Roswell Fanatics

CHAPTER 22

AN: Thanx again for all the excellent feedback! Without you all, this story wouldn't be possible! LOL! Anywaz, I'm tired of making you guys wait for Max's flip out. Unfortunately, it's another short part, but more than likely, the chapters coming up after this one will be longer.

Diane rubbed her forehead as she walked into her house. It was dark, but she could see a light on in the kitchen. She headed towards it. It had been a long day and she was starving. All she really wanted was a quick dinner and then she wanted to sleep the night away.

She knew that her actions this afternoon had been uncalled for. But she needed to show her son just what he was getting himself into. He may not understand it right now, but soon he will. She just hoped she wouldn’t lose him during all this.

As she moved through the living room, she noticed that, in the darkness, things seemed to be strewn about. She went to the wall and flipped the switch, only to inhale sharply at what she saw.

The living room was torn apart. The couch had been ripped apart by a knife or something. The stuffing was all over the place. The 50 inch television had been thrown to the floor, glass everywhere from the screen busting open. The coffee table had even been tipped over.

Her first thought was that it had been a burglar, but as she got closer to the kitchen, she could hear voices, and one of them was definitely her son’s. She stayed where she was for a moment and took a deep breath, ready to face the fact that Max obviously knew what she had done. After another minute or so, she held her head up and walked into the kitchen.

She wasn’t surprised to see Max standing there. She was, however, shocked to see Liz Parker at his side, holding onto his arm like she would drown if she let go. Max’s face was tight, and Diane watched his fists clench and unclench at his sides while Liz whispered softly into his ear. Max’s eyes were closed as he listened to whatever she was saying. While her one hand held onto his arm like a lifeline, her other hand greatly contrasted that strength and gently rubbed his back, comforting him with her touch.

Liz had left her barracks with Max when he had asked her to. He told her that she deserved to be there when he confronted his mom. Liz couldn't say no to him so she tagged along.

When they had gotten to the house, Max had taken a quick look around before exploding. Liz watched as he tore the house apart, throwing the t.v. off the stand and flipping over the table. She was, at the moment, trying to keep him calm. She may not have agreed with her Sergeant Major, but she wouldn't stand by and allow Max to hurt his own mother.

As soon as Max looked up and saw Diane, he quickly pushed Liz behind him, ready to defend her against this monster he had grown up with. Liz’s head peeked out from behind his shoulder. Diane looked at the two of them for a long time before speaking.

Diane remained very calm. She knew that flying off the handle right now when Max was so upset would be an extremely bad idea considering the state of mind he was in. “Nice job wrecking the house, Max. I hope you realize that you’re going to pay for everything you destroyed in there. It’s worth quite a bit.”

“You haven’t seen your room yet,” Max retorted quickly with a devilish smirk.

Diane looked at Liz, who was still behind him. “I assume you told him about the deployment.” She looked back at her boy. “You should be proud, Max. Your girlfriend is finally going to serve her country,” she added with disdain.

“How could you send her there? What the hell’s the matter with you?!”

Diane looked between the two of them and explained, “She knew there would be consequences to her actions. She wouldn’t have been sneaking around if she didn’t know that. And I’m sure you knew as well, Max.”

“So you’re gonna send her to die?!”

Diane waved flippantly at him. “Don’t be so dramatic, Max. She’s not going to die. She’s finance, not infantry.”

“But there’s always a possibility!” Max stepped closer to his mother. “Anything could happen out there!”

“Max, even without you and her having been together, she still might have gone anyway. She’s fulfilling her patriotic duties. Just be proud of her.”

“I am proud of her,” Max said with a hard look. “It’s you I’m ashamed of.”

Diane studied her son, unable to believe he had just said that to her. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water before she closed it quickly, realizing that she had to take what he was going to dish out to prove a point. She looked at Liz sharply. “Go home, Parker. I want to speak to my son in private.”

“Anything you have to say to me you can say to Liz,” Max told her defiantly. He turned to Liz when he felt her tug on his sleeve.

“It’s okay, Max.” Max began to shake his head. He didn’t want her to leave. She was his anchor. If she left there may be a dead body in this kitchen soon. Liz could see the fear in his eyes. She stood on her tip-toes to whisper in his ear. “You’ll be fine. I have faith in you.” He seemed to calm down and Liz caressed the side of his jaw and reached up again to place a lingering kiss on his lips. She kissed him sweetly and long enough for Diane to see the love flowing between the two of them. She looked over at Diane, practically burning a hole into her head. Just before she left the kitchen, she looked at Max and said softly, “Just take deep breaths...” And then she was gone, leaving Max and his mother alone.

Max and Diane just stood there for a little while, staring each other down. Max suddenly spoke up. “How could you do this to her? To me?!”

“Max, this is something that she always knew she might have to do. And if you want to be in a relationship with her then you have to realize it as well.” Diane’s voice remained steady, but her eyes betrayed her. Max couldn’t tell exactly what was behind those eyes. He had never seen the emotion before. He decided to test the waters.

“What are you talking about?!” He yelled loudly. He wanted to break her down and his voice showed his emotions.

“She’s a soldier, Max. You want to be with her? Get used to being alone.” Diane’s bottom lip trembled and Max knew it wouldn’t be long before she would say what he needed to hear. He used it to his advantage.

“What do you mean? What do you know about being alone? You’ve always had Dad.”

Diane shook her head so slightly it was almost unnoticeable, but Max caught it. “What aren’t you telling me?” Diane shook her head more perceptibly this time.

“Just trust on me this, Max. It’s for your own good.”

Max lowered his voice as he asked, “When?”

“She leaves in two weeks.”

“How long will she be gone?” his voice cracked with emotion.

“A year.”

“A year?! No! No!! If you want this to happen, fine. But don’t take her away from me for a year! I can’t survive a year without her! I won’t!” Max was going into hysterics and tears were stinging his eyes, but he refused to cry in front of his mother. For all he knew, this was exactly what she wanted from him. The icing on the cake for her would be his tears. He knew he had to get away from her before he gave her the pleasure.

Diane’s voice softened and she spoke incredulously as she said, “You know, Max, I’m going too.”

“I don’t give a fuck!” Max stormed out of the house and Diane heard the tires of the Jeep squeal on the pavement outside. Her own tears leaked out now, knowing that her own son hated her. And she couldn’t help but hate herself in that moment as well.

TBC...

AN: Hey guys! Sorry about the delay again. I just got really lazy for a while. My bad! Anywaz, here's the next part for your enjoyment. Hope ya like it! And once again, thanks for all the excellent fb.

CHAPTER 23


Hold me
Like there’s no tomorrow
There can be no sorrow
Right here where we stand

Max climbed through Liz’s window. She was a little surprised to see him. She had just walked in the door not ten minutes ago. He cried openly now and Liz actually felt a palpaltation in her heart. She put her arms around him, squeezing him tightly as he clung to her. His body shook as he cried into her shoulder.

Liz gently ran her fingers through his hair, trying to calm him the best way she knew how, but all this crying was making her eyes water. And here Liz was thinking she had no tears left.

Living
Only for a moment
All I ever wanted
Is right here in my hands

Before long, Max was kissing her desperately, losing himself in her. He kissed her hard, nearly bruising her lips, and Liz kissed him back the same way. He pulled her as close and he could manage to get her. He needed to feel her, to know she was still here. He knew she would be gone soon, and he wanted to forget it.

Some will say
That we’re sure to fall
Try to build their walls
Between us, yeah

His hands grabbed her underneath her thighs, lifting her against him, pressing his hardness into her center, thrusting against her roughly. He was trying to get inside her already and their clothes were still on their bodies.

No way over it
No way around it, boy
If we want it
We have to go through it

Fight for love
And the world tries to break us down
But the world will bend
And the fight will end
Love will always win

Liz reached between them to peel the shirt from his torso, wanting his bare body against her. It proved to be a difficult task, considering how close together they were. Eventually, Max helped her by pulling away from her slightly, but as soon as his shirt was gone, he was right back where he needed to be, flush against her.

Liz felt the wall hit her back, but it didn’t hurt. The pain inside pulled a strong veil over the pain outside. She wanted this night to last forever, even though she knew it wouldn’t. She wouldn’t deny him this, nor would she deny herself.

Hold on
’Til we see tomorrow
There is time to borrow
’Til we own our own

His lower body continued to thrust against hers. He stopped his movements to rid the pants from her legs, and Liz removed her shirt. Liz’s lips nipped Max’s ear and he growled in response. Liz felt new tears on the side of her neck, where Max’s face was currently buried. She closed her eyes and gently caressed the muscles in his back.

Walk on
And our hearts will lead us
But our hearts will need us
To be steady and strong

Soon enough, Max had Liz laid out on the bed, his head between her breasts. He lapped at her flesh, tasting every part of her upper body that he could reach. He went for her nipples, his teeth nibbling gently. A moan tore from Liz’s throat, making Max eagerly head over to the other nipple, doing the same thing and rising another moan from her.

So we can stand
And face the fire
Burning higher
Surrounding us, yeah

Liz’s hips bucked eagerly at Max’s. She needed him so badly in that moment that she couldn’t wait. Max’s hips ground hers into the bed before he raised his tear stained face to look at Liz’s. All movement stopped as the hopelessness that shone brightly on both their faces spoke volumes.

No way over it
No way around it, boy
If we want it
We have to go through it

Fight for love
And the world tries to break us down Oh, but the world will bend
And the fight will end
Love will always win

“Don’t leave me,” Max sounded so broken as the words fell from his lips. The sexual tension was suddenly replaced by bare desperation. Liz was silent and she shook her head slightly, knowing that his pain had caused him to say that, even though he knew there was nothing to be done. But even so, hearing the words made Liz’s tears spill over onto her cheeks.

No way over it
No way around it, boy
If we want it
We have to go through it

Fight for love
And the world
Tries to break us down
But the world will bend
Ooh
And the fight will end

Max quickly wiped the tears away with the pads of his thumbs. He had regretted the words as soon as they had come out of his mouth. But he couldn’t deny the facts. And the facts were that he didn’t want her to leave him. He didn’t think he could survive an entire year without seeing her beautiful face smiling up at him. He didn’t think he could survive an entire year without kissing her full lips, or dragging her close to him for an embrace.

The world will bend
And the fight will end
Love will always win

Faith Hill - Love Will Always Win

Liz’s tears continued to fall. She didn’t know how to respond to his heartfelt admission. God knows that if she could, she would stay right here with him forever. But it just wasn’t possible. She decided to stop with the tears and reach her face up for another taste of him. She kissed him slowly and sipped from his lips.

Max kissed her back. He tried to hide his feelings of despair, though it was a lost cause. He couldn’t hide anything from Liz. He rolled them over so that she was on top. He splayed his hands across her back, opening her bra strap with a flick of his wrist. He pulled the straps down her shoulders, touching her anyway he could until the material slid from her body.

