| Secrets In The Past |
| Chapter 38 School the next day (Friday), first period... "So all the other girls will be there?" Liz rolled her eyes. She had been over and over the details of the little get together tonight with each male member of the group. "Yes Alex. Gwyn, Tess, Isabel, Maria, and I. It will be perfectly safe. I have told you this like a hundred times. And really its more protection than I usually have. Maria is the only one who is not umm, specially equipped. And she's pretty nasty with a baseball bat it you recall." Alex groaned and rubbed his shoulder. "Oh my shoulder remembers all right. Just make sure you are in real danger before you put one in her hands." "Mr. Whitman?" Their teacher got the attention of the class. "Yes sir." he held his hand up. "You have been called to the office for a message. The first half of the class will be a study hall and then I will give a short lecture so you may go now." Alex hesitated for a moment, looking over at Liz. She smiled and shooed him away. "You'll be gone five minutes Alex. I'm fine." "I don't know." he stammered. "Go Alex. If you go now you can be back before the end of class and wait with me for Tess and Michael." "All right." he reluctantly got up from his seat and went to the door. He turned again to look at her before leaving. She mouthed the word 'go' and he left, practically running down the hall. A minute later the door opened again. Liz looked up expecting to see a very out of breath Alex but was surprised to see Colin instead. He shyly ducked into the room and approached the teacher. Handing him the note he had, the teacher read it, said a few quiet things to him and pointe to the empty desk on the other side of Liz. Colin looked to the back and smiled goofily when he saw Liz there. Careful not to trip over the bags and books littering the isle he made his way to the empty desk. "Hey." he smiled down at her, slipping his backpack off his shoulder and slid into his desk. "Hey." she returned happily. Leaning into the isle she whispered to him, "What are you doing in here?" "Apparently I am a little farther along than they thought when I changed schools. I was way ahead of some my classes so I tested out of them. I just got my new schedule today." "Oh, can I see?" He reached into his binder, pulled out a computer print out and handed it to her. "You have Chem. with Maria, Alex and I. Alex is in this class too, he was just called to the office for a sec." "Cool." He could not keep that goofy grin off his face. They faced forward when the teacher started the lecture for the day. A few seconds later he slipped a note into the crook of her arm. Are you free tonight? I need to catch up in my new classes. She smiled sympathetically at him. Poor guy. Maybe Maria was right about this whole crush thing. She shook her head in the negative and mouthed some other time. He looked disappointed but not too upset. Nodding his understanding, he turned back to the front of the room. Alex walked back in then. Coming down the isle he spotted Colin and glared at him. Liz, catching the look, sighed in exasperation and propped her cheek up with her hand. It was going to be a very long day. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Later that evening, Liz's apartment... Liz took the bags of chips out of the pantry and brought them into the living room. "Can you get the new Tabasco bottle down from the top shelf in the cupboard?" she asked Michael when she walked back into the kitchen. "I don't like this." He said handing her the bottle. "What are you talking about? If you don't like it why do you put it on everything you eat?" She set the bottle on the table and went to the fridge. "That's not what I meant and you know it." He hoisted himself up on the counter while she got things out for her party. Liz sighed. "Michael I am not going over this with you again." She pulled out two baskets of strawberries and took them to the sink. "What about a compromise. I know how much you like to compromise." "Fine. What kind of compromise are you proposing?" Her growing agitation was making it very hard not to bruise the strawberries as she washed them. "Why don't Max and I camp out in the Crash? Then you still get to have your all girls night but we are close." "Michael, that is the stupidest thing I have ever heard." She didn't even turn around to shoot him down. "I am not letting you two sleep on that cold linoleum floor down there when you could be in a warm bed at Max's." "but Liz-" "No buts Michael." She spun around at pointed the knife she was using on the berries at him. "I don't want to hear anymore about it. Its old, it was old at lunch as a matter of fact." Turning back to her fruit she changed the subject before he could protest again. "So, did Max tell you what he wanted to talk to you about?" Sighing Michael knew better than to push her again. "No, but I'll give you two guesses." Liz shook her head again. "I really wish the two of you would try harder. I don't understand why you are so threatened by each other." "Threatened? Who said I was threatened?" he asked indignantly Liz rolled her eyes, again. Her back was to him though. "If you keep doing that they're going to stay like that." "What are you talking about?" "You were rolling your eyes. I could tell. You do that way too often." "I was not." "You were." "Was not!" "Were too!" "I was-" realizing she was arguing like a seven year old, Liz cut herself off. "Anyway, now that Max knows about us I don't understand why you are not getting along better." "He's just jealous." "Max is jealous? Of what?" "Our relationship. That I get to spend more time with you, live with you, and he doesn't." "Mmhmm. I see. And you're not at all upset that Max and I getting back together might be a threat to that?" "Of course not," he scoffed. "Why would I be? I've watched him moon over you since we were little. Why would I expect anything different now?" "Oh, I don't know maybe because now we know I'm your sister and you leave his sister alone." "What does that mean? Look, I am not threatened by Max or his potential relationship with you. O.K.?" "Fine, fine." Liz dumped the strawberry slices from