uncovered the cure for cancer and now he had to keep quiet and let people die when he could save them. But he had no choice, just like Liz; he was a part of it all.
And Max, the repercussions from this, feeling Liz and what she experienced but not knowing what was really going on. He will have to help Max put the pieces back together somehow. He didn’t know how, but he’d have to find a way.
Liz, she would be okay. She has the baby; she’ll be so busy dealing with a newborn it will distract her at least for awhile. Max, he has nothing, except hope and after tonight and what he experienced, Michael wasn’t sure that even Max Evans could hold onto that.
For Michael, he had purpose. He felt like something had awakened inside him. Something from the past. He knew he had to protect Liz and Zan. He also knew he wasn’t going to waste anymore time pushing Maria away. Even with all the sacrifice and change that had occurred in this timeline, it still didn’t guarantee the future was safe. But Michael did feel for the first time…free, free to love Maria completely.
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amy2344
- Enthusiastic Roswellian
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2003 12:42 am
- Location: seattle
- Contact:
sorry for the double post but i decided to hell with it and i'm moving on... hope you like. note: almost 10 years have passed...and it's about to get crazy.
Chapter 18
Boston 10 Years Later
Liz and Serena sat on a bench in the park watching Zan play with a group of children. As Zan waved to them, Liz smiled and waved back. She didn’t know if she could do this, not after all this time.
“What if it’s a mistake?” Liz spoke breaking the silence between them.
Serena sighed refusing to look at Liz, choosing to keep her attention focused on Zan. “What if it is, Liz? Then what? Do you really think you could make yourself any more responsible or miserable than you are now?”
“I just…I just feel like I’m drowning sometimes. What if I make the wrong choice? I couldn’t live with that.”
“Like you’re really living now. You know what, I am really tired of your annual pity-party. I never get to decline the invite and neither does Michael. The only thing that makes me feel not so bad about it is because Michael gets double duty attending both yours and Max’s pity fest. Jesus, Liz, we support you. Zan supports you. He needs this. What are you so afraid of this time?” Serena said feeling completely exasperated. She had been Liz’s steadfast companion, best friend, godmother to her child for practically the past ten years. But nothing in all that time of had sunk in to prove to Liz that she wasn’t alone. She had support and she and Michael tried to absolve her of the constant stress she imposed upon herself. Serena couldn’t know what it was like to walk in her shoes but she offered to walk with Liz all the time. Liz wouldn’t let go even for an instant and now she could see the cracks as clear as day.
They always support me, Liz thought. I have to make all the decisions and they just blindly go along. They don’t get it. Never will understand what it’s like to know the power and consequence of choice.
“Liz,” Serena spoke softly this time, “You can’t control everything. You know that right? You are not God. I mean, we have changed the future, but there were never any guarantees that what happened then won’t still happen now, today, tomorrow or years from now. At some point Liz, you have to accept that you cannot always make the right choice. No one would fault you, except you, of course. Look what you’ve accomplished, Alex is alive, Tess stayed and is marrying Kyle – you made those things happen.”
“And at what cost?” Liz wouldn’t let it go. She was afraid. Afraid of what going back meant. Afraid that Max would reject Zan. She had already accepted her fate. He would hate her. That was a given. He could never forgive her for what she had done by leaving. Her only hope was that he would not take it out on Zan or Michael for that matter.
“You said to me once that you didn’t have to like it, that you only had to live with it. Well, “IT” has changed now. There is nothing you can do about that. Zan needs to be with them. You know that as well as I do. You have lived with this knowledge, this ridiculous situation for almost 10 years now. You have given yourself nothing, Liz. I didn’t expect you to move on happily, you know and find someone else. If you had, I really would have thought you had gone crazy, but you have to stop and ask yourself what you want. Everything you do is for someone else, mainly Zan. Even that fucking stranger over there gets more consideration than you give yourself.”
“That stranger over there could die too because of something I do or didn't do. Serena, it just has to be enough. It has to make a difference. What if I wasn’t enough for Zan?”
“Liz, what is this complex you have about being all things to everyone. Of course, you weren’t always enough. But Liz, you were good enough. You can’t be everything, but you were always good enough. We are going. You feel it and you know it is what’s right. You need to face that because you know what, Zan is ready. Far more ready than you are.”
A Few Weeks Later
Michael sat on the couch watching ESPN when his cell phone rang. He looked at the number knowing the drill. Writing the number down, he waited. When he could no longer become distracted by the television, he stood up and started pacing. Everything was about to change. Ever since his last visit to Boston to check on Liz and Zan, he knew it was time to tell the others.
It all started with her visions, if that what you could them, dreams, premonitions, who knew. Something had spooked Liz and she felt torn between this urgent need to have Zan connect with the group and fear of what would happen if he did. She couldn’t fully explain it to him because she herself didn’t understand what was happening to her. But Zan felt it too. Zan knew he needed them to make him complete even if he couldn’t find the words being almost only ten years old.