Liz stared down at him, watching him stare up at her. She kissed him again and unbuttoned his jeans slowly. The roughness and speed of the encounter had changed when he had uttered those words. Now they were just feeling each other. Their movements were slow and deliberate. They didn’t need to rush through this. They wanted to take their time to savor every touch.

They placed butterfly kisses over each other’s faces, their hands skimming over the heated skin of the other. Soon enough, all clothes had been discarded and they laid before each other completely exposed, physically as well as emotionally. Every feeling inside was etched upon their faces without reservation. There was no need to hide their thoughts.

They sat up on the bed facing each other now. They moved in for another light kiss. This time, their movements became just a little faster as Liz was positioned beneath him awaiting his entry. For a brief moment, she wished she wasn’t on the pill. If he got her pregnant, she would have to stay back. She squashed that thought as soon as it entered her mind. Was she insane?! She couldn’t have children right now and neither could Max.

But somehow Max had read her thoughts as she was vanishing them from her head. “I know, baby. Sometimes I wish the same thing.” That was all he said before he was inside her. A moan escaped her mouth and for the first time in their lovemaking, Max was the quiet one.

He pierced her again and again slowly. He showed her with every movement that she was his forever and that he loved her. She tried to show him back as she would push back up into him. Their movements continued that way for a while, each wanting to convey without words that it wasn’t over.

For some reason, Max felt like this would be the last time he would see her, even though she wouldn’t be leaving for two more weeks. Had it been their last night, his body wouldn’t have finished so quickly. But his brain was logical and it made his release come just when he thought it would, so suddenly.

Liz didn’t complain though. She was right there with him. She knew they would be together again at least one more time before she left, and for that she was grateful.

He fell on top of her, exhausted from their encounter and the day’s activities. Liz held him close to her and he kissed her forehead, holding her back. They both knew that sleep was far off, and Liz wasn’t even sure if Max should stay the night, but she couldn’t bear to let him go yet.

He held her that much tighter, almost sensing her fear of his leaving. He wasn’t going anywhere. He wasn’t leaving her. To hell with his parents. His thoughts immediately went to his mother, and the way she was acting earlier. Sure, she was headed to Iraq, too. But it’s not like it would be her first deployment. She’s also the Sergeant Major. There was a better chance of him being struck by lightning than something happening to her. She’s be extra safe because of her position. Liz, on the other hand...He didn’t want to think about it.

He had to keep his mind off anything bad happening to Liz. He went back to thinking about Diane. He knew there was something she had been keeping from him, but he had no idea what it was. Maybe she had been in a relationship with a soldier once before his father, and she had been hurt, so naturally she tried to protect him from the same thing.

After all, the military doesn’t exactly hold the best marriage rates. Things change every day. People usually get married too young and they just don’t make it. Not to mention when someone doesn’t manage to come back from a war. But he knew that wouldn’t happen to Liz and him. She would always come back to him, because he knew she wouldn’t leave him. She wasn’t allowed.

There goes that immature part of him again. He couldn’t help it though. He couldn’t bear it if something happened to her out there. He looked down at her gorgeous features. Her eyes were closed against his chest, but he knew she wasn’t sleeping, he could feel it. He brushed his lips across her cheek and listened to her sigh, content in his arms.

He let out a breath through his nose and closed his eyes. His thoughts kept returning to his mother, though, and whatever it was that she had yet to admit to him. He could tell that it was something big. It had been written all over her face. A part of him wished he had stayed and talked with her, but then, looking down at his angel again, there was no place he’d rather be. He’d just have to deal with her when he went back home.

TBC...

CHAPTER 24

The next two weeks flew by way too quick for the couple. They hadn’t managed to see each other at all. Max had been busy studying for his final exam and had passed science finally. He was ecstatic and Tess had been really happy for him. She had even promised to continue to help him through the next school year whenever he felt he needed it and he told her he would probably enlist her for tutoring next year. She had backed off, too. She had avoided touching him at all, now that she knew he was unavailable.

Liz had been extremely busy herself packing and getting briefings on her deployment and her mission. When she wasn’t doing that, she was getting shots: the Smallpox vaccine hadn’t been a problem, unless you counted the itchiness and how it had bubbled up. It was pretty nasty, but the Anthrax vaccine had hurt like a bitch. There was also an ugly little bump on the underside of her right arm where she had been stuck by the needle. The Anthrax vaccine had also carried with it the feeling that there was a bruise on her arm for about a week.

Max and Liz had spoken on the phone almost every night, and the conversations were always the same with Max trying to convince Liz that he’d be there when she came back to him. Liz was always telling him that she still loved him and always would no matter how far apart they were. Liz also had to deal with her parents who had flipped out when she told them the news. After about two hours on the phone though, she had convinced them that she would be okay, and she would write to them and call them whenever she could.

Maria had grown accustomed to the idea of going overseas. Her change in attitude had come about when Michael had taken her aside at work a week before. He had slung an arm around her shoulders and told her he was very proud of her. The expression on her face had been priceless, just gazing up at him with this goofy grin. And just like that, she’d had a change of heart.

Liz learned that her and Maria had been placed in the Advance Party, so they would be heading over a few days before everyone else. She didn’t mind it much though, from what Max had told her about his suspicions, Liz really wanted to give him and his mother a chance to talk, without her there to cloud his mind. Liz had a knack for seeing the good in people and she truly believed that this seemingly horrible tyrant was only looking out for her son’s welfare, and she wanted Max to be able to break that barrier down.

It was now the final night before she would leave and she could almost feel Max’s presence as she lay on her bed in a t-shirt and shorts, scared to death of what she may encounter tomorrow. The duffel bags and the ruck sack packed tightly into the corner of her room was a harsh reminder.

She had spoken to other soldiers who had already been to the desert and back, and they all told her not to worry. They told her that television tended to blow up all the little things. They told her not to be scared, that she would be fine. As confident as everyone had sounded, you couldn’t deny the news reports. Soldiers were being killed over there, and Liz was nervous as all hell. So she just kept her head up and faced the world with all that she had left. She just really wished that Max was with her for comfort.

As if on cue, there was a knock on her door. She knew it wasn’t Max though. He only ever used the window. She opened the door to see Maria.

“Hey, Parker,” Maria greeted as she walked into the room.

“DeLuca,” Liz reciprocated. “What’s up?”

Maria cut right to the chase. “How ya doin?”

“Okay,” Liz told her.

Maria looked at Liz as if she was trying to see through her, to see what was really going on in her head. “You sure?”

“Yeah,” Liz lifted her voice. “I’m a little scared, I’ll admit.” She paused and Maria nodded slowly, telling Liz that she understood. “What about you?”

Maria plastered on a smile. “I”m Teflon, babe. I’m okay with it.” Liz looked a little disbelieving of Maria’s comment, so Maria began to clarify. “Look...Sergeant Guerin says it’ll be fine. He was in Bosnia a few years ago and even though it’s not the same thing, he says it’ll be a good experience that we’ll remember for the rest of our lives,” Maria stated matter-of-factly.

“No shit,” Liz mumbled under her breath.

“What?” Maria asked confused.

“Nothing,” Liz replied quickly. She didn’t need Maria to know that she was scared. She was supposed to be the example. She gave Maria a questioning look. “So you’re not still mad at me?”

“Parker, I was never mad at you. I was just upset at the situation. But I’m over it. I mean, SGT Guerin will be with us and so will Whitman...”

“Whitman’s coming?” Liz interrupted cheerily.

“Yeah,” Maria said, shocked that Liz hadn’t known. “He’s gonna be our computer guy in case we run into any problems. Not to mention we’ll be in air-conditioned buildings because of the equipment. And we’ll be able to shower much more often than the sweaty boys raiding huts. And on top of all of that, we have access to the internet...email...and we can use the phone, like, everyday. I swear, I never loved being in Finance more than I do right now.”

By the end of Maria’s spiel, Liz was actually smiling for the first time since she had heard the news of the deployment. Maria’s attitude was contagious. She wasn’t exactly looking forward to being in the sand box for a year, but she would probably be able to deal with it after all.

********************

Meanwhile, at Max’s house...

Max was pushing his fork around the plate of spaghetti and meatballs. His knee bounced underneath the table, anxiously waiting for an opportunity to get out so he could see Liz.

He hadn’t seen his love since that night he had climbed through her window crying his eyes out. He hadn’t had any time since then and neither did she. He had been really busy with the last of his science work. Tess had helped him immensely and he was grateful. He was also glad that she had given up on him as a potential love interest. Luckily, she hadn’t inquired about who he was dating.

Now, Max watched his father shovel food into his mouth and his mother eating very delicately, avoiding eye contact with him. You could cut the tension in the room with a knife. Max couldn’t take it anymore. He had to get out of this house of despair and spend the last night he could with the only woman he would ever love.

Max’s voice penetrated the air. “May I be excused?”

“Yes!” “No!” Both parents answered simultaneously. Diane gave her husband a look that dared him to disagree with her. Then, she turned back to her son. “Go ahead, Max,” Diane said softly.

Max looked at his mother in shock, but she just put her head down. Phillip looked on incredulously. He couldn’t believe his wife would allow Max to leave the house, knowing where he was headed.

Max just took the opportunity the best way he knew how, by getting out of there as fast as his legs would carry him. As he left the room, he could faintly hear their voices carry past him.

“What the hell are you doing, Diane?! You know exactly where he’s going!” Phillip stood up to his wife.

Diane looked up at him before standing to her feet in front of him. She looked into his eyes, a fire raging inside of her. She was fed up and tired of playing games. She spoke slowly and angrily. “Let me handle my son the way I see fit.” Phillip watched her leave with a bewildered look on his face. He threw his napkin down on his plate and shook his head at no one in particular.

Diane didn’t like fighting with Phillip. She didn’t want to leave the country with anyone angry at her. Luckily, she still had a few days to repair the rift with her husband. With Max, however, she wasn’t sure if she’d ever be able to fix that. So she had let him go, knowing he would have found a way to Liz anyway. Unlike Diane, who would have Max for a little more time, Liz didn’t have that luxury. The girl was leaving in the morning. Diane knew that by letting Max go, she wasn’t exactly making it better, but she hoped it was a step in the right direction.

**************

Liz and Maria sat indian-style on Maria’s bed. “Oh my gosh, what happened?!” Liz laughed.

“He totally played it off like it was an accident. He’s all, ‘Uh, sorry about that, I was reaching for the doorknob,’” Maria said in her best “Guerin” voice. “He just couldn’t admit that he wanted to grab my ass,” Maria laughed. “And then...” she wiped a tear from her eye, “Captain Bruno yells, ‘Gear Shift!’” The girls laughed hysterically at the nick-name their commander had given Michael since his first day in the unit. “And he left,” Maria had to take a deep breath to get that out.