the cutting board into a bowl. "Just-" she turned to look at him once more. "just promise you'll try to be civil. He obviously is trying to make an effort you could at least met him half way. He wants to talk to you, at least listen to what he has to say before disregarding it." He looked around the kitchen, anywhere but at her. She approached him sticking out her lower lip in a pout and doing that puppy dog thing with her eyes. "Please Michael, for me. For your baby sister?" He looked down when he felt her chin on his knee. Well, that was a mistake. "Oh, all right. I'll try, but I'm not promising anything." "Thank you." She straightened up while he ruffled her hair. The doorbell rang then. "Who's that?" He asked Liz with a smirk. She narrow eyes but could not hide the smile. "Its Isabel." He chuckled as he slid off the counter. "That is just the coolest thing. You know, you could be a real asset in the espionage field if you could learn to use it better." She rolled her eyes and threw a berry at him. He caught it in the air and shoved it in his mouth. "Fanksh," he mumbled as he went to answer the door. He returned with a nervous looking Isabel in tow. "Hey Iz." Liz greeted her warmly. "Hi, umm, am I the first one here?" "Yeah, I asked you to come a few minutes early so we could talk. Is that ok?" Isabel nodded, a slight panic passing through her eyes but she hid it well. "Ok, Michael you can leave now. You have been relieved." "Maybe I should wait until Tess and Gwyn get here." He shifted back and forth on his feet weighing his options. "Sure you can stay. If you want to learn all about the fun filled world of menstral cramps and bloating." Isabel gave him her best princess grin. "O-kay, yeah, I think you've got it all under control so I'll just be on my way then," he said, hastily shrugging into his jacket. "That's what I thought." He kissed Liz on the cheek while glaring at Isabel. "Remember, be nice." Liz reminded him firmly. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'll be at Max's if you need me. Be good." He shook his finger at her. "Would you just go?" She pointed to the door with a hand on her hip. "I'm going, see ya Iz." "Bye Michael." She called to his retreating form. When they heard the door close and lock Liz slumped into a chair. "I swear, I had no idea being his sister would be so exhausting." Isabel laughed. "Yeah, any relationship with Michael is defiantly high maintenance. So, what did you want to talk to me about?" her cheerfulness sounding just a little too fake and desperate. Liz took a deep breath and let it back out slowly. "Ok, I'm just going to come out and say this because I don't know any other way to do it. Isabel I don't blame you for what happened on Antar so you need to stop feeling so guilty about it." "What?" Iz choked out. To say she was stunned was an understatement. "Isabel I see it every time you look at me. I see the pang of guilt that passes through your whole body. I can practically hear you thinking 'there she is. The girl I murdered. I murdered my brother's girlfriend.' It has to stop Izzy. Its going to eat you alive if you let it." "Liz, its not something you can just forget, its not that simple." "It can be." "You don't understand. I murdered you, Liz. I stood there while you were screaming in pain and my brother was begging you to help. I stood there and I let you die. There will never be anything I can do to make up for that. Its... its just not right for you to forgive me that easily." She looked down at her hands, for a second she thought she saw blood there. It was quiet for a moment until Liz spoke suddenly. "Do you blame me for what happened to Zan after Lillyah died? For all the bad decisions he made and for how he let things deteriorate?" "What? No! Of course I don't blame you for those things." Isabel gaped at her incredulously for even implying such a thing. "Then I can't blame you for what happened to Lillyah." "Liz," she sighed, "Its not the same thing. Not by a long shot." "No Isabel it is. The only person responsible for that murder is Durton. He held the knife. Valondra as simply a pawn. I know what happened that day. I saw her face. She didn't know until it was too late. Isabel she had nothing to do with it. She was used by that sick bastard to get what he wanted and they all suffered for it but it was not her fault anymore than it was Lilly's. Besides that, you are not Valondra." "That's what everyone keeps telling me, but it is really hard to believe sometimes." "The way I see it we are not them, none of us. We are merely related to them. They are our ancestors. In this life we get to do the things they didn't. We can live our own lives while correcting the mistakes they made and doing the things they didn't get to. You and Max and Michael and Tess will the win war and take back the crown. Michael will have a life filled with more than duty and protecting me. Gwyn is not going to have to watch her friends die one by one. Tess will get to marry someone she loves and who loves her back. Max and I are going to be together. It may take some time but we'll get there." Liz's voice faltered for a moment as if this was the one things she was not absolutely certain about. "And you... you will get to be happy. You can have children and find someone who loves you for you, not for your power. Don't you see? That's why we're here. It's not to save the world or reclaim the thrown. Its a second chance to live the lives they were supposed to." The blond girl stared at Liz for a moment in awe. The conviction and determination in her voice almost made her believe. "How do you know all that?" "I just do. I have these moments of intuition. I guess that was one of them. You believe me now? I don't hold anything against you. I am not mad at you. I don't blame you and I want to go back to being friends." They sat for a minute as Isabel tried to let go of that last little bit of guilt. "You have another minute to decide. Maria and Tess are coming up the steps right now." Sucking in her breath, she met Liz's eyes "ok." "Ok?" "Yeah." "Yea!" Liz jumped up and hugged her. They both laughed a little. The moment was getting to be a bit much