Michael had given up a long time ago questioning Liz. More than anyone he knew, she went to great lengths to protect their secret. She always had - even at the expense of her own happiness and well being. If she felt it was time, then he would support her decision. He looked at his watch noting fifteen more minutes until he would place the call. He drifted back to the last time they had spoken three months ago…
“Are you prepared for this Michael because I’m not? You know he could hate you. We both know what he’s going to feel about me. I know you have been more than kind and haven’t told me everything that has gone on with him.” Liz trailed off thinking about seeing Max again after all this time.
“He will be hurt and hell, I would be pissed at both of us but Liz, he doesn’t have all the information. He doesn’t know what’s at stake.”
“And that makes it okay? He’ll question your loyalty. And God, Michael, Maria what is she going to say about this? Betrayal, you are her everything and it's huge. This is big, keeping this from her for so long. Way to go Liz, whose life can you ruin now?”
“Serena said you’d been slamming yourself a lot lately. If Max questions my loyalties then he really doesn’t know me after all this time, does he? I'm doing exactly what he would have ordered and expected me to do where you are concern…protect you at all costs. And just because he doesn’t know about Zan doesn’t mean it changes anything. As for Maria, well, that’s my gig. I’ll wear armor.”
“This isn’t funny, Michael. I know you don’t like it when I get like this but I really don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t found me. I’m sorry that you've had to lie to her…to everyone for that matter. Zan loves you so much. You are really the only father he’s known. I just hope Max can accept him.”
Meanwhile…
Maria had gotten off work early. Since taking over as manager at the Crashdown, she had essentially taken Liz’s place as Jeff and Nancy’s daughter as best she could. Maria was all they had left that tied them to her. They still hoped she would return, that somehow she would miraculously be found but they had finally started taking the painful steps of truly letting go. Tonight, they just wanted to be alone, close the restaurant early and mourn because almost ten years ago to the day their baby girl was lost.
“We’re fine, Maria. We just want some peace and quiet with eachother. We're slow anyway. Go on home,” Nancy urged wrapping Maria in a tight hug.
Maria hugged them back with tears glistening in her blue eyes and then walked to her car. She drove home thinking about Liz. Had it really been that long...almost ten years? So much had changed and yet so much had remained the same. She and Michael were sharing a condo they bought not too long ago deciding not to marry but have a commitment ceremony instead about five years ago.
Isabel and Alex married a couple years ago and were both teaching – Alex at Roswell High and Issy at the Elementary School. They had just bought a new house with an attached garage. It had an apartment over it that Max lived in.
Max. Max still seemed the most affected. He was living, but not really alive. He went through the motions, but there was this void. You could see it in his eyes – sad and empty with no glimpse of the spark they once held. Isabel and Alex settled on the house specifically so Max would stay close and not be totally alone.
Max spent most his time at the hospital where he was in residency. After medical school, he came back to Roswell from Albuquerque. Max and Tess had become very close. She really came through for him and everyone for that matter. Tess was the biggest surprise, Maria thought. She was Maria’s best friend. While no one could take Liz’s place in the their hearts, Tess did fill Liz’s shoes as the organizer, the planner and one everyone knew they could depend on. The one who would always do the right thing.
Tess and Kyle were married two weeks ago. They were expected back in a couple days from Maui. Maria couldn’t wait; she and Tess were having breakfast together day after tomorrow. She needed Tess’s ear and shoulder for that matter. This time of year was always tough.
As Maria pulled up to the condo she shared with Michael, she could hear his voice. She opened the door and immediately froze at what she heard.
“No, I told you, she’s at work…You know I wouldn’t have called you from home if she was here…It’s gonna be okay, I promise I was careful…She doesn’t and hasn’t suspected a thing…I don’t know I’ll tell her I have to work…I’ll be there tomorrow…yeah, at the quarry…Be safe…I know but I worry…Oh he does, does he…Well, tell him I love him too and can’t wait to see my boy…Okay…Bye.”
Maria stepped back stumbling toward the car. She had just heard Michael talking to another woman. Not just talking but really talking to another woman on the phone. Tears started running down her cheeks as she started the car and drove away. How could he? Where was Tess? She needed her best friend. She needed Liz but she was gone. Okay, calm down, breathe…Tess won’t be back until day after tomorrow. Where…who can I talk to? Alex…she thought.
She pulled haphazardly into the driveway and immediately saw Alex in the garage moving boxes. She ran towards him and launched herself into his arms barely giving him time to drop the box he was carrying.
“Shhh, Maria. Is it Lizzie? What’s wrong?” Alex asked her gently stroking her hair.
Maria could only sob harder. “No…nope. I mean yes, but no, that’s not it. Michael, he…”
“Is Michael okay?” Max said stepping out of the shadows.
Maria began to focus because hearing Max’s concern for Michael made her blood start to boil. He didn’t deserve that. The anger kept building from deep inside her. “Michael, Michael is just fine. He’s better than fine because he is cheating on me. I caught him tonight when I got home, the bastard.”
“You mean he was in your place with another woman? I knew Guerin was careless, but I didn’t think he was that stupid,” Alex said realizing he shouldn’t have said it out loud because Maria began ranting to herself.