“SGT Guerin kills it,” Liz laughed through her tears of mirth making the girls laugh harder. A sudden knock on Maria’s door broke through their fun.

“Enter!” Maria called out and waved her hand in the air. “Hey, Max,” Maria greeted cheerily when she saw him at her door.

“Hey,” Max smiled shyly. “You weren’t in your room,” he directed at Liz.

“We were bonding, Moondoggie. You can have her back now,” Maria quipped good-naturedly.

Liz smiled at her friend and got up. She took a hold of Max’s hand and led him to her room. Once the door was locked, she turned back to him. “How’d you get out?”

“Mom let me go. If you can believe that,” Max smiled.

“Have you had a chance to talk to her yet?”

“Not yet. She’s been busy getting ready for the deployment and I was finishing up with summer school. I got a B,” he smiled widely.

“That’s great, baby,” Liz wrapped her arms around him. “So I guess you deserve a reward then, huh?” she purred into his ear.

“No.” Max’s expression turned serious. “Tonight is all about you.” He inhaled deeply before his lips descended on hers.


TBC...

CHAPTER 25

Max and Liz lay in her bed after a long and glorious session of lovemaking. Max wanted it to last all night, but both of their bodies had betrayed them. They were both unusually tired from their activities over the past two weeks. So now they lay close to each other, holding tightly to the final hours before Liz has to be with her unit to catch her first flight of the long trip.

Liz glanced at the clock. It was exactly midnight. She had to be in at 0400. Knowing that she has less than four hours left, tears spring to her eyes without her wanting them to. It seems like all she’s been doing lately is crying, and every time she thought the tear ducts had closed up, another reason would pop up for her to start crying all over again. A shiver trembled through her and she clung tighter, wrapping her arms around Max to bring him closer.

Max felt her body convulse and knew why. He held her closer to him, tangling one of his legs in-between her thighs. He felt his forehead crunch up, the tears stinging the backs of his eyes. He didn’t want her to leave, but he refused to tell her that again. He would only be pouring salt into the open wound.

Liz leaned up to steal a kiss from him, which he gave up freely. He gently slipped his tongue inside her mouth, kissing her lazily, slowly, wanting to savor every single taste of her. As he had been making love to her before, he did all he could to memorize every single moment, and every single piece of her gorgeous skin. Just as that thought went through his head, he quickly broke the kiss and jumped off the bed. He began going through Liz’s closet.

Liz propped herself on her elbow, confused, “What are you doing?” Never a complainer, she was very much enjoying the view of his beautiful backside.

“Where is it?” Max threw back as he ruffled through her belongings. “Did you pack it?”

“What are you looking for?” she asked, her blood simmering at the naked sight of him.

“A HA!” He turned around with a huge smile on his face and Liz’s digital camera in his hand. He climbed back into the bed. “I can’t believe we never thought of this before.”

“Maybe because we were busy being discreet and pictures would have just defeated the purpose,” Liz teased.

“Do you think they matter now?” he asked a little unsure. Liz shook her head in the negative and Max pulled her close. “Come here.” He pulled her up against him, holding the camera away to snap a picture of the two of them. The couple smiled happily for the photos Max took, despite the feelings coursing throughout them.

After Max took around five pictures, he went over to the computer to print out wallet sizes for each of them to have for the year. “This way we’ll be able to see each other every day,” Max said as he handed Liz her photos and placed his inside his wallet.

Liz smiled at her pictures. “Thank you,” she said, kissing him deeply. She pulled back from him to admire her pictures again, running a single finger around Max’s face in the photo. Max stuffed her camera into one of her bags, hoping she’d send him some more pictures from Iraq. “Hey, I’m still here!” Max laughed, a little jealous of the picture. Liz smiled at her boyfriend and indulged him in another sweet kiss.

They somehow made it back to the bed, where Liz and Max tangled their legs together between the sheets, looking into each other’s eyes. “Max?” Liz’s soft voice reached his ears.

“Yeah?” he spoke just as softly.

“Would you do something for me?”

“Anything,” he answered without hesitation.

“Would you sing to me?”

Max smiled, only mildly surprised that she wanted a serenade. Max thought for a moment, wanting to choose the perfect song for her. Finally, after a few moments, a smile spread across his face and he snuggled closer to her, singing softly.

Tomorrow morning I have to leave
But wherever I may be
Best believe I'm thinking of you
I can't believe how much I love

He tenderly pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. His warm breath tickled her cheek.

All we have is here tonight
We don't want to waste this time
Give me something to remember
Baby put your lips on mine

He sipped at her bottom lip.

And I'll love you forever
Anytime that we find ourselves apart
Just close your eyes
And you'll be here with me
Just look to your heart
And that's where I'll be

If you just close your eyes
Till your drifting away
You'll never be too far from me
If you close your eyes

Liz snuggled closer, a tear falling onto her cheek.

I know I’m gonna see you again
But promise me that you won’t forget
Cause as long as you remember
A part of us will be together

One of his hands drifted to her forehead as he sang the next part.

So even when you’re fast asleep
Look for me inside your dreams
Keep believing in what we’re sharing
And even when I’m not there to tell you

I'll, I'll love you forever
Anytime that I can't be where you are

Just close your eyes
And you'll be here with me
Just look to your heart
And that's where I'll be

If you just close your eyes
Till your drifting away
You'll never be too far from me
If you close your eyes

His voice cracked with emotion and his tongue snaked out to pick up the tear that had fallen onto his lip. He swallowed loudly before continuing.

Is there anywhere that far?
Anytime you're feeling low
Is there anywhere that love cannot reach?Oh no
It could be anywhere on earth
It could be anywhere I'll be
Oh baby if you want to see

Just close your eyes
And you'll be here with me
Look to your heart
That's where you'll be
Just close your eyes
Till your drifting away
You'll never be too far from me
Westlife - Close Your Eyes

By the time the song was finished, the couple was crying into each other mouths. They kissed hopelessly, trying to convey strength for one another, but failing miserably. Max moved his head to see the clock. It was 2 AM. “No,” he whispered painfully and kissed her again. His fingers tangled in her hair, holding her head to his lips.

Liz ran her fingers over his back. She knew that it was almost time. She also knew that the time would now fly by because of it. She couldn’t explain herself, but she wanted him once more. Just once more. She lifted her hips in an invitation.

Max didn’t disappoint. He wrapped his hands around her hips gently, and pushed into her. He wanted to go slowly, to make it last forever, even though he knew she didn’t have that much time. But still he went slowly, making her moan every so often. His lips moved over her chest, caressing her body with his tongue, tasting every part of her that he could. He wanted to memorize everything. He wanted the moment burned into his brain so that he would never forget what this felt like.

Liz kissed his chin, his outer jaw, his lips. She savored his sweet touch, wanting to remember tonight. If she had a video camera, it would be on right now, but for this moment, she’d just have to remember.

They climaxed together, crying out their pleasure into the empty dark room. Max laid his head on her chest, panting heavily. When he raised his head to look into her eyes, the sun was on the horizon, and the orange light peeked through the blinds on the window. “No,” he whispered into her hair before tightly closing his eyes, his tears soaking her hair.

When Max’s eyes finally opened, he realized he had fallen asleep. “No!” He looked around the room. Liz’s bags were gone, and so was she. The clock read 5 AM. “Fuck!” he shouted. He had fallen asleep and now she was gone. When he looked over at the computer desk, there was a military issue chain with one of Liz’s dog tags dangling from it. It read: Parker, Liz, her social, O Pos (her blood type), and her religion. The tag was laying on top of a note.

Max,

I’m so sorry for leaving like that. I just couldn’t bear to wake you. It would have been harder. I love you so much and I’ll call you every chance I get. Please don’t be angry with me for not waking you up. Please understand why.

The dog tags are something I see husbands give their wives when they deploy, so I thought I’d try it with you. This way you have a half of the heart, somewhat, while I have the other half. When we're together again, they'll be reunited, the way they should be.

I didn’t want to tell you this to your face last night because I couldn’t bring myself to say the words out loud. I know you love me and you know I’ll love you forever, but please don’t wait for me. I’ll be gone a year, and it wouldn’t be fair to you to have to hold on to me for that long. Experience everything you can before you decide that I’m it for you. It breaks my heart to tell you that, but I won’t be the reason you missed out on someone who could be the love of your life. Even though I know that you’re the love of mine.

I love you with all of my heart and I always will. Don’t ever forget that. And if you’re not too angry with me for this letter, try to remember the breathing techniques. I know it sounds stupid to say that after everything you’ve just read, but I would really like you to be as happy as you can while I’m not around to be there with you. I love you more than you’ll ever know.

Love Always & Forever,

Liz

Max wiped the tears off his cheek and folded the letter neatly before putting it into his wallet and hung the dog tag around his neck. He knew she had told him not to wait for her, but she couldn’t be that stupid, could she? The letter hadn’t fazed him and it would never take away his love for her. He couldn’t make his heart stop beating for her, and therefore, he would love her forever, and he would wait as long as it took before he got her back.


TBC...

CHAPTER 26

AN: Thanx for all the wonderful feedback. I love you guys!

Liz stared out the window of the 747, her M16 standing on its butt between her legs. She was thinking about the man laying in her bed in her room. Or maybe he was already awake. How would he react to that letter? How would he feel about her once he had finished reading it? Would he take her advice and attempt to move on? Yeah right, her heart told her. There’s no way he’s going to move on and forget about me. He’ll just hang on, the same way I will.

Liz wasn’t kidding when she said she would call him whenever she got a chance. She knew that it might have been a mixed signal, but she couldn’t help it if she needed to hear his voice every once in a while. Her heart wouldn’t be denied the love it needed. But she had meant friendly calls. She didn’t expect him to wait a whole year for her without dating other girls. That would have been just selfish on her part. Max was only 16, ok he would be 17 soon, but still, it wasn’t fair for her to expect a 17 year old boy to not have hormones for a year, and to not act on those hormones. Even though it would break her heart into a billion pieces. But she would deal. She was a soldier, after all. She could handle anything.

Captain Bruno jumped up at that moment to make an announcement. He stood in the middle aisle of the plane and rubbed his hands together. “Alright, soldiers! Just so you know...there’s a lot of good people out there who are thankful and support what it is that you do. But then, there’s also a lot of scumbags out there who don’t appreciate all you do! Keep it in mind when we hit the ground. We’re going to have to deal with a lot of media and just remember to keep your heads on straight. Hooah?!”

“Hooah!” resounded throughout the cabin from all the soldiers.

The first flight was taking them to Germany, where they would spend the night in a hotel so that the plane could refuel and all that crap that planes do. Liz would hopefully make her first phone call to Max then.

*************

Later That Day, At Max’s House...

