Camoflauged Passion (AU, M/L, ADULT) Part 45 END 10/25/05

Finished stories that feature the characters from the show, but there are no aliens. All fics completed on the main AU without Aliens board will eventually be moved here.

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Luzser1800
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Post by Luzser1800 »

AN: Wow! I even made a few lurkers come out after that last chapter, didn't I? Good to hear from you guys. I have the next chapter for everyone's enjoyment. Let me know what you think. And once again, thanx to Lissalou for being my beta.

CHAPTER 32

Max woke up feeling like a million bucks. That dream had been so real, he could almost smell her scent covering him, and taste her luscious lips submitting to him. In the dream, they had been able to give themselves to each other for their first times together. All Max could think was that it had been beautiful. He quickly assessed his situation, making sure he wasn’t still dreaming and Liz wasn’t really here because that would be way too much to hope for. He was alone, though. Darn!

As he sat up to get ready for a Sunday morning shower, he noticed that fresh blood stained his sheets and the boxers he wore. What the hell? How the hell?! He looked over himself crazy-eyed, checking for a cut or something. Did I cut myself in my sleep or something? What the...

What happened next made him more confused than ever. Tess suddenly breezed into his bedroom wearing nothing but a t-shirt. His t-shirt as a matter of fact. “What the fuck?!

Tess visibly jumped at his outburst. She looked into his eyes and confusion came over her. “What’s wrong, Max?”

What happened?!” Max was going crazy. There was no way that last night he did what he was thinking that he did. There was no way he had betrayed the woman he loved. He searched inside his mind for an explanation, for the truth, but he kept drawing a blank.

“What do you mean, what happened?” Tess asked, not knowing what he was talking about.

“There’s blood on my sheets!”

“Oh my God, did you hurt yourself?” Tess came running to inspect the red dots on his bed.

Max’s eyes widened to the size of saucers. Tess didn’t know what happened last night either?! He voiced this concern. “You don’t know what happened last night?”

Tess shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. “No, I went out with Kyle and came home. I talked to your dad for a minute and then went to bed. You were already asleep.”

“What are you doing in my t-shirt?” Max accused.

“My clothes are dirty and since you were asleep I swiped a shirt from you. I hope you don’t mind.” Max looked at her, and felt very unsure at the moment.

“What are you doing in here?” he asked out of curiosity.

“I thought I heard something. You don’t mind about the shirt, right?”

He shook his head and made his voice calm. “No, I don’t mind.”

Tess nodded and began to leave the room. “I’ll give you back your shirt as soon as my laundry’s done, ok?”

“Alright,” Max said, still wondering what the hell was going on. After Tess left the room, he inspected his body and as he was putting on a pair of jeans, an image in his mirror caught his eye. He looked at himself and noticed that he had a long scratch on his back. He looked it over, wondering how that had happened. He went back to his bed, throwing the covers around and looking for an object that could have caused the scratch. He shook his head, confused, deciding that he must have somehow scratched himself in his sleep, but he didn’t have time to dwell because he had to get to school. He figured he would just look some more later and put a shirt on to cover it up.

He went downstairs to get some breakfast before school, throwing a pop tart into the toaster. He completely missed the smirk his father hid behind a cup of coffee. “Sleep well?”

“Yeah, it was okay,” Max said offhandedly.

Phillip looked up at him like he was crazy. Max silently wondered why Phillip seemed to be looking Max over for some changes. The man stopped inspecting him and grunted before going back to his morning newspaper. When Phillip saw Tess, he gave her the same once over he had given Max, as if inspecting her for some sort of change. Tess didn’t even look at him though.

Tess came downstairs with a pair of blue jeans on and a blue button up t-shirt with a collar. Her hair was curled down around her shoulders. “Ready?”

“Aren’t ya gonna eat?” Max asked as he nibbled on his breakfast.

“I’m not hungry.” Tess said without a care.

“Alright, you drive so I can eat.” Max poured himself some coffee into a Styrofoam cup and grabbed his pop-tarts, following Tess to the jeep. “You okay?” he asked as he threw his backpack into the back seat.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Tess replied as she started the jeep with a smile plastered on her face. “Are you okay?” she teased.

“I’m great!” he smiled.

“So I take it you slept well? You were pretty drunk,” she laughed.

Max scratched behind his ear. “Yeah, I feel great. I had an awesome dream!”

“Oh yeah, what about?”

“Liz...” her name rolled off his tongue like a prayer.

Tess watched him out of the corner of her eye, her smile staying put, just where she wanted it.

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

Liz had slept like...nevermind, she hadn’t slept at all. She was so busy thinking about Max and the conversation she had with him the night before. She knew he was sexually frustrated. Hell, so was she. But at least he could get in the shower and jack off, she had to shower with other females and she hadn’t had a moment to herself in five months. She couldn’t wait for Christmas so she could see him again and feel his arms around her. Oh who was she kidding, she wanted to feel him inside of her.

She was headed back to her tent at the moment to get Maria for work. They had to get everything ready for the first customers of the day. She would have never expected what she came across when she pulled back the flap.

Maria and Michael were engaged in a very hot, very steamy kiss. His hands were low on her back and her hands were mowing through his hair. Liz wanted to turn away, but she watched for a minute, remembering what it had been like to be in that position herself. Then, she realized that someone other than her could have caught them and cleared her throat loudly.

They broke apart like their asses were on fire. “Parker!” They both said simultaneously.

Liz grinned at them. “I knew it!” She pointed between the two of them.

“That was the first time that’s ever happened, I swear,” Maria explained. Michael just looked at Liz like he was facing a firing squad.

“Relax, Guerin,” Liz said gently, “I’m not gonna tell anyone.”

“You’re damn right you’re not gonna tell anyone. Just look at the secret you’re harboring.” Maria wanted to throw her two cents in there, but Liz didn’t mind. Maria had kept her secret, so Liz had no problem keeping Maria’s secret.

“What secret?” Michael asked curiously.

“Don’t worry about it, Michael,” Maria said flippantly.

“We’re on a first name basis already, are we?” Liz chuckled.

Michael glared at her but he didn’t get the chance to say anything because Alex came in the tent a second later. “Hey, you guys, are you gonna open the office or what?”

“Yeah, we’re coming, Whitman. Come on, DeLuca,” Liz said as she sauntered out of the tent. Alex looked at everyone’s faces, knowing he had missed something, but uncertain of just what it was. He shook his head as he watched Michael brush past him without so much as a word.

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

The office stayed open until eleven o’clock that night. They had been bombarded with customers, mostly soldiers complaining that they weren’t receiving hazard fire pay and all those little extras they were supposed to get in a combat zone.

Just as Liz was closing up shop, having sent Maria back to get some rest a little earlier, Diane came into the office. Liz looked up and saw that CSM Evans had something to say. “Hey, Liz.”

Liz was shocked. It was the first time the woman had ever used her first name. “Sergeant Major,” Liz said as she nodded.

“How about that little heart to heart we’ve been avoiding?” Liz smiled slightly and nodded. She finished closing the office down and followed Diane into the headquarters tent, which was at the moment, completely empty.

They sat down at a table with a huge map spread across it. It had red and yellow marks all over it. They looked at each other for a long time, neither one knowing exactly where to start. Suddenly, Diane spoke. “I’m sorry, Liz.”

Liz looked into her eyes, as if looking to see if she was lying. She could only see sincerity shining back at her. For the first time ever, Liz could see Max inside Diane. She could see the amazing resemblance. It was no wonder Phillip hadn’t questioned it. Max looked exactly like his mother. But she didn’t have his amazing eyes. Liz dropped her gaze when she realized she was staring. Diane began to talk again.

“I realize that I put you in an unfair position...” She started.

Liz cut her off, shaking her head. “I understand why you did it. You wanted to see if I was strong enough.”

“No. I wanted to see if you had the heart.” Liz looked up at her, not really understanding. “You’ve got a lot of heart, Liz. My son needs that. He’s been through so much pain. He didn’t deserve it. I know he’s told you about his father.” Liz nodded. “I don’t know why I kept it from him. I guess I just didn’t want to upset the family worse than it already was. With Max’s anger...”

“He is so special. You’re right, he doesn’t deserve the pain he’s been put through. He does have problems, but I’ve been trying to help him. It’s so hard for him.”

“I know, and you’ve done a wonderful job so far. He’s a much better person since he met you. You are just what my son needs.” Diane smiled at Liz genuinely and Liz smiled back.

“I love him so much and I would do anything for him.”

“Believe me, I know,” Diane said wryly, knowing exactly what Liz had gone through for Max. “I know because I made you prove it.”

“Don’t beat yourself up about it,” Liz smirked at her. “It’s over now. Besides...had it been me in that situation, I probably would have done the same thing.”

“Remember that when you have Max’s children,” Diane smiled.

“You think?” Liz asked stunned that she was talking to his mother about having his children.

“Oh yeah!” Diane laughed. “That boy is crazy about you.” They smiled at each other and Liz figured that now was as good a time as any to broach the other subject she had been stressing over.

“What about Mr. Evans? What’s gonna happen there?”

Diane gave Liz a look that showed she had struck a chord. “I don’t know.” Diane stopped talking for a minute, thinking about what to say. “I told Phillip that I was sorry that I never told him.”

“What did he say?”

She sighed loudly. “He told me to go to hell and then he hung up on me. He won’t take my calls.”

Liz felt her eyes water. “I’m sorry.”

“There’s nothing I can do from here. I did manage to talk to Tess though.”

“What did she say?” Liz asked, trying to hide her disapproval.

Diane placed an arm on Liz’s arm, proving that Liz wasn’t very good at hiding her feelings. “She’s not you.” Liz smiled shyly and Diane continued. “Tess told me that Max and his father have been drinking buddies recently.”

“That’s why Max has been drunk,” Liz realized out loud.

“You’ve talked to him?”

“Yeah, I talked to him last night. He was pretty tanked.”

“Well...what did he say?” Diane burned with curiosity.

Liz immediately dropped her eyes. She couldn’t possibly tell this woman what her seventeen year old son had been upset about.

“Liz...what did he say?” Diane was getting anxious. She hadn’t had the opportunity to speak to Max and she wanted to know how he was feeling about everything.

“He...He...” Liz stumbled, she couldn’t spit it out.

Diane saw the redness flare the girl’s cheeks and suddenly understood exactly what Liz was stuttering about. “He was horny,” she stated flatly.

Liz snapped her head up and the look on her face told Diane that she was right. “We got in a fight. I’m mad at him.” Liz put her head back down and put on her stubborn face.

Diane chuckled. “I guess you’ve created a monster.”

“What do you mean?” Liz asked, as if she had no idea what Diane was talking about.

“Believe me, I know he was a virgin before he met you.”

Liz blushed ferociously. “I told him to take care of it some other way and hung up on him. Now I’m kicking myself and hoping he didn’t take my advice.”

“If there’s one thing I’ve always admired about my son, it’s that he’s loyal. I’m sure you have nothing to worry about. Why don’t you give him a call and make amends?”

Liz checked her watch. It was midnight here, which meant that it was 10 AM there. “He’s in school,” Liz said regretfully.

“Call his cell.”

“Are you sure?” Liz asked. She didn’t want to get him into any trouble.

“Call his cell,” Diane reiterated. She wanted Liz and Max to get over their issues quickly so that they could move on. Liz had enough on her mind to worry about in a combat zone, she didn’t need to be worrying about a significant other back home.

Liz stood up to go do just that when she stopped and turned to Diane. “Thank you.”

“Welcome to the family.” The women smiled warmly at each other and Liz left Diane to worry some more about her own issues.

TBC...
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Luzser1800
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Post by Luzser1800 »

AN: Got the new part ready & thanx again to Lissalou.

CHAPTER 33

Liz was about to call Max when she reached her tent, but then Maria had come in her way, waving a brown package in her face. “Hey, Gidget! You got something from Moondoggie.” A toothy grin spread over Liz’s face and she made a grab for it, tearing it open. It was a DVD. Max must have known that she had taken her portable DVD player with her.

She was about to press PLAY when she noticed Maria hanging over her shoulder. “DeLuca!” Liz said.

“Oh, come on, don’t I get to see all the dirty things he’ll say to you?” Maria giggled when Liz blushed.

“Go away, you have your own Romeo and Juliet story to get back to.”

“Oh yeah, I do!” Maria clapped her hands and did a little happy dance as she left Liz alone. Liz pressed the button and watched as Max came on the screen in nothing but a pair of black boxers.

“I figured you might like a free show so...take a good long look.” Liz licked her lips and realized that this must have been sent around the first time she had asked him to remove his shirt for her. It took quite a bit of time for her to get mail. She sighed loudly and said to herself, “Thank you, God!”

She watched on as Max modeled his boxers for her, turning around with a pout on his lips like Derek Zoolander. She laughed at his antics and then his face got serious. “Remember the night before you left? You asked me to sing to you?” Liz nodded her head at the screen and watched him get down on his knees. “Only you can bring me down to my knees, just remember that,” he joked with her and she smiled.

“You’re damn right,” she said to the screen.

He walked to a corner of his room and came back with an acoustic guitar and got back down on his knees. “I stole this from Kyle and learned this song for you. This song made me think of us. Every time I see this video on MTV I think of you. So, I dedicate this to you.”

Liz could see him concentrating as he strummed the guitar.

Summer has come and past
The innocent can never last
Wake me up when September ends


Liz did recognize the song. She had heard it before, but she’s never seen the video. Right then, she made a promise to herself that she would see it as soon as she got home.

Like my fathers come to pass,
Seven years has gone so fast.
Wake me up when September ends.

Here comes the rain again
Falling from the stars
Drenched in my pain again
Becoming who we are

As my memory rests
But never forgets what I lost
Wake me up when September ends


As he sang the last part, a tear came to Liz’s eye, her lip quivering slightly. Max then picked up the speed of his strokes as he sang the rest of the song.

Summer has come and past
The innocent can never last
Wake me up when September ends
Ring out the bells again
Like we did when spring began
Wake me up when September ends

Here comes the rain again
Falling from the stars
Drenched in my pain again
Becoming who we are
As my memory rest
But never forgets what I lost
Wake me up when September ends

Summer has come and past
The innocent can never last
Wake me up when September ends

Like my fathers come to pass
Twenty years has gone so fast
Wake me up when September ends


The song ended and a tear fell down Liz’s cheek, her tongue picking it up as she swiped at her lip. Then Max spoke again. “Hey, baby. There’s more in the package. Take a look.” He disappeared from the screen then, fading into black, and Liz tore through the package, looking for the rest of his gift. Then she found the letter. Well, it wasn’t really a letter. It was a crossword puzzle that he had made. She had to answer questions like The red organ inside your chest, Where we met, and Your first name. The questions were really easy and there were circles around some of the letters. In the end, the circles spelled out I Love You. The bottom of the paper told Liz that he missed her and couldn’t wait to wrap his arms around her again.

“You are just the sweetest thing,” Liz said to her letter. She picked it up and held it to her nose, as if trying to smell him inside the paper, but it didn’t smell like him. She would have to tell him to start using cologne on his letters. That’s when she remembered she was supposed to call him.

The phone rang four or five times before she got his whispered response. “Hello?”

“Hey, Max,” Liz whispered too, even though she didn’t need to.

“Hey, baby. Look, I’m really sorry about what I said.”

“I know. But you have to understand that I feel the same way.”

“I know, baby. And it was wrong of me to take it out on you. Forgive me?” Max gave his best beaten puppy look, even though she couldn’t see it.

“Of course I forgive you, Max. I love you.”

“I love you, too. Look, baby, I’m sorry to cut this short, but I’m hiding out in the bathroom right now. I have to go.”

“I know. I just wanted to make sure we were okay.”

“Yeah, baby, we’re good. Call me later if you get a chance, okay?”

“Okay. Buh-bye.”

“Bye, baby.” Max hung up the phone and went back to class, a smile adorning his features the whole day long.