for Iz so she stood wiping and the tears in her eyes. "All right. Enough mushy stuff. What can I do to help?" The bell rang then. "There is some pineapple and coconut in the fridge that I have not gotten to cut up yet. Would you pull it out?" "Sure," she went over to the appliance, opening the door. "Hey, Liz." she called, pineapple in hand "Yeah?" she turned around from the door way. "Thank you," she told her solemnly. "Your welcome," she answered. The bell rang again. "I'm coming Maria." Liz called, leaving the room. She had to laugh when she heard Maria yell into the apartment, "Ok girls! Let's get this party started!" She had to admit, friends were pretty good to have around. Chapter 39 Michael and Gwyn appeared on the Evans doorstep at the same time. Max opened the door and greeted them. Gwyn noticed he was trying to stay light, asking how she was, about the weather, etc. Probably a counter to Michael's obvious distaste for being here. Max led them into the living room and motioned for them to take a seat. "Ok Max, so why are we here?" "I wanted to talk to you guys about Liz." "Big surprise there," he rolled his eyes. Apparently sarcasm was not the only trait being passed back and forth between the newly reunited siblings. "Michael, I figured there were two ways I could do this. I could either piss you off and make things worse for Liz or I could talk to you like the civilized people I hope we both are. I wanted Gwyn here because I need to know exactly what is and what is not safe for me to do with her." Michael narrowed his eyes and his flared nostrils. The images that were flashing through his head at what Max meant by 'what is and is not safe to do with Liz' were completely unacceptable when associated with his little sister. "Umm Max, I think you're going to have to clarify that last statement for us." Gwyn was trying very hard not to laugh at Michael. He looked like bull about to charge. "Huh?" "What do you mean what is safe and not safe? Like umm, physically or..." "Oh! No," He blushed furiously at the implication that he was asking if he and Liz were physically compatible. If he were doing that he definitely would not have invited Michael over. "I meant if I started spending more time with Liz like umm, dating her again, for real, would I be putting her in danger?" "Ahh ok. That I can answer. I could answer both questions but I think this one will keep me alive to get to the party." She shifted her amused gaze to Michael who was a little more relaxed but still eyeing Max contemptuously. "At this point I don't see how it would be a problem as far as safety goes. I think we should assume Durton know Liz is Lillyah. We are as ready for him as we are going to be until we get more information. My guess is there are two possible things you spending more time with her could cause him to do. Either it will flush him out to keep her away from you or it will send him back into hiding to redevelop his plan because he knows with you hanging around her it will be harder to get to her." "So you think its ok, good even?" "Yeah. I don't see why not. If he decides to make his move I'm confident that we're ready for him. If not it gives us more time to get ready and for Liz to come to terms with all this. "So, if that's all I think I will leave you to your little... whatever it is your going to do here and go to my own estrogen fest." She got up, Max moved to follow her to the door. "I can see myself out, thanks. Just remember," she turned back to Michael and then met Max's eyes briefly, "Liz will be very disappointed if there is blood shed." She saw how Michael looked down and Max looked away and she smiled. Just like Antar she thought. Liz had them both wrapped around her little finger so tightly they didn't know which way was up. Lets just hope she uses the power for good and not evil. After hearing the door shut they sat for a few minutes looking at anything but each other. The tension finally became too heavy and Michael broke the silence. "I still don't see why I'm here Maxwell. Its not like you need my permission to talk to her or something. Not that you would get it anyway." The last part was said under his breath. Max let out an exasperated sigh. "Michael, I'm trying to be the good guy here. I'm trying to do the right thing for all of us when really this has absolutely nothing to do with you. This is between Liz and I. I'm trying to make this easier for her. Your opinion, as much as you mean to both of us, has no bearing on this situation." "Yeah, I know." "Do you?" "Yes, I know that this has nothing to do with me but I can't help but feel..." "Like I'm taking her away from you?" "I guess," he shrugged. "I'm not taking her anywhere Michael. But maybe now you can see things from my point of view. I have been in love with her for as long as I can remember. I need her, more and more everyday. Do you have any idea how hard it was to watch you slowly take her away from me the last two months? Any idea at all what that did to me?" Max continued, not allowing Michael to interrupt in his own defense. "I know now that you were really protecting her and trying to get to know her better, but you have to look at the position I was in. I was completely in the dark. She started drifting farther and farther away from me and turning to you. How would you feel if that was happening between me and Maria? "I'm happy that you guys found out your related. I think its great for the both of you. Liz needs that kind of relationship and so do you but... I want her back. All of her. I promised her we would would start over, take it slow but Michael, if you had it your way we would remain distant friends. I don't know if you are doing it consciously or not and I really don't care, but you are putting Liz in the middle of all this. Eventually she is going to be forced to choose and right now I think that would tear her apart. As much as I hate to admit it she needs the both of us, we fill different rolls for her. I can't be for her what I am supposed to be if you are trying to take my place too." He paused for a moment. Michael was studying the carpet intently. Max knew he was making him uncomfortable, Michael