A Baby Story (AU, ?C Teen) *Need Kyle, Isabel, Michael*

[StormWolfstone]

~~Isabel~~


I can tell that Liz is surprised by my sudden decision not to be in school and not really wanting to talk, but I can feel some similarities with her at the moment. I was about to try asking something a little different when I heard her ask me, “So…how come you decided to escape…?” Her voice was soft, if it hadn't been so quiet outside at that moment, I might not have been able to hear her. I wasn't certain how to answer. I mean, it was a matter of many things but in some ways some of them wouldn't exactly make me seem the best person to talk to.

With a sigh I simply responded, "So much going on, I can't think straight." I hoped that would be enough of a reason without having to go into details that I was certain neither of us would really want to think about.

After a moment I decided to ask, "So, know of any good places to hide when you don't want to return to school or be caught?" I knew that I couldn't very well go home or I would have to face lots of questions from my mom and most of them would probably be about Max more then they would be about me.


ooc: Next time I'm awake for a little while I'll get a Michael post out.. still waking and sleeping off and on *yawn* looks like time for bed again..

[StormWolfstone]

~Michael~

I'd been watching the clock in class almost all the time since agreeing to talk after class even though I was ready to get the talk with Max over with. I wanted him to understand where I stood. I also was getting tired of listening to the teacher drone on even though I really wasn't paying mauch attention. I was getting frustrated with how it seemed the last twenty minutes of class seemed to drone on and on when all I wanted to do was get out of there.

After a few minutes, I sighed and glanced toward Max who seemed somewhat distracted and I had a feeling he was trying to figure out what I wanted to talk to him about or thinking about the baby. Somewhere in there I was certain that he was also having thoughts of Liz. That was one thing I was pretty certain would never change.

Finally, the bell rang for the end of the class and I stood quickly, looking at Max as I questioned, "Usual place?" I meant the eraser room which we'd been using as a meeting room of late. Then with another thought I added, "Or off campus?"

[KatnotKath]

OOC: hope this is ok for you storm, I was coming up a bit of a blank on what to put...

~Liz~

Isabel sighs in response to my question.

"So much going on, I can't think straight."

I can understand that… Alex…Max…Tess… So much has changed over the past few weeks… Part of me wishes that someone would tell me what to do…how to get through this… Just this morning, I thought I might be dealing…I was going to talk to Max…I was going to tell him that if he meant what he said, that my feelings had never changed… I was even debating telling him about FutureMax… I sigh. Seeing Max and Tess together though…he doesn’t want me… He and Tess are going to be together as they were destined to be… And me…? Well I guess I’ll try and move on…although I can’t imagine ever feeling for someone else what I feel for Max…

"So, know of any good places to hide when you don't want to return to school or be caught?"

I look over at Isabel, realising that I’ve spaced again and have to take a moment to realise what she’s saying. Slowly I shake my head. “Not really…” The times when I’ve skipped before has been with Max, and we’ve either taken off in the jeep, or gone out to the desert… In fact I could think of one place…if we had transport, but I don’t know that either of us would be willing to go there at the moment… After a moment, I shrug. “What about Michael’s place…I’m sure he wouldn’t mind you hanging out, and I know Maria says he keeps a spare key hidden…” I suggest.

[isabelle]

*MAX*

As class draws to a close, I realize I can't put this off any longer. I'm still gathering my things as Michael appears at my elbow. "Usual place? Or off campus?" he asks.

I frown. Next class is English and Liz is there. If we leave school grounds, I'll almost certainly miss class. I was really hoping to see Liz today. Not that I expect her to talk to me, but I did want to see how she looked. Still, I'm not really sure the eraser room is private enough, and I do have three other classes with Liz today, including Bio.

Keeping my head down and my voice low as we linger, letting the rest of the class leave first, I tell Michael, "I guess we could go." But where? Not the crashdown - Liz won't be there, but Mr. Parker will know that we're cutting. Actually, we'd have that problem most everywhere. "Your place? Or shall we just head out to the desert?"