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

One Month Later...

Liz was throwing all her gear into a duffel bag, Diane a few feet behind her. “All ready to go, Liz?”

“Yes, Sergeant Major,” she said as she hoisted the bag onto her shoulder.

“Is Max meeting you at the airport?”

“Yup! We’ll meet at the airport and then my parents will pick us up and drive us to my house.”

Diane nodded. “Are you sure your parents are okay with you bringing a guy home for the holidays?”

“Oh yeah, I already talked to them.” Liz smiled, eager to get out of the sandbox for Christmas in Roswell with Max.

“Okay,” Diane nodded and pulled Liz in for a hug. “Have a safe trip and keep an eye on my son.”

“Oh you don’t have to worry about that,” Liz snickered. “I won’t let him out of my sight.”

“Remember that you have a job to do, so try not to come back pregnant,” Diane said as Liz was walking away.

“Sergeant Major!” Liz screeched, embarrassed. The women smiled at each other and before long, Liz was off to the plane that would take her out of there.

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

Liz had slept most of the plane ride, and when she had finally landed in Roswell, she was nearly jumping out of her seat. She had given Max her gate number and he was supposed to meet her there. Max should have come in an hour or so before her.

When she was finally let off the plane, she walked down the strip of airport as quickly as she could. It wasn’t easy though. She was still in uniform and people kept coming up to her and thanking her for supporting the country. She tried to smile sweetly at all of them but they started pissing her off because she just wanted to get to Max.

Just as she was reaching the checkpoint, she saw his dark hair turned away from her. Her smile grew ten-fold and she yelled, “Max!” He turned around with a smile on his face as well and Liz ran to him as fast as she could, jumped on him, and wrapped her legs around his waist as she kissed him with everything inside of her. He kissed her back just as hard, his hand threading through her hair to hold her to him.

The reunion was interrupted as they heard clapping and oohs and awws all around them. Everyone in the airport had stopped and watched as a soldier was reunited with her love. Then, they heard throats clearing behind them. Liz lifted her head from the crook of his neck and looked up to encounter her parents. “Hi Mom and Dad,” she said shyly. She slid down Max’s body and hugged her parents. “Mom, Dad, this is Max,” she introduced with a sappy smile.

Max shook their hands and they told him to call them Jeff and Nancy. “It’s nice to meet you, Max. Liz has told us so much about you,” Nancy told him sweetly.

“It’s nice to meet you both, too.” He turned his face down to Liz once more and couldn’t stop himself from hugging her close again. Jeff and Nancy watched them and Nancy couldn’t help but get a little teary-eyed. Jeff did, however, notice that Max looked a little young. He didn't want to ask Liz about it just yet, but he made a mental note to do just that once they were home. When he looked over at his wife, he noticed her arched eyebrow and knew she was thinking the same thing.

They drove straight to the Crashdown Café with Max and Liz in the back, quietly making up for lost time with kisses and hugs. Liz’s parents kept asking questions about what Iraq was like and if Liz was okay.

They made it back at around 7 in the evening. “We’re here!” Max and Liz’s heads popped up and Max’s eyes went wide.

“This is where you live?” Max chuckled as he saw the flying saucer on top of the building glowing brightly.

“What, you didn't know I was part alien?” Liz laughed as she lightly slapped his arm. She took his hand once they got out of the car with Max laughing at her cute jest and led him through the front doors of the restaurant which still had a few customers eating.

Jeff looked at them and said, “Why don’t you kids go on upstairs and get settled. Nancy and I will be up in a minute, we just have to close down.” They nodded and started to walk through the restaurant with their bags in tow when Liz stopped for a moment to talk a blonde girl in an aquamarine uniform with antenna on her head.

“Liz, you just get in?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, welcome home,” she told Liz.

“Thanks, Courtney,” Liz said. Max followed the uniform as it swished past them and Liz glared playfully.

Max caught her eyes and chuckled. “Didn’t you tell me you used to work here?”

“Yeah?” she asked, wondering what he was getting at.

“I would love to see that uniform on you.” Max’s eyes burned into hers and she felt heat surge through her.

“Well maybe you’ll get lucky,” she whispered directly into his ear, sending a visual straight to his head. “Come on,” she grinned when she saw the effect she was having on him and led him upstairs to her apartment.

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

Tess was spending the holiday with Kyle and his dad. She was a little disappointed that Max wasn’t around, but it was something she would eventually get used to. His heart belonged to someone else, and it was what she would have to live with.

Not that she didn’t like Kyle. She really did. But Max was an issue she would have trouble forgetting for the rest of her life. Especially now. She was in the bathroom washing up after they had eaten dinner together and she briefly pulled back the collar on her shirt, running her fingers gently over the marks that had already faded. It was a constant reminder. The marks had faded all together only a couple of weeks ago, but the memory of how they had gotten there would never go away. She wondered if Max would ever remember the night he had drunkenly put the hickeys there.

TBC...
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Luzser1800
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AN: Here ya go, another part, after a long, agonizing wait. Thanx again to Lissalou. Without her, this chapter wouldn't be possible.


CHAPTER 34

Max and Liz had barely cleared the bedroom door before their bodies found each other. Liz’s legs wrapped around his waist and she grinded into him. Max’s mouth stifled Liz’s cries. She pulled her lips from his, panting. “Max, please! I need you now! I’ve waited so long!” Her pleas were hushed, yet terribly desperate.

Max didn’t need to be asked twice. His fingers undid her camos quickly while she tore at his clothes. Liz couldn’t get her boots off though. They were tied up and she let out a frustrated growl.

Max smiled at how badly she wanted him and he put her down so that he could kneel before her to undo her boots. Once her pants and top had come off and Max’s jeans and boxers were around his ankles, he lifted her up against him once more, pushing inside of her. “Yesss...” There was that personalized hiss of his again.

They moaned loudly at the beauty of being in such an intimate position once again. Max drove into her, pushing her against the wall as Liz continued to brace herself with her hands the best she could.

Liz lifted his head to hers so that she could taste the inside of his mouth. He continued to push into her while he kissed her back. He broke away to tell her, “I missed you so much.”

“God, me too!” Just at that moment, she felt the warmth travel toward her groin and knew she needed Max with her. “Now, Max...NOW!” She felt him soak her insides with his seed.

When he finally came down from his orgasm, he asked Liz with awe in his words, “How do you do that?”

“Do what?” Liz asked as she was being gently lowered back to her feet.

“Make my body do whatever you ask of it?” He smiled as he pulled his pants up.

“I guess that’s my gift,” she replied as she tried to put her clothes back on. She then winked as she added, “I’ll bet all the Parker women have it.” She sat on her bed to lace up her boots, knowing that she’d have to make an appearance soon for her parents. Max came over as she was finishing her boots and kissed her soundly.

“Then we’d better not have any daughters,” he joked only half serious and was glad when Liz seemed not to have thought of it anymore than a jest when she smiled.

“Well, as long as they don’t have your ears they’ll be fine, I think,” Liz joked back.

He was unperturbed. “I love you,” he told her sincerely.

“I love you, too,” she smiled radiantly for him.

Just then, a knock sounded on her door. “Liz, honey?” Liz quickly opened the door for her mother. Nancy looked between the suspicious looks shared between her daughter and her obviously young boyfriend. She noticed the relaxed posture Liz had and the couple’s flushed cheeks, as if they had done something in a hurry. She figured they couldn’t have done much though; they were both fully dressed.

Jeff came through the door a moment later. “Hey! You want to come downstairs and tell us all about your trip?”

“Um...would you mind if I took a shower real quick?” she asked sweetly.

“Of course, sweetheart,” he smiled, then looked to Max. “How about you, Max? Ready to face the firing squad?” he joked with the young man.

“Daddy...” Liz warned.

“Don’t worry. I don’t want to get to the good stuff until you’re present as well,” he smiled sarcastically. Liz groaned. Jeff and Nancy left and Max looked terrified.

“Please hurry,” Max begged as he followed her parents.

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

“So, Max...what are your intentions towards our daughter?”

“Sir?” Max didn’t entirely understand the question.

“Do you plan to marry her?”

Max coughed loudly. He had no idea what he had planned on. He didn’t know if he wanted to marry her. He knew that his relationship with her was more than a fling, but beyond that, he truly had no idea. He silently cursed himself for being so young at the moment. He was still trying to finish high school.

Max was downstairs engaged in an obviously uncomfortable conversation with Liz’s dad when Liz finally came to rescue him. His sigh of relief when he saw her could have been heard in the next county. “What have you been doing to him?” Liz teased her folks.

“Nothing yet,” Jeff supplied. “But now that you’re here we can get to the real issue.” Jeff stared Max down. “Max, how old are you?” There was no teasing in this question. Liz was taken aback that her father had been so blunt about it and Max let out an audible gulp. Liz sat down next to him and placed a calming hand on his arm, silently letting him know that she would handle this.

“He’s 17, Dad,” Liz said without remorse.

“I’m sorry,” her father asked sarcastically. “I don’t believe I heard you correctly.”

“Liz...” her mother started.

“No, stop it, both of you.” Max had stiffened next to her. “I love him.” She said it as simply as it was. Max smiled at her gratefully.

“Liz...honey...” Nancy tried to approach the subject gently. “You’ll be twenty in a month. Don’t you think that maybe...”

“No,” Liz said defiantly. “I love him.”

Max felt the need to chime in at that moment. “And I love her...more than anything in the world.”

Her parents eyed them carefully and finally sighed heavily. They knew their daughter and they knew that while she was very level-headed, she was also very stubborn. She wouldn’t back down and from the look in her eyes, they knew that she truly did love this young man. To top it off, they had never been able to deny her anything before and they couldn’t start now. Jeff just had one more question.

“I just have one more question.” The two looked at him expectantly. “Is the relationship legal?”

“Yes, sir,” Max finally spoke up without a waver in his voice.

“Then I support you,” Jeff said without a doubt in his mind. Liz was a smart girl and if this was the man she wanted to be with and the relationship was legal like they had said, then that was all he needed to know. “Now that the relationship part is settled, what was Iraq like?”

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

In Colorado...

Tess was having a great time with Kyle and his dad. She knew that coming here for the holidays was a good idea. She had known that Max would be with his girlfriend for Christmas, and she absolutely refused to talk to Phillip. So when Kyle had invited her to stay with him, she had agreed quickly.

She missed her parents very much. She needed someone to talk to about everything she had been going through, and her parents were all she felt that she had. She knew that eventually, she would have to face the tyrant who resided in the Evans’ house, probably at the moment, drinking his pain away. She planned to give him a piece of her mind, too. She couldn’t believe he had played with her emotions that way. He knew how she felt about Max, and when he had told her that Max had been upstairs that night, waiting for her, she refused to let her brain tell her to stay away. She had so many feelings for this guy, that they led her to do something that she can never take back. Her mind drifted to that night.

When Tess had gotten to Max’s room, he had been lying on the bed, his glorious upper body glistened with sweat. She had whispered his name, not knowing for sure if he was asleep. When he didn’t say anything, she came to the bed, leaned over him, and whispered again. “Max.”

“I’m sorry,” he whispered back to her. Tess was shocked. She hadn’t expected him to say that. She figured at the time, that he had been sorry for the way he had been acting with her, always snapping at her and whatnot. So she had shaken her head, telling him silently that it was okay, and then she had given into temptation and kissed him.

He had kissed her back just as passionately and then he whispered against her lips, “I love you.” Her heart soared. There was a small voice in the back of her mind that was sounding off an alarm with red flashing lights, but her heart wouldn’t allow her to listen to it. Her heart and the rest of her lust-filled body wanted this guy and would take whatever it could get at the moment.

He may have been completely drunk, alcohol on his breath and his speech slurred, but all Tess could feel that night was his hands and body as he loved her like no one had ever loved her before. Her long fingernails had tore open the flesh on his back, but he didn’t seem to notice at the time. She had been a virgin, but he had been so gentle, and she had given him whatever he wanted.

As she had fallen asleep in his arms, she realized he had been drunk and that flashing siren in her brain had finally overtaken the rest of her, and the regret began to sink in. She wondered if he would even remember this night in the morning, but a part of her didn’t really care, because for that moment, even if only for that moment, she had been with him, and it had been wonderful.

That next morning, when he had flipped out on her, Tess had been coming back from the bathroom. She had managed to slip away when she had woken up, and when she had gotten back to his room, she knew her fears were coming true. Luckily, she had been able to think fast, and Max was still none the wiser as to what had really happened. She hadn’t wanted to lie to him, but she didn’t want to hurt him, so she had kept it to herself.


She snapped out of it and thought about how she was feeling now. She was quick to realize she had been had, and she refused to even look at Phillip since then. She would definitely be having it out with that man soon enough, but for now, all she could do, was enjoy the holiday. She was just glad that her night with Max hadn’t brought about any complications. They hadn’t been protected, but fortunately, she hadn’t gotten pregnant (she had gotten her period last week), so there seemed to be an up-side to this.

She started to think about Kyle and how much she was beginning to like him. Sometimes, when she was with him, her feelings for Max seemed superficial. When Kyle would kiss her, or even just look at her in that way he looked at her, her legs felt like jelly and butterflies would wreak havoc on her stomach, and Max wasn’t even a thought in her head.

She felt bad for what she had done to Kyle, but it wasn’t like they were exclusive or anything, and for now, that thought seemed to help Tess deal with what she had done. She knew it was wrong to think of it that way, but for now, that’s all that seemed to make her feel better.

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

In New Mexico...

When Jeff had first asked Liz about the war, she had stiffened quite visibly. Her parents hadn’t seemed to notice, but Max had. He looked at her sympathetically, wondering what could have happened out there to her, but once she brought up a couple of stories about some of Saddam’s palaces and the pools they had swam in, her tension seemed to ease, and everyone was laughing with her as she described Maria’s antics as she tried to get Michael’s attention. Liz didn’t want to give away Maria’s secret though, so she hadn’t mentioned how their relationship had grown in Iraq.

When they had finally decided to call it a night, Jeff and Nancy gave Max some linens from a closet in the hallway, and pointed him in the direction of the guest room. Max had reluctantly made up a bed for himself there, but as soon as Liz’s parents were asleep, he snuck back down the hall and crept into Liz’s bedroom.

She was already asleep, but when he wrapped his arms around her, her hands entwined with his and she fell back asleep peacefully. Max placed a kiss on the top of her head and held her close as he slept with her wrapped in his arms after months of separation. He knew then and there that this was where he wanted to be for the rest of his life. In the arms of the woman he loved every single night forever and ever.

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

Liz stirred awake as she could faintly hear voices outside of her bedroom door.

“Where’s Max?” That was her dad, sounding a little nervous.

“In bed with Liz,” her mother said unaffected.

“What?!”

“Don’t worry, they’re both dressed,” she said and there was a pause before she added. “I checked.”

Liz smiled at how funny her mother could be and pushed herself back further into Max’s warm body, trying to stay close. His arms tightened around her and she sighed loudly.

“Hey, Liz, breakfast is ready,” her mother kept her voice down, not wanting to wake the young man.

“Okay, we’ll be down in a bit,” she replied sleepily. Her mother nodded and left the room, closing the door on her way out. As soon as she was gone, Liz began nibbling on Max’s neck, urging him to wake up and satisfy the need inside her.

He groaned softly, his morning wood waking him up to her gentle caress. His hands spanned over her bottom, pushing her against his hard-on. He kissed her shoulders, slipping the straps of her t-shirt down so that he could get it off of her.

She moaned as she felt his hands go underneath her shirt, touching her intimately, and taking his time to be in the moment. She broke the kiss and jumped out of the bed as Max continued reaching for her.

She giggled as she went to lock the door before climbing back into the bed with him to continue what they had started. She straddled his thighs and lifted her shirt over her head, before helping him out of his own shirt and boxers.