didn't do the 'feelings thing'. This needed to be out in the open though. It wasn't a picnic for Max either. He wasn't all that thrilled with sharing this stuff with anyone but Liz. He thought that if he explained to him what he was feeling, tried to get him to see it from his or Liz's perspective, they might be able to come to and understanding. Judging from Michael's lack of response or attempt at sarcasm, he thought he might be getting through. "I can't go on like this Michael. I need her. I need to see her and talk to her and hold her hand on the way to class. I can't do that if I have to keep worrying if you are going to start a fight. Liz doesn't need that right now. You, me, and Maria are the closest people she has at the moment, we should be taking care of her and making her forget all this stuff that she can't control. Not putting her in the middle of our insecurities." When Max was quiet Michael knew it was his turn to say something, anything. The question was how did you make someone else understand what you were feeling when you didn't even want to acknowledge it yourself? "I...I didn't...I- I'm sorry Max." He scrubbed his face with his fingers and ran a hand through his hair. "I never really considered your position in this, just that you might- take her away from me. It never really occurred to me that you might feel the same way. "You and Liz have always been a constant in my mind. I always knew you would get back together no matter how much I fought it. It was not something I ever questioned. I'm not trying to take her away from you. I was being selfish I guess. I know that once you two are really back together she won't spend much time with me. I know you're right. The only thing this is doing is upsetting Liz. I don't want her to have to choose. I don't think I would win and... I need her too." Taking a deep breath he tried to pull more of his jumbled thoughts and emotions into something he could express in words. Easier said than done. He was willing to admit Max was right, this had gone on far too long. It could start to effect Liz's recovery and he could not let that happen. Also, he promised her that he would give this a chance. "I- I have this pull, this need to protect her and... I can't help that... you've hurt her Maxwell. I think more than you can ever understand, I think maybe more than even she is willing to admit." He stopped again searching for the right words to make Max understand. "She's still really fragile Max. I know she's getting better and she's got a really great game face going but she is still dealing with this stuff. She won't talk about her parents or the future thing and the only way she will acknowledge there is a threat to her life is when she makes a nasty remark about how much we are restricting her. "I'm not saying I need to protect her from you... I don't know, maybe I am. Then again, I would have to be a special kind of stupid not to know that she needs you more than anyone else to work through some of this stuff." He sighed again and slumped against the back of the couch. "Michael, this tension between us, it only gives her one more excuse not to deal with those things. It gives her one more reason not to tell me everything and not to feel those emotions. She is not going to open up to anyone or move on until we do. We have to work this out and be there for her or we're going to lose her again." Looking at him for the first time since this started, Michael nodded his agreement. "Yeah. So umm, how do we do this?" "Well..." Max played with his hand for a second. This was going better than he thought. Michael wasn't even putting up a fight. He had to admit he didn't give Michael enough credit when it came to his feelings for Liz and how much he wanted to do what was best for her. "How about if I promise not to take her away from you if you promise to let her start spending more time with me. And I think we both need to make more of an effort to be civil to each other when she is around. Its not fair to be fighting over her head. She knows when we do it anyway." "Sounds good I guess. I know I don't need to, but I want to make it clear," he pinned Max to the spot with a hard gaze, "if you hurt her again, there will be no where to hide." Max shook his head soberly, returning the look with equality, "and I'm sure I don't have to tell you what I would do to you." "I wouldn't expect anything less." "Good, so we're in agreement then. I get to date her and you can... do whatever it is you guys do. What do you guys do together?" Michael smirked, "Mostly, we argue. Its good for her." "Well, at least it's something your good at." There was a pregnant pause, the male bonding had come to an end and it was getting a little weird. "So, pizza?" "Yeah, I think there's a hockey game on." Michael grabbed the remote while Max went for the phone. Maybe things could go back to their version of normal now. Then again, they didn't know what was going on over at Liz's, yet. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Gwyn heard a lot of giggling coming from the other side of the door as she approached the Parker's apartment. Suddenly it flung open and a very bubbly Maria was all over her. "Gwyny! I'm soo glad you are here," she gushed while dragging her into the living room. "Look guys! Its Gwyny!" she declared happily to the rest of the room. "Yeah, but you only knew that because I told you." Liz said with a hint of baby talk in her voice. Gwyn assessed the room while Maria plopped down onto a big pillow at Liz's feet. The living room was darkened and The Princess Bride was playing on the tv. Isabel and Liz were on the couch with their feet pulled up underneath them, sharing a bowl of popcorn. Tess and Maria were sprawled out on the floor with huge pillows and munching on some pretzels. All four were nursing large glasses with colorful blended beverages. Settling into the chair next to Isabel, she leaned over and whispered in her ear. "What are you guys drinking?" Iz leaned back over, "Strawberry daiquiris and pina coladas. Mine and Tess' are virgin but Maria insisted that she and Liz have something a little more daring. I think the real appeal is that Michael would have a coronary if he knew his girlfriend and his sister were getting drunk. We didn't see the harm since they have an ample amount of supervision. Maria has had like three already so," she chuckled, "well, you saw her at the door. Liz apparently has not had anything to drink in over a year and since she lost all that weight... she's still on her first but I don't think she should have much more. Its going straight to her head." Gwyn nodded her understanding and leaned back in her chair to watch the rest of the movie. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "Awww I just love that movie." Liz said as she stretched and pushed rewind on the remote. She was still pretty much in charge of all her faculties, just a little more buzzed than she intended. "So what should we do now?" "Oh, I almost forgot. I brought that package you left at our house Gwyn." Isabel stood and went to get her bag from by the door. Opening it she pulled out the small box that was wrapped in brown paper and returned to the couch. Handing it to Gwyn, "I'm sorry I didn't get it back to you sooner but things have been so hectic I didn't even see it until yesterday." "Oh my gosh." Gwyn exclaimed. "I completely forgot too. That was stupid of me. Here," she handed it to Liz, "this actually belongs to you." "To me?" "Yep." "You got me a gift? Why?" "Oh its not from me. Open it." Liz shrugged her shoulders and tore away the paper. She took the lid off the box and carefully pushed aside the tissue paper. "Oh." She turned wide eyes to Gwyn. "I completely forgot. I never even really saw it." "Don't leave us in suspense Liz. What is it?" Tess stood to try to get a better look. Gently, she lifted the delicate object out of the box and held it up for everyone to see. "Oh my gosh." Isabel moved her hand to her throat. "It's beautiful." "I thought you had to take it." Liz looked at Gwyn. "Not forever, I just needed to show the proof to Justin. One of those technical things. No, its yours now, to keep." Liz fingered the delicate silver filigree and scroll work of the crown. It was small so it would fit perfectly on the crown of her head. The small aqua and violet stones on the tips of the scrolls sparkled in the dim light of the room. They were unlike anything she had ever seen before. It was intricate and ornate, at the same time simple and completely elegant. Maria crawled over to where Liz was sitting on the couch and took the crown from her. "Oooooooo. Its so pitty. Come 'ere Lizzy bizzy." She got up on her knees and pinned it precariously atop Liz's head. "Our queen Lizzy," she beamed goofily at the brunette while tumbling backwards a little. "Maria no. Everyone needs to stop with all the royalty references. I'm not a queen and neither was Lillyah for that matter. She died before the coronation, remember." There was just something about everyone calling her 'queen' and 'your highness' that was getting to her even thought it was usually in jest. It was too overwhelming on top of everything else. The alien and reincarnation stuff she was dealing with, facing that she could possible be the queen of another planet was another matter. "That's not entirely true Liz." Everyone turned to Gwyn. "Zan umm... Zan had Lilly coronated posthumously. He refused to let her be laid to rest without people knowing she was his Queen. That goes for you too. Your crown," she pointed to the jewelry, "it is a crown Liz. A full circle. Not a tiara, a crown. Queens wear crowns Liz." "Oh." Liz looked a little more than panicked. She loosened the clips and took it out of her hair, staring at it for a moment. "So, Maria. Do you think you could get me a refill?" She reached for her empty glass. Maria jumped up and grabbed Liz's glass. "Sure, but onwy on one condition." "What's that?" "I want to wear the crown." Liz laughed. "Ok, come here." Maria bent down and Liz pinned it on. "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you." She hugged Liz around the neck. "Now I get to be the princess bride." She collected everyone else's glasses while continuing to babble. "Except I'm not really gonna get married because my mother would kill me... and I don't really think Michael is ready for that kind of comat- canet- camit- commitment." She looked back at the girls, all four glasses in hand and whispered, "we haven't even had sex yet." Then turned on her heal into the kitchen. The rest of the group promptly erupted in a great fit of laughter. When they had calmed down some Isabel asked Liz, "are you sure you should have another drink Liz?" trying not to sound too parental. Liz smiled at her, "I'll be ok as long as Michael never finds out. I'm a big girl Iz, one night of fun won't kill me." A few minutes later Maria brought a tray back in with four daiquiris and one can of Dr. Pepper. "One for you," she presented the can to Gwyn with a flourish. "Mmm k. The onesh on thish side of me are the alien dwinks and the ones on zee ofer side is the people dinks. K? K." She sat down right where she was at the coffee table and picked up a glass on the 'people' side of the tray while the others picked up their respective glasses. They all raised them high and clinked them together before taking a sip. Maria and Liz instantly spit theirs out. "God Maria! What did you do to thish thing? It tastes horrible." At the same time Isabel and Tess were staring glossy eyed into their glasses. "Hey Izzzzz." Tess started to giggle uncontrollably. "Izzzzz. Like Bzzzzz. Buzzzzz. Bees buzzzz." She got up and started dancing around the room pretending her finger was a bee and making a buzzing sound. "Mmm Maria this is really good." Isabel took another big and very unlady like gulp of her drink while smiling widely at Maria. "Oh no! Maria!" Gwyn stood and took the drink forcefully from Isabel's hand. "Hey! That's mine! Get your own. I don't want to share." She declared, snatching it back from her. "I'll get you another Iz, just let me see it for a minute." She narrowed her eyes and reluctantly handed over the glass. Gwyn lifted it to her nose then took the glass Liz had put back on the tray and sniffed it. Yep. Tabasco in that one. Maria had mixed up the