The Missing Piece (CC, MATURE/ADULT accepted)

[isabelle]

*Max*

Liz seems to just stare at me for seconds that stretch on into years after I suggest coming over in the morning. Is it because she really doesn't want to see that much of me? Or does she just think it wouldn't be worth it? Really I have nothing to do in this town except hunt for the granolith/podchamber and try to find ways to spend time with Liz.

I open my mouth to break the silence, but I'm not sure if I should be apologizing for making the suggestion or assuring her that it won't be any trouble. Before I can decide, she does speak.

"M-max, what would you think about the possibility of moving in together...? I mean, not in a sexual way, not sleeping together, just...living..." she asks, nervously.

I blink, shutting my mouth. This wasn't at all what I was expecting. Living with her would make so many things easier between us -- but is it really what she wants?

"Sorry, it was just something I thought of...I probably shouldn't have said anything, maybe you should forget I did..." she stammers, clearly afraid of her own suggestion.

"No, it's okay," I say, walking towards her. "It's a good idea. If we were ... roommates ... we'd be able to have a lot more unstructured time like this."

It would work, I find myself thinking. I could give her my room and I could sleep on the couch, no problem there. And I know that Stacy sometimes stays with her sister, so there's some kind of bus that she could use to get to school if for some reason I couldn't drive her. And she could get back to the house the same way, unless Kyle was dropping her and Stacy off...

Isabel and Alex would be great with having Liz there. Maria, too. She and Liz have become friends of a sort. But how would she deal with having Michael there looking over our shoulders all the time? He'd hate having us so close and not 'bonding' as he feels we're required to do. I'd make sure he wouldn't say anything, but I'm sure he'd find other ways to make his opinions clear...

"There's probably an apartment available at the complex so we could have more privacy," I say, thinking aloud. Even a one-bedroom place like this would be fine. I could take the couch and -- Opps. Looking up, I see the look on Liz's face and I realize I've made a mistake.

"Or I could just move in here and sleep on your couch," I finish, weakly, feeling embarrassed at my error and hoping that I'm not turning red. It would obviously be easier for me to move my few things than for her. She doesn't have a lot, but she does have all her furniture and everything... "That's what you meant, isn't it?"

[KatnotKath]

~Alex~

I’ve been working alone in my room most of the morning after giving Michael and Maria strict instructions that unless it’s an EMERGENCY – and that’s a real one, not that someone outside has the wrong colour car, or that Maria burnt the toast – they’re not to disturb me. I love the two of them, I really do, they’re my best friends, and they’re a kind of family to me too, but seriously when they get going, I just never get anything done…

I know I usually give myself Sundays off of course, but Isabel said she was going in to work to finish that display she was working on, so I figured I’d get in a few hours, take advantage of the time, and then we can do likewise later when she’s back…

Grinning at the wonderful thought of time alone with the Princess of my heart, I type a few more codes in, before deciding to stop for a break and grab a drink from downstairs.

I don’t actually hear anything as I go down the stairs… And I’m not too sure whether that is a good or bad thing… Good because I don’t hear their arguing, but bad maybe because I worry about what Michael is doing…

We’ve all been keeping an eye on him since he tried that stunt at the Crashdown just after we got here of course, and I think that he’s toned it down a little, but he still makes no secret of what he thinks Liz and Max – who incidentally I think are coping fantastically with all of this - should do, or that they’re taking too long with this ‘getting to know one another…’ Still, I think Max has got the jeep, and Isabel took the car, so I don’t think he’s likely to have gotten into too much trouble even if he’s gone out…I hope…

Not totally convinced, I’m a little distracted now as I grab some juice from the fridge, pouring a glass of orange and then shutting the door again before walking over and sitting down at the table.

Lifting my glass to my lips, I’m just about to take a sip of the nice cool liquid as the phone begins to ring and I stand up to grab the extension from the counter quickly, pressing to answer and holding it to my ear. “Hello…”

I frown slightly as I hear what I think is an echo while waiting for the person on the other end to respond and then after a moment laugh as I realise what’s happened when Maria appears in the doorway holding the second extension to her ear with a smile.

“Just the person I wanted to talk to…”

As I recognise Isabel’s voice, I grin and laugh. “Really, which one…the pretty one with curly long hair, or the one handsome with the computer? See we’ve got a special here today it seems, two for one…”

I wink at Maria who picks it up from there. “Hi Isabel…” She greets through the handset in her hand.