As soon as I say it, I regret it. If we head out of town it'll take far too long. I'll miss Liz. Plus, Tess might need me. I'd promised to get some books with her. "Let's stick to your place, okay?"

[FallenMagic]

~* Kyle *~

I feel terrible about making Tess cry. I hadn't realized that she doesn't want to talk about it. In a way I guess it's all for the best since I don't really want to dwell on it either.

We walk quietly for a while, her hand in mine. I let her take her time to compose herself, giving her the option to talk if she wants.

"So, how's baseball?" Tess asks.

I smile wryly at her. "Well...I think I'm going to get kicked off the team if I don't show up for practice." I tell her. At her suprised look ,I shrug. "It's just difficult to fit in extra curricular activities when you've got a secret 'other' life to hide." I look at her quickly and add, "Not that I mind it...in fact I rather enjoy hanging out with a certain alien." I give her a pointed smile and squeeze her hand gently to let her know it's her I'm talking about.

[M]

*~ TESS~*

As Kyle squeezes my hand a little shiver runs through me. It doesn't totally overcome my guilt at his missing practice for me, but it does warm my insides a bit. Then a thought strikes me and I giggle and pull away from him.

'I bet I can help you practice" I laugh back at him over my shoulder. 'I bet I can beat you to the swings, Mr. MVP'

I turn back and take off, not looking to see if he's running behind me.

[FallenMagic]

~* Kyle *~

I laugh and take off at a run behind her, her laugh carrying back to me as she headed for the swings. For a while it feels so normal to be doing this with her, laughing, joking...just talking.

"We'll see about that!" I laugh. I close the gap between us, purposely staying behind her though. "I'll win, Tess!" I tease as she glances back at me and shrieks playfully to see my so close.

Taking that as a sign, I close the distance between us and instead of running for the swings, I run after her. My heart beats fast as I see her smile and hear her laughter as I grab her around the waist and pick her up to swing her around in a dizzying circle.

Breathless, I finally put her down. Almost unconciosuly I wrap my arms around her waist and smile down at her. "Now, we both win." I say, both of us having reached the swings together.

[M]

~*TESS*~

The blood beats loudly in my ears as Kyle swings me around by the waist. He wraps his arms around me and gives me a brilliant smile.

'Now we both win' he laughs. I realise that his momentum has brought us just in front of the swings.

I look up at him and catch my breath. His eyes are so blue in the sunlight and the warmth of his expression melts everything inside.

In a second we both seem to realise where we are and how easy everything could be. He searchs my face and I'm not sure what he sees there, but it seems to answer some question.

I'm terrified and exhilerated at the same time. We are the only people in the universe and it exists soley for us, in this time, in this place.

He tilts his head and he's moving closer.

His lips are soft and inviting, his arms around me safe and warm and yet I shiver. Then he descends on me and in a moment his mouth is on mine.

Kissing him is like coming home. It makes me see stars. But then I realise what I'm doing. I'm kissing Kyle! I can't! The baby! I want to be able to kiss him but I can't.

Panicked I pull away from him. I can't speak, the lump in my throat is so immediate and so large. Everything becomes blurry as tears stand in my eyes. I look at his beautiful, confused face, recently so happy and I choke on the sobs that have come unbidden.

'I'm sorry Kyle- I just- I can't. I'm so sorry'

I stumble away, unable to clearly see through my tears. I knuckle them out of my eyes and begin to run. I don't know where I'm going, but I can't be here anymore. I want to be with Kyle more then anything, but for my baby I have to try to make a life with Max.

When I reach the trees I trip and fall to my knees. I can't bring myself to get up and I sit in the dead leaves, cursing myself for my stupidity, crying so hard it's difficult to breathe. I've never known happiness or sadness like this.
I don't know what to do, where to go. So for now I sit and cry.

[FallenMagic]

Oh so sorry about the wait but I was sure I posted here Oh well...By the way M...I am loving your posts!