drinks. Fabulous. What had possessed her to allow Maria to do the drinks alone. An idiot would have seen this coming a mile away. This was the kind of story they made teeny bopper movies out of. You know the ones that star the cute unknown actress and the new heart throb off that popular television show and spent one week in the box office top five before popping up on the video store shelves. This situation was one of those. Justin was either going to laugh his head off or kill her. Her internal reprimand was put on hold when she realized Liz and Maria had disappeared. Hearing their laughter in the kitchen she went to check on them. Isabel and Tess were attempting to braid the fringe on a couch pillow so they would be ok for a minute. Walking into the kitchen Gwyn could practically hear Michael screaming at her. Liz was standing in front of the fridge chugging a pitcher of pina coladas as Maria cheered her on. Triumphantly, Liz thumped on the end of the pitcher, lowered it and wiped her mouth. She stumbled a little, shook her head, the smiled widely at Maria. "Ok what did I win?" "Win? I never ever said you would wins somthin'." She shook her head hard, her long curls hitting her in the face. Liz wrinkled her brow in confusion, "but we had a bet, that means I get something." "No! Lizzy you are soo silly. We didn't have a bet, I dared you. Two enierlyly different pings." "Ok, then I double dare you to drink the other pitcher." Gwyn, trying to avert disaster, flew from the door and intercepted Maria's hand. Before the inebriated girls could protest she took the pitcher out of the fridge and poured it down the kitchen sink. "Hey! That was mi-ine." Maria whined at her. Just then she heard a crash from the other room followed by an "uh-ohh". Groaning she rinsed out the sink and went into the other room. This was going to be a very long night. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ About an hour later... "YES!" Max and Michael jumped out of their chairs and high fived. Their team had just made the playoffs in a brilliant come from behind, underdog victory. "Yeah, baby!" Michael was doing his little victory dance that consisted of dancing around the chair and beating his chest like Tarzan when the phone rang. "I got it." Max picked up the phone. "Hello?" "Umm Max? Hi, its Gwyn." Max caught the apprehension in her voice right away and motioned for Michael to be quiet. "Gwyn? What's wrong?" "Oh no, no, no. Nothing is wrong per say.... I just, I need a little help." "Why? What happened? And what is that noise?" He could hear some kind of buzzing in the background. "Oh, that's just Tess. Anyway, I really hate to do this but do you think you and Michael could come over?" "Of course, were on our way. Did something happen?" "Oh, not really. I'm just having a little trouble dealing with Liz. She wants to go to the park and Maria is on her side... anyway, I could really use your guys help." "Sure no problem, do you want to put her on? I could talk to her right now. Or what about Isabel?" "Oh well... Isabel is umm, not available for consultation." She didn't think he needed to know that she was currently consulting with Michael's wardrobe. "Ok we'll be there in a couple minutes. Tell her to wait until we get there ok?" "Yeah sure. Thanks Max." She hung up quickly hoping he didn't hear the hysterical laughter suddenly coming from Michael's bedroom. Lost Conversations Part 7 Kyle, Jim, and Tess _________________________ This takes place during Chapter 37. ____________________________ Jim Valenti pulled his pick up into the drive. He hopped out grabbing his bad and whistling a happy tune. He could not remember being this happy in years. Happy, hell, he was euphoric. This past week had gone better then expected, he and Amy had finally taken that big scary step. The one that involved those three very scary words... I love you. The three best and at the same time worst words in the english language. He felt like a teenager again. He had forgotten just how incredible being in love and having the feeling returned was. That feeling was dampened when he walked past Tess' car in the driveway. It was full of boxes and suitcases. A sadness started to befall him as he realized Tess must be leaving them. He had tried to push the thought away, especially after Christmas when she seemed to be adjusting so well. But he always knew this day might come. That one day the girl he had come to love as a daughter would leave them. He walked slowly into the house, various arguments he could make to convince her to stay playing through his mind. He opened the door, stepped over the thresh hold and called out, "Kyle, Tess, I'm home." "In the kitchen dad." Kyle called in return. Jim walked into the kitchen where Kyle was cleaning the dishes from dinner with Tess. "Hey son." "Dad. How was your trip?" "It was really great. Just what we needed." He smiled broadly. Kyle groaned. "The tone was more than enough, I don't need any details, my aura is already out of order tonight." Jim chuckled, he was slowly getting used to the weird things his son would occasionally mutter about balances and auras and crickets. "Ok you win, no details." He poured himself a cup of coffee and sat at the table. After playing with a sweetener packet for a moment he broke the silence. "Kyle, is Tess leaving?" Kyle turned off the water, dried his hands, and sat across from his dad. "Yeah she is. A lot has happened while you were gone." Seeing Jim stiffen and sit up straight he moved to counter his dark thoughts. "Nothing bad, well not too bad anyway. I'll explain the rest later but the significant fact here is that Tess' sister has moved here and I thought it would be best for her to go live with Gwyn." "but why? Did you two get into an argument?" Jim was obviously curious about what had brought Tess' sister here and who exactly she was but the most important thing now was finding out why exactly Tess was leaving. The rest could wait. "I don't want her to leave dad, but this is the best thing right now. It's getting too complicated living in the same house. It's hard for her to be my sister in the house and my girlfriend everywhere else. Those