Max moved towards her to try and stop her tirade, “Maria, tell us what happened?”
Continuing to wear a path in the garage floor, she relayed the phone conversation she had overheard. While it definitely did not sound good, both Max and Alex agreed that Michael loved her and there had to be another explanation for what she thought she heard.
“I’m gonna kill him and then I’m gonna kill her, the tramp,” Maria was on a roll and nothing the guys said helped.
“Maria, please try to calm down. Come sit with me,” Alex begged. “Why don’t you stay here tonight okay? And tomorrow things will seem better and you can talk to Michael. Do you want me to call him?”
“I am not going to talk to Michael today, tomorrow or ever. I told you, I am going to kill him. He doesn’t deserve talking.” Maria went back to pacing and was now waving her hands wildly around gesturing to no one but herself. Suddenly, she stopped and turned to Max and Alex, “I’m going to follow his sorry ass tomorrow and catch him and then I’ll kill him. Max, can you come too so you can…I don’t know blast him or something? Incapacitate him so I can chop off his…”
“Whoa, Maria. Do not finish that thought,” Alex chuckled. Isabel heard all the commotion and came outside to see what was going on.
“Maria, are you okay?” Isabel said seeing her friend with her make up running down her pretty face obviously upset.
“Don’t ask,” chimed the guys.
“Is, can I stay here tonight. I can’t go home and I know you just moved in and probably don’t want a house guest,” Maria hiccuped.
“Of course, I’ll make up the spare room.”
Not that he deserved it deserved it, Maria thought, picking up her cell phone and dialing their number. “Michael, hey it’s me. Look, I am really having a rough day here. Nancy and Jeff wanted to spend some time with me and talk about Liz after work and then I ran into Isabel and we started talking so I am just gonna crash here tonight. I need some girl talk and Tess isn’t back yet. So I was thinking that maybe tomorrow we could maybe take a drive and have a picnic, spend some time together. What do you think?”
“Oh, you can’t…gotta work on Saturday huh?…well, I’ll see you later.” Michael said he loved her on the other end of the phone causing Maria’s tears to spill again. “Michael, I must be losing the signal or my battery is dying. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She hung up the phone and just for good measure threw it out into the yard. “Cheatin’ bastard,” she said running into Isabel’s arms.
Alex and Isabel tucked her in after Maria insisted on polishing off several shots of tequila. She fell asleep almost instantly determined to implement her plan to catch the son of a bitch in the act.
Alex filled Isabel in on all the details of the M and M saga over a cup of tea. Isabel was furious with Michael, if it turned out to be true. Even though he wasn’t her brother, she felt as though he was and this was unforgivable. But right now, she was more concerned about Max. She knew he was thinking about Liz as she walked up the stairs to his apartment and knocked.
“Come in.”
“Hey, crazy night huh, with Maria. Once the drama queen, always the drama queen.”
“Isabel, she’s upset. She loves Michael and doesn’t want to lose him. It’s that simple,” Max stated.
“I know, Max. So, how are you doing, little brother?”
“I’m fine.”
“Dammit Max, it’s me. You can talk to me about Liz if you want,” she said quietly watching him sitting on the bed holding a picture of Liz in his hand.
“ I don’t know. I just have this strange sensation like she's here, but I know that’s impossible, isn’t it? It is probably just the time of year and Maria being so upset. It’s just…” he trailed off rubbing his hand through his longer hair and fell back on the bed.
“What Max?”
“It’s just I…sensed her, her presence again. I know it’s been ten years since I have felt it but it was real and I haven’t forgotten. Am I going crazy? You’d tell your brother right, if you thought he was?” he smiled up at Isabel as she joined him on the bed.
“Oh Max, you are not going crazy. You still miss her. You still love her. It’s only natural to want to believe, but you have to let it go, Max. She’s gone. I am so sorry. I wish I could change things, make everything different.” Isabel said thinking it must be even harder seeing the rest of them paired up and happy all the time...in his face.
“I know, Is. I know. Look, I just want to be alone right now, okay? We’ll talk in the morning if we don’t get dragged into Maria’s scheming.”
“I love you, Max. Call me if you want to talk. Good night.” Isabel pulled him up and into a hug before heading back downstairs to her husband.
As Max crawled back into bed and turned off the light, he felt it again, only stronger. It was a soft hum within his body, faint like whispering breath running along his spine. It was magical; it was her. I must be going mad, he thought as he drifted off to sleep.
He awoke with a start, breathing heavy, adrenaline pumping through his veins and sweat pouring off his naked chest. It was the same dream. It was always the same with the same outcome. Over and over he was plagued by this nightmare of not being able to save Liz…watching as the life drained from her broken body that had been tortured almost beyond recognition. His enemies had done this. It didn’t matter now if it was the Skins or the FBI; it would always be his fault. He couldn’t protect her…couldn’t save her this time.
Chapter 18
Boston 10 Years Later
Liz and Serena sat on a bench in the park watching Zan play with a group of children. As Zan waved to them, Liz smiled and waved back. She didn’t know if she could do this, not after all this time.
“What if it’s a mistake?” Liz spoke breaking the silence between them.