Max kissed her toned stomach, noticing that she had obviously been working out while she had been overseas. She was thinner, but not terribly so. Her skin was darker, the tan lines of a bikini seemed to be present.

“Did you go tanning out there?”

“Yeah, when we had off time in Balat,” she said disinterested before continuing to kiss a path toward his navel. “God, I missed this body,” she moaned. “Ya know, when I was in high school, my boyfriends never looked like this,” she rubbed her cheek on his abs, eliciting a ragged sound from his chest.

“So happy to please you,” was his only response. When she began to sink down on his erection, it was almost as if a bucket of ice water had been thrown on top of him and he immediately stopped her. “Wait a minute, your parents are in the next room.”

“So, that didn’t stop you last night.”

“That was different, they were downstairs,” he said, scared to death.

She began to move over him, listening to his pleasured sounds. “And it didn’t stop you when we were in your bathroom with your mother just on the other side of your door,” she told him with a little bit of teasing and a little aggravation at just wanting to get this party started.

“You got a point,” Max said after a slight hesitation before lifting her hips and helping her make love to him. He flipped them over with ease and thrusted inside of her slowly. He wanted this to last, but at the same time, he wanted it to be over with because he knew her folks were waiting for them.

Liz’s moans were quiet just like they always were, her mouth opening, but no sound coming out. She dragged her nails down the front of his chest, her fingers circling the small hairs around his nipples. “I love you so much,” she whispered. He responded with a side grin and began to move faster inside her. His hand went between their bodies and rubbed the small nub that would bring her to her peak. He knew he was close, and he wanted to practice bringing her over the edge with him the way she was able to do it so easily.

Liz moaned loudly, Max quickly using his other hand to cover her mouth. His hand continued to work it’s magic and Liz felt like she was going to explode. No man had ever done that before and she couldn’t even express how it felt because Max was keeping her quiet. She couldn’t help it when she bit down on his hand...hard.

Max’s face contorted in pain, but he didn’t move his hand. His release came quickly. His silent scream, filled with both pleasure and pain was all it took for Liz to be pushed over that cliff and when he finally removed his hand, she was breathing heavily as if she had run a marathon.

He pulled out of her and began to shake his hand wildly, whispering his pain. “Ow! God, that hurt, baby!”

“I’m so sorry, baby,” she said compassionately, reaching out to take his injured hand, seeing the black and blue teeth marks.

He grinned again proudly and said cockily, “I guess I did that right.”

They smiled and embraced for a moment. Liz pulled back from him when her mom knocked on the door, reminding her about breakfast again. Liz ran her hands down Max’s back and noticed something she hadn’t noticed before. A mark that was apparently fading away. There was no doubt that it was a scratch. “What’s this?” Liz asked, a little bit confused and a little bit pissed off.

TBC...
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Luzser1800
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CHAPTER 35

AN: Alright, it looks like you guys saw right through my ploy to try to gain sympathy for Tess. Nobody wants to believe that maybe she was just caught up in the moment...Nah, it’ll never work. I see that now. Another thanx to Lissalou.

“I don’t know,” Max said, his eyes wide with innocence. Liz gave him a look that said, ‘Do I look like a complete moron?!’ Max caught the look and went straight to reassure her. “Baby, I swear, I don’t know where it came from. I woke up one morning, and there it was.”

“Max, that is a scratch if I ever saw one,” she said incredulously, “on your back no less! You mean to tell me you fell backwards on a rake?” Liz watched emotions dance across his face. Confusion, innocence, and most importantly, love. But she knew that scratches on your back didn’t just happen by accident. “Max, please don’t lie to me,” Liz said, her heart breaking.

“Liz, I’m not lying to you. I would never cheat on you.”

“It wouldn’t be cheating since I gave you permission,” Liz said sadly.

“Yes it would,” Max said quickly. “To me, it would.” Max grabbed a hold of her hand gently and said, “Baby...all I remember is getting tanked and passing out. I had an awesome dream about you.” Liz smiled at how his eyes glazed over when he said that. “And when I woke up, I noticed the scratch. I honestly don’t know how it got there. I probably did it myself in my sleep. I even looked around to see what could have scratched me, but I had to go to school so I didn’t really have any time. It could have been a nail in the wall or something for all I know.”

Liz gave him a skeptical look, but she knew the truth was staring her right in the face. “I don’t know why...but I believe you. I know you wouldn’t lie to me.” They smiled at each other and Liz leaned in to kiss him softly.

“I could never be with anyone else,” he told her sincerely and she believed him. There was no way that he was lying to her. He could never hide his true feelings from her and she honestly didn’t think he would be able to do it now either. They had never lied to each other before and from the look on his face, cheating wouldn’t have been possible. So, she believed his words.

Max had something plaguing his mind though and he figured now was as good a time as any to ask about it. “Liz?”

“Hmm?” she asked as she was throwing on some clothes.

“Last night...when your dad asked about Iraq...I noticed you tensed up a bit.” Liz’s shoulders stiffened. “And you’re doing it again right now. Did something happen out there?” he asked gently.

“No,” she replied quickly. Too quickly.

“Liz...” Max started.

“Look, I don’t wanna talk about it okay?” Liz said, closing herself off.

“Why not?” Max was confused. He knew that war could be a hard place to come back from. He had seen it with his mother, but it was killing him inside that Liz was hiding something from him.

“Because I just...don’t want to. Just let it go, alright?” Liz asked, her eyes pleading with him to drop it.

Max tried to somehow see inside her head, but knew it was useless. She was a stonewall. He sighed heavily and nodded. He wanted to know what was wrong. But he would wait as long as it took for her to be comfortable telling him. They finished getting dressed quickly and headed downstairs for breakfast.

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

CHRISTMAS EVE...

Everyone at the Parker household was in good spirits and everything had continued on normally since the first day of Liz’s leave. Max and Liz had spent every night in her room together and Liz’s parents were rather forgiving. They could see how happy Liz was with Max and that was all they wanted for her.

Liz would be leaving to go back to Iraq the day after Christmas, and Max wanted every moment he could have with her to last. He had been talking to his mom on the phone and she seemed to be doing okay, but he could tell she was lonely. She hadn’t had the opportunity to take leave for Christmas, but she had told him that she would probably be back for New Year’s, and Max was grateful he would be able to spend at least some time with her.

After the months he had spent away from her, he now needed to speak with her in person. He wanted to know about his father, his real father. He wanted to know where he had come from, and he knew the only person who would know would be his mother. He wasn’t all that eager to get back to Colorado. Phillip and Tess didn’t look nearly as good as Liz did in the light of the morning.

Max had also been thinking about what Liz’s father had said, about marriage. He didn’t even know if Liz was thinking that way. He knew he wanted forever with her, but marriage was so far off. All he could do right now was finish high school and worry about his future plans. Liz would still be there, he was sure.

Liz had been a whole other situation. Max wanted to know what was going on with her. Something had happened out there and he wanted to know what it was. She would clam up whenever anyone would ask about what it was like over there. She was hiding something. Max wasn’t pushing her, but he wanted her to be able to open up to him and get it off her chest...whatever it was.

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

The Valenti Residence

Tess and Kyle were in Kyle’s room, currently wrapped up in each other. They were making out heavily on Kyle’s bed, his hand creeping up her abdomen. Tess and Kyle had decided to make their relationship official just a few days ago, and so far everything was perfect. With Christmas just a day away, Tess could really get into the holiday spirit and being with Kyle was helping in so many ways.

Tess was still mulling over what had happened with Max, though. She couldn’t get that night out of her mind. She just wished so badly that she could just erase what had happened and never talk about it again.

Kyle seemed to be able to sense something was wrong so he pulled back from her. “Tess, you okay?”

Tess shook her head when he broke through her thoughts. She hadn’t even realized he had stopped. “Yeah, I’m good.”

“You sure?” he asked skeptically.

Tess decided to turn the conversation in a different direction. “Yeah, I was just wondering how far you planned to go tonight?” she asked as innocently as she could muster.

Kyle smirked playfully. “As far as you’re willing to take me.” His words were playful, but Tess could tell there was a deeper meaning to them. He was so sweet, in his own way, of course. She smiled and leaned up to kiss him again, pulling him fully on top of her. He went willingly.

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

Iraq

Diane sat down in front of her little Christmas tree, an empty MRE laid off to the side of her. An unwrapped present sat in front of her, a digital camera from Max. She hadn’t gotten a present from Phillip, not that she had expected one. She could still remember their conversation when she had called to apologize.

“Phillip...”

“Well look who it is,” he had slurred into the phone. “Didn’t expect you to call.”

“Listen, Phillip, this isn’t Max’s fault, okay...”

“No, it’s not. It’s yours! All this time, Diane! Seventeen years! You’re nothing but a slut! You always were. I should have known. What other kind of woman would fuck someone she’d just met?!”


“Phillip!” Diane had yelled into the receiver, appalled at how harsh he was being with her. He had never been this callous.

“And I was the dumbass who fell for you. Well guess what? You can go to hell!” And then he had hung up. She felt a slight reassurance that Phillip had admitted that it wasn’t Max’s fault, and that he probably wouldn’t hurt their son. Whether Phillip wanted to believe it or not, Max was his son. Phillip was the only father Max had ever known, and she felt horrible for taking that away from him. But from the other side of the world, what more could she do but hope that things were okay there until she got back.


She held a picture in each hand. One of Max, and one of Damon. She looked between the two men. One of them had held her heart in the past, and now the other one held it at the moment. She wished every day that Max could have known his father, but he was gone, and she saw more of Damon in Max every single day. The thought that she had truly never lost the only man she had ever loved because she had a piece of him in her son, choked her up. The temperature on this Christmas Eve was 115 degrees, and if someone had come by, they would have thought that it was sweat on her cheeks.

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

The Evans Residence

Phillip Evans sat back on his sofa with a drunken grin on his face. The lights from the television flickered and he thought back in amusement as his plan had played out perfectly. He had sent Liz a little gift. Her address overseas wasn’t hard to get a hold of because his wife was the same address with a different name. He couldn’t wait to watch the boy crumble when he was through. What with his whoring wife in another country and his bastard son in another state, Phillip was ready to finish destroying the boy’s life for once and for all. And in turn, destroying Diane’s as well. Then he would leave them all alone for the rest of their miserable lives. The grin spread wider over his face as he thought about the look on that girl’s face when she received his Christmas present.

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

Back at the Parkers’

After a large Christmas Eve dinner with ham, potatoes, biscuits, egg nog, and everything else, Max and Liz were comfortable in front of the television, which was on with the volume low. The screen showed the video Liz had been dying to see. It was Green Day’s Wake Me Up When September Ends. Jeff and Nancy had already gone to bed. The only other lights in the room were the soft glows of greens and reds from the Christmas tree blinking slowly.

Liz was leaning back against Max’s chest, his legs on each side of her. One of his arms was wrapped around her neck, keeping her close to him. The video was causing something inside of Liz to break her down. Something was on her mind, Max knew. She was very quiet, and she wasn’t as relaxed as Max was. Liz wanted to say something. And Max didn’t have to wait long.

Liz sat up and turned to look Max right in the eyes. He watched a tear fall down her cheek. He brushed it away with his thumb and asked her what was wrong without uttering a single word. “Max, I have to tell you something.”

TBC...
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Luzser1800
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AN: I'm really sorry about the wait. I just couldn't seem to pound out this last chapter until just yesterday. I'm not even really sure that I'm happy with it so if it completely sucks, I apologize. Thanx for all the feedback and keep it coming!

Okay, I take full responsibility for the last part. Ellie’s right, Max did lie to Liz about his age in the beginning. I guess I got so wrapped up in the story, that I totally forgot about that. My Bad!

And as for Sarah Marie, I’m really sorry about dumping all this angst on you with the military stuff as well. I know how hard it can be, but I shall quote Jason Katims himself when I tell you, “A happy couple is a boring couple.” LOL. As much as I like to keep the suspense, I will say that it has to end somewhere, right? Right?! Let’s move on with the story, shall we?


CHAPTER 36

“Max...” Liz tried to get it out. Her lips were moving, but the words weren’t coming. Max could see the struggle going on inside her.

“What is it, Liz?” he asked as gently as he could, tilting her chin up to look into his eyes.

“In Iraq...” She started, but once again, couldn’t seem to finish.

“You can tell me,” Max told her, still searching her face.

“I don’t want you to hate me,” she cried brokenly.

“Baby, hating you wouldn’t even be a possibility,” Max said with conviction.

“I...” This was it. She had to get it out now or she never would be able to.

“Tell me what happened,” he whispered. She looked up at him, willing her lips to do the talking because Max couldn’t very well see inside her head, now could he?

“I was on guard. An Iraqi came in. He was one of the informants who help out the infantry soldiers.” Max nodded for her to continue. “He tried to steal the money in the safe box.” Liz pushed through the memory. “When something like that happens, according to the Rules of Engagement, we’re just supposed to hand over the money.”

“But...” Max pushed her forward.

“But I wasn’t fast enough and he pulled out a gun.” Max’s face became very concerned as he searched with his eyes for any injuries she may have had from the encounter. “I’m fine,” she assured him. Then she looked him right in the eyes and told him what had been on her mind every time someone asked about what it was like over there. “I killed him.” She turned away, unable to watch the look of disgust cross his features. She was completely remorseful that she had killed a man, and for some reason, she just couldn’t seem to get over it. And soon, she would have to go back, and she might have to do it again. She just knew that Max saw her now as a cold-blooded murderer.

But Max surprised her when he pulled her into his arms. “God, baby, I’m sorry you had to do that.” She sniffled into his shoulder, letting it all out finally. “But you do know that you’re in a war, Liz,” Max tried to reason with her.

“But I never really thought I’d ever actually have to do that. I never wanted to hurt anyone, Max,” she cried harder. He stroked his fingers through her soft hair, letting her cry on him. He kissed the top of her head and looked into her eyes.

“I’m glad you killed him,” Max told her. “Cuz if I had been there I sure as hell would have.” Liz’s lips turned up a little despite her tears. “I love you, Liz. I’m here for you.” He held her close again, Liz’s small skull cradled against his chest.

They stayed like that for a while. Max comforting Liz and her basking in the warmth of that comfort.

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

CHRISTMAS MORNING

Max had a big present under the tree and he couldn’t wait to tear into the wrapping. It was that shiny foil wrapping, too and those are the best ones to tear into, Max thought. He opened up the gift and couldn’t believe his eyes. It was a beautiful acoustic guitar.

Liz’s gift from Max was a little smaller and the wrapping wasn’t quite as nice as hers had been since he had wrapped it himself. It looked more like an origami swan than a wrapped gift. She chuckled at it and began to open it as he shrugged his shoulders. It was a white gold necklace with a tiny diamond hanging in the middle. It was absolutely gorgeous and it must have cost him a fortune.

“This must have cost you a fortune, Max,” Liz admonished.

“You’re worth every penny,” he said without reservation. Liz couldn’t help herself when she planted a huge smackaroo right on his smiling lips.

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

Valenti Residence

“I’m sorry about last night...” Tess said to Kyle cautiously.

“Why?” Kyle asked.

“Well...I know you were expecting...”

“Tess...” Kyle smiled genuinely at her. “You don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for.” He tucked a curl behind her ear and grinned sloppily at her before turning to go into the living room to watch the game with his dad. It made Tess feel even more guilty for the charade she had going with everyone around her.

She had really wanted to be with Kyle last night, but she couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened with Max. It made her ashamed that Kyle probably thought the only reason she had stopped when he had gone to take off her bra was due to inexperience.

She hated leading Kyle on, and a part of her wished she had gone and had sex with Kyle, if only to wash away the memory of being with Max. She was relieved that Max wasn't around to see her this emotional over what had happened. She knew a lot of girls who had sex without meaning all the time, so why was she feeling like being with Max had meant something? She resigned herself to the fact that it was just because it had been her first time and hopefully, she would get over it. She sighed loudly and walked out into the living room to join Kyle and his dad.