lines are starting to blur and I don't want to put us in a position where we will do something we might regret or end up hurting each other. "I love her as my sister and she will always be a part of the family but the thing is... I don't want her to be my sister. I want her to be more than that." Jim watched the way his son struggled to pick the right words to express his feelings. He had obviously been struggling with this for a while. He felt bad now having taken the few extra days to be with Amy. He should have been here to help Kyle sort this out. Still, it was a humbling experience to listen to his son talk about his feelings like this and the decision he had come to. The one that was best for Tess. He was suddenly very proud of the young man he was turning out to be. And if he was this serious about a girl he could not have picked someone he approved of more than Tess. "Also," Kyle continued when his dad didn't say anything, "if she is willing to admit it or not she needs a maternal influence in her life. She's never even really had any female friends. Its always been Nesado and the idea of Max and then you and I. Even if Tess and I don't work out as a couple, on some level we will always love her so we owe her this opportunity to get to know her sister and explore that side of herself." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Tess stood just out of sight beside the entry way to the kitchen. She listened to every heart felt word Kyle said with tears streaming down her face. She had some serious doubts and insecurities when Kyle had told her he thought she should go live with Gwyn. She loved Gwyn and wanted to get to know her better but she could not get past the feeling that Kyle was sending her away. He had told her repeatedly that it was not because he didn't want to be with her, but because he *did* want to be with her that this was for the best. It never really sunk in until now just how deeply his feelings ran for her. No one had ever felt that way about her before and knowing that he did was... words could not express. It was scary and thrilling and completely filled her with joy. Now she understood why this was the best move for them and she understood just what that funny feeling was she had been getting around him lately. She was falling in love with Kyle and he was falling in love with her too. The feeling was so much more than she ever expected it to be. So much sweeter. She heard the chairs in the kitchen scooting across the floor. Quickly she swiped at her tears and put on a smile before taking out the last of her things and saying good bye to the sheriff. She thanked whatever providence had let her over hear that conversation. Just those few words gave her a whole new outlook and years worth of happy memories to dream of. Chapter 40 Michael and Max exchanged worried glances when they heard the commotion of high pitched voices and still the door did not open. There was a bit more commotion, then the door flew open to a flustered Gwyn pushing a few auburn ringlets out of her face. "Thank God you're here," the weariness was evident in her voice as she led them into the living room. "They finally settled down a bit but I can't handle all four of them by myself." "What exactly is going on Gwyn?" Max queried her. She wasn't frantic enough for there to be a bad guy problem but there was something else going on, obviously. She was extremely agitated and her words were clipped and coarse, irritation to this extent was something he had never seen her exhibit. Gwyn was usually very easy going. Now she was acting the part of a baby sitter who had come to her wits end with over indulged children. She didn't get to answer Max's inquiry. "Oh my God!" was pretty much the sentiment pulled from all three as they walked into the living room just in time to see an already topless Maria discarding her shorts. She stood with her back to them in only her matching green bra and panties and Liz's crown perched lopsidedly on her head. A closer inspection of the room revealed that Liz was the only one fully clothed. Tess and Isabel were also topless. "What the hell?" Michael bellowed as he and Max were spinning around with burning cheeks. "For pete sake Maria! I was gone for all of thirty seconds and your taking off your pants?" She went over to her, grabbing onto her upper arms before she lost her balance, again. "Well," she looked up at Gwyn innocently as she slipped back down to the floor, "Lizzy won again 'nd it was my bottoms or my crown and I didn't 'ant to 'ives it up yet." "Ok nobody move. I'll be right back." She flew for the room to get a bath robe of Liz's knowing it would be more trouble than it was worth to get Maria back into her own clothes. While she was gone Liz noticed Max and Michael standing in the door way with their backs to her. She sprang up and bounded over to them. "Hi!" She bounced up and down like a little kid on a sugar high. The guys watched her for a second. What on earth was going on here? Gwyn was boarding on livid. All the others were at some stage of undress and Liz was acting almost childlike. Her cheeks were flushed, her hair was disheveled. She was bouncing up and down grinning at them and now they noticed some playing cards in one hand and a chocolate cigar in the other. "Liz? Umm, are you guys ok? What's going on?" Max had never seen her act like this and it was seriously freaking him out. The fact that she some how found his question extremely entertaining didn't help much. The moment he closed his mouth she started laughing uncontrollably, her shoulders shaking and her eyes tearing. Gasping for breath she stumbled forward throwing her arms around his shoulders for support all the while laughing like a ninny. Max wrapped his hands around her waist to keep her steady. She threw her head back and he caught a whiff of her rum and pineapple scented breath. "Liz..." his eyes widened in shock. "are... are you- drunk?" The laughter subsided as quickly as it started. Her gaze dropped to the floor as she let go of Max's shoulders and began to bite her bottom lip. "Is she what?" Michael broke into the exchange through gritted teeth. Max ignored him