Serena sighed refusing to look at Liz, choosing to keep her attention focused on Zan. “What if it is, Liz? Then what? Do you really think you could make yourself any more responsible or miserable than you are now?”
“I just…I just feel like I’m drowning sometimes. What if I make the wrong choice? I couldn’t live with that.”
“Like you’re really living now. You know what, I am really tired of your annual pity-party. I never get to decline the invite and neither does Michael. The only thing that makes me feel not so bad about it is because Michael gets double duty attending both yours and Max’s pity fest. Jesus, Liz, we support you. Zan supports you. He needs this. What are you so afraid of this time?” Serena said feeling completely exasperated. She had been Liz’s steadfast companion, best friend, godmother to her child for practically the past ten years. But nothing in all that time of had sunk in to prove to Liz that she wasn’t alone. She had support and she and Michael tried to absolve her of the constant stress she imposed upon herself. Serena couldn’t know what it was like to walk in her shoes but she offered to walk with Liz all the time. Liz wouldn’t let go even for an instant and now she could see the cracks as clear as day.
They always support me, Liz thought. I have to make all the decisions and they just blindly go along. They don’t get it. Never will understand what it’s like to know the power and consequence of choice.
“Liz,” Serena spoke softly this time, “You can’t control everything. You know that right? You are not God. I mean, we have changed the future, but there were never any guarantees that what happened then won’t still happen now, today, tomorrow or years from now. At some point Liz, you have to accept that you cannot always make the right choice. No one would fault you, except you, of course. Look what you’ve accomplished, Alex is alive, Tess stayed and is marrying Kyle – you made those things happen.”
“And at what cost?” Liz wouldn’t let it go. She was afraid. Afraid of what going back meant. Afraid that Max would reject Zan. She had already accepted her fate. He would hate her. That was a given. He could never forgive her for what she had done by leaving. Her only hope was that he would not take it out on Zan or Michael for that matter.
“You said to me once that you didn’t have to like it, that you only had to live with it. Well, “IT” has changed now. There is nothing you can do about that. Zan needs to be with them. You know that as well as I do. You have lived with this knowledge, this ridiculous situation for almost 10 years now. You have given yourself nothing, Liz. I didn’t expect you to move on happily, you know and find someone else. If you had, I really would have thought you had gone crazy, but you have to stop and ask yourself what you want. Everything you do is for someone else, mainly Zan. Even that fucking stranger over there gets more consideration than you give yourself.”
“That stranger over there could die too because of something I do or didn't do. Serena, it just has to be enough. It has to make a difference. What if I wasn’t enough for Zan?”
“Liz, what is this complex you have about being all things to everyone. Of course, you weren’t always enough. But Liz, you were good enough. You can’t be everything, but you were always good enough. We are going. You feel it and you know it is what’s right. You need to face that because you know what, Zan is ready. Far more ready than you are.”
A Few Weeks Later
Michael sat on the couch watching ESPN when his cell phone rang. He looked at the number knowing the drill. Writing the number down, he waited. When he could no longer become distracted by the television, he stood up and started pacing. Everything was about to change. Ever since his last visit to Boston to check on Liz and Zan, he knew it was time to tell the others.
It all started with her visions, if that what you could them, dreams, premonitions, who knew. Something had spooked Liz and she felt torn between this urgent need to have Zan connect with the group and fear of what would happen if he did. She couldn’t fully explain it to him because she herself didn’t understand what was happening to her. But Zan felt it too. Zan knew he needed them to make him complete even if he couldn’t find the words being almost only ten years old.
Michael had given up a long time ago questioning Liz. More than anyone he knew, she went to great lengths to protect their secret. She always had - even at the expense of her own happiness and well being. If she felt it was time, then he would support her decision. He looked at his watch noting fifteen more minutes until he would place the call. He drifted back to the last time they had spoken three months ago…
“Are you prepared for this Michael because I’m not? You know he could hate you. We both know what he’s going to feel about me. I know you have been more than kind and haven’t told me everything that has gone on with him.” Liz trailed off thinking about seeing Max again after all this time.
“He will be hurt and hell, I would be pissed at both of us but Liz, he doesn’t have all the information. He doesn’t know what’s at stake.”
“And that makes it okay? He’ll question your loyalty. And God, Michael, Maria what is she going to say about this? Betrayal, you are her everything and it's huge. This is big, keeping this from her for so long. Way to go Liz, whose life can you ruin now?”
“Serena said you’d been slamming yourself a lot lately. If Max questions my loyalties then he really doesn’t know me after all this time, does he? I'm doing exactly what he would have ordered and expected me to do where you are concern…protect you at all costs. And just because he doesn’t know about Zan doesn’t mean it changes anything. As for Maria, well, that’s my gig. I’ll wear armor.”
“This isn’t funny, Michael. I know you don’t like it when I get like this but I really don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t found me. I’m sorry that you've had to lie to her…to everyone for that matter. Zan loves you so much. You are really the only father he’s known. I just hope Max can accept him.”