[KatnotKath]

~Liz~

Did I really just say that, did I really just suggest moving in with Max…? As soon as I’ve said the idea, I’m wondering if I should take it back, and I’m hardly surprised to see that I seem to have completely stunned Max.

He seems to take a few moments to try and get his head around it, but as I suggest maybe he should forget I ever said it, he shakes his head, crossing the room towards me. “No, it’s okay…” He assures me, agreeing it seems that it would be a good idea to be…roommates, to give us more time like this…

Roommates…flatmates, whatever you like to call it, I have a feeling it wouldn’t go down too well with Michael, but then much as he might like to think it is, I don’t consider this to be about how he feels… It’s about Max and I – we’re the ones who have to decide if we could really live our lives together, if we could think of one another as husband and wife…

Husband and wife… I’m talking about moving in with him, but that doesn’t mean I’m any closer to thinking of him in that way…

I swallow and bite my lip, trying to think what it would be like… As I said to Max, I’m not talking about sleeping together, nothing else could be further from my mind actually… I don’t want to sleep with him anymore than I want to sleep with anyone… I’m not emotionally ready, destiny or not, obligation or no, I’m just not ready to take that step, not with Max, nor anyone else…

Still, I’m getting off the subject, and I need to concentrate on this right now. Living together, sharing a home…

"There's probably an apartment available at the complex so we could have more privacy,"

I blink slightly as Max starts to think out loud, his words bringing everything into rather sharp focus. A moment ago it was a passing thought, now we’re really discussing it…for real… Moving onto the complex would mean moving out of here, out of the home I have made for myself… I know my apartment’s not much, but…

"Or I could just move in here and sleep on your couch… That's what you meant, isn't it?"

Max looks at me, clearly embarrassed at the way he had been talking and I can’t help shaking my head. “I don’t know what I was thinking Max, it was just an idea, I hadn’t really thought through the how and where…” I trail off and sigh, running a hand through my head as I really think about this.

I can’t deny that I’d rather stay here in truth though… I mean there’s the plus of no Michael – who I’m not sure I would cope too well living with, or close to - and more importantly maybe I guess…well…it’s my home…

I swallow and look up again at Max, into those warm amber eyes I’m becoming so comfortable with. “W-would you be willing to do that though, I mean, move in here, w-would you mind…?” I ask hesitantly.

[isabelle]

*Max*

"No, I wouldn't mind at all," I tell her. "This place is no farther from my job than the townhouse is. And it really would be nice to spend some time with you."

Seeing as we have only a limited amount of time to make this decision about 'bonding,' more time together can only be good. And being able to see her all through the day -- even if just an hour or so at a time, would also help. It won't really be like being 'married,' but it'll be closer than what we have now...

"Frankly, it would be nice to get away from Michael's constant attitude." I give a light laugh, but I'm really very serious. If Liz thinks that Michael gives her a hard time, she should try being around the guy for hours at at time, seven days a week! Sure, Maria and Isabel keep him in line so he usually doesn't say anything when anyone's there, but he's still very clear. No matter how many times I tell him, when he does catch me alone the questioning starts up again. He seems so determined, so fixated on the 'rules.' I'm supposed to be the guy in charge here, but it feels like I'm the one who's disappointing him.

I have to give Liz her time. I have to know for myself if this is what I want. But I never forget how important this is. I'm always aware of the consequences of not fullfilling the terms of my father's pact, even if Michael doesn't seem to believe that. Somethings just can't be decided that way...

"I really don't have much stuff. I could move in any time. Why don't you think about it over night. Or longer, if you like. If you still want to do it, just let me know when," I tell her.

[KatnotKath]

~Liz~

Part of me wonders if this is Max just accommodating me as he says it’s okay, assuring me that my apartment is no further away from his job than the townhouse, but even so his comment about spending time with me makes me smile. I’d like that too, I’d like to be able to spend more time with him, we obviously don’t have an unlimited amount of time before a decision of some kind is going to have to be made, and getting to know one another properly is the only way that can happen. How can we decide if a marriage would work, when we’re only being able to go out alone once a week at maximum…?

"Frankly, it would be nice to get away from Michael's constant attitude."