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

Iraq

“Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas!” A bumbling Santa came into the tent with a huge red bag slung across his back. All the soldiers turned to the door of the tent and were rather amused to see Santa had come to Iraq. Alex even started screaming like a little girl, “Santa! Santa!” He went to sit down in a fold out chair that had been left in the middle of the room for him next to the three foot Christmas tree the unit had decorated with ornaments and tinsel that had been given to them by civilians. Maria came over immediately to sit on his lap.

“Hey, Santa, you’re lookin a little thin there,” she joked with a giggle.

“Ha Ha! Bite me, DeLuca!” It was Michael under there and he hadn’t used the pillow because he had claimed it was too damn hot. Maria had made him wear the stupid costume anyway. She had said that it would lift everyone’s spirits. His smile quickly came back and he bellowed, “Ho Ho Ho! And what do you want for Christmas young lady?”

Maria wriggled in his lap. “Hmm...” She put a finger to her chin in thought and waited for Michael to snap. It came all too quickly.

“Hurry up, woman! It’s hot in here!”

She grinned and said, “I want a big...fat...juicy...” every word came out sexually and Michael was having a hard time being underneath her at the moment. “Steak.” She finished her sentence and Michael gulped audibly.

The whole unit laughed at her and Michael was painfully aroused. He was good at keeping it in check though. “Well, I don’t think there’s a steak in here, Specialist DeLuca...” he rummaged through his bag of treats and pulled something out. “But I do have a big...fat...juicy...” his words echoed her own and now Maria found it hard to not grab him and drop him to the floor with a fiery kiss. “Slim Jim!” he grinned cockily at her and handed her the packaged treat. She slid off his lap with a faint scowl while everyone else laughed at how cute they were. But Diane Evans was in the back of the crowd...and she wasn’t laughing.

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

New Mexico

Max was laying on Liz’s bed like he had been told to do. Hig brand new guitar sat in the corner of Liz's bedroom, leaning against the wall. The whole day had gone nicely and however unfortunate, rather quickly. Max had talked to his mom on the phone and she had thanked him for the gift. She had also scolded him a little about drinking with Phillip. Mostly, she had just been worried for him and wanted to know how Phillip had been handling things. Max told her that the two men pretty much stayed out of each other’s way and Diane was happy that it wasn’t worse.

And now Max laid here waiting for Liz. Jeff and Nancy were already asleep and Liz had promised Max that the guitar wasn’t his only Christmas present. He was only wearing the boxers Liz had bought him and the silver dog tag she had given him before she left. He waited patiently for her to come out of her bathroom.

Finally, he saw the door knob turn to indicate she was coming out. When the dim orange light from the bathroom bathed her for his eyes his jaw nearly hit his chest. She was wearing the uniform. Ya know, THE UNIFORM! The antennae bounced on top of her head where her hair was pulled high in a bun with a curl on each side of her face. She wore no stockings, her creamy thighs in plain view and the hottest pair of black leather high heel boots he had ever seen. His breath caught before becoming ragged as she sauntered sexily over to his position on the bed.

She wrapped her fingers around the chain hanging from his neck and pulled his head up to hers. She whispered huskily into his ear. “May I take your order, sir?”

“Hell yes!” He grabbed her and pulled her down on top of him before rolling them over and kissing the daylights out of her. He moved down her throat, popping buttons along the way. He got stuck on a button in the middle and tore the uniform open in a desperate need to see her dark skin. Max was pleased at her lack of underclothes. She gasped in surprise at this movement.

“Eager much?” she purred and he just nodded hastily while pushing his boxers down and off.

He moved his hand underneath the short skirt and found her without panties. He dipped two fingers inside and listened to her moans of encouragement. He took another good look at her in this outfit. “God, I don’t even wanna take it off of you. It looks too damn good on you,” he growled and began to kiss his way down the center of her chest again, his fingers pushing the aqua green material out of his way.

“Then leave it on,” she whispered directly into his ear which brought a strangled moan from his throat. He flipped them over easily, putting Liz on top again. He tore the silver alien head from her waist, throwing it to the side somewhere and pushed the bottom part of her uniform to the sides of her body before slamming into her without another thought.

His hands fisted into the uniform, pulling at it, wanting to touch her skin but loving the look of her clothed in this fabric. He managed to get his hands inside the uniform and around her back splaying his fingers over her scorching skin. His hands molded her breasts and plucked gently at her nipples, raising them to little peaks. He pushed up inside of her quickly, wanting to finish this so he could start all over again. They would both be getting on another plane tomorrow. She would be leaving his life again and he would be going back to the man who was disgusted with him. Max shook his head, not wanting to think about anything but the moment.

Liz moaned quietly, rubbing against his pelvis to help reach her peak. Her heels dug into the bed on either side of Max’s legs. She leaned down for another kiss and Max grabbed a hold of her hips to help her move faster and harder on top of him. He was almost there and he had to keep it in check for her. He had to wait. He could feel her insides getting tighter and knew she was with him. He thrust up a couple more times, fast and hard, the two of them cumming together silently.

Liz fell down on his chest, her breathing erratic and uneven. Max’s breathing wasn’t much better. He chanced a look at the clock, wanting to know how much time he had left with her. It was only midnight. They had seven hours before she had to get on a plane. And he planned to use up every last second.

He lifted her off him to kiss her lovingly. He pulled back and began to unwrap her body from the uniform, trying to remember just how she looked in it for his future spank-bank reference. She allowed him to undress her, feeling the cool air hit her hot body as it was exposed to his hungry eyes.

“Wait a minute!” He jumped up from underneath her and she fell back on the sheets, naked and giggling.

“What are you doing?” she asked, amused, as he rifled through one of his bags.

“I almost forgot,” he said as he climbed back into the bed with her. He handed her another small wrapped gift.

“What’s this?” she asked with a grin.

“Open it,” he said, eagerly. She undid the wrapping slowly as she continued to gaze into his amber eyes. It was a box...a ring box to be exact. A small gasp escaped her lips.

“What have you done now?” she asked sweetly as she lifted the top of the box and her eyes fell on the most beautiful ring. It was a white gold band with a garnet stone in the middle, her birthstone. It wasn’t a diamond, and for a very brief moment, she was relieved. They weren’t ready for marriage yet and she knew it, and a for that moment, she was glad that Max knew it too.

“It’s a promise ring. It says that I promise you have my heart, and that there’s no one else for me. Not now...not ever.” Tears filled her eyes as she took it out of the ring box and held it up. He took it from her fingers and began to slide it onto the ring finger of her right hand. “One day it’ll be the other hand. But for now...” He didn’t need to finish the sentence because Liz knew exactly what he meant. This ring promised that he would always be with her and that the future was in their hands now.

She kissed him deeply, her tears rolling onto his cheeks. He didn’t even bother wiping them off. “Max, I love it.” Her face put on a mask of disappointment though and Max wondered why. “But I can’t wear it.” Max’s face fell. “At least not until I get back,” Liz added quickly.

“Why not?” he asked, hope shining in his eyes.

“It’ll get scratched up out there. I don’t want that to happen.” She was just as disappointed as he was about it.

Suddenly, an idea came to him. “Can you wear the necklace?”

“Yeah. It’ll be inside my shirt so it should be fine,” she said, confused.

He smiled widely and unhooked the necklace she was wearing. Then, he took the ring off her finger and slid it onto the necklace. “Now you can wear them both.” Liz was grinning from ear to ear now, and surprised she hadn’t thought of that. He hooked the chain back around her neck and let his fingers slide over the ring and the diamond before letting go completely.

“I love you,” she whispered, covering his lips with her own. She allowed him to press her into the pillows as he hovered over her. He watched her eyes from above her, wanting to sear her face into his memory again. She got tired of the staring though and curled her fingers around her i.d. tag hanging from his neck, pulling his head down for a kiss. “You’re still wearing it,” she commented more to herself than him.

“I never take it off.” His breath caressed her face as he allowed her to pull him down by the silver ball chain and they smiled at each other before leaning in for another hot kiss, their tongues massaging this time before she pulled back again.

“You look so sexy in that dog tag.” She bit her lip and listened to his growl of approval before dragging his lips over hers again.

In the morning, they would have to part again, but Max knew everything would be okay as long as she was his and he was hers. Max had complete faith that nothing would ever tear them apart.

TBC...
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CHAPTER 37

Diane walked into the empty tent behind two of her very somber soldiers. “Sit!” she ordered and the two sat down in two separate folding chairs quickly. She looked between the two of them to gauge their reactions, but they were both very good at hiding their emotions and both faces were blank other than the occasional flutter of nervousness to cross the blonde.

“What the hell is this?” Her voice was a dead calm. “Please tell me that what I just saw out there meant nothing. Please tell me that I’m not going to have to go through this again.” Neither soldier said a word. She looked between them, furious. “DeLuca!” Maria nearly jumped out of her skin. “Did you not learn anything from Max and Liz?”

“Who’s Max?” Michael finally spoke. But it only earned him a glare from Maria that told him to shut his trap. Michael bowed his head, having been scolded.

Diane sighed heavily and rubbed her forehead in a gesture proving that she was very tired. “I’m going to give the two of you the benefit of the doubt and assume that what I witnessed in that room was nothing more than innocent flirtation.” Michael and Maria both blew out the breath they had been holding and Diane looked straight at Maria when she continued. “The difference...Specialist DeLuca...is that you and Sergeant Guerin can be legally punished for this conduct.” Maria knew exactly what Diane was trying to tell her. Max and Liz’s relationship may have been a little unethical, but legally, they had been in the clear. Her relationship with Michael wouldn’t prove to be so lucky. Michael is her superior and they are in the wrong. We’ll just have to be more careful, Maria thought slyly before nodding at her Sergeant Major indicating that she understood.

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

Max arrived at Colorado Springs Airport on time and when he came out of the gate he saw Tess and Kyle waiting for him. Kyle had his arm around Tess possessively and they both smiled. Tess reached out and hugged Max briefly, a little wary of showing any affectionate gestures in front of her boyfriend. But neither boy seemed to notice.

After getting his luggage, Max followed the pair out to Kyle’s car and asked them how their Christmas had been. Tess smiled brightly. “Oh my gosh, Max!” she squealed. “Look at the bracelet Kyle bought me!” She held out her left wrist for Max to see and to say he was impressed would have been an understatement. It was silver and had tiny amber jewels speckled around it. Not bad at all, Max thought. He gave Kyle a nod of approval and Kyle just smiled shyly.

“What’d you get for Christmas, my man?” Kyle asked Max as he drove out of the airport parking lot. Max grinned widely. He was thinking of his angel in aqua-marine. He sighed sappily just thinking about it. Then he looked around the vehicle and realized his friends were still awaiting his answer. He blushed ferociously, realizing where his dirty little mind had gone. Max cleared his throat and said, “A guitar.”

Kyle smirked and Max could immediately tell that his friend knew exactly what he had gotten for a present. Max blushed again and caught Tess’s look at she was turning away from him, obviously knowing what his Christmas gift had been as well. Kyle decided to give him a break, though. “How’s Liz?” he asked softly.

Max immediately thought of what had happened to her and unconsciously clenched his fists. Max kept the angry feeling at bay though and began to breathe a bit before telling Kyle, “She’s good.” Kyle didn’t seem to notice the short response and continued the conversation.

“How were the parentals?” Kyle winced. “Cool?”

“Oh yeah, man, totally cool. With everything,” his tone proving to Tess that Kyle knew way more about the situation than she did, and that aggravated her. Kyle should be telling me these things, Tess thought to herself, her jaw clenching. He’s my boyfriend, dammit!

She just felt like she didn’t know anything about this Liz person and she wanted to know what it was that made Max tick so much. What could it have possibly been about this girl that’s got Max wrapped around her little finger? Curiosity was getting the better of her and making her think irrationally. When she came back to reality, she had caught the end of their conversation.

“So am I getting my guitar back now?”

“Of course,” Max grinned. “My baby bought me the best acoustic guitar in the world.” He sighed and smiled sappily again. “I had a wonderful Christmas.” He was still winding down from the explosive kiss Liz had given him at the airport before he had boarded his plane. Now he just wanted to get home to his bed so he could get some sleep.

He couldn’t wait to see his mother. She would be coming home in a couple of days and hopefully she’d be able to fix the problems with his father figure. Liz had made Max promise not to drink anymore with Phillip. She had said that it would most likely bring about a person in Phillip that Max wouldn’t like, and of course, Max had agreed, not able to deny her anything in the world.

Max laid his head back on the seat and closed his eyes, already trying to remember his last sexual encounter.

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

Max woke up from his nap to voices. Loud voices. He blinked repeatedly to get the sleep from his eyes and began to listen. It was Tess and his dad. What the hell would they be arguing about? Max wondered silently. Their voices were strong, but muffled. He couldn’t make out what they were saying. He decided to get closer to the action.

He came down the stairs slowly and quietly. He snuck up and stood behind the wall, so that they wouldn’t see him, but so that he could hear everything clearly. Once he was in a good position, he listened shamelessly.

“Why would you do something like that?! How evil can you be?!”

“Oh don’t act like you didn’t want it! Every time that boy walks into the room you have to mop up the puddle of drool at your feet.”

“But you knew how I felt about him and you used it against me! You used me in this sick game of yours, you total son of a bitch!”

“Keep your fucking voice down, would you?” the man hissed. “You knew what you were doing when you went up those stairs. You got what you wanted so don’t act like the victim here.”

Tess’s next statement came out hushed, but Max heard her all the same. “He doesn’t even know it was me. He thinks he was dreaming about his girlfriend!”

Max wondered what the hell they were talking about. Tess got what she wanted? When she went upstairs?? Dreaming about...What the...Suddenly the images flew in front of his brain before he had time to comprehend anything else.

<< The very erotic, very real dream about Liz. >>

<< Tess breezing into his room the next morning like she owned the place in his t-shirt. >>

<< The blood on his sheets. >>

<< The Scratch! >>

FUCK!!” He screamed and his fist slammed a hole into the wall that had been hiding him from Tess and Phillip.

Tess gasped and spun around. Max’s face was on fire, his eyes dilated to black. His jaw clenched and he actually bared his teeth. When she turned to look at Phillip, the man had a combined look of boredom and smugness. She felt like she was standing in between two mad men. One very angry and one equally crazy.

When Max finally spoke, his voice was low and barely controlled. “What did you just say?” He looked at Tess’s guilty face, a myriad of emotions rumbling through his system. “You...” He shook his head in disbelief. “We...” He shook his head again when Tess made no move to prove what he was thinking was the wrong thing. His eyes were wet with unshed tears. “No...No!!” Tess reached over and grabbed his arm to keep him from running off before she had a chance to explain. “Don’t you fucking touch me, bitch!” His fist rose to her face and stopped. He saw her face turned around and wincing, waiting for the blow. He dropped his fist, too angry to be ashamed that he had almost hit a woman. His next words were under his breath but not so much that she couldn’t hear him. “Never again.”

She dropped his arm like she had been burned, tears swimming in her eyes over his violent outburst. He ran out of the house as fast as he could. He faintly heard Tess call his name, but he didn’t stop. He got in the jeep and drove through the streets blindly. He didn’t know where he was going. He was completely numb.

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

The snow-capped mountains looked majestic against the gray sky backdrop. Max sat on the edge of a small cliff overlooking the city. He had come out here to clear his head. He had just gotten off the phone with his mother and their conversation was still playing in his mind.

“Mom...” he had cried softly.

“Max?” She was immediately on alert. “Max, what’s wrong, baby?”

“Mom...” It came out sounding worse than the last one.

“Baby, tell mommy what’s wrong,” she had calmly told him, bringing him back to younger days when he could tell her anything.

“I...” he sobbed loudly now. “I betrayed her.”

Diane was silent for a moment. “Betrayed who, Max? Liz?” Max cried harder and Diane knew she had hit the nail on the head. “Oh, Max,” she sighed compassionately. “What happened?”