Diane and Phillip had cleaned the house very well after Max’s outburst. They had run out to buy a new television and couch just the day after his temper had destroyed everything. Phillip had told Max to get a job so that he could help pay for the damage. While his mother had remained calm, his father had blown a gasket about the house, but Max would deal with the job hunting in the morning.

Max laid on his bed, his hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling. The picture of him and Liz laid on his stomach face down. Phillip had gone to get groceries or something. Max hadn’t really been listening. He was just thinking about Liz and everything that would happen as soon as she came home. A knock on his door sounded in the room.

“Max, honey?” It was his mother. He knew he was going to have to deal with this eventually. She would be leaving him soon, too.

“Yeah?” he acknowledged her as she walked into the room.

“Can I sit down?” She asked nervously. He shrugged his shoulders indifferently, but didn’t move from his spot. “What’s this?” she asked as she sat on the bed. Max attempted to snatch the picture back, but Diane had already seen it. She stared at the picture for a long time, just looking at the couple.

Max was very confused. He could swear that she was smiling. It was so faint, you could barely see it, but it was definitely there. “Mom, what’s going on?” Max decided to stop beating around the bush. He needed to know what she was hiding. He stayed composed and he said, “Please...talk to me. I deserve that much.”

Diane looked at her beautiful son, his picture still in her hand. A tear fell down her face before it turned into a waterfall. She buried her head in her hands. She couldn’t believe all that had happened in such a short period of time. When she felt Max place a hand on her back, she seemed to break down even further. She threw herself into his arms and held on tightly.

Max was in shock. He had never seen his mother so broken. She had never shown this kind of emotion, not even when his father had been in that accident, hanging onto his life. “Three months ago you wouldn’t have been this calm. What has she done to you?” his mother cried into his shirt. She didn’t have disdain in her voice, just true compassion.

“She loved me,” Max whispered back. It wasn’t a long description, but it was all he could say that remained true.

“I’ve loved you, too, Max. Why wasn’t I ever able to give you that kind of happiness?”

Max pulled away to look into her face. “Mom, it wasn’t you. I guess I’ve just finally found what I’ve been looking for in Liz. I don’t know how else to explain it. I love her with everything inside of me.” He stopped and felt the rage take over. “And you’ve taken her away!” Max was crying now, too. He hadn’t meant for that last part to come out so raw and angry, but he couldn’t help it.

Diane looked up at him and wiped her tears away the best she could, even though they still continued to leak. “I’m sorry, Max. If you want the honest truth, I didn’t send Parker strictly because of your relationship.”

“You didn’t?” Max asked confused.

“No. I sent her because she was the most qualified to be over there. She’s the best at her job and we needed her there.”

“She can do her job here,” Max argued.

“But she’ll do great things there,” Diane clarified. Max bowed his head in defeat. His mother was right, but he didn’t want to admit it. “Max, I think it’s time...we talked.” Max looked up at her confused. He knew there was more to say, but he was so emotionally drained, he didn’t know if he could bear to hear any more. Diane faced her son and her biggest fear in the same moment. She had no idea how he would take this, but he had the right to know the truth. She took a deep breath. “When I was around Parker’s age...I met this guy. He was in the infantry. He was extremely handsome. I fell in love with him almost instantly. He was everything I ever wanted in a man. Besides being absolutely gorgeous, he was exciting, and his kisses would leave me breathless.”

“Mom...” Max was a little uncomfortable with the knowledge of his mother kissing people.

Diane continued unfazed. “We were together for a few years before he had to deploy to Desert Storm. Not even a month after he had left, I found out he hadn’t made it. He was shot by a sniper...fatally wounded. I didn’t even get to say goodbye.” More tears streamed from her eyes and Max put an arm around her to comfort her.

He thought about what she was saying. She had been hurt before and now he could understand where she had been coming from with him and Liz. “That’s why you let me see Liz before she left.”

“If I could have had one more night...just one,” Diane cried.

Before he had more time to dwell on her compassion, she spoke again.

“I met your father at a barracks party just that night. I had been so emotionally distraught that I was drinking heavily to get rid of the pain. Your father just happened to be in the right place at the right time...or maybe it was the wrong place at the wrong time. It really depends on how you look at it.”

Before she had a chance to go on, Max spoke. “So that’s why Dad hates me? Because I was a mistake?!”

“Oh sweetheart,” Diane cupped his cheek. “You were never a mistake. After I found out that I was pregnant your father married me. He believed it was the right thing to do. He’s a wonderful man and he’s done good things for us. He stopped working after you were born. It was just easier that way. Max...” Diane crunched her eyebrows together. She wasn’t sure how she was going to put this. “When I saw you for the first time...I knew the truth.”

“What truth?” Max asked cryptically.

“Max...Phillip...Phillip...isn’t your father.”

“What?!” Max jumped up and began pacing the room. Diane started to talk fast, hoping she could get it all out before her son exploded in rage.

“After all that had happened I wasn’t thinking about the paternity. You were almost a month late. I wasn’t sure if you were Phillip’s or not. When you were born, I knew as soon as I saw you that Phillip wasn’t your father. Your eyes could have only come from one man. I’m sorry, Max. I’m so sorry I never told you.” Diane cried some more. Gosh, the room was going to flood sooner or later.

“You said you were drinking that night, and you were already pregnant. Is that why I’m so fucked up?!” Max asked angrily.

“No, Max. The drinking actually didn’t have any effect whatsoever. Your problems are hereditary. Damon had the same anger issues.”

“Damon?” he said his father’s name out loud to get the feel of it. His mother nodded. “Does Dad know?” Max asked, running a hand through his hair. He looked over at his mother and the brief shake of her head told him that Phillip thought Max was his son.

“I never told him. It would break his heart, Max. Please, you can’t tell him what I’ve told you. He loves you, Max.”

“I can’t deal with this right now. I have to go.” Diane grabbed a hold of his arm to stop him from running. Max placed a hand on her arm and looked into her eyes. “I won’t tell him. But I have to go right now. I’ll be back, I promise.” Diane looked satisfied enough with that and loosened her grip.

Max left through the front door and got into his jeep. He needed to clear his head and think about what his mother had told him. He knew she would be leaving soon, and he would have to make things right with her before then.

He wondered how it was possible his father didn’t know the truth. Then again, maybe his father had known all along, on some level, and that’s why he treated Max like an outsider sometimes. Max didn’t know what to think anymore. He felt like he had been lied to his entire life, and he needed Liz there with him. Too bad she was gone. Until he could hear her voice, he would have to burn off some steam. And that meant that he had a date with a punching bag.

Back at Max’s house, Phillip had just walked through the door with three other people, a man, a woman, and a blonde teenage girl. Diane had already cleaned herself up and was waiting for Max to come home when the strangers entered her house with her husband. “Diane! Look who I found in the supermarket!” Diane looked on, confused. She didn’t know who these people were. Phillip pointed at the young girl and explained, “This is Tess...Max’s friend from school...the one who got him to pass science.” Tess looked up at Diane humbled.

“Hello, Tess. I’m very appreciative of what you’ve done for Max.”

“Oh please, he did all the work,” Tess replied with a smile.

“Still...” Diane smiled and looked at the other two guests. “These must be your parents. Hi, Diane Evans,” she greeted them both with a handshake.

The man greeted her back. “Hello, Diane. I’m Roger and this is Michelle.” He motioned to his wife, a carbon copy of her daughter.

“Max has told me that you two are in the Special Forces. Both of you?” Diane asked.

“Yes, we are,” Michelle explained. “I’m only admin, but whenever Roger gets an assignment, I tend to get stuck going along with him. But I don’t get to do any of the cool stuff.” The women laughed.

“Speaking of which,” Phillip popped into the conversation, “When I ran into them they told me that they would be going along to Iraq as well. About a week after you leave, Diane.”

“Really?”

“They told me they were going to send Tess to her aunt’s house in Florida, but unfortunately the woman has just come down with a terrible case of breast cancer. She’s going to be going through all kinds of treatment and won’t be able to care for Tess.” Phillip waited to assess Diane’s reaction. “What do you say, honey?”

“What do I say about what?” Diane asked, unaware of what that had to do with anything.

Phillip smiled brightly for her. “Well, I figured we have the space. Tess is a good friend of Max’s, they should get along just fine...” Phillip trailed off when he realized Diane understood what he was saying.

“Oh, I don’t know, Phillip...” Diane wasn’t sure if this was the best idea. This household was practically in shambles as it was. But Phillip looked so eager. He had always wanted a little girl, but after Max they had been unable to get pregnant. Diane was pretty sure that Phillip was sterile, but she wouldn’t tell him that for fear of him finding out about the paternity of their son. Luckily, Phillip had never gotten a test, just believing that it was God’s will for them to only have one child.

Diane thought about how Max would react to this. She honestly wasn’t sure how he would take it. But then, she was a good friend of his, it seemed, and with Parker gone, maybe Tess is just what he needs to get his mind off of her. Diane knew that the chance of Max getting over Liz was slim to none, but she was sure he could use some more friends. With that thought in her head, she finally replied. “Sure. We’d be happy to have her.”

TBC...

AN: I know everyone’s going to be angry, but we’re really getting down to the meat of the story now. HA HA! Let’s keep the loving feelings people. Breathe in...Breathe out...Ah, forget it. It won’t help. I will now brace myself for the angry comments.

CHAPTER 27

Max came back home to a house full of people eating dinner. Tess and her parents. He had recognized them from the many times he had been to her house to study. Everyone was carrying on conversations and laughing.

Max watched his father laugh at something Tess’s dad said. He couldn’t help thinking that if Phillip knew the secret that Max was harboring, he wouldn’t be smiling.

Tess was the first to notice Max standing in the doorway. “Hey, Max!” she greeted with a warm smile. Max smiled back, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. Roger stood to shake Max’s hand.

“Max...it’s nice to see you again.”

“You too, sir,” Max politely shook his hand. “How are you, Michelle?”

“Good, Max, thank you.” Max nodded at her.

“Son, have a seat. We’ve just started eating,” Phillip told him. Max shook off the reference, now knowing that Phillip shouldn’t be using that word, and went to sit in the only empty seat at the table. As Max passed by Phillip, the man whispered to him, “Be nice.” Max looked at him in a cross between confusion and just plain being upset. Why wouldn’t I be nice? He thought to himself.

About an hour later, everyone sat at the dinner table engrossed in pleasant conversation. Phillip and Roger were going on about automobile parts, Diane and Michelle rambled on about how they keep themselves fresh while they are in the field, and Max and Tess talked about what teachers they wanted to get for their senior year.

The shrill sound of the phone cut into everyone’s happy bantering. Max looked up immediately, his eyes wide. He and Diane exchanged a silent look of understanding as she picked up the phone.

“Hello?” Diane listened as the line remained silent. She didn’t need to ask who it was. She just said into the receiver, “He’s right here.” She held the cordless phone out. “Max...”