I laugh softly at Max’s comment about Michael, but I can sense, from his feelings, that there’s some seriousness too. Michael is without a doubt NOT helping matters… He seems to think that pushing is going to make us decide quicker, but for my part, it makes me want to wait longer… His constant pushing, even if it’s not blatent now, simply makes me feel tense and uncomfortable… Isabel, Maria and Max I was friends with to an extent within a week – Michael, it took a bit longer, and that’s why…

After his stunt at the Crashdown it took me time to trust him I think, and even now I’m not as comfortable with him as the others…

I nod slightly. “Well I can understand… I’m sorry that you’ve had to go through that…” I tell him softly, feeling that this is more my fault than his… I’m the one whose schedule makes it so difficult to get together, I’m the one that said I needed to get to know Max as Max, and a friend, before even thinking about anything more…

When I think about what it’s probably been like for him in fact, I feel incredibly guilty, and I know that this idea isn’t going to get rid of that either… Michael still won’t be happy I know, he won’t be happy until we’ve ‘fulfilled our duty…’

Obigations… Responsibility… Duty... They seem like such big words, and sometimes they do weigh heavily on my mind… It must be worse for Max I know, but it’s still there for me… My mother made a promise, an agreement…she did it to benefit hundreds if not thousands of people, and if I refuse this, am I betraying her, and them…?

Chewing my lip, I’m brought back to the present as Max suggests I think about it over night… I nod slowly, chewing my lip nervously. “Yeah, I guess I can do that…” I agree softly, knowing that he wants me to be sure, and acknowledging his sensitivity with a small smile. *Thank you…*

Sighing, I shake my head and glance at the clock again. Oh my, I really do have to finish getting ready… “Okay well I’m just gonna go get some shoes on and grab my coat…I’ll be right back…” I tell Max, trying to focus now on what I need to do as I hurry over and head into my bedroom, closing the door behind me quickly before beginning to hunt for my boots which I’m pretty sure should be under my bed....

[isabelle]

*Kyle*

Driving down the street, I start to think about Liz. Of course, I've been thinking of her all morning as I prepared for our 'family' dinner, but now I'm thinking of how we tried the dating thing. It hadn't worked, but I still care about her a lot. I really hate this whole situation with Max. I don't know why she doesn't just tell him to shove off. It's not reasonable for him to ask that of her.

I guess it's the allure of being a 'princess.' If she goes with him, she'll get that. She won't have to be a minimum wage earner grubbing for tips, ... But that's a whole alien world. Who knows what being a 'princess' there is really about?

Thoughts of princesses makes me think of Sarah. I guess one good thing about this Max business is that I got a chance to meet her. The dance is coming and I'd really like to go with her but we haven't been on any sort of date yet. Is it a good idea to wait for the dance? Should I take her out to a movie or something first? We've eaten lunch together almost every day and I'm sure it'll be fine ... Or at least I hope so. I gotta get off my ass and do something about it...

I pull up into the lot next to Liz's building and frown when I see a jeep there. Not just any jeep. It's Max's. The out-of-state plates stand out and I long since memorized his tag number. I know it's him. What the hell is he doing here at this hour of the day?

I sure as hell hope she hasn't forgotten that we had plans. I'm sure we mentioned it only yesterday at work...


*Max*

I hear Liz's silent thanks and it makes me feel warm inside. Knowing that she's comfortable talking to me like that means quite a lot to me. The idea of moving in with her is exciting and a bit scary. It's a big move, even if it is only as room-mates. But it's exciting because it might be just what we need to really get to know each other. As much as we've strived to be honest with each other, it'll be better if we can really see each other daily...

“Okay well I’m just gonna go get some shoes on and grab my coat…I’ll be right back…” Liz says.

"Sure," I tell her as she disappears into her bedroom. I glance around the small apartment, imagining what it would be like to be living here, camped out on the couch. It's small, but not too small. It's cosy. I've always liked it. We won't be here 24/7 -- we both have work and she has school.

Suddenly, I hear Liz's doorbell. I'm sure she's heard it, too, but she's busy so I head over there and look outside. Kyle. Frowning, I realize I have no excuse to keep him out or make him wait. It shouldn't be too strange to him to find me here.

"Hey, Kyle," I say, opening the door. "I was about to bring Liz down to your place."

"Yeah?" he asks, sounding suspicious. He strides inside like he owned the place. "That won't be necessary. I'm here to pick her up."

.

[KatnotKath]

~Liz~

Turning sideways in front of the mirror, I study my appearance a moment after smoothing my skirt and stepping into the shoes I have ready. Concentrating for a moment, I use my powers to adjust my make-up just slightly and I’m just putting up my hair as I hear a knock on the door.