“I...I don’t remember.”

“What do you mean you don’t remember?” Diane was getting frustrated now. How could he have cheated on Liz and not remembered it.

“I was drunk...”

Diane cut him off. “That’s no excuse, Max!” Diane hadn’t meant to be so short with him, but she had heard this excuse a million times and her son should have known better.

“No, I mean...” he cried again before getting out some more of his story. “I was passed out...and Dad...”

Diane’s eyes widened and her biggest fear was suddenly being realized. “What did he do to you, Max?”

“He told Tess...and she...and I thought...I thought it was a dream,” he sobbed openly and he heard his mother curse loudly.

She took control of the situation the best way she knew how. “Max, go to Kyle’s. Don’t go home. I don’t want you there. I’m coming back to you, Max. Just trust me, baby, okay?”

Max managed to get out a pathetic “Okay,” before hanging up with her. He put his head in his hands and cried alone on top of that cliff for at least an hour.


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

Diane threw her things in her duffel bag as quickly as she could, cursing loudly and mumbling incoherently to herself. Luckily, she had been able to get a Mack Flight out of here today instead of tomorrow. She would be damned if she allowed that bastard to hurt her only son.

Maria came into the tent to deliver the message she had been sent to deliver. “Sergeant Major...”

Diane didn’t even look up. She just kept throwing things in her bag and talking to herself.

Maria didn’t know what was wrong, but since it wasn’t really any of her business, she just gave her Sergeant Major the message. “The flight’s ready, so...” When Diane didn’t even acknowledge her, Maria decided to take a chance. “Are you okay?” Still nothing. “Did...did something happen to Mr. Evans?”

Maria heard Diane say, “Not until I get my hands on that son of a bitch.” Maria raised her eyebrows and backed out of the tent, fearing that Diane was not exactly in the best mood for chatter.

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

Liz finally got back to Iraq after 24 hours and went straight for her tent so she could drop her bags off. She was tired and already missing Max. She couldn’t wait to call him later just so she could hear his voice.

As she approached the tent, she saw Maria whispering with Michael just outside of it. “Better be careful,” she joked with them. “There are eyes everywhere,” she said in a spooky voice. But when they turned to face her, their somber expressions scared her. “What?” she asked, scared to death.

“Sergeant Major Evans just left to go home,” Maria told her.

Liz felt a small weight lift from her shoulders. “I thought she wasn’t leaving til tomorrow.”

“Something came up.”

“Oh my God, Max!” The weight was back and a million different scenarios went through her mind. A plane crash. A car accident.

“No, it’s not Max,” Maria quickly assured her and Liz put a hand on her heart with a huge sigh of relief. “I’m pretty sure it had something to do with her husband.”

“What did she say?”

Maria shook her head in confusion. “Not much...but it sure sounded like she was ready to kick some ass.” Liz thought about that and couldn’t imagine what could have happened. Then Maria changed the subject. “Oh and there’s a package on your cot from Moondoggie.”

Liz’s smile instantly came back and she went inside the tent to see what she had gotten from her love. She was so excited that she didn’t even realize that in order for the package to have been here for her by now, Max would have had to have sent the package at the same time he was in Roswell with her.

She tore open the package and realized it was another DVD. Liz now had a difficult decision to make. Call Max right this instant just so she could hear his sexy-ass voice...or go ahead and pop in the DVD. In the end, she felt it best to hear his sexy-ass voice and see his sexy-ass body at the same time, so she put the DVD into her player and hit PLAY.

TBC...
Last edited by Luzser1800 on Sat Sep 24, 2005 11:40 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by Luzser1800 »

AN: Oh my goodness! It's another new part! NOOOOOOO!!!!!!! LOL! Yeah, I know that's what everyone's thinking. Thanx for all the wonderful feedback. And I hope everyone's happy with this next part. This part is a little longer than usual, I hope nobody minds.

CHAPTER 38

Liz let out a shaky and uneven breath. Her eyes were riveted to the screen. This can’t be happening, she thought. I’m not really seeing this. I’m dreaming. I’m still on the plane and I’m in the middle of a horrible nightmare. I’m not even here. She pinched her arm. She slapped herself on the face, hard. She rubbed her eyes. It’s not working, she panicked. Nothing was waking her up.

Onscreen, Max was telling another girl that he loved her. And he was obviously showing this girl just how much. The tears fell onto the sand at her feet. Liz didn’t think she had ever felt worse in all her life. She couldn’t even breathe. She was hollow inside. She was numb.

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

Maria giggled as she was being pushed inside her tent attached to Michael’s lips. When Michael pulled back, Maria asked, “What?” She followed Michael’s gaze to something behind her and saw Liz staring at a black screen on her portable DVD player. When she walked around to look at Liz’s face, the tears were apparent, and Liz seemed to be in a state of shock.

“Oh, my god, Michael, she’s in shock!” Maria yelled. “How do we apply first aid for shock?!”

Michael’s voice remained calm as he dumbly told her, “You’re supposed to lie her down and elevate her legs.” It was a stupid question and Maria knew it. She really should have known the answer considering it was a board question, but then Maria didn’t want to get promoted so why would she know? Michael stopped thinking about it, chalking her dumb question up to nervousness of seeing their friend this way. He could have been a jerk and gone through the whole process of treating for shock, but decided that now probably wasn’t the time. He reassured her, “But I don’t think that’s the problem, DeLuca.”

Maria understood what he was saying and asked Liz gently, “Honey, what’s wrong?”

Liz looked up to acknowledge her friend but didn’t say a word. Her heart seemed to be lodged in her throat and she couldn’t speak. She didn’t know what to do. She allowed the tears to fall again before burying her head in the pillow on her cot. Maria just put a comforting hand on her back and rubbed up and down, unable to think of anything else to do.

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

Diane slammed the door to the cab and didn’t even bother to pick up her bags from the front lawn where the cabbie had placed them. As she stormed into the house, she noticed that Max’s jeep wasn’t in the driveway and she was thankful for it. He didn’t need to be here to see what was about to go down.

She wasn’t at all surprised to find her husband sitting at the kitchen table with an open bottle of vodka and an unopen bottle of Jack Daniels. His head was down and he didn’t make any movements to prove that he had even heard her come in.

“Who the hell do you think you are?!”

“Hello to you, too, Diane.” He lifted his head and grinned. “Miss me?” Before Phillip even knew what was happening, Diane’s hand had come back and flown forward, connecting with his cheek in a loud CRACK.

He stood from his seat, his hand rubbing his red cheek and Diane was pleased when he removed his hand and was left with a red hand print. “Never took you for a violent person, Diane. After all, that was always Max’s forte, wasn’t it?” His smirk never left his face.

Diane ignored the brutal comment. “How could you be so heartless to your own son?”

Phillip’s smirk disappeared and there was fire in his eyes and stared her down. “Don’t you dare call him my son! That little bastard is a product of your fuck-up!”

Diane sighed. “I admit that I was wrong passing him off as yours, but whether you like it or not Max is your son. You’re the only father he’s ever known! Doesn’t that mean anything to you, Phillip?” Phillip showed no emotion at the context in her statement. “And besides, when you agreed to marry me, I had no idea that he wasn’t yours.”

“You knew the day he was born, Diane! And still you said nothing!”

“And I’m sorry I never told you, but you were so happy the first time you held him. I couldn’t take that away from you, Phillip.” Tears filled her eyes as she remembered how he had cried and thanked God for the son in his arms.

Phillip shook his head in utter disbelief. “Don’t you know why I was so happy, Diane?” Diane remained silent. “He was my miracle child!” A small o circled on Diane’s lips as she realized what he was telling her. “I knew I couldn’t have children. I thought God had granted me a miracle when Max was born. That's why I was so accepting when we couldn't seem to have any more!” The pain in his tone was more than evident.

One would think that Diane would have gone soft over his proclamation, but nope. It only served to fuel the anger inside of her. “Don’t you get it, Phillip? Max was your miracle. And you’ve gone and fucked it up! Now get out!”

“What?!” Phillip asked incredulously.

“Get out of my house!”

“This is my house, too!” Phillip yelled.

“Do you pay the fucking bills you free-loading son of a bitch?!” Diane knew that would hurt him. All the man had left was his pride and she was more than happy to take it away from him. Phillip had originally quit working so that he could raise his son, but it wasn’t like he couldn’t have started working once Max had gotten a little older. It had been on Diane’s mind for quite some time and it felt good to have finally gotten it off her chest.

Phillip’s lips twitched into a small smirk as he walked past his wife toward the door. Before he left though, he turned back to her and said cryptically, “I knew that the only way to hurt you was through him. And I knew that the only way to hurt him was through the one thing that he loved more than anything else.” Diane’s eyebrows scrunched in confusion. “If you talk to her, ask her if she got my Christmas gift.” His smirk grew wider and he actually had the nerve to wink at her, and it finally dawned on her what he had meant.

She heard the door slam and just as she was reaching for the phone there was a tiny squeak from a dark corner near the stairs. Diane looked over and saw the curly blonde hair and crystal blue eyes that were wide and fearful.

“Why the hell are you looking at me like that? Whether you want to believe it or not, you’re just as bad as he is.” Diane stalked over to the young girl until she was hovering above a terrified Tess. “You took advantage of my son while he had no comprehension of what he was doing or what was happening to him.” Tess winced, knowing that Diane was right. “How would you feel if my son had dosed your Coca Cola with GHB and then had sex with you while you were unable to say no?”

Tess opened her mouth, “That’s not what happened...” But Diane wasn’t listening.

“Would that have been rape to you? Would you have gone to the authorities and told them that Max had raped you?” An immediate Hell Yes came to Tess’s mind. The tears came without warning. “Get of my house. You can await your subpoena for when I tell the police that you raped my son.”

Tess hung her head in shame and left without another word. Diane’s voice rang in her head. The guilt and shame was weighing down on her heavily. Tess wasn’t even sure what she was feeling. It was almost as if she couldn’t breathe. She accepted that what had happened with Max was wrong of her, and she accepted that she had been foolish in wanting to believe that Max had actually wanted her. She still felt like a victim, but now she felt worse for Max. She trudged to the only place she had left.

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

Kyle opened the door to his home when he heard the doorbell ring. “What the hell do you want?” he growled at his former girlfriend.

Her response was staggered and pathetic. “I didn’t have anywhere else to go.”

“Well guess what?” Her eyes filled with tears as she looked up at him to see what he was going to say. “You’re no longer welcome here either.” Just as he was about to slam the door in her face, Tess used her hand to stop it.

“Wait a minute, Kyle, just so you know...when that happened, you and I weren’t together,” she tried to explain.

Kyle became furious at her statement. “Are you truly so self-absorbed that you actually think this is about us?! Jesus, Tess! You slept with my best friend when you knew he had a girlfriend and you knew he didn’t know what was happening!”

“I thought he was telling me that he loved me!”

“Oh please!” Kyle shook his head in amazement at her audacity. “You must have balls of steel coming here, Tess. You raped him! He’s in my room right now crying his eyes out because he cheated on the woman that he loves and it’s your fault!” His emotion changed from rage to disgust as he said, “You’re no better than a common whore.”

He closed the door and went back to his friend, wondering how the hell he had ever managed to fall for such a tramp.

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

Diane had been on the phone for a half an hour, but she couldn’t get a hold of Liz. It was nearly impossible for anybody else, but even with the strings Diane was able to pull, she still couldn’t manage to get through.

She grabbed her keys and made a mad dash for Kyle’s, wanting to check on her son. He had been through so much pain and he really didn’t deserve this bullshit. She blamed herself for this and she was willing to do whatever it would take to make this better. But she knew deep down that she was already too late. Whatever Phillip had sent to Liz would have already been received and she had no idea what it was but she knew it had to be horrendous.

As she drove through the streets, whipping around corners, and speeding up at yellow lights, she knew there was only one possible reason that no one at the camp was answering the phones. They were in the middle of a firefight. And that could be very dangerous for Liz Parker.

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

When I think back
On these times
And the dreams
We left behind
I'll be glad 'cause
I was blessed to get
To have you in my life
When I look back
On these days
I'll look and see your face
You were right there for me


“Parker, are you crazy?! Get down!” Michael whispered harshly.

“What for?” Liz asked gravely. She felt rather than saw the bullets whip past her head and still she couldn’t seem to care. She was so empty inside that the thought of death was actually welcoming. She dropped her M16 and waited, silently saying goodbye to him. She would have stayed like that too, but someone else had other plans for her.

In my dreams
I'll always see you soar
Above the sky
In my heart
There will always be a place
For you for all my life
I'll keep a partOf you with me
And everywhere I am
There you'll be


She was thrust to the ground with a heavy weight having put her there. “You’re fuckin nuts if you think I’m gonna let you die out here,” Maria told her as she used her body weight to keep Liz on the ground.

Well you showed me
How it feels
To feel the sky
Within my reach
And I always
Will remember all
The strength you
Gave to me
Your love made me
Make it through
Oh, I owe so much to you
You were right there for me


A loud bang came from just outside the brush and Liz grunted as Maria’s weight shifted, but wouldn’t let her up. Michael’s M16 popped loudly as the bullets were shot through the dark blindly. The night sky lit up like the fourth of July. The enemy was no where to be seen, but there was no mistaking the sights and sounds of warfare from less than forty feet away.

There was a silent moment. Michael peeked over some brush in the distance and held up two fingers, thrusting them in front of his eyes and then pushing them forward towards the quiet night. Code for : I see the enemy. Alex nodded and he and Michael began to slowly and quietly low crawl towards the area Michael had pointed to.

While still holding Liz down, Maria grabbed Michael’s arm and looked into his eyes, silently telling him to be careful. He nodded gratefully and he and Alex moved forward for the attack.

In my dreams
I'll always see you soar
Above the sky
In my heart
There will always be a place
For you for all my life
I'll keep a part
Of you with me
And everywhere I am
There you'll be


Maria watched him go for only a moment. After all, she didn’t have much more time than that. She saw Michael pull a grenade from his belt and she grabbed a fistful of Liz’s uniform, dragging her to a large rock. “Come on, Parker. We’re almost there,” Maria echoed words Liz had said to her many times when trying to get through a run, as she dragged Liz to safety. She was heaving with the exertion. Liz didn’t look like much but she was still pretty heavy since she wasn’t pulling any of her own weight. Maria propped her up behind the rock and her eyes met Michael’s as he looked around to make sure everyone would be out of harm’s way.

He pulled the pin and threw the grenade. “Grenade!” Maria pushed down to shield herself and Liz from the blast. There were a few more gunshots and then nothing. They stayed like that for a while, awaiting a sound or something to prove that everything was okay.

'Cause I always saw in you
My light, my strength
And I want to thank you
Now for all the ways
You were right there for me
You were right there for me
For always


She heard rustling and finally took her face out of Liz’s hair. When she looked up, she saw Michael crawling toward her. “We’re safe, we got em.” His breathing was harsh and exerted. Maria went to throw her arms around him, but she knew she couldn’t kiss him like she wanted to. Not here anyway. He pulled back sharply though, and that’s when Maria saw the blood.

“Oh my God, Michael!” He had been shot in the thigh and there was blood everywhere. Maria took her jacket off and wrapped it around his wound to contain the blood.

He smiled at her. “You remembered first aid,” he chuckled half-heartedly and when it didn’t quell the worry he said, “It’s okay, Maria, I’ll be fine.” He hugged her quickly. They pulled away from each other and looked over at Liz, who was still on the ground with her face in the sand, not moving. “She okay?” Michael asked, worried.

Maria crouched down next to Liz as she was rolling over onto her back. “You should have left me there,” Liz sobbed pathetically.