~* Kyle *~

I don't know what made me kiss her. I had told myself that I wouldn't. I had told myself that Tess needed her space, that she was with Max and had a baby on the way. Yet...when I held her in my arms and she was smiling back at me as if I was the only one there for her, nothing else seemed to matter except kissing Tess. The baby didn't matter either. Who cared if it was Max's? I could love it too, and maybe already did...just because Tess was the mother.

The kiss is soft and yet somehow explosive. I can't keep from holding on tighter to her, afraid that if I let go, this is going to turn out to be some dream. Tess doesn't hesitate to respond though and for a moment I'm lost in her. She's the only one I want, the only one I can love...

But just as suddenly as the kiss has began, it ends. Tess seems almost panicked as she pulls away from me, tears in her eyes. I stare at her confused. When she begins to sob, I startle. Was it really that bad? Did I just ruin what we have between us with that kiss? But I was so sure she was enjoying it as much as me.

'I'm sorry Kyle- I just- I can't. I'm so sorry' Tess sobs as she turns and stumbles before running off.

"Tess!" I cry out after her. "Tess, wait!"

I don't care if this is a wrong move on my part, but I have to talk to Tess. We can't let this hang between us. I know I felt something in the kiss and I want to know whether she felt it too. But most of all I want to soothe the pain I saw in her eyes right before she ran. I want her to know that I'll stand by her no matter what decision she makes about us.

"Tess?" I call out as I head in the direction she ran off to. "Where are you? Please answer me!"

I dont hear anything for a moment but then I hear her soft cries and my heart constricts in my chest. I made her cry, I caused her this pain. Hating myself for making her feel like this, I head in her direction and find her sitting in the dry leaves on the ground, sobbing as she clutches herself.

"Tess..." I say as I kneel down next to her and touch her lightly on her shoulder, hoping she wouldn't turn away. "I-I'm sorry..." I begin but then I stop and curse softly. "No, actually I'm not!" Tess turns her tear streaked face to stare at me in suprise. "I can't be sorry about that kiss, Tess." I tell her honestly. "I've been wanting to do that for a long time...I just didn't want to hurt you. I can understand if you don't want me but please don't cry..."

[M]

~*TESS*~

I sit in the dead leaves, lost in my thoughts, racking my brain trying to find a solution. There must be some way to fit the pieces together, some way that we could all be happy. I curse myself, and Max for causing everyone all this pain. One night, thats all it was, we took comfort in each other, never knowing our comfort would cause so much more pain.

So what now? What do we do now?

I am startled from my thoughts by a hand on my shoulder. Kyle. He must have followed you It takes me a moment to come back to the present, but before I do he is yelling.

"No, actually I'm not!'

I turn to see, him trying to understand what he is talking about, but he answers it with his next outburst.

"I can't be sorry about that kiss, Tess.I've been wanting to do that for a long time...I just didn't want to hurt you. I can understand if you don't want me but please don't cry..."

How can I make him understand that I don't know what I want? I do want him, but I should want Max, and that maybe a part of me does want Max. That I really want to hide, to not deal with any of this any more. I don't want to cause anyone any more pain. I don't want to know how, in comforting ourselves, Max and I stole any comfort Liz could ever have, because even if it all worked out magically, she would still always be hurt in some way. That I wish our powers could turn back time, make Alex alive and me not pregnant. That he has basically just told me that he loves me, something I've been wanting for so long, and yet I don't know what to do about it.
All this flashes through my head in a second and Kyle is still waiting for an answer.

I take a deep breath to stop the sobs, and try to push away some of the tears still rolling down my cheeks.

'Kyle, I don't- I mean- '

One more deep breath.

'Kyle, you didn't hurt me, not at all, please don't ever think that. You never hurt me- you usually make things better' I try to smile, but I'm sure it doesn't work very well.

I wipe away more tears and try to find a way to explain that won't make things worse.

'I just, I wanted you to do that for a long time too, but now, now things are just too complicated, and the baby, and Max and I just, I don't know what to do and the last thing I want is to hurt you, and I'm afraid that you will be. I don't know what to do, Kyle, I just really don't know what I'm supposed to do.' I try and fail to stop crying again and I can't look at him anymore because it hurts too much.