Meanwhile…
Maria had gotten off work early. Since taking over as manager at the Crashdown, she had essentially taken Liz’s place as Jeff and Nancy’s daughter as best she could. Maria was all they had left that tied them to her. They still hoped she would return, that somehow she would miraculously be found but they had finally started taking the painful steps of truly letting go. Tonight, they just wanted to be alone, close the restaurant early and mourn because almost ten years ago to the day their baby girl was lost.
“We’re fine, Maria. We just want some peace and quiet with eachother. We're slow anyway. Go on home,” Nancy urged wrapping Maria in a tight hug.
Maria hugged them back with tears glistening in her blue eyes and then walked to her car. She drove home thinking about Liz. Had it really been that long...almost ten years? So much had changed and yet so much had remained the same. She and Michael were sharing a condo they bought not too long ago deciding not to marry but have a commitment ceremony instead about five years ago.
Isabel and Alex married a couple years ago and were both teaching – Alex at Roswell High and Issy at the Elementary School. They had just bought a new house with an attached garage. It had an apartment over it that Max lived in.
Max. Max still seemed the most affected. He was living, but not really alive. He went through the motions, but there was this void. You could see it in his eyes – sad and empty with no glimpse of the spark they once held. Isabel and Alex settled on the house specifically so Max would stay close and not be totally alone.
Max spent most his time at the hospital where he was in residency. After medical school, he came back to Roswell from Albuquerque. Max and Tess had become very close. She really came through for him and everyone for that matter. Tess was the biggest surprise, Maria thought. She was Maria’s best friend. While no one could take Liz’s place in the their hearts, Tess did fill Liz’s shoes as the organizer, the planner and one everyone knew they could depend on. The one who would always do the right thing.
Tess and Kyle were married two weeks ago. They were expected back in a couple days from Maui. Maria couldn’t wait; she and Tess were having breakfast together day after tomorrow. She needed Tess’s ear and shoulder for that matter. This time of year was always tough.
As Maria pulled up to the condo she shared with Michael, she could hear his voice. She opened the door and immediately froze at what she heard.
“No, I told you, she’s at work…You know I wouldn’t have called you from home if she was here…It’s gonna be okay, I promise I was careful…She doesn’t and hasn’t suspected a thing…I don’t know I’ll tell her I have to work…I’ll be there tomorrow…yeah, at the quarry…Be safe…I know but I worry…Oh he does, does he…Well, tell him I love him too and can’t wait to see my boy…Okay…Bye.”
Maria stepped back stumbling toward the car. She had just heard Michael talking to another woman. Not just talking but really talking to another woman on the phone. Tears started running down her cheeks as she started the car and drove away. How could he? Where was Tess? She needed her best friend. She needed Liz but she was gone. Okay, calm down, breathe…Tess won’t be back until day after tomorrow. Where…who can I talk to? Alex…she thought.
She pulled haphazardly into the driveway and immediately saw Alex in the garage moving boxes. She ran towards him and launched herself into his arms barely giving him time to drop the box he was carrying.
“Shhh, Maria. Is it Lizzie? What’s wrong?” Alex asked her gently stroking her hair.
Maria could only sob harder. “No…nope. I mean yes, but no, that’s not it. Michael, he…”
“Is Michael okay?” Max said stepping out of the shadows.
Maria began to focus because hearing Max’s concern for Michael made her blood start to boil. He didn’t deserve that. The anger kept building from deep inside her. “Michael, Michael is just fine. He’s better than fine because he is cheating on me. I caught him tonight when I got home, the bastard.”
“You mean he was in your place with another woman? I knew Guerin was careless, but I didn’t think he was that stupid,” Alex said realizing he shouldn’t have said it out loud because Maria began ranting to herself.
Max moved towards her to try and stop her tirade, “Maria, tell us what happened?”
Continuing to wear a path in the garage floor, she relayed the phone conversation she had overheard. While it definitely did not sound good, both Max and Alex agreed that Michael loved her and there had to be another explanation for what she thought she heard.
“I’m gonna kill him and then I’m gonna kill her, the tramp,” Maria was on a roll and nothing the guys said helped.
“Maria, please try to calm down. Come sit with me,” Alex begged. “Why don’t you stay here tonight okay? And tomorrow things will seem better and you can talk to Michael. Do you want me to call him?”
“I am not going to talk to Michael today, tomorrow or ever. I told you, I am going to kill him. He doesn’t deserve talking.” Maria went back to pacing and was now waving her hands wildly around gesturing to no one but herself. Suddenly, she stopped and turned to Max and Alex, “I’m going to follow his sorry ass tomorrow and catch him and then I’ll kill him. Max, can you come too so you can…I don’t know blast him or something? Incapacitate him so I can chop off his…”
“Whoa, Maria. Do not finish that thought,” Alex chuckled. Isabel heard all the commotion and came outside to see what was going on.
“Maria, are you okay?” Isabel said seeing her friend with her make up running down her pretty face obviously upset.
“Don’t ask,” chimed the guys.
“Is, can I stay here tonight. I can’t go home and I know you just moved in and probably don’t want a house guest,” Maria hiccuped.