In my dreams
I'll always see you soar
Above the sky
In my heart
There will always be a place
For you for all my life
I'll keep a part
Of you with me
And everywhere I am
There you'll be
Faith Hill - There You’ll Be


“No way, chica,” Maria told her sympathetically. “We leave no man behind.” A teeny tiny smile attempted to pull at Liz’s lips, but she wouldn’t let it. Maria had seen the glimmer of it though and she pulled Liz up to take her back to their tent.

Alex grabbed Michael’s arm and began helping him limp towards the medical tent. Michael saw her apprehension. “You take care of Parker. I’ll see ya in a bit.” He winked at her and the tone in his voice instantly made her feel better.

Maria snatched up Liz’s M16 which was still lying where it’s owner had dropped it, and put it over her shoulder. “Let’s go. And when we get to the tent, you are going to tell me exactly what the hell you were thinking out there!”

“I can’t even explain it DeLuca, just watch the video,” Liz murmured as she fell onto the cot. She didn’t want to talk about this. She just wanted the memory to wash away. She buried her head in the pillow when Maria started up the DVD. She faintly heard Maria gasp, but she didn’t dare look up. She couldn’t bear to see it again.

She felt bad enough knowing that she had basically told Max to do his thang while she was gone, but he could’ve admitted it when she had asked about that scratch. It was pretty obvious he didn’t do it to himself in his sleep. God, I am such a moron! How could I have believed such a dumbass story? Liz thought back to another time she had believed one of his stories. It was about him going to college when he was only sixteen years old. I should have known better, she chastised herself.

“That little bastard! How could he do this to you, Parker?!” Liz remained silent. She didn’t know what to say. “Wait a minute...” Maria’s tone changed from upset to intrigued. “Parker, who sent you this?”

Max!” Liz yelled as if it was so obvious.

“Are you sure, honey?” Maria asked as if she was talking to a small child.

“Yes I’m sure! Read the fucking return address!”

“Now there’s no need for the language,” Maria grumbled under her breath as she picked up the wrapping. She looked at the return address and noticed that it was definitely Max’s name. She started looking around the tent, searching.

“What are you looking for?” Liz asked, her voice strained.

“Don’t you have any letters or anything Max has sent you?”

“Why?”

“Think about this for a minute, Parker. Push past the pain for a second and think. Why would Max send you this?” Liz shook her head. “There’s gotta be something else going on here.”

“Look, DeLuca, even if Max didn’t send it, who cares?! The point is...he cheated on me with another girl. It’s probably the girl that’s living with him. And even if he didn’t send it, the fact remains that he was unfaithful and probably has been for some time.”

“What makes you think that? That boy is so in love with you, it isn’t even funny!”

“He told her that he loves her! Were you not listening?! If he’s telling her he loves her then obviously this has been going on for a while! So, yeah...I’ll push past the pain and assume Max didn’t send this to me. But I can’t get over the fact that he’s still cheating!” Liz stormed out of the tent then, leaving Maria sitting on her cot.

“It doesn’t seem right!” Maria yelled after her, but Liz just kept on going. Maria began searching for more letters or something, anything to disprove this total bullshit. Maria didn’t believe for one second that Max did what that video was saying he did. She said to herself as she rummaged through Liz’s things, “Maybe the camera never lies, but sometimes cheap editing does.”

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

When Liz got back to the tent a couple hours later, feeling fresh from her shower, Michael was already there visiting Maria so she would know he was okay. Maria hadn’t figured out a damn thing at this point and she didn’t know what to do. She just knew that Max couldn’t have done that. She had found Max’s phone number in Liz’s address book, but nobody was picking up.

“Find anything significant, Sherlock?” Liz asked Maria sarcastically. Maria didn’t even bother to answer her. Michael placed his crutches down on Maria’s cot and sat down, pulling Maria onto his lap.

“What’s going on, you guys?” he asked.

“Nothing!” Liz and Maria said simultaneously.

Michael nodded, his eyes heavy from the medication. “How are you feeling?” Maria asked as she stroked his cheek.

“A lot better,” he said enthusiastically. “Ya know getting shot doesn’t hurt as much as I thought it would,” he laughed at his own joke. Maria kissed him soundly on the lips. She had been wanting to do that since this had happened to him. He kissed her back eagerly. The kiss would have continued, but Liz’s disgusted groan broke them up.

Maria turned to her, about to say something about what she would have to endure when Liz was with Max in front of her, but then remembered the situation, and decided that it probably wouldn’t be wise at the moment. Some footsteps sounded from outside the tent and Maria jumped off Michael’s lap hurriedly and he ran his fingers through his hair, as if to make himself look less guilty.

It was Lieutenant Kuttner, one of the officers who was at the camp with them. He was replacing Sergeant Major Evans since she wasn’t here. “Sergeant Guerin, how are you feeling?”

“I’m okay, L.T.,” Michael assured him. “What’s up?”

“There’s something going on, but obviously I can’t send you,” he said looking at Michael’s crutches. “So I’m going to need you to gather a couple volunteers to go on this mission for us.”

“What mission, sir?” Michael didn’t like the idea of having to send his soldiers out without his supervision, but the officer was right. What could he do?

“Search and Rescue...”

Michael’s eyes widened. “What happened? Why would they ask us? We’re Finance.” Michael didn’t know what was happening. Search and Rescue? This shit was for combat soldiers.

“Two Special Forces soldiers went down in an Apache on the outskirts of Samara. We’re the closest to them and we need to be the ones to get them outta there. We may be Finance, Sgt. Guerin, but you know we’re soldiers first. So I’ll need two of yours. There’s a Blackhawk leaving in about seven minutes. Hurry up.” That said, the officer left the tent and when Michael turned back around, he saw Liz packing her ruck sack.

“Aw hell no!”

“What, Guerin? You need soldiers, I’m willing to do it,” Liz told him as she continued packing.

“You mean you’re willing to get yourself killed! After what just happened in that firefight, I don’t wanna be to one accompanying your body back to Roswell, New Mexico...or at least what’ll be left of it.” Michael was flaming. There was no way he was going to allow Liz to do this mission. He watched as she blatantly ignored him and walked out of the tent, headed for the chopper.

“Parker! Parker, I order you to get your ass back here now!” He tried to go after her, but his leg protested and he had to sit back down. “Dammit!” Maria helped him sit back down. “She can’t go out there, Maria, she’ll get herself killed.”

“I’ll go with her,” Maria said instantly.

“What?! No!!” Michael shouted.

“Look, if I’m with her, I can keep an eye on her and make sure she stays safe,” Maria reasoned as she began packing a ruck of her own.

“But what about you?” he asked, fearful for her.

“Aww...you’re so cute,” she nuzzled his cheek. “I’ll be fine, Michael. Don’t worry.” She kissed him fiercely. She winked and sauntered out of the tent.

Michael laid his head back on her cot and closed his eyes. This sucked! He hadn’t meant to send Maria and Liz out there. In fact, he had wanted to send guys. But now Maria and Liz would have to do because without Maria, god only knew what would happen to Liz. Something was going on with that girl and he didn’t know what, but he did know that the only reason Liz insisted on taking this mission was because she had a death wish.

TBC...
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Luzser1800
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Post by Luzser1800 »

CHAPTER 39

AN: Okay, to be completely honest, I’m not really sure if females are even allowed to fly in Apaches, but it was relevant, so please don’t beat me up about it if I’m wrong. Thank you!

Liz and Maria made it to the chopper as the propellers were twisting in the air. They threw their ruck sacks inside. A hand reached out to help Liz in first. Liz took the hand and looked up as the same hand was helping Maria in.

Whitman!” Maria squealed in delight.

“What’s up, DeLuca?”

“Did you volunteer too?” Maria asked, excitedly.

“Sure did! Can’t let my girls go without me now!” He smiled that toothy grin at her and Liz. Maria and Alex watched as the Blackhawk rose off the ground, and Liz laid her head down on her rucksack, closing her eyes. Alex looked at Maria, confused.

Maria leaned in close to him so he could hear what she was going to say over the loud noises of the aircraft. “We need to keep an eye on that one, Whitman.”

“What’s the matter with her?” he asked, concerned.

Maria opened her mouth, wanting to tell him the truth, but she couldn’t betray Liz’s trust, so she just said, “It’s like she’s given up.”

Alex knew that war could get to people badly, and he also had seen too many people “give up” at times. He looked over at Liz with her head down, obviously very tired, and vowed to himself that he wouldn’t let anything happen to her.

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

“Mom...” Max said as he saw his mother enter the bedroom with Kyle following closely behind her.

“Hi, baby,” she went to him and took her baby boy into her arms. Kyle backed out of the room silently, wanting them to have some privacy.

Max sobbed into his mother’s breast, wanting her to take his pain away like she had been able to do when he was a little boy. “Mom...it hurts...”

“I know, baby.” She held him tightly and stroked his raven hair. “Don’t worry, I’m gonna make this better for you, okay?” She put his face in her palms as watched his eyes cloud over. “Okay?” she asked again.

He nodded and burrowed into her chest again. “I want Liz, Mom. I want Liz.” Diane closed her eyes and felt a tear slip through, down her cheek, her heart breaking into tiny pieces for him.

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

Michael grabbed the phone from the desk where it was ringing. He was out of breath when he finally got there. “Finance, Sergeant Guerin speaking, how may I help you, sir, ma’am?”

“Sgt. Guerin, this is Sergeant Major Evans, I need to speak to Sergeant Parker immediately.”

“She’s on a mission, Sergeant Major.”

“What kind of mission?”

“S and R.” Michael couldn’t be anymore specific than that over the phone. Anyone could be listening.

“How come you didn’t go, she’s your soldier?”

“I got in shot in the leg in the last firefight.”

“Are you alright?” Diane was now concerned for him.
“I’m fine. It grazed me. But I’m on crutches, so I couldn’t go,” Michael explained.

“When will she be back?” Diane cut right to the chase.

“I’m not sure, Sergeant Major, they just left. Is something going on?”

“Yes, I want her home, now.”

“Did something happen?”

“I can’t go into it right now. When she gets back, you tell her to pack her shit and get home. I’ll take care of the arrangements,” Diane said quickly.

“You mean if she gets back,” Michael grumbled under his breath, but Diane had heard him all the same.

“What do you mean by that?” Diane asked, now very concerned.

Michael lost it then. “I didn’t even want to send her, Sergeant Major, she only wanted it because she’s determined to get herself killed!”

“Oh my God, she got it,” Diane said, referring to the “gift” sent by her callous husband. She still wasn’t sure what it was, but it definitely couldn’t be good if Liz wanted to die because of it. She regained her composure and ordered, “Get a hold of them, Sergeant. I don’t care how, just do it! Tell Parker that it isn’t what she thinks it is! Do you understand me?”

“Isn’t what she thinks what is?” Michael asked, exasperated.

“Just do it! And when she gets back you get her on a plane! Understood?!”

“Yes, Sergeant Major,” Michael conceded. He hung up the phone and got on the radio.

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

Liz hopped out of the Blackhawk as the meat in-between an Alex and Maria sandwich. Maria watched their back while Alex watched the front, their weapons drawn at the ready. Iraqis were firing guns all around them and Alex popped a few shots off to let them all know that these soldiers meant business.

Loud gunshots sounded from all sides of the downed Apache where two limp bodies hung out of each open side. “Get em outta there, Parker, hurry!”

Liz quickly ran over and assessed the situation. The woman was slumped against the dash, one leg dangling on the side. The woman’s curly blonde hair was caked with dried blood making Liz wonder just how long they had been there. Both the man and woman seemed to be unconscious. Their name tags read Harding.

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

“Max, what did Phillip send to Liz?” Diane asked once Max had calmed down a bit.

“What? He sent something to Liz? I don’t...” Max was clueless as to what Phillip could have possibly sent to her.

“Max...” Diane didn’t want to tell him the whole truth, considering how much pain he was in already, so she decided to sugarcoat it as best she could. “She’s very upset, Max.”

Max’s teeth grinded together and his breathing grew harsh. “What did he do to her?”

“I honestly have no idea and that’s why I’m asking you. All I know is that she’s in a lot of pain and she’s not thinking clearly.”

“Not thinking clearly?! Thinking clearly is the only thing she needs to be doing right now!”

Diane asked Max what was on her mind. “Max...do you think it’s possible that Phillip wrote a letter to Liz or something about what happened between you and Tess?”

Max automatically cringed at the thought. The fact that his beautiful dream about Liz had been turned into some tryst with a dirty slut made his blood boil. He ran shaky fingers through his hair. He wished he had his medication because he was nearly losing it. “Yeah, I guess,” he said. “Mom, if her head isn’t in the right place out there...” Max couldn’t even finish his thought. It was too ugly a place for him to go and his mind didn’t need to be worse. His cradled his tired head in his hands and rubbed his palms over his bloodshot eyes.

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

Liz hoisted the unconscious female over her shoulder in a typical fireman carry and ran with her to the Blackhawk. As she placed the woman down, just looking at how horrible death could be, she realized in that moment that she didn’t want that for herself.

“They’re closing in on us!” Maria panicked. Iraqis began to push closer to them.

“Just keep poppin shots at em! Don’t let em get too close!” Alex yelled from the front as he tried to keep them at bay.

“I can’t lift him, Whitman! I need help!” Liz yelled to Alex.

Alex looked back and realized just what kind of situation Liz was in and knew he needed to act fast. “Cover me!” Liz and Alex switched positions. As Liz looked straight ahead, dead into the hazel eyes of an insurgent with an AK-47 ready to take her out, her pain and anguish over the Max situation quickly turned her from suicidal...to homicidal. BANG!

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

Phillip Evans pulled the rental car over outside the Harding home. He noticed the open window and knew that his partner in crime would most likely be inside. He got out of the car and went into the house, not surprised to find the door unlocked.

He noticed that it was very cold inside the house. The Hardings had probably turned off all the utilities, so they wouldn’t have a bill since no one would be there anyway. What a strange turn of events this was.

He went into the living room, where he found the young girl on the couch in a fetal position, curled up inside a tiny blanket, asleep, yet still shivering from the cold. He sat down next to her and waited only a moment until she began to stir, sensing a presence.

“What do you want?” she said fearfully as she clutched the blanket to her chest.

“Looks like we’ve both been rejected by everyone we loved.”

“This is all your fault!” she spat at him venomously.

“Oh please! Get over yourself.” She shrank back when he moved closer to her. “Come on, Tess. You and I are in the same boat now. We should be on our way back to shore together.”

Tess looked up at the man and knew that he was right. She had nowhere to go, and neither did he. So when he got up to leave the house, she followed him.

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

WHITMAN!!” Maria screamed when she saw Liz go down.

Alex dropped the man into the chopper and turned to see what Maria had yelled about. He saw Liz on the ground, and insurgents beginning to close in on her body. “DeLuca, keep them away from her!” Alex took off in a dead run to get to Liz.

Maria pulled the trigger furiously as she put insurgents down from all sides, keeping them from getting too close to Liz. Maria knew what they would do if they got a hold of her. They’d tear her limbs off and parade her through the streets. Maria would be damned if she let it happen.

Alex picked up his fallen comrade, noticing the dead insurgent next to her body that Liz had managed to take down before she herself went with him, trusting Maria to keep them from getting to him, too. He carried Liz to the helicopter and placed her down gently before getting in himself. The Blackhawk lifted off the ground, taking the American soldiers to safety.

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

“Where’s your father, Kyle?” Diane asked when she came into the kitchen to get Max some water.

“On gate guard,” Kyle said simply.

“When will he be back?”

“Tomorrow afternoon.”

“Let’s all go back to my house. None of us should be alone tonight.”

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

“Oh my God, Parker!” Maria panicked as soon as she saw the blood coming off Liz. Maria pulled at Liz’s belt, opening the little package with the field dressing in it. She yanked Liz’s top off so she could find out where the blood was coming from.

“Whitman, oh my God, I don’t know if I can do this! There’s so much blood!”

“You can do this, DeLuca!” Alex reassured her quickly and as calmly as he could muster. There wasn’t much time. “This is what we train for, remember?”