Max jumped up and grabbed the phone, placing it to his ear. “Hello?” Everyone at the table watched as Max heaved a sigh of relief and smiled truly happily for the first time all night. Tess assumed that whomever he was talking to must be the girlfriend she had heard about. Everybody missed the anger etched on Phillip’s face.

Max opened his mouth to say something else to Liz when he realized everyone was staring and Diane was using her eyes to plead with him to not give away the secret of who was on the other line. Max smiled at everyone nervously. “I’ll just...take this...” he motioned to the phone as he left the room.

Once he was safely upstairs in his room, he put the phone back to his ear. “Hey...”

“Hey,” Liz replied.

“I miss you already,” he was unable to hold it in any longer.

“I miss you too.”

“Thanks for the gift. I’ll never take it off.” He could almost hear Liz smile through the phone. “Where are you?”

“New York, actually.”

“That’s it? I thought you’d be on your way to Germany by now.”

“Yeah well, we didn’t leave base until 11:00, and...”

“Wait...why so late?”

“It was one of those hurry up and wait situations,” she laughed. “We had to get all of our gear out of the arms room and then we just hung around, waiting. We won’t be in Germany until sometime tomorrow.”

As Liz said those words, Max felt his heart clench. She was getting further and further away from him and he couldn’t stop it. He reached up to grab a hold of her dog tag, pushing it through his fingers.

“I guess you talked to your mom because she gave you the phone.”

“Yeah, I have” He stayed silent though.

“What’d she say?” Liz finally asked.

Max took a deep breath and decided to just blurt it out. “Phillip isn’t my real dad.”

Her reaction was instantaneous, “Oh my gosh, Max, how are you doing?”

“I’m alright, I guess, especially after learning that my real father died in the same sand box you’re being sent to.”

“Oh, Max,” Liz sympathized. “Don’t worry about me, I’m going to be fine. I’ll be home before you know it and those dog tags will finally be reunited again.”

“I’m so scared for you, Liz. I don’t know what I would do if I ever lost you. You mean everything to me. Baby, please be safe. Just...be safe. I need to know that you’re coming home to me.”

“I am coming home to you, Max, I promise you. Ya know what they say about military relationships don’t ya?”

“Yeah,” he whispered. “A deployment can make or break the relationship. I know.” He tugged on his dog tag again, trying to feel her presence through the aluminum.

“We can’t let it break us.”

“But you said in your letter that you didn’t even want to be together.” Max smiled, knowing he’d caught her. She couldn’t deny her feelings.

Liz simply came back with, “A girl can hope, can’t she?”

Max turned serious. “You don’t have to. I love you and I’m not letting you go.”

“You don’t know how you’ll feel in a year,” Liz said sadly.

“I know how I’ll feel for the rest of my life. Mom says that if we truly love each other, a year is not going to change that. Please tell me she’s right,” Max proclaimed. The line went into a dead silence for a moment. Max waited patiently. It was her move now.

“I love you,” she finally said. Max closed his eyes and gritted his jaw, trying to hold onto those words.

“You have no idea how good it feels to hear you say that.”

“But I still don’t want you to wait for me.”

“Liz,” Max began to argue.

“No, Max, listen to me. I love you. And the only option I have right now is to let you go.”

“No, Liz...”

“Max,” she cut him off again, “I can’t expect you to wait for me for a whole year. It’s not fair to you...or me. If you were to...be...with someone else...”

“No, Liz, I won’t...”

“I couldn’t handle it. It would kill me. And there would be nothing that I could do about it. So, this way, if we’re not officially together...it won’t hurt so much.”

Max understood where she was coming from, but he still thought she was being irrational. Just thinking about being with someone else made him feel like hurling. “I love you. I can’t tell you that enough. And I’ll be here when you get back.” Max heard Liz sniffle on the other end of the line and he was glad that he had gotten through to her.

“I’ve gotta go,” Liz eventually said.

“Already?” Max asked desperately.

“Yeah,” she whispered. “I’ll call you when I get to Germany.”

“I’ll be waiting. I love you, baby.”

“I love you, too, Max. Bye.” She hung up before she could break down over the pay phone in the middle of LaGuardia Airport. That was the hardest phone call she’d ever had to make. It was so hard to say goodbye to him, knowing that she’d be on another plane soon moving even farther away.

She walked over to her unit hanging around outside one of the gates where Maria sat on the floor with a slice of pizza and a coke waiting for her.

***************

Max hung up the phone thoroughly confused. One minute, Liz was telling him that she loved him and would be with him when she got back, and in another minute she would tell him that they weren’t officially together.

Max contemplated it for a little bit before coming to a rather simple conclusion. Liz wanted to be with him, but she was afraid that if anything were to happen, that it would crush her. Well, she doesn’t have to worry, Max told himself, because I won’t let her down.

Max went back downstairs then to find that Tess and her parents had already gone. His mother and “father” sat at the table talking. “Max, why don’t you come sit down?” Diane asked. “We have something to tell you.” As Max sat down, he asked, “You’re not having a baby are you?”

Diane laughed and Phillip replied with a chuckle. “Depends on how you look at it, son.” Max tried not to cringe at his sudden frequent use of the word “son.” “Tess is going to be staying here for a little while,” Phillip told him.

Max quickly curbed the urge to flip out, remembering Liz’s letter, and instead asked calmly, “Why?”

“Her parents are going to Iraq and they’ve got nowhere to send Tess,” Diane explained, only mildly flinching as she awaited Max’s wrath. But her surprise, it didn’t come.

“So how long’s she gonna be here?” Max asked casually.

“About a year, just until her parents come back.”

Max shrugged his shoulders. “Okay...” At this point, he really didn’t no what to say. The decision had apparently already been made, and it wasn’t like he had any feelings for her or anything that would get in the way of his and Liz’s relationship. There was way too much going on right now and with some more shit added to the pile, it just didn’t seem appropriate to get any more angry about the situation. Wow, he thought to himself, I guess I have grown up. Thank you, Liz.

His parents sat back, stunned. They thought for sure that he would blow up on them for not talking to him about it first. But to their utter amazement, he didn’t. He just sat there wondering what the big deal was.

Diane couldn’t help herself, she damn near climbed over the table and hugged her son. Max smiled slightly at her reaction and hugged her back. Phillip smiled proudly. He couldn’t help thinking that his son was finally becoming the man Phillip had always hoped he’d be.

Max looked over and saw his father the happiest he thinks he’s ever seen him. Max really didn’t want to be the one to burst his bubble. Especially since he couldn’t remember the last time this family felt like a family.


TBC...

AN: I know, I know! Another part? So soon?! I'm sorry, but it's all in my head and I want it out there! LOL!

CHAPTER 28

ONE MONTH LATER...

Liz ran with the formation. She could see Maria’s blonde head bobbing in front of her. Maria was doing really well out here. The air wasn’t as thick, which made for easier breathing. Maria was a better runner out in this air. SGT Guerin had begun calling cadence and now he was signaling for Liz to head up the formation. It was all part of being a sergeant. Liz stepped her way out of the formation to the side and Michael hopped back into the ranks quickly and expertly. Liz quickly thought of a cadence to sing. She decided to make a little fun of the Infantry’s famous “Oh Hail, Oh Hail, Oh Infantry” cadence. She started out with the beat. (Italics is the soldiers singing along. I’ll do it for the first verse, but after that just pretend the soldiers are repeating it, cuz it just takes too long.)

Left, left, left, right a-left,
Left, left, left right a-left,
Left, left, keep it in step
Left, left, keep it in step

Whole lotta left,
Whole lotta left
We love to double-time
Love to double-time
We do it all the time
We do it all the time.

I’ll never be in infantry
I’ll never be in infantry
Queen of battle’s not for me
Queen of battle’s not for me
Chairborne, chairborne pogue I’ll be
Chairborne, chairborne pogue I’ll be
Staff platoon’s the life for me
Staff platoon’s the life for me

Up in the mornin’, out of bed
Do some stretches, hit the head
Drink some coffee, settle down
Nothin’ like Columbian grounds

She could hear the soldiers snicker and laugh at her joke cadence. So she kept going.

From a desk I oversee
Typed reports and spilled coffee
Off to meetings I will go
Can I stay awake, Hell I don't know.

Early at night it's drizzling rain
I slip in the mud, I get a sprain
A purple heart they gave to me
What can I do for a D-S-C.

Armor and artillery
Are things I hear but never see
They frighten me and make too much noise
I'm scared of big old soldiers' toys.

Well dug in and over the hill
Is where I made and keep my still
Swilling hooch and playing cards
Is life for me and not too hard.

It's true that someday I'll be dead
With lots of gray hair on my head
It's hard to get a shot at me
Cause Finance is all I'll ever be.

When she finished, the soldiers laughed out loud before she finally called them to a mark-time and headed them back to the tent. Everybody grabbed bottles of water and drank like there was no tomorrow. The temperature was 120 degrees F and it was HOT! Sweat literally pooled down your body. The unit was finally dismissed by CSM Evans to go shower. Before this deployment, Liz had never known what it felt like to be hot, but she was getting it.

*******************

Back In The USA...

Max and Liz had managed to talk over the phone at least twice a week. Sometimes they would chat online, and other times they were even able to see each other through the webcam. Liz had to admit that she had it a lot better than the combat units. She even had air-conditioning in the office tent, it was necessary for the equipment.

Tess had managed to move in and settle quite nicely. She seemed to be hitting it off with Kyle and he had confided in Max that he really liked her. Max couldn’t believe how reserved Kyle was with Tess, always acting all shy around her. Even once, Max heard Kyle actually giggle in her presence. Liz hadn’t been all too thrilled in learning where Tess would be sleeping for the next year, but after some persuasion by Max’s incessant “I love you and only you,”s, she had learned to deal.

Family life had seemed to become a little better. The fighting had pretty much stopped, and Diane had gone overseas with everyone pretty content. Diane had also been calling as often as she could. Max and her didn’t talk about the secret that they were sharing any more except for when Diane told Max that she had been the calming effect on Damon just as Liz was to Max. Max had also promised once again to keep his silence. Since then, they had seemed to come to a silent understanding. They just didn’t talk about it.

Max and Tess were now standing in the Back To School section of Walmart picking up supplies for the upcoming school year. Max had been pretty closed off since Liz had left. He felt like he was going through Liz-withdrawals and it was driving him crazy. He talked to her all the time, sure, and he even got to see her on webcam pretty often, but he missed her touch and the taste of her lips. He missed the smell of her skin. His eyes rolled into the back of his head as he found himself drowning in remembrance.

“Max!” Tess all but shoved him into the shelf of notebooks.

“What?” Max asked as he was pulled from his mind and had to catch his balance.

“I’ve been asking you a question for, like, five minutes.”

“I’m sorry, what?”

Tess held up the two notebooks. “For History...3 subject or 5?”