“Of course, I’ll make up the spare room.”
Not that he deserved it deserved it, Maria thought, picking up her cell phone and dialing their number. “Michael, hey it’s me. Look, I am really having a rough day here. Nancy and Jeff wanted to spend some time with me and talk about Liz after work and then I ran into Isabel and we started talking so I am just gonna crash here tonight. I need some girl talk and Tess isn’t back yet. So I was thinking that maybe tomorrow we could maybe take a drive and have a picnic, spend some time together. What do you think?”
“Oh, you can’t…gotta work on Saturday huh?…well, I’ll see you later.” Michael said he loved her on the other end of the phone causing Maria’s tears to spill again. “Michael, I must be losing the signal or my battery is dying. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She hung up the phone and just for good measure threw it out into the yard. “Cheatin’ bastard,” she said running into Isabel’s arms.
Alex and Isabel tucked her in after Maria insisted on polishing off several shots of tequila. She fell asleep almost instantly determined to implement her plan to catch the son of a bitch in the act.
Alex filled Isabel in on all the details of the M and M saga over a cup of tea. Isabel was furious with Michael, if it turned out to be true. Even though he wasn’t her brother, she felt as though he was and this was unforgivable. But right now, she was more concerned about Max. She knew he was thinking about Liz as she walked up the stairs to his apartment and knocked.
“Come in.”
“Hey, crazy night huh, with Maria. Once the drama queen, always the drama queen.”
“Isabel, she’s upset. She loves Michael and doesn’t want to lose him. It’s that simple,” Max stated.
“I know, Max. So, how are you doing, little brother?”
“I’m fine.”
“Dammit Max, it’s me. You can talk to me about Liz if you want,” she said quietly watching him sitting on the bed holding a picture of Liz in his hand.
“ I don’t know. I just have this strange sensation like she's here, but I know that’s impossible, isn’t it? It is probably just the time of year and Maria being so upset. It’s just…” he trailed off rubbing his hand through his longer hair and fell back on the bed.
“What Max?”
“It’s just I…sensed her, her presence again. I know it’s been ten years since I have felt it but it was real and I haven’t forgotten. Am I going crazy? You’d tell your brother right, if you thought he was?” he smiled up at Isabel as she joined him on the bed.
“Oh Max, you are not going crazy. You still miss her. You still love her. It’s only natural to want to believe, but you have to let it go, Max. She’s gone. I am so sorry. I wish I could change things, make everything different.” Isabel said thinking it must be even harder seeing the rest of them paired up and happy all the time...in his face.
“I know, Is. I know. Look, I just want to be alone right now, okay? We’ll talk in the morning if we don’t get dragged into Maria’s scheming.”
“I love you, Max. Call me if you want to talk. Good night.” Isabel pulled him up and into a hug before heading back downstairs to her husband.
As Max crawled back into bed and turned off the light, he felt it again, only stronger. It was a soft hum within his body, faint like whispering breath running along his spine. It was magical; it was her. I must be going mad, he thought as he drifted off to sleep.
He awoke with a start, breathing heavy, adrenaline pumping through his veins and sweat pouring off his naked chest. It was the same dream. It was always the same with the same outcome. Over and over he was plagued by this nightmare of not being able to save Liz…watching as the life drained from her broken body that had been tortured almost beyond recognition. His enemies had done this. It didn’t matter now if it was the Skins or the FBI; it would always be his fault. He couldn’t protect her…couldn’t save her this time.
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Chapter 19
Maria woke with a throbbing headache. She rolled over squinting at the sunlight peaking through the shades. Where am I? She thought as the events of last night came into focus. Michael, how could you? She gingerly got up and looked at the clock. Michael had told her he had to make some unexpected deliveries this afternoon. Meeting his whore, I’m sure. It was the weekend and Michael never worked weekends. In fact, he ran the delivery service. Why did he have to make this particular one? More lies, she thought.
She walked into the kitchen where Max, Isabel and Alex were finishing breakfast. “She lives. After that last shot and you hit the bed, I didn’t know if you’d be with us this morning,” Alex joked.
“Ha Ha, very funny. Look, I know I was a little dramatic last night, but after sleeping under the influence of my faithful friend, tequila, I have decided that I really want you all to go with me to the quarry. I’m afraid I really will kill him and jail doesn't work for me,” Maria said sitting down with a thud at the table grabbing Max’s coffee cup.
“Maria, are you sure you want to do that? Can’t you just talk to him?” Max replied.
“No, no, no. He humiliated me. He lied and cheated and God knows…oh my God…”
“What?”
“He said ‘tell him I love him too’ what if he has a kid?” Maria was furious all over again. “We are all going. I want him to know that we all know that he has messed this whole thing up. He’ll be out there around 2:00 p.m. so we’ll get there early and hide.”
“And then what, jump out and yell surprise?” Alex asked. “Maria, sweetie, you’re hurting and this is just going to make it hurt worse.”
“If you don’t do this with me then I’ll really be hurt because you’re supposed to be my friends.”
They drove out to the quarry arriving about a half-hour before Michael’s rendezvous and parked the car behind a large cluster of rocks. From their vantage-point, they could see anyone’s approach from three sides.