“Parker!” Maria stared down into Liz’s pale face. “Parker! Open your eyes! I have something important to tell you.” Liz didn’t stir. “It’s about Max!” Maria knew that would get her attention if nothing else. And she was right.

Liz’s eyes fluttered to half-mast as she fell into her roommate’s frightened green eyes.

“Sergeant Major Evans called and said to tell you that it isn’t what you think it is.” Maria watched as Liz said nothing. “Max didn’t cheat on you, I’m sure of it.”

Liz’s breathing hitched as she threw back. “You’re still...holding on to that?” Maria went to ask her why else there would be a reason for Diane to call, but she didn’t get the chance. Liz’s eyes rolled back up inside her head and she fell unconscious.

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

Liz woke up in a world that she knew was not her own. It was bright, and blinding. It wasn’t the dense desert and there was no warfare. There were no gunshots or mortar rounds. She realized she was laying on the floor and mist covered her as if in a graveyard...or a dream.

When she picked herself up, she heard someone come up behind her. Strong arms snaked around her waist and held her close. She would know that scent anywhere. It was all Max. A kiss fell onto her naked shoulder and she realized she was wearing a stark white dress. It wasn’t at all revealing. It was an actual dress that came down to her feet. She was barefoot and she turned into the arms of her beloved.

He wore a suit that matched her dress. He was also barefoot. He was radiating. “I was beginning to think you were never going to wake up,” he smiled sexily at her.

“Is this heaven?” Liz whispered reverently.

“Do you want it to be?” he asked in all seriousness.

“Do I get to be with you?” She looked into his beautiful eyes and he favored her with that gorgeous grin.

“No matter where we are Liz...I’ll always be with you. Don’t ever doubt that.” He kissed the top of her head as she sighed and leaned into his chest. Their bodies swayed to the song that seemed to be on loop in their heads because it embodied their entire relationship and Liz held him close, breathing him in.

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


“I’ve missed you so much,” Liz backed up to look at his face.

“God, me too,” he kissed her lips.

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


“I love you, Max.”

“I love you, too, Liz. Forever.”

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


Liz’s pain chose that moment to rear it’s ugly head as she remembered all that had happened. “Then why did you sleep with her?” she asked desperately, wanting him to prove her wrong.

“It isn’t what you think,” he said simply.

“Why does everyone keep saying that?” Liz asked grimly.

Max looked deep into her eyes at that moment. “Look inside your heart, love...is it even possible?”

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 knew the answer in that moment. She kissed him with wild abandon. Her skin itched to be close to him. She pulled at his clothes and Max stopped her with his hands. He placed a kiss into her open palm and swiped one of his hands over the both of them.

When Liz looked again, there was a bed of red and white roses at their feet, and they were fully bared for each other.

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


Max laid her down gently on the soft rose petals and he went down with her, fluttering his open lips over her upper body. His hands explored her, feather light touches as he looked at her as if she was an angel. As if she was the most glorious thing he had ever laid eyes on.

“You are,” he said as he planted his lips over her throat.

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


Liz didn’t need an explanation. He had read her thoughts and she just knew for some reason that this was the way it was here. He could see inside her and she could see inside him. It was the most wonderful feeling.

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


There were no reservations between them. Liz could feel Max’s love for her. It came off of him in waves, but now she could see inside his soul. And looking into his soul, all she could see was herself. There was no doubt in her mind how this man felt about her.

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


He was inside her instantly, making love to her with his mind, body, and soul. There was no one else in his life, and Liz just knew it. She sent him waves of love and devotion in return for his own. She held onto him as if letting go would kill her.

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

Faith Hill - Love Will Always Win

The whole room flashed a bright, white light as Max and Liz’s passion erupted finally. His eyes bore down into hers and she knew in that moment, he was trying to tell her silently how much he loved her. How they had to fight for this. That they had been through so much already and she couldn’t let this crumble their love. That in the end, their love would conquer all. Their love would always win.

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

Diane’s cell phone rang as she was gathering the boys and leaving the Valenti home. “Evans,” she answered as Kyle locked the door.

“Sergeant Major Evans?” It was Sergeant Guerin. He was frantic.

“What is it?” she asked him, fearful from the tone of his voice.

“Parker’s been shot.” Diane dropped the phone, her expression anguished, and Max ran over to pick it up.

“What did you just say to her?!” he demanded into the line.

“Who’s this?!”

“Oh God, Liz...” Diane’s voice trembled.

“What happened to Liz?!” Max yelled into the phone.

“There was a call over the radio, they’re bringing her back right now. She’s been shot.” The line went dead as Max’s worst fears were realized.

TBC...
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Luzser1800
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Post by Luzser1800 »

AN: I told you guys it would be soon and as promised, here it is. It's a little short, but I owe you guys a new part, so...

CHAPTER 40

Beep...Beep...Beep...Beep...That’s the sound Liz woke up to. “Hey, Parker,” Maria sat loyally at her bedside. “How are you feeling?”

“What happened?” Liz’s voice cracked. Her throat was really dry and she hadn’t even realized it until she had tried to use it.

“Here,” Maria said as she handed Liz a plastic bathroom cup of water. Liz tried to use her left hand to take it from her, but realized quickly that she couldn’t move her arm. She looked over and saw it wrapped up. That’s when she realized she was in a hospital bed and they were dripping fluids into her so she wouldn’t dehydrate. She shot Maria a questioning look.

“You took a gunshot to your shoulder. Medic says either you passed out from blood loss...” then Maria smirked, “or due to the sight of blood getting to you.”

Liz took a sip of the water, her throat instantly feeling better. “Yeah, it was probably the latter.”

Maria smiled at her and shook her head. “How can you be so tough and faint at the sight of blood?”

Liz smiled back. “Thankfully, you don’t. Thank you, Maria.”

Maria smiled proudly. “Yeah, you should have seen me. I had to go all GI Jane, wrapping you up and keeping you comfortable so you wouldn’t go into shock. It was almost like playing soldier...” then her smile dropped and she became serious. “Only it was real. Whitman had to walk me through it. He’ll be here soon to check up on you. How are you feeling now?”

“Fine,” Liz shook her head slightly, “and a little loopy.”

“It’s the drugs, you’ll be aight,” Maria snickered. “Max has been calling like crazy. You’ve got him scared to death.” A small smile tugged at Liz’s lips knowing Max was so worried about her.

“Did you...” Maria finished her thought.

“Yeah, don’t worry about it. I told him you’ll be fine. He probably won’t relax, though, until you call him.”

“I’m tired,” Liz said as her eyes slipped closed.

“I’ll let Sergeant Major Evans know.”

“Know what?” Liz inquired.

“She wants to put you on a Mack Flight and get you home.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know.” Liz gave Maria a disbelieving look. Maria put her hands up in self-defense. “Really, I know nothing. Everybody just seems so somber when I talk to them. You had us all really scared, Parker. You nearly got yourself killed.”

“I just wasn’t thinking,” Liz said.

“No, you weren’t!” Maria reiterated. “I realize you’re in a lot of pain, but you can’t put yourself in danger because of it. You’re lucky that insurgent hit your shoulder because you hit him first.”

“I did?”

“Yeah. You put a bullet in his head and as he was going down, he pulled the trigger and got your shoulder.”

“Just what I need,” she replied. Now she had officially killed someone else. She didn't want to talk about it anymore. “When am I supposed to leave?”

“Soon as you’re up to it, girl. Just get some rest, okay?” Liz nodded lazily and went back to sleep.

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

“Max, stop calling them. I’m sure nothing has changed.” Diane told her son when she noticed him pacing the kitchen with the cell phone to his ear.

How the hell do you know?!” He snapped. Diane didn’t even flinch at his outburst. She was used to them by now. Then he took a deep breath. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, Max.” Diane went to hold him. She pried the phone from his death grip and flipped it shut. “I know how you feel, but she was shot in the shoulder, Max, it’s hardly a fatal wound.”

“I just want her here, Mom. I want to hold her and see for myself that she’s alright.”

“I know, baby, and you will. But for right now, we have to give her some time to heal medically.” Max nodded stiffly, knowing his mother was right. He swiped at the tears that had fallen onto his cheeks. Kyle came into the kitchen then.

“Maria’s online.”

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

How is she? Max typed.

She just woke up, but fell back asleep. She’s fine, Max.

Thank God. When is she gonna come home?

I dunno. She needs sum time 2 rest.

Tell her I miss her.
He thought about that and then added, And that I luv her.

Maria replied quickly. If U luv her so much, why’d U cheat on her?

I didn’t! It’s all a big misunderstanding.

I saw the video, Max, it was kinda hard 2 misunderstand.

What video?


Maria didn’t reply for another minute or so. Look, I gotta go. I’ll keep U posted, k.

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

Liz held the phone to her ear as Maria sat quietly by her side. “Hi, Max.”

“Oh, God, baby, don’t ever scare me like that again.”

“Sorry,” Liz mumbled.

“I love you, Liz. I’m so sorry about what happened.”

“Which part?” Liz asked bitterly. “The part where you were unfaithful or the part where I had to watch it on DVD?”

“That’s what he sent you?” Max knew it would be bad and he hated his father even more for the pain he had caused Liz. Now he understood what Maria had been talking about. “Liz, it isn’t what you think,” he said, desperately. “I swear. I was drunk and my dad told Tess that I wanted her. I thought I was dreaming of you. I swear to you, Liz.”

“I trusted you. Before I left, I gave you an out. I told you that we could break up and that way we wouldn’t be hurt. You wouldn’t accept it. Why should I believe you now?”

“Because it’s the truth! I swear it! I love you. I didn’t take you up on your offer because there was no reason to. I would never cheat on you. Consciously, anyway!” Max yelled into the phone, hoping that maybe if his voice was louder it would penetrate her deeper. He lowered his voice then, not wanting to scare her. “Baby...” Max didn’t know what else he could say.

“I just need some time, Max...”

He cut her off. “I know you do. I want you to get better and heal...”

“I’m not talking about the gunshot, Max.” There was silence while Max waited for her to finish. “I’m talking about the broken heart.” She hung up before he could say anything else. She knew it wouldn’t take long for him to have her falling back into his arms and she wasn’t ready for that yet.

Neither one of them knew it at the time, but once they had both hung up, they clung to each other the only way they knew how. Max reached for the tag around his neck while Liz fiddled with the ring.

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

“Mom, you can’t send her to jail,” Max reasoned.

“Why the hell not?! She raped you, Max! We can’t let her get away with it!”

“There’s no evidence. It happened so long ago, there’s no proof anymore. Even the scratch on my back is gone. By now, there’s no way to prove she ever touched me.”

Diane stood stark still for a minute, and cocked her head as she looked into her son’s face, her eyes shining with pride.

“What?” Max asked, uncomfortably.

“Ever thought about law school?” Max snickered and for once, her decision for his future made sense.

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

Diane handed Max the photo she had guarded with her life for so long. Max could swear he was looking into a mirror looking at the picture. The man had the same color eyes, hair, and even his bone structure looked the same. His mother was in the picture, too, and he would recognize the look on her face anywhere. It was the same look Liz gave him whenever he looked at her. It was pure love.

“You’re the spitting image of him. So much of you is so much like him.”

“How come you never told me about him?”

“I didn’t want to hurt you with the information. He was already dead and whether you knew about him or not, you would never know him. I felt it would be easier for you if you didn’t know.”

Max looked into her eyes and understood all that she was saying. He silently asked himself if he would have felt better knowing about a father he could never meet, or not knowing and never having to wonder. He understood where his mother was coming from and he loved her for trying to protect him.

“Did you love him more than Dad?” Max didn’t know why he posed the question, but something inside of him wanted to know.

“I loved Phillip very much. But Damon...was the love of my life. I could fall in love a hundred more times, and all would pale in comparison.” Max nodded slowly, knowing exactly what that was like. He may only be seventeen, but he knew what true love was, and he had it with Liz. If she ever forgave him, that is. But even if she didn’t, there would never be anyone else for him.

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

“Sergeant Major, he lied to me. He told me he didn’t know where that scratch had come from, and it was all too obvious.”

“He had no idea what was happening to him, Liz. He was intoxicated and my husband used that against him.”

“I’m so sick of hearing that total bullshit! You can’t use being drunk as an excuse!” Liz was seething. If every man in the world got away with that excuse, women would be abused constantly.

Diane remained calm, though. “You’re absolutely right. That’s exactly what I said when he first told me. But that was before I had the whole story.” Liz sighed loudly, waiting for her to continue. “He was having an...” a blush stained her cheeks, “a dream. And in it, he was with you. He was too drunk to fight back or even realize that it was happening in real life. That girl raped him.”

“How is it possible to rape a man?! If he isn’t turned on, he can’t get it up! If he is turned on, it isn’t rape!” Liz knew right after she said it that it was biased and unfair. But she was angry and irrational was all she could be right now.

“Liz, I’m not even going to justify that statement with a reply.” Liz closed her eyes and rubbed at her throbbing temples. Then Diane started talking again. “He’s miserable, Liz. He was violated by a man who was supposed to love him unconditionally, and a girl he thought was his friend. I’ve done all I can, but...he needs you.” Liz couldn’t help the small smile. “Now are you going to get on that plane, or am I going to have to go through all the appropriate channels to get you discharged from Iraq?”

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

Meanwhile, in a cheesy motel across town...

“Now, you know what you have to do, right?” Phillip went over the plan once more.

“How do you even know they’re gonna believe us?”

“Oh they’ll believe it. I know them two. They’re too wounded to see straight right now. You could walk in there and tell them the sky is green and they’d go outside to check.” Phillip smirked at how clever he could be sometimes.

Tess didn’t know what the hell she was getting herself into. All she knew was that because of Phillip, she now had a full belly and it was warm in this motel. But she didn’t like what she was about to do and thought long and hard about running. But she didn’t have any idea where she would go. Her parents were at war and her only friends hated her.

“Fine, I’ll do it. But I don’t think it’s gonna work.”

“Don’t worry about that. Just do as I tell ya,” Phillip sneered and the two got ready for bed. Their plan would be underway the next morning if everything went as planned.

TBC...
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Luzser1800
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Post by Luzser1800 »

CHAPTER 41

Liz took her seat on the plane with her left arm in a sling, a jumble of emotions. She was feeling so many different things and was having a hard time trying to figure out exactly which emotions were running through her. She knew she was nervous, and it was about seeing Max again, but she didn’t know why. Max had never made her nervous, not even when she had been throwing herself at him the first night they had met. She was also still a little upset about what had happened with Max and that blonde cum-guzzling gutter slut. Liz always knew that name was appropriate the first time she had thought it, even though she had felt bad about it at first.

She had just talked to Diane this morning and knew that if she didn’t go home soon, that Diane would find a way to get her there anyway, so there was no more hiding for her or Max. She actually did feel sorry for Max because of what had happened to him. A part of her wanted to run into his arms and crush him to her to protect him from anything else in this big, bad world. Another part of her wanted to be furious with him for not realizing that he had been having sex with someone who wasn’t her.

Liz couldn’t believe how much it had hurt her. She had thought hard about this happening before the deployment and figured that she would be able to get over it. It was so much easier to tell herself that before she had actually experienced it. The video had hurt her so much she had felt like a part of her died when she watched it. She knew then that love was nothing compared to what she felt for Max Evans.

And so she had fallen apart, unable to see straight. She knew that all she had done was foolish and selfish, but everything had been so dark and Liz couldn’t seem to cope. She had just wanted the pain to end. And she had been completely wrong and she knew it, but at the time, she felt she had nothing left to live for. Max Evans was her universe now, and if she lost him she knew she would surely die.

Learning that Max was practically raped actually made her feel better. It had seemed to numb the pain, knowing that he had been completely out of it. But it still didn’t take away the fact that it had happened. She hadn’t talked to Max since she had told him to let her heal and she was grateful that he was giving her the space she needed. But at this moment, she was wishing he had called today.