“Uh...3,” Max replied. “Mr. Lyons normally rambles on about Vietnam for most of the year anyway.”

“Thinking about her?” Tess asked gently.

“Yeah,” Max said softly, lowering his eyes. Max hadn’t told Tess who Liz was, but he did mention that she didn’t go to their school, and that right now she wasn’t around. Max was very vague about her, and in the beginning, Tess wondered if he was lying about having a girlfriend, but all those recent hours on the phone and computer couldn’t possibly be shared with an imaginary friend.

“I miss her,” Max confided in his new friend. Tess nodded, but really had no idea what to say to him. Then, something came to mind.

“Ya know, I did the long-distance relationship thing once.”

“Really?” Max asked hopefully. Maybe she knows where I’m coming from, he thought. “How’d it work out?”

“Crashed and burned,” she provided. “He cheated on me.”

“Sorry,” Max sympathized. “Not gonna happen to me. I can’t even look at another girl.” Tess really wished that comment hadn’t stung as much as it actually did.

They started walking to the check-out counter with their supplies in hand. “So what happened? Her parents get stationed somewhere else?” Tess knew she was digging, but she really wanted some more information about the girl who had managed to steal Max’s heart.

“Not exactly,” Max said evasively.

“Max, how come you never tell me anything about her?” Tess asked, finally fed up with not knowing anything about the girl he claimed to love.

Max turned to her with a sigh. “It’s complicated.”

“How complicated can it be? I mean, I’ve heard you and Kyle talking about her. You’re always whispering like it’s some big secret...”

“Because it is!!” Max said a little too loudly. He quickly looked around the store to make sure no one was staring and lowered his voice. “Just...leave it alone, Tess. Okay?”

Tess nodded curtly. Max’s outburst had really scared her. Is this what Kyle had meant when he had said that Max was dangerous? Tess wondered. Tess had just assumed that Max was a brooding, misunderstood kid with a little mystery. That would have been exciting. But this was frightening. She couldn’t deny that she saw him taking pills and his father had admitted that Max saw a psychiatrist once a month. After living with him for three weeks there was no denying that there was a side of Max that she hadn’t seen in school or during their study sessions. She briefly wondered if his girlfriend had ever seen this Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde show of his.

The two left the store and headed home. Kyle was spending the night again due to his dad being on duty. Kyle had joked with Max earlier about sleeping in Tess’s room. Max had just chuckled.

**************

The night was winding down and Max was locked in his room writing a letter to Liz. He knew that he could talk to her all the time, but she seemed to really enjoy the letters, so he wrote every now and then. He sat on his bed thinking because he wanted this letter to be really clever. Before he had a chance to get through the first paragraph, he heard the distinct sound of a Yahoo Messenger Instant Message. He smiled and went to the computer.

It asked him to click and just as he was about to, his cell phone rang. He put it to his ear and heard, “Where are you?”

“Hello to you, too, baby,” Max chuckled.

“Aww...” Liz purred. “Hello, baby. Where are you?” she asked again.

Max grinned. “Right here, see...” he clicked OPEN on the webcam and her beautiful face came into view. She wore those desert camos and he thought she looked so sexy in her uniform.

“Do me a favor,” Liz purred into his ear.

“Name it.”

“Take your shirt off.”

“What?” Max laughed. He watched Liz’s eyes beam and her head nod for him to do it, so he complied. The shirt was up and over his head in an instant...and then he threw it over the cam.

“Max!!!!!!!” she whined. He laughed at her and quickly took the shirt away from obstructing her view. “Mmmmm...that’s better.” Max watched her lick her lips and move her fingers gently over her computer screen touching what she wanted to be real. Max almost felt like a piece of meat. But hey, he would be Liz Parker’s piece of meat any day, willingly. “You look so sexy with that dog tag hanging over your chest.”

“God, baby, you’re driving me crazy.” This was the first time she had ever asked him to take off any of his clothing. “When are you gonna take off your shirt,” he joked.

“I would if I could, but there are a lot of people behind me.”

“I know, I see them.” They smiled at each other. He was only half-serious anyway. Well, maybe a little more than half. “It’s one in the morning there, isn’t it? How come you’re not asleep?”

“Because I wanted to see you. Whatcha doin?” Liz asked him.

“Looking at how gorgeous you are.”

“You’re so sweet.”

“It’s true.”

“I miss you.”

“Me too. Do you know when you’re coming back?” he asked.

He watched her shake her head. “No, sorry. I’ll be getting two weeks leave in about five months though.”

“Going to Roswell?” Max asked, a little upset. She nodded again. He knew she would have to use her vacation time to visit her parents, but he still wished she could be with him. Then a thought came to him. “Do you think it would be possible for me to meet you there?”

“Hell yes! Are you serious?” she asked hopefully.

“Hell yes!” He mimicked her. “I want to see you.”

They were both smiling until Max heard a loud BOOM! And then a POP, POP, POPPITY-POP, POP!! He saw Liz turn her head over her shoulder quickly and look back at the screen with wide eyes. “I gotta go, Max, I love you.”

“What’s going on?!” The line went dead before he finished his sentence and watched with horror on the screen as pandemonium ensued. People ran back and forth yelling. At least, he thought they were yelling. He couldn’t hear anything. He watched Liz grab her M16, lock and load a magazine, and run out the doorway of the tent.

“Don’t go out there!” He screamed at the screen like when someone was watching a horror movie. He stared on at the computer screen, unable to see much because the sand had kicked up with everybody running around and it was hard to see past it. He saw his mother run out the doorway as well with her M9. His eyes widened as he just couldn’t seem to look away from this train wreck. Be safe, baby, he thought as he held onto his dog tag like a lifeline to his love.

TBC...

AN: Okay, I know that I've been keeping you all in suspense and I'm sorry about that, but I was unsure about this part and I still don't really feel like I've got it right, but I owe it to you to share what I have so far, even thought it's short, so here it is. Thanx 4 the patience.

CHAPTER 29

Liz ran out of the tent and dropped down to her belly onto the sand, placing her nose up against the charging handle of the M16 and stared out into the darkness. Maria got down on one knee beside her and soon enough all the soldiers had their stances around the perimeter of their position. Diane was on one knee in the middle of the circle, scanning the area around them, her pistol moving back and forth past her troops.

Two more lights flashed somewhere beyond them with more POP POP sounds. The sounds were definitely gun shots, and from the sound of them, Liz thought for sure they were AK-47s, which was the weapon of choice for the Iraqi insurgents. Some rustling came from beyond their position and Michael stood up, his weapon pointed at the brush.

“HALT! Who goes there?!” Michael called out. Maria looked at him, thinking that he had the sexiest voice. Michael was oblivious to the gentle stare of the blonde as he listened for a moment, but heard nothing. He was about to ask the same question translated in Arabic, but suddenly the troops watched a pair of DCU (Desert Camos)-clad legs step out of the darkness.

“SPC Whitman!” was the voice that came from the brush. Whitman came into sight with his hands above his head. Everybody let out a long, loud sigh and dropped their weapons. Alex came into the middle of the circle to where Diane was.

“Hold your positions,” Diane told her soldiers and they all put their weapons back up. When Alex got down on one knee next to Diane and the soldiers had gone back to scanning the perimeter, Diane asked Alex, “Whitman, what’s going on? Why did we hear gun shots?” Diane kept her voice down and so did Alex.

“Mortar round. Insurgents were coming around, but the patriots handled the mortars and the ground pounders are taking care of the insurgents as we speak.”

“Where were you coming from?”

“The bathroom,” he replied sheepishly.

“Whitman, you know damn well you’re supposed to take a battle buddy with you!” Diane spit out harshly.

“I know, Sergeant Major, I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

“Be sure that it doesn’t.” After about a half an hour of listening, Diane grabbed her walkie talkie and radioed into the infantry unit near their camp. “Eagles, this is Charlie, come in. I repeat, Eagles, this is Charlie, come in.”

A male voice came over the radio. “Charlie, this is Eagles. What’s goin on Sergeant Major?”

“What’s it look like out there?”

“Oh it’s cool. We’re taking ‘em into custody as we speak.”

“Good. Out!”

Diane ended the transmission and called her troops back into the tent. Maria took off her kevlar and began fixing her hair, as did Michael. He was such a pretty boy. Everyone was wiping the dirt and sweat from their heads. Liz came into the tent and ran into Diane as she was removing her helmet. “Parker?” Diane asked curiously.

“Yes, Sergeant Major.” Liz then realized that Diane was focused on something else. Liz followed her gaze. “Shit!” Liz cursed and ran over to the computer where she could no longer see Max’s face.

“Who were you talking to that had to see this little incident?”

Liz visibly flinched as she explained. “Max...”

“Oh my God, Parker!” Diane grabbed the phone. “Now we have to call him.”

“I’m sorry, Sergeant Major, I wasn’t thinking. It all happened so fast.”

“Can you imagine what he must be thinking right now? You can’t do these things to him, Parker, he’s very vulnerable right now. He gets very nervous when it comes to you.” Diane reprimanded Liz like she was a small child.

“Well he saw you run out there, too.”

Diane looked at Liz like she had lost her mind. She put the phone up to her ear. “Trust me, Parker, my son is not worried about me right now.”

“Hello?” Max’s reply was frantic.

“Max...”

“Mom! Are you guys okay?”

“Yes, Max, we’re fine, it was nothing big.” Diane kept her voice calm and insistent.

“Are you sure?” Max asked, still fearful.

“Yes, Max, we’re okay.”

“Can I talk to Liz?” Max asked hopefully.

“Of course, you can.” Diane handed Liz the phone and mouthed to Liz, Don’t tell him anything. Liz nodded. Max didn’t need to know all the details. It would only scare him more.

“Max?”

“Hey baby! Are you okay?” Max was really nervous.

“Yeah, Max, we’re fine. It wasn’t anything big.”

“What happened?”

“Nothing we couldn’t handle. Look, Max, don’t worry we’re fine.”

“I love you so much,” Max said desperately as if he had almost lost her.

“I love you, too. Don’t worry, we’re okay.” Liz sympathized. She could only imagine how he must have felt seeing that. It was Liz’s job, but Max didn’t know what was going on. Poor baby, she thought.

“Parker,” Diane pinned her with a knowing stare. “Time to rack out.”

Liz nodded. “I gotta go, baby. I’m fine. I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?”

“Okay,” Max said softly. “I love you. Be safe.”

“I love you, too. I will. Bye.” Liz hung up the phone and locked eyes with Diane. Over the past month, Liz and Diane had been on better terms. Diane had yet to sit down and have a conversation with Liz, but Liz could tell they would probably be doing it soon. Liz was about to pass Diane so she could get to her bunk, but Diane pulled her back with a hand on her arm.

“Please don’t let that happen again, Parker.”

“It won’t, Sergeant Major, I promise.”