Fifteen minutes later, Max saw a van approaching from the East and then heard Michael’s motorcycle coming from the opposite direction. I’ll be damned she was right. Jesus, Michael what have you done.
The van came to a stop but no one emerged at least not until Michael had stopped and taken off his helmet. The van door opened and Liz walked over to him and into his arms. Michael’s back was to Maria, Max, Isabel and Alex.
Before Max saw her, her felt her like a bolt of lightning had struck his heart. He stood up exposing himself to Liz who was still in Michael’s arms.
Maria was already running past him towards Michael intent on catching him in the act. Through her fury she hadn’t realized it was Liz. Alex and Isabel stood frozen beside Max.
Liz turned white seeing Max staring at her as Michael looked down at her, “What’s wrong?”
“Oh, Michael no, how could you?” she whispered and then he heard Maria.
“God Dammit Michael, what the hell is going on? Who is this hussy? Do you really think that Maria DeLuca is that stupid? I will…” Maria stopped dead in her tracks. “You…Liz?”
Max still couldn’t move. Alex dropped Isabel’s hand and was running forward toward Liz now. Isabel moved over next to Max and took his hand, squeezing it tight. “Max,” she said softly, “we have to know. Come on. You need to know.” They walked slowly toward the others with Max feeling very unsteady, his heart racing and his body tingling.
In an instant, their eyes locked. She hadn’t changed at all. She is so beautiful, so Liz… and she’s alive. Liz is alive.
All five of them just stood there in silence. Michael still held Liz refusing to let her go and face the music so to speak. This wasn’t the plan. It was Liz who pulled away but it was Alex who spoke first ending the stalemate, “Is it really you, Liz? Are you home?”
“Oh, Alex.” You’re alive. “Yes, it’s really me.”
“Where have you been? Are you alright?” Alex continued with the questions until Liz felt like she was drowning under a barrage of bullets being rapidly fired at her.
“Start at the beginning. Tell us everything.” Alex calmly said.
“Not here. This isn’t safe. I cannot be seen, not with Max.” Liz replied. Max winced at the thought. What have I done?
“We’ll meet at the Pod Chamber in the morning. It’s just not safe. Tomorrow morning.” Liz turned and walked away from her friends yet again with no explanation. Without looking back, she climbed into the van and drove away.
Alex and Maria moved to go after her, but Michael stopped them. “Let her go. This isn’t what she wanted. She’s been through enough.”
“We deserve to know what’s going on. Why she’s just disappeared for practically 10 years and now she’s back? Why the hell did she call you last night Michael, and not Max or me for God’s sake?” Maria shouted at him.
Max broke out of his complete shock at the reality unfolding in front of him. He knew. “Answer her, Michael. You know something, you’ve known where she’s been this whole time, haven’t you?”
Michael just stared at him as he moved closer. Raising his voice, Max yelled, “Answer me, dammit. So help me Michael if you’ve kept me from…”
Michael interrupted him, “It’s not my secret to tell, Maxwell.”
“Great, where have I heard that before?” Alex chimed in.
“Look, Liz will tell you…”
Max didn’t wait for him to finish before he punched him square in the jaw. Michael stumbled back before hitting the ground. He rubbed his mouth and then spit out the blood pooling inside before getting back up. Michael backed away from the group. He knew this was coming. He looked at Max who was seething.
“Yeah, I’ve known, but it was the only way to protect you, protect Alex, Maria, all of you.”
“Why can’t she just tell us now. We deserve to know the truth,” Alex said.
“No, Michael. You betrayed us. You betrayed me,” she choked out the words. “You lied to me. God, she was my best friend and you let me believe she was dead or worse. And Liz, you both plotted this. Jesus, Michael, her parents…she let her parents think…” Maria trailed off as she finally succumbed to body racking sobs. Alex moved to her wrapping her in his arms while she cried.
“I’m out of here,” Michael stated flatly.
“Yeah, run away, just like Liz,” Alex shouted as he turned to leave.
Stopping in his tracks, he turned around saying, “I don’t regret any thing I’ve done. You know, you’re all gonna feel like assholes tomorrow when you really know the truth.” Grabbing his helmet, he climbed on his bike and spun out.
Maria woke with a throbbing headache. She rolled over squinting at the sunlight peaking through the shades. Where am I? She thought as the events of last night came into focus. Michael, how could you? She gingerly got up and looked at the clock. Michael had told her he had to make some unexpected deliveries this afternoon. Meeting his whore, I’m sure. It was the weekend and Michael never worked weekends. In fact, he ran the delivery service. Why did he have to make this particular one? More lies, she thought.
She walked into the kitchen where Max, Isabel and Alex were finishing breakfast. “She lives. After that last shot and you hit the bed, I didn’t know if you’d be with us this morning,” Alex joked.
“Ha Ha, very funny. Look, I know I was a little dramatic last night, but after sleeping under the influence of my faithful friend, tequila, I have decided that I really want you all to go with me to the quarry. I’m afraid I really will kill him and jail doesn't work for me,” Maria said sitting down with a thud at the table grabbing Max’s coffee cup.