In that instant, I suddenly realise I haven’t actually told Kyle that Max was going to drop me off today… Usually he picks me up of course, and I did mean to tell him, but it just slipped my mind…it was pretty busy at work yesterday…

Unfortunately, that doesn’t exactly help the situation, and as much as Max and Kyle seem to tolerate each other, I’m thinking maybe them being together out there really isn’t a good idea…

Deciding that speed is pretty important right now, I allow myself to use my powers to give a little ‘assistance’ in putting up a section of my hair, using a clip to secure it, and then grabbing my coat and bag on the way out into main room.

The sight which meets me as I walk in doesn’t exactly fill me with confidence, and I take a deep breath as I walk towards them. “Hey Kyle…I’m so sorry, I was going to tell you yesterday that I wouldn’t need a lift today, but then we had that rush, and it just go crazy and it slipped my mind…” I send an apologetic look in his direction. “I’m really sorry...”

[StormWolfstone]

will try to post here again asap... and still working on a post for Sarah...

[isabelle]

*Kyle*

Liz comes out and she looks great. Not 'going out on a date' great, but just wonderful the way she always does. She's just put together just right. It's almost enough to take my mind off this lunking alien who's loitering in her livingroom -- but not quite.

“Hey Kyle…I’m so sorry, I was going to tell you yesterday that I wouldn’t need a lift today, but then we had that rush, and it just go crazy and it slipped my mind… I'm really sorry...” she says.

She's all apologies and she seem genuinely upset. As much as I'm annoyed, I don't want to be upset with her. "Sure, that's okay," I tell her with a gentle voice, although I keep a steely eye on Max. I know where he lives, of course. If he was heading here, then going to my place isn't a direct route. He wouldn't have tried to claim it was 'on his way' would he? Because that would be rediculous.

"But there's no need for him to go to any trouble. I'm here and ready to go whenever you are," I tell Liz.

[KatnotKath]

OOC: hope this works

~Liz~

“Sure, that’s okay…”

Kyle is telling me it’s fine, but I can’t help noticing the way that Kyle is looking at Max right now and I swallow, wondering briefly about how Kyle would react if I told him what I’m thinking about right now…

It’s not that Kyle has been openly hostile to Max anymore than Max has been to him, but I know the two of them don’t get on very well… Kyle is just trying to be a friend, to protect me a little like a big brother I guess, and I can’t be mad at him, but it does make things awkward sometimes…

He’s asked me plenty of times over the last few weeks if I really want to go out with Max or if I’m doing it because I have to… Initially, I wasn’t really sure how to answer that, but more and more I’m sure it’s the former, not the latter… There’s still something of a feeling of obligation yes, but I didn’t agree to him coming over yesterday, or this morning, because of a sense of obligation, I agreed because I wanted to see him, and I’ve enjoyed the few hours we’ve been able to spend together…

Of course it’s still strange, I think it has to be in some ways… I can’t tell people at school about Max because of the fear of drawing unwanted attention due to the rather unusual circumstances… The age gap is still staring me in the face, and still worries me at times… Sometimes, it’s so obvious we’re in such different places – I’m still in highschool, thinking about coursework and assignments, grades and averages, while he’s working… He’s twenty, and I’m sixteen, and we can’t ignore that fact…

As time goes on though, the differences caused by that, seem less significant as I find more and more that I do have in common with him. I enjoy spending time with Max, I had a lovely time this morning, however simple it was…

I’m not ready to make a decision which will determine the rest of my life… I’m not ready to say, yes, this is the man I want to marry, but I am ready to say he’s a friend, and an important one…

Max and the others have taught me so much about who I am, and for that I will always be grateful. Finally, I have answers I have craved for years, and that’s because of them…

I just wish that Kyle and Max got on a little better though… As Kyle goes on, basically saying there’s no need now he’s here for Max to take me, I almost feel as though he’s challenging Max, but I know he’s right…there is absolutely no point in him coming all the way over, to be followed back by me and Max – Max might as well just go home… “Okay, I’ll just be a minute…” *I’m sorry about this Max…I honestly meant to tell him…* I send silently before nodding slightly and looking over in his direction and speaking out loud now. “Kyle’s right, you might as well go straight home, I’m sure it’ll be quicker for you…” I pause a moment and step towards him slightly. “Thank you for the offer though, and thank you for this morning…” I give a small smile, hesitating a moment before speaking again. “I’ll call you later maybe to talk about that idea…if that’s okay…?”