“He loves you very much.” Diane held Liz’s gaze while she finally admitted to herself that maybe Liz was good for Max. Liz nodded, understanding at that moment that Diane finally accepted it.

“I love him, too.” Without another word, Liz left the tent to get ready for bed. She headed over to the showers where she had seen Maria duck inside there just a minute or so before.

**************

Knock, Knock....

Max moved over to the door to open it. “Max, are you okay? I heard yelling.” Tess came inside the room, worried.

“Yeah, I’m fine, it was just...” Max stopped himself. “It was nothing.”

Tess nodded, not really accepting it, but not wanting another outburst from Max either. “Kyle’s here.”

“Oh...okay. Send him up.”

“He’s downstairs raiding the refrigerator,” Tess chuckled. Max nodded and Tess left the room.

Kyle came into his room just as Tess was leaving, his eyes following her ass on the way out. His mouth was full and he had a sandwich in his hand. “Hey, Max.”

“Hey, Kyle.”

“I heard yelling, you okay?” Kyle polished off the rest of his sandwich.

Max looked at Kyle strangely. Kyle had asked him if he was okay but his mannerisms didn’t really prove that he cared. Max laughed on the inside knowing that was just Kyle’s way. “Yeah, it was just Liz had me scared to death.” Max ran a shaky hand through his hair. He believed that Liz was alright, but he was still nervous.

Kyle looked over at the computer. “Webcam, huh?” Kyle shook his head, knowing what had probably happened.

“Yeah. You ready to rack out?” Max went over to his closet but turned back around at the sound of Kyle’s voice.

“I miss you so much, baby. I can’t wait until you’re in my arms again...”

“Kyle!” Max swiped the letter he had been writing from his best friend’s hand.

“Pussy!” Kyle made a whipping sound and gesture with his hand and Max just shook his head before turning out the light. Just as Max shut his eyes, he heard Kyle say in a whiney voice. “You’re so romantic, Max.”

“Goodnight!”

TBC...

AN: Okay, I felt bad about the last part being so short so here's another part for you guys. Don't get too excited until you've read it though. He he...

CHAPTER 30

3 Months Later...

“This is bullshit! I said that I’m going and that’s it!” Max screamed at his father.

“Who the hell do you think you are?! You are not an adult and if I say you’re staying here for Christmas than that’s what you’ll do!”

“You can’t keep me here! I’m going to Roswell for Christmas to be with Liz and I don’t care what you say!” Max turned away to get out of his father’s sight. Max was heated and there was no way this guy was going to keep him from seeing Liz.

“Don’t you walk away from me!” Max whipped his head around to glare at Phillip. “You listen when I speak to you! I’ll be damned if you’re going to walk all over me like I’m nobody! I’m your father and you’ll do what I say!”

“No you’re not!!” The words came out of his mouth before he had a chance to reel them back in. Max’s eyes widened as he watched Phillip’s reaction. Phillip searched Max’s eyes as if looking for the truth. But he couldn’t find it. As he looked into the boy’s eyes, for once, he didn’t see himself and he knew it was the truth. He had nothing to say and he turned away without a word, leaving the house.

Max hung his head, defeated, and whispered, “Fuck.” He hadn’t meant for that to happen. The words had left his mouth before he had time to think about them. He had watched Phillip tear up a bit at his harsh words, and he instantly regretted what he had just done. He had broken his mother’s trust and now his father was in the middle of it. And unfortunately, Diane wasn’t even here to defend her own actions.

Max went upstairs with his head down. Phillip had left the house and Max had no idea when he would be back. As he got into his room, he heard the phone ring. “Hello?” he answered.

“What’s wrong?” Liz immediately went on alert when she heard the tone of his voice.

“Hey, Liz.”

“What’s the matter, Max?”

“I screwed up.”

Liz’s heart began to pound. What did he meant by that? Had he been unfaithful? Well, it wouldn’t be unfaithful because I gave him permission, she thought wryly. She could hear the soft cries on the other line. There was only one way to find out. “What do you mean?” She braced herself for the pain, but she never imagined what he would actually say.

“I told my father...” his voice broke and Liz felt a sigh escape her lips. It wasn’t what she had thought. “That he wasn’t my father.”

“Oh my god, Max.”

“It was an accident. It just came out. He made me so angry,” Max sobbed.

“What did he do to make you angry?” Liz asked gently.

“He told me I couldn’t see you this Christmas.”

“Max...” Now Liz really felt bad. It was her fault this had happened.

Max knew what she was thinking and he wouldn’t allow. “Stop it. I’m the one with the big mouth.” Max heard some rustling on the other side of the line when he heard Liz telling his mother who she was talking to. “Can I talk to her, Liz?”

“Yeah, hang on a second.” Liz handed the phone to Diane as she was entering the room to call home. “It’s for you.”

“What’s going on?” Diane asked immediately knowing that something was wrong from the look on Liz’s face. Liz just held the phone closer, silently telling her to take it.

Diane feared the worst as she put the phone to her ear. “Hello?” she asked nervously.

“Mom...” Max’s voice sounded defeated.

“Max, what’s wrong?”

“Dad...I mean...I told...Dad...” His words were jumbled because he had no idea how to tell his mother that he had broken her trust. But there were enough words for Diane to assess the situation properly.

“Where is he, Max?” Diane asked gently.

“He left.”

“Where did he go?”

“I dunno. He just...left.”

Diane let out a long sigh. “Okay. Max, do me a favor and go stay with Kyle tonight. Take Tess with you. I’ll call back in a little while and try my best to talk to him.”

“What are you gonna say?” Max asked hopefully.

“I have no idea.” Max’s balloon deflated quickly. He didn’t know if this situation would ever be fixed. “Oh and Max?”

“Yeah, Mom?” Max asked.

“Happy birthday, baby.” Max’s birthday had been last month, but he hadn’t had a chance to talk with his mother since the day they had gotten him worried to death. He smiled softly, wishing that things had been easier. He hung up the phone and called Kyle while he threw some things into a bag.

He went down the hall into Tess’s room where she had her nose buried in a book. “Tess, grab some of your things.”

“Why?” Tess looked up when he came in.

“We’re gonna stay at Kyle’s tonight.”

“Why?” Tess asked again, but went about gathering some of her things anyway.

“I’ll explain on the way, can we just...” He didn’t finish his sentence. Tess could see how eager he was to escape this house and so she quickly followed him to his jeep. They got in and sped to Kyle’s.

“Max, slow down. We don’t need a ticket or...to die for that matter,” Tess said a little nervously.

“Sorry,” Max eased off the gas, slowing the jeep down to a decent speed.

“Now you wanna tell me what’s going on?”

Max didn’t really want to tell Tess his business, but he really had no choice considering that he had just dragged her away with him. He quickly explained the situation and watched Tess out of the corner of his eye while paying special attention to the road.

“Wow,” was all she said. She honestly didn’t know what to say. This was heavy. “Well what were you guys arguing about?”

Max hesitated but then said, “I wanted to visit my girlfriend for Christmas.”

“Well I can see why he got upset.”

“What?!” Max darted his eyes towards her, glaring.

“Max, he’s your father...” she saw Max’s look and rephrased. “I mean...you know what I mean...Christmas is something that you should share with your family.”

“Mom’s not even gonna be here.”

“Which is exactly why he wants to spend it with you,” Tess explained. She could understand that Max would want to see his girlfriend, but girlfriends come and go. Families are forever. “Why can’t you see her at a different time?”

“Because there is no other time,” Max said. If he couldn’t see Liz for Christmas, he’d have to spend the entire year without her. And he wouldn’t accept that. He needed her touch.

“Max...” Tess wanted to understand where Max was coming from, but she didn’t have all the information and that made it impossible for her to side with him.

“Why can’t I see him at a different time? I’m here everyday!” Tess just stayed silent. Max knew that she was right, but after what had transpired inside that house he had no idea what was going to happen now. He just had to hope that his mother would be able to get through to Phillip.

******************

After school the next day, Max decided it was time to go home and deal with the current situation. He told Tess to stay at Kyle’s for a little while and he would call her to let her know it was safe to come back. She had agreed, not wanting to be anywhere near the action that she knew would take place when Max went home.

It was a little after seven on a Friday night when Max entered his home. It was eerily quiet and the place felt very suffocating. Max heard the clinking of glasses and he followed the sound to the kitchen. The sight was not what he had imagined it would be.

“Max!” Phillip’s eyes were glassy and he gestured with his hand for Max to come over to him. He had a bottle of tequila sitting on the kitchen table and two shot glasses set up. He poured two shots. “Come here.”

Max uneasily took a seat at the table with Phillip. “What’s going on, Dad?”

Phillip glared at Max, telling him with his eyes to watch out. He eyes softened for a moment. “Drink up!” He handed the shot to Max and took his own.

“I don’t...” Max shook his head.

“Drink it!” Phillip’s tone left no room for an argument. He clinked his shot glass to Max’s and the two threw back their drinks. Max remembered another time he had taken shots of tequila. The night had ended in the loss of his virginity, but he was entirely unsure of how tonight would end.

Phillip poured a couple more shots. Max was still trying to get over the taste of the first one. When he had done this with Liz, they had used salt and lemons to aid the taste of the liquor. Plus he had been lapping most of it off of her sweet skin. He didn’t have that pleasure this time. He had no idea how drunk the man beside him was, but he knew that Phillip was pretty loaded considered the slight slur of his voice and wavering of his body.

“You don’t have any of my physical features, but I’m here to find out if you can drink me under the table.” Max visibly flinched, closing his eyes. If Phillip wanted a challenge then he would get one. Max straightened up, threw back the second shot and stared down the man who had raised him. A smirk tugged at Phillip’s lips and he poured the boy another shot.

*****************

Two hours later, Tess walked into the house wondering why Max hadn’t called. She had assumed that everything was okay since he had been gone so long. She smiled to herself as she remembered the kiss Kyle had laid on her just before she left. It was perfect. She didn’t have time to dwell on it though. When she got into the kitchen from where she had heard voices, she was not prepared for what faced her. Phillip and Max were slamming back shots and laughing at each other. She wasn’t sure what had happened, but it wasn’t hard to see what was going on now.

“You said you would call me,” Tess said as she entered the kitchen.

Max couldn’t even see straight at this point, but he smiled at her and slurred, “I forgot.”

“Sorry, Tess, we were just getting reacquainted. Ya know...considering we aren’t related anymore.” The boys laughed at their private joke, but Tess didn’t find it funny at all. She looked around at the empty bottle and the shot glasses and knew they had been drinking their problems away.

“Max, maybe it’s time for you to get some rest.”

“What? But we’re havin’ fun!” Max giggled and looked at Phillip who nodded at him.