“Maria, are you sure you want to do that? Can’t you just talk to him?” Max replied.
“No, no, no. He humiliated me. He lied and cheated and God knows…oh my God…”
“What?”
“He said ‘tell him I love him too’ what if he has a kid?” Maria was furious all over again. “We are all going. I want him to know that we all know that he has messed this whole thing up. He’ll be out there around 2:00 p.m. so we’ll get there early and hide.”
“And then what, jump out and yell surprise?” Alex asked. “Maria, sweetie, you’re hurting and this is just going to make it hurt worse.”
“If you don’t do this with me then I’ll really be hurt because you’re supposed to be my friends.”
They drove out to the quarry arriving about a half-hour before Michael’s rendezvous and parked the car behind a large cluster of rocks. From their vantage-point, they could see anyone’s approach from three sides.
Fifteen minutes later, Max saw a van approaching from the East and then heard Michael’s motorcycle coming from the opposite direction. I’ll be damned she was right. Jesus, Michael what have you done.
The van came to a stop but no one emerged at least not until Michael had stopped and taken off his helmet. The van door opened and Liz walked over to him and into his arms. Michael’s back was to Maria, Max, Isabel and Alex.
Before Max saw her, her felt her like a bolt of lightning had struck his heart. He stood up exposing himself to Liz who was still in Michael’s arms.
Maria was already running past him towards Michael intent on catching him in the act. Through her fury she hadn’t realized it was Liz. Alex and Isabel stood frozen beside Max.
Liz turned white seeing Max staring at her as Michael looked down at her, “What’s wrong?”
“Oh, Michael no, how could you?” she whispered and then he heard Maria.
“God Dammit Michael, what the hell is going on? Who is this hussy? Do you really think that Maria DeLuca is that stupid? I will…” Maria stopped dead in her tracks. “You…Liz?”
Max still couldn’t move. Alex dropped Isabel’s hand and was running forward toward Liz now. Isabel moved over next to Max and took his hand, squeezing it tight. “Max,” she said softly, “we have to know. Come on. You need to know.” They walked slowly toward the others with Max feeling very unsteady, his heart racing and his body tingling.
In an instant, their eyes locked. She hadn’t changed at all. She is so beautiful, so Liz… and she’s alive. Liz is alive.
All five of them just stood there in silence. Michael still held Liz refusing to let her go and face the music so to speak. This wasn’t the plan. It was Liz who pulled away but it was Alex who spoke first ending the stalemate, “Is it really you, Liz? Are you home?”
“Oh, Alex.” You’re alive. “Yes, it’s really me.”
“Where have you been? Are you alright?” Alex continued with the questions until Liz felt like she was drowning under a barrage of bullets being rapidly fired at her.
“Start at the beginning. Tell us everything.” Alex calmly said.
“Not here. This isn’t safe. I cannot be seen, not with Max.” Liz replied. Max winced at the thought. What have I done?
“We’ll meet at the Pod Chamber in the morning. It’s just not safe. Tomorrow morning.” Liz turned and walked away from her friends yet again with no explanation. Without looking back, she climbed into the van and drove away.
Alex and Maria moved to go after her, but Michael stopped them. “Let her go. This isn’t what she wanted. She’s been through enough.”
“We deserve to know what’s going on. Why she’s just disappeared for practically 10 years and now she’s back? Why the hell did she call you last night Michael, and not Max or me for God’s sake?” Maria shouted at him.
Max broke out of his complete shock at the reality unfolding in front of him. He knew. “Answer her, Michael. You know something, you’ve known where she’s been this whole time, haven’t you?”
Michael just stared at him as he moved closer. Raising his voice, Max yelled, “Answer me, dammit. So help me Michael if you’ve kept me from…”
Michael interrupted him, “It’s not my secret to tell, Maxwell.”
“Great, where have I heard that before?” Alex chimed in.
“Look, Liz will tell you…”
Max didn’t wait for him to finish before he punched him square in the jaw. Michael stumbled back before hitting the ground. He rubbed his mouth and then spit out the blood pooling inside before getting back up. Michael backed away from the group. He knew this was coming. He looked at Max who was seething.
“Yeah, I’ve known, but it was the only way to protect you, protect Alex, Maria, all of you.”
“Why can’t she just tell us now. We deserve to know the truth,” Alex said.
“No, Michael. You betrayed us. You betrayed me,” she choked out the words. “You lied to me. God, she was my best friend and you let me believe she was dead or worse. And Liz, you both plotted this. Jesus, Michael, her parents…she let her parents think…” Maria trailed off as she finally succumbed to body racking sobs. Alex moved to her wrapping her in his arms while she cried.
“I’m out of here,” Michael stated flatly.
“Yeah, run away, just like Liz,” Alex shouted as he turned to leave.
Stopping in his tracks, he turned around saying, “I don’t regret any thing I’ve done. You know, you’re all gonna feel like assholes tomorrow when you really know the truth.” Grabbing his helmet, he climbed on his bike and spun out.