Today was her 20th birthday and she wanted to hear his voice. She knew she had asked him to leave her alone, but it was still her birthday and she wanted what she wanted. And right now, she wanted Max. She had talked to her parents this morning and they had wished her a happy birthday. Even Maria and Michael had mentioned it before she got on the plane. But Max didn’t even call. She leaned her head against the little plastic window as the pilot told the cabin to turn off all electronic devices.

Liz dug into her pocket and flipped up her cell phone to turn it off. Just as she was about to hit the button, it buzzed a small vibration. NEW MESSAGE. A smile began to tug as she clicked the button to see what it was.

Didn’t want 2 cross the line w/a phone call, but I had to tell U Happy B-Day, Baby. I’ll luv U 4eva. And there was a little smiley face making kisses at her on the screen.

She smiled and turned the phone off. That was all she had needed. The jumbling emotions seemed to fade away as she laid her head down for a rest as the plane was taking off.

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

Liz’s dream was a little disorienting, but one thing was for sure. It was Max’s room. She was standing in his doorway and everything beyond that was fogged out. She couldn’t see anything past her nose.

Liz waved her hands to remove the white smoke as she stepped further into the room. That’s when she noticed the bed...and the bodies writhing together on top of the sheets. Brown hair and blonde hair tangled together as the two were in a torrid embrace.

Tears began to fall from Liz’s eyes as she realized what she was witnessing. It was the same as the DVD. Max and his slut coming together right before her very eyes. Liz didn’t want to watch anymore, but she couldn’t turn away. The dream wouldn’t allow it.

She listened as Max told the girl how much he loved her and that there was no one else in his life. She watched as he gently rubbed and kneaded her upper body. She cried as he nibbled and sucked on her exposed neck.

She collapsed to the floor on her knees, unable to scream, no matter how much she wanted to. That’s when the two lovers on the bed stopped their movements and turned to her, as if they had heard her silent cries.

Max and the girl looked into Liz’s eyes, smiles lighting their features. The blonde was the first to speak. “Isn’t he gorgeous?” she bragged. “He’s everything a woman could ever want.” She turned back to Max and saw his eyes shining with pride. “Thanks so much for leaving when you did. You left him wide open for me to step right in.”

“I’m sorry, Liz. It just took too long for you to get back. I have needs, ya know.” He turned back to the whore in his arms and they continued to make love while Liz sat on her knees, as if trying to prove to her how good they were together.

Liz’s mouth hung open as the big-breasted bimbo uttered her next words. “Not that it would have mattered. You could have stayed, and he still would have come to me. There’s not much of a comparison between us, now is there?” The bitch even had the nerve to sit up, displaying her perfect body for Liz.

At this point, the dream seemed to let go of Liz, and she took the opportunity to clench her jaw as she sat up quickly, making a grab for the blonde hair. She pulled the bitch’s head back to see into her eyes as she growled, “Get off him, you psycho douche-bag!” As quick as lightening, Tess had been flung by her hair across the room, her body slamming into the nearest wall.

Liz stalked toward the fallen girl, ready to show her exactly how different they were, and how much better Liz knew she was, when she felt Max’s gentle hand on her back. She turned and looked directly into his golden eyes. A bright light flickered between them, the light bulb in his room busting out and shattering bits of glass over the two of them.


Liz’s head bounced off the plastic window and her eyes opened. She noticed immediately that she was still on the plane and her shoulder stung from when she had awoken violently. That dream had sucked!

It almost made her want to scream at the pilot to turn this plane around because Iraq had been way better than what she could be walking into when she saw Max again. She shook her head, trying to clear it of those thoughts.

It was only a dream. Max wouldn’t do that to her in real life. He was too loving. Even if he really felt that way, he would never tell her in that manner. As she thought about it, she remembered the look in Max’s eyes when he had told her she wasn’t good enough for him to wait for. His eyes had always betrayed him, and in the dream, there was still no doubt.

When he had placed his hand on her back, and she had turned to look into his eyes, it was as if her subconscious was twisting the nightmare for her, wanting her to see his eyes, because they would prove the truth. Liz knew that if Max didn’t love her, he wouldn’t have spent Christmas with her. He wouldn’t have just less than an hour ago, sent a message to her phone about her birthday. He wouldn’t be in such a bad way while she was angry with him now. And he sure as hell wouldn’t be waiting for her to come to him right this very instant.

Max didn’t love that girl. His eyes had been lying. His eyes had only displayed love when he had turned to her. Liz was no moron and the dream was lying to her. It had taken her darkest fears and twisted them for her own displeasure. The dream was trying to torture Liz. The dream was a part of Liz, and her feelings, which would give verifiable proof that she wouldn’t lie to herself. And yet, even deep inside of her, the dream told her the truth. The dream flashed his eyes against her brain once more and she knew what had to be done. It was time to open up a can of whip-ass on that little bitch! And Liz would definitely be ready for it.

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

“What the hell happened to the car?!” Phillip all but screamed at Tess. The rental was smoking uncontrollably and Tess was wafting away the gray and black smoke with her hand.

“I don’t know. All I did was start it up.”

“Jesus!” He yelled as he stormed back inside the room to make a phone call. Now his plans were shot and he would have to wait until the car was fixed or he got a new one before putting his plan into effect.

Tess watched him go back inside, a smile on her face, proud of her meddling. She knew that this wouldn’t stop his plan, only delay it for a bit, but she hoped it was long enough for Max and his mom to be ready for it.

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

Diane answered the phone on the first ring as she was getting a bottle of water anyway. “Yup!” as all she said in greetings.

“Mrs. Evans...”

“Oh it’s you! What the hell do you want, Tess?”

“I just want to let you know that Phillip rented a car and he’s coming to see you and Max...”

“You tell Phillip, Tess...as a matter of fact...I only have one thing to say to either of you. BRING.. IT.. ON!!” Diane slammed the phone down on the wall, and walked away, cursing under her breath.

Diane came into the living room with a bottle of water to see Max already there, strumming his new guitar. He was so engrossed in the tune he was playing that he hadn’t heard her come in. She just watched him for a minute. His eyes were closed and she listened to him sing softly.

Summer has come and passed, the innocent can never last. Wake me up, when September ends.” Just as he finished the lyric, he looked up and gave his mother a wry smile. “Just playing around.”

Diane came and sat down next to him. “I had no idea you were so into music. If I had known, I would have bought you a guitar a long time ago.” Diane suddenly realized just how well she hadn’t known her only son. She was always so busy.

“You’ve been working really hard for a long time, Mom. I understand that.” He held the guitar close as he continued to pluck at the delicate strings.

“I’m so sorry, Max.” He turned to look at her. “I wish I had been there for you better.”

“Mom, it’s okay. I understand that being in the Army isn’t just a job...it’s a way of life. And you wouldn’t have gotten as far as you have if you hadn’t have worked so hard for it.” Diane felt tears come to her eyes and how sweet he was. “I’m proud of you.” Diane tears fell down her face as she grabbed for Max as best she could with the guitar between them. He let her hold him and cry on him before she pulled back.

“Liz should be here soon.”

“I know.” Max was really nervous. He put the guitar on the couch and began pacing the living room.

“What’s the matter, Max?”

“What if she hates me? Not that I would blame her.”

“If she hated you, it wouldn’t have been so easy to get her to come home. I explained everything to her and I think she understands what happened.” Max’s eyes lit up with hope, and Diane hated to squash that, but she had to be straight with him. “But...she’s definitely going to need some time. Even though it wasn’t your fault, it still happened, and she’s going to need to get past that. Just, please, don’t smother her, Max.”

“I won’t,” he said quickly and Diane gave him an unconvinced look. “I’ll try to give her space. I won’t smother her.”

“Good boy. Now, try to relax, because she’ll be here any minute.”

“You’re right,” he said. He took a couple of deep calming breaths and sat down on the couch. But he couldn’t possibly sit still knowing that his angel would be in his presence soon. He got up and began pacing the living room carpet once more.

Diane almost got off the couch to tell him about Tess’s phone call, but then, the doorbell rang.

“I’ll get it,” Kyle yelled as he came flying down the stairs. He opened the door with a smirk on his face, prepared for Liz Parker, but unprepared for who was actually standing there. It was Phillip Evans and Tess Harding. He quickly went to slam the door back in their face without a word, but the older man overpowered him and pushed it backwards, nearly throwing Kyle into the wall. “You’re not welcome here anymore!” Kyle called out as the pair marched past him into the living room.

Kyle ran behind them and he watched from the sidelines as Phillip faced Diane with fire dancing in his eyes. In fact, everyone was pretty pissed except for the little blonde girl, who seemed awfully nervous.

“Sorry, I’m late. We had some car troubles.” He shot a murderous look at Tess, who seemed to cower under his gaze. Tess had known it wouldn’t delay the inevitable for too long, but she had hoped it would have taken longer. All Phillip had done was called the car rental place and they had dropped a new car off to him within an hour, towing away the broken down car that Tess had managed to sabotage, and sputtering apologies the entire time.

“What do you want, Phillip? I thought I made it pretty clear that...” Diane was cut off by her husband.

“That I was not welcome and blah blah blah! Well, the two of us have some pretty big news and we were just dying to share it with you two, weren’t we, Tess?” His tone was one of sarcasm and he nudged Tess with his elbow to continue.

All eyes were on Tess as she kept her head down, refusing to say it. Phillip nudged her again, silently telling her with his eyes not to defy him. She raised her eyes to his and he soon realized he would have to tell the story himself. “It seems Tess here is a little shy. I’ll just have to deliver the big news myself.” He put his arm around her shoulders and said directly to Diane. “I want a divorce.”

Without skipping a beat, Diane said, “Granted. Now get out!”

“Oh, that’s not all,” he sneered. He pulled Tess closer to his body. “There’s more, isn’t there, honey?”

“Oh, you’ve gotta be shittin me!” Diane yelled. She looked between the two of them.

"Oh yes, Diane, this is for real," he smiled cheekily and he hugged Tess closer still. “You've been replaced." Phillip stared down at his "former" wife.

“You two are...” She couldn’t even say it. It was absolutely revolting, and the look on her face proved it.

Phillip's mannerisms remained neutral. He had only wanted to hurt Diane with the knowledge that he'd moved onto another woman. But hurt was not what she was feeling, obviously, and that pissed him off. That meant it was time for Plan B.

“What’s wrong, Diane? You don’t seem to have a problem with your teenage son dating one of your soldiers.” Tess looked up, the light dawning on Max’s need to keep his relationship so secret. This was the information she had wanted for so long on this mystery girl. The reason she had always been this big secret, and why Kyle was in on it cuz of that best-friend bond thing. Now she understood the inside jokes between he and Kyle lately. She understood the goofy look in Max’s eyes whenever her name was said in passing. Now she understood how in love he was with this girl, or 19 year old woman, now that she knows the truth.

“They’re three years apart, Phillip! Not 40!”

Kyle actually laughed through his hand at that. When everyone looked at him, he began coughing loudly, embarrassed at his reaction. “I had a...” he cleared his throat loudly as if to explain himself away. Everyone turned back to front, watching Tess and Phillip.

“Oh, but you haven’t heard the best news, yet,” Phillip declared, slapping his hands together.

“That wasn’t it?” Max asked with an anguished look on his face.

“No, I believe that was the gross news.” Everyone turned to Kyle again, to shut him up and he held up his hands in mock defense.

“It seems Tess here has a little one on the way.” He put his hand on her flat tummy for effect.

“Another miracle child, Phillip?” Diane asked sarcastically.

“Oh no,” he said, unfazed by her tone. “It seems I got shafted on this one, too.” He looked Diane squarely in the eyes as he capped his last statement. “But at least I know the truth this time.” Diane narrowed her eyes at him. Max turned to Kyle.

Kyle started shaking his head like crazy. “Hey, don’t look at me. We didn’t get that far! No, no.”

“That’s bullshit!” Max yelled. “There’s no fucking way!” He advanced on the two, his fists clenching at his sides. “There’s no way that’s my baby! I won’t accept it!”

“Then you’ll be a dead-beat dad, just like your real father.”

Diane was about ready to knock his ass into next week, but Max beat her to it. Max towered over him as best he could, his eyes blazing and his teeth clenched. “My father died serving his country. Which is a lot nicer than the way you’re about to die.”

“Are you threatening me, Max?” Phillip snickered. “You wouldn’t dare.” The words hadn’t been out of his mouth more than a second before he was hit with blinding pain in his jaw.

The hazel-eyed culprit towered over him now that Phillip’s head was down and to the side, rubbing at his jaw before standing himself upright to look Max dead in the eyes.”Well, I guess you do dares after all.”

Max couldn’t believe the audacity of this son of a bitch. The man was pure evil. Max couldn’t help but think that if Phillip had just taken the news a little better, that none of this would have ever happened. Max would have loved Phillip anyway. But Phillip didn’t seem to want it, so Max had no problem turning that love into blind hatred for this bastard and all that he had put his family and his love through.

“That baby is not mine. No way.” He found the circle turning and changing to the point where Max, Diane, and Kyle stood with their backs to the door, and Phillip, with Tess curled at his side, staring them down.

“Tell them...” Tess made no move. He jabbed her in the back, hard, “Tell them!

The pain in her back made her comply. Her voice was soft and hesitant, her eyes downcast in shame. “I’ve never been with anyone else.” A tear fell down her cheek and she spoke softer than before. “It’s yours, Max.”

“Good girl,” Phillip whispered so only she could here.

The hell it is!” A new voice came careening through the house and when Max turned, he saw his angel there...only right at this moment...angel wasn’t exactly her persona. She was beyond heated and there was no mistaking the glare she was shooting Tess’s way.

Liz pushed through the crowd, sling and all, and screamed, “You’re dead, bitch!” Diane grabbed a hold of her first.

Diane spoke calmly. “Parker...she’s a minor.”

I don’t give a fuck! You know what she did to my man?” Max smiled slightly at how she was trying to protect him. She does still love me. She really does! He thought to himself.

Kyle jumped in then. “Liz, she’s also pregnant.”

Liz was determined though. “Oh, well that just tops the cake then. Two birds with one stone! Easier for me!” Liz still managed to push through them and grabbed a hold of Tess’s arm. Max’s strong arms wrapped around her from behind, holding her, with his head on her back, breathing her in. “Max, let me go!”

He moved his head up her back to whisper into her ear. “Baby...you could get into a lot of trouble for this. It’s not worth it.”

Liz would not be deterred though. She began pulling Tess, by her arm, towards the door. “Come on, bitch, let’s go for a ride!”

Phillip jumped in then. “Hey, where do you think you’re taking her?!” Phillip’s hand found Liz’s shoulder. Before anyone could blink, Liz had used her good arm to let go of Tess and pull the unwanted hand of Phillip in front of her body, twisting her hip and flinging the man over her shoulder. He landed on his back with a thud and a groan of pain. Liz didn’t bother to check on him before she took a hold of Tess’s arm again.

Everyone watching this had their own thoughts on Liz right now. Kyle thought it was down-right hilarious, and had to struggle to keep from falling over laughing. Even Max had to suppress the laughter as he watched his girl go kung-fu on Daddy Dearest. Diane knew that this was getting out of control and someone had to stop this before Liz did something in rage that she would regret later.

“We’re going to see a doctor and get a nice little blood sample! That outta do the trick, shouldn’t it?! And if you’re not pregnant, I can kill you.” She noticed the terrified look in Tess’s eyes and went to reassure her. “Oh don’t worry, slut! I’m highly-trained for situations like these, not to mention I’ve done it before..what’s one more gonna hurt?” Liz managed to throw Tess down on the lawn outside when Max finally came around to look into her eyes. “Baby, don’t do this. Trust me...Tess Harding is not worth it.”

Liz stopped what she was doing, dropping Tess’s arm, and thought about that for a minute, but one thing stood out more than anything else. The name. “Harding...”

TBC...
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