“We’re out of tequila anyway, boy. Maybe we can pick this up tomorrow night.” Max nodded quickly and attempted to stand up, but that was a bad idea because he quickly fell on his ass and started laughing hysterically at himself. Phillip was laughing at him too. Phillip attempted to reach down for him but his and Max’s hands just couldn’t seem to connect as they circled drunkenly in the air.

Tess rushed over to her fallen friend and reached for him. He smiled widely as he allowed her to pull him up from the floor. He wrapped his arms around her and held on tight as she all but carried him to his room. They fell down on the bed and Max laughed as he found himself pinned beneath her.

His laughing subsided and he looked into her blue eyes. Before he had time to even think, Tess’s lips covered his, her tongue slipping into his mouth. Tess wasn’t sure why she had kissed him. It just seemed like the perfect moment. He closed his eyes and kissed her back, pictured brown hair instead of her blonde. His hand threaded through her curls and with his eyes closed, he could swear it was Liz.

When her lips moved down to his throat, he whispered, “Oh, Liz...” Tess lifted her head quickly at his words. The fact that he thought she was someone else didn’t make her feel jealous. It made her feel ashamed. Ashamed that she had just kissed Kyle and now she was kissing Max. Ashamed that he was too drunk to even realize what was happening.

She quickly sat up and pushed her hair behind her ear. She took one look at the boy laying down on the bed. Max had fallen asleep, a smile lighting his face. She closed her eyes and felt the tears sting before she quickly pushed them back. She got up and left as she heard a quiet snore come from him. She walked down the hall to her room hoping that he wouldn’t remember any of this tomorrow. He didn’t deserve any more pain. And she knew that pain was exactly what he would feel if he ever found out what had happened between them.

TBC...

AN: Okay, here's the next part for you guys and thanx to Lissalou and Lazza for being my betas.

CHAPTER 31

Max woke up with a killer headache. He shook his head and blinked rapidly, trying to clear his blurred vision. He couldn’t remember much from last night, but he did remember laughing with Phillip and having a good time. Then he remembered the vivid dream of Liz’s lips on his again. He touched his lips tenderly. It had felt so real. He could still taste her.

Now his head hurt and he had cotton-mouth. He went to the bathroom to brush his teeth and take a shower. When he entered the kitchen, Tess and his dad were eating bowls of Cocoa Puffs. Tess smiled brightly at him. “Morning, Max!” Her squealing voice hurt his head and he closed his eyes, hating the fact that she was so cheerful in the morning.

Once he was situated at the table and had begun eating, Tess gave him the strangest look. He didn’t understand what it meant, but then, his father was actually smirking at him. He put his head down and went back to eating, wondering why everyone was staring at him.

**************

Later that night, Max and Phillip had gone another round of drinking, getting completely wasted. Tess was out with Kyle, and Max was glad they were getting along so well. A little after midnight, Phillip went into the living room to watch the sports network. Max’s cell rang and he pulled it out and put it to his ear. “Hey, gorgeous,” he grinned into the phone.

“Hey, baby, what’s up?” Liz thought that Max’s voice sounded a little slurred and a moment later she didn’t have to wonder why.

“I’m really drunk,” he breathed into the phone. Then he giggled.

“Oh my god, Max. Why are you drinking?” she asked playfully. She was a little concerned about what might have happened with Phillip and she was calling because she was curious. She hadn’t had a chance to talk to him last night.

“I miss you, baby. Are you by the webcam?” he whispered, ignoring her question. Phillip was in the other room, but Max didn’t want him overhearing his conversation. He heard her answer yes and made his way to his bedroom. “Are you alone?”

“Surprisingly enough, yes. Why?” Liz asked, wondering what he was getting at.

He got to his room and opened up the webcam, watching her face come into view. He took his shirt off, throwing it behind him. He watched Liz’s eyes cloud over as she inspected his muscles. He also heard her breath hitch over the phone. He loved what he could do to her.

“You’ve been working out,” Liz stated. His muscles had gotten stronger, his body a little more lean. She touched the screen, wanting so badly to be able to feel his skin. “It’s been a million years since I’ve touched you,” she noted out loud. She watched Max grin sneakily at her.

“Your turn.” He smiled at her reaction when she snapped out of her daze and looked at him innocently.

“Huh?” She watched him nod his head slowly and eagerly. When she caught his meaning, she looked around at her surroundings, making sure she was truly alone. When she noticed that she was, she unbuttoned her top, watching as Max’s eyes burned into her chest. She lifted the brown t-shirt that was underneath, her pink see-through bra in full view of the camera. She faintly heard Max growl and she watched his fingers touch his screen.

She then watched in shock as Max’s mouth came over the screen. “I just wanna taste you. God I miss you so much,” he said desperately. Liz softened, wishing to god she could help relieve his ache for her. But she couldn’t. She was on the other side of the world.

She pushed her shirt back down her body, not wanting anyone to walk in unexpectedly. “It’s just another month or so, baby. We’ll see each other soon.”

“Soon isn’t good enough!” She watched Max get up from his chair and pace his room, the phone still at his ear. “I want you, now!” He stalked over the carpet, running his free hand through his hair, so sexually frustrated he couldn’t think straight, and he was drunk so he was even more horny.

Liz watched as he got angry and suddenly, she was pissed off. “Well what the hell do you want me to do about it, Max?!”

“I don’t know!” Max growled.

“If you’re so god damned horny why don’t you go take care of it?! You have a hundred options at your fingertips! Just don’t let me hear about it!” With that, she clicked off the phone and the computer. She didn’t know what he wanted from her. Strike that! She knew exactly what he wanted from her, but there was nothing she could do from so far away. Let him find another way to take care of his problems. She had to get back to work anyway. She sulked back to work, pissed off at her boyfriend, needing some time to cool down.

***************

“FUCK!” Max yelled as he shut off his computer and went to lay down, willing his heart to slow down. He felt terrible for what he had said to Liz. He knew she couldn’t do anything about it, but he was just so frustrated and he now knew he shouldn’t have taken it out on her. He was an asshole. Had he not have been drunk, sleep probably wouldn’t have come as easily as it did, but luckily, he was wasted, and the dreams were extremely vivid on this particular night.

Phillip stood on the other side of Max’s bedroom door, a smile coming to his face. He heard the front door open and knew it was time to put his plan into action. When he had seen Tess kiss Max last night, an idea had formed in his head. That little bastard was going to pay for the 17 years Phillip had wasted on him. He went downstairs to greet the second pawn in his twisted game.

“Tess, hey.” Phillip spoke warmly.

“Hey, Mr. Evans,” Tess greeted when she saw him come down the stairs. She had come from the arcade with Kyle. She had a great time with him and couldn’t wait to see him again. She was still guilty about last night, but she was sure she would get over it in time, and no one would ever have to know about it.

“Max is upstairs. He’s pretty upset.” Phillip gave her a look of melancholy.

“Why?” Tess asked nervously.

“He had said something about the two of you becoming closer last night.” Tess’s eyes widened. Had Max told Phillip about the kiss? She wondered. Is Mr. Evans going to kick me out? “He said that he wished you felt the same way for him that he feels for you.”

“What?” Tess asked, completely shocked. Max had been so hung up on his girlfriend last night. There was no way that he liked Tess.

“Yeah,” Phillip said awkwardly. “He was really nervous about seeing you again tonight. Why don’t you go upstairs and set him straight. He said he missed your touch.” Phillip looked a little shy as he said those last words.

Tess couldn’t believe her ears. Did Max really want to be with me? Maybe he was just nervous about approaching the subject, like Mr. Evans was saying. She found herself smiling. This was everything she had ever dreamed of and more. She nodded at Phillip and headed to Max’s room to see him.

********************

Inside Max’s dream...

The radio played softly in the background and he listened to the words.

Lately I'm so tired
If I took it all out on you
I never meant to
If I left you outside
If you ever felt I ignored you
Know my life is all you

So put your best dress on
And wrap yourself in the arms of someone
Who wants to give you all the love you want

He was laying on his bed when there was a knock on the door. He went to answer it and there she stood in all her glory. His beautiful, brown-eyed girl. A heavenly light encased her and she smiled at him. She didn’t have time to say anything before Max was all over her. His lips nipped at hers, kissing her reverently, tasting her again. She kissed him back vigorously, falling on top of him on his bed. She smiled at him with trust in her eyes.

Tonight, I'm gonna make it up to you
Tonight, I'm gonna make love to you
Tonight, you're gonna know how much I missed you, baby
Tonight, I dedicate my heart to you
Tonight, I'm gonna be a part of you
Tonight, you're gonna know how much I miss you
And I miss you so

They had months to make up for and Max would be damned if he let her get away from him before he showed her how much he loved her. “I’m sorry,” he whispered to her. She shook her head and kissed him to quiet him. He managed to tell her he loved her before both their clothes were gone and he was dipping his tongue into her belly button.

I don't wanna act like
I know that you'll be mine forever
Though I hope it's forever
Don't want you to feel like
I take you for granted
Whenever we are together

So put your best dress on
And wrap yourself in the arms of someone
Who wants to give you all the love you want

He crawled back up to her face, unable to wait any longer to have her. He was inside her in an instant. “Yes,” he hissed, the familiar word he would use when he had waited so long to be a part of her. He loved her slowly, savoring the moment. A part of him knew this was a dream, and he wanted to hold onto it as long as he could.

Tonight, I'm gonna make it up to you
Tonight, I'm gonna make love to you
Tonight, you're gonna know how much I miss you, baby
Tonight, I dedicate my heart to you
Tonight, I'm gonna be a part of you
Tonight, you're gonna know how much I miss you
And I miss you so

They moved together in perfect harmony, the music allowing them to dance together while sharing themselves. He kissed her again, needing to feel those perfect lips. He moved to her throat, moving his lips over her delicate skin, suckling here and there to mark her as his. He stroked her walls on the inside, her sweet moans in his head.

Oh yeah
So put your best dress on
And wrap yourself in my arms, my love
Tonight, I'm gonna make it up to you
Tonight, I'm gonna make love to you
Tonight, you're gonna know how much I miss you, baby
Tonight, I dedicate my heart to you
Tonight, I'm gonna be a part of you
Tonight, you're gonna know how much I miss you
Baby

He felt her inner muscles squeeze that part of him, and he allowed her to milk his essence from him. He pulled out of her and looked down at their lower bodies. He was shocked to see blood. Why would she be bleeding? he wondered. Then, he remembered it was a dream, and he was probably dreaming that he had been her first. He looked down into her brown eyes and smiled as she smiled up at him. He laid his head on her chest and allowed the music to lull him into a peaceful sleep, knowing that she would be gone in the morning.

Tonight, I'm gonna make it up to you
Tonight, I'm gonna make love to you
Tonight, you're gonna know how much I miss you, baby
Tonight, I dedicate my heart to you
Tonight, I'm gonna be a part of you
Tonight, you're gonna know how much I miss you
And I miss you so

Westlife - Tonight

TBC...