keeping his focus on Liz. "GWYN!" Michael called. "I'm coming. Keep your pants on, and I mean that literally. Ok come here Maria, put this on." She held out Liz's short, red satin robe that fell about mid thigh. It was all she could find so it would have to do. "But I lost," she protested. "No, Liz lost one hand so everyone gets to put one thing back on. You guys put on your shirts," she motioned to Tess and Isabel, "and Maria you put on this robe." "but I don't remember her loosing." "she did and plus, this is her special queen's robe." It didn't take any more convincing for Maria to let Gwyn help her into the garment. When Liz heard that she had lost she didn't stop to question the fact that there had not actually been another hand played. Instead she reached for her shirt with the intention of removing it as the rules of strip poker stipulated. "NO!" Max and Michael simultaneously lunged for her hands almost knocking her down. Once they were all steady Michael tugged her shirt back down over her tummy. "But I lost," she looked up at him, her chin quivering and on the brink of tears. Michael looked at Max helplessly. She was going to cry because he wouldn't let her get naked in public? "Umm ok, here," thinking quickly, Max took her hand and led her the couch. Carefully avoiding the view of his still half covered sister, he sat her down and kneeled in front of her. "Why don't you just take off your shoes then?" He began to unbuckle her sandal for her. "Does that count?" "Oh yeah, that's the way you play," he assured her. "Shoes before any other major articles." He took of the other sandal and slid it to the floor. "There you go." He smiled up at her. "Thank you," she whispered as if he were the prince returning her glass slipper. He moved to sit next to her, "Liz? Uh, why were you guys playing strip poker anyway?" "Gwyn said we could not go to the park." "oh, ok," he didn't understand how the alternative to going to the park was strip poker but she probably did. "Plus," a coy smile started to tilt the corners of her mouth, "I'm very good." "at strip poker?" his voice was a little on the strangled side. "Yes," she stated confidently, her head held high. "I knew I would win." "You've done this before?" "Daddy and grampa Parker teached me to play when I was real little. I can play with the big boys now." Max was trying so hard not to be affected by the words she was using. He had no doubt that she meant them completely innocently but under the context, they were anything but. Across the room Michael had finally been able to turn around when he was assured tht everyone was properly covered. He was across the room in seconds and in Gwyn's face. "What is going on here? How could you let them get drunk?" He grabbed onto Maria's shoulders as she threatened to topple backwards. "Me? Oh I don't think so. You are not going to blame me for this." She placed her hands on her hips leveling him with her heated stare, "Maria was already plastered before I got here. We watched a movie then she went to get Liz a drink because she got a little freaked, which before you ask is none of your business. She mixed up the drinks and Isabel and Tess got the spiked ones. I had my back turned for like five seconds and when I walk into the kitchen Liz is chugging a pitcher of pina coladas that *your* girlfriend dared her to drink. This was well on its way to disaster before I even got here so don't you try to pin this on me Rath." She stopped for a minute to breath and looked around. Seeing the room was short two blonds she threw her hands up in further disgust. "See, look," she gestured around the room, "look what happened. You distracted me and now I lost them again. Wonderful. Great. If they are back in your closet I will not be held responsible." She turned on her heal in search of the missing girls, not allowing him even a moment to process what she had ranted. Michael was going to go after her but a soft whimpering on the other side of the room caught his attention. He glanced up from where he was helping Maria to stand, again, and saw Liz trying to crawl into Max's lap. Her head was buried in his neck, her shoulders shaking. Max was stroking her back and murmuring to her. "Now what? Is she crying?" he asked as he carried more than led a wobbly Maria to a chair. "Yeah, the yelling upset her." Max shrugged at Michael's confused look. Things like that never upset Liz, but then again Liz usually didn't play strip poker either. After listening to a few minutes of Maria's incoherent babbling Gwyn came back with at sulking Tess and Isabel in tow. Michael jumped down her throat before she was barely in the room. "Are you happy now Gwynith? You made Liz cry." Michael pointed to where Liz was still whimpering into Max's collar. "Oh yeah Michael, I'm ecstatic. I have now completed my to do list for the day. Shave legs, check. Sort out your insecurities, check. Do the grocery shopping, check. Make Liz cry, check. Yep my day is complete. And by the way, its Gwyndolin, Mikey G." Michael was about to return the remarks but Max cut him off. "Michael this isn't her fault, give her a break. As long as we're here its not a big deal. Just keep an eye on things. I'm sure nothing too bad can happen, right?" "Thank you Max." She glared at Michael and stuck her tongue out before attending to the blondes who were making a break for the kitchen. "I swear, they need a leash." Michael sat down shaking his head. "We are all going to end up on Jerry Springer some day. 'Hi Jerry I'm an alien. This over here is my human girlfriend and my human/alien sister. They have a drinking problem. Oh and my sister has a deranged, intergalactic stalker. No alien babies that we know of yet, but that doesn't take into account our clones that are mucking about New York.'" "Oh! Oh! Oh!" Maria started bouncing in her seat and waving her hands. "Gwyny, Gwyny, Gwyny!" "Whaty?" Maria had way too much energy when she was drunk. Gwyn sighed settling into a chair on the other side of the room. She had finally settled the other two down. Bribing them with large amounts of chocolate and Tabasco, which they were preceding to get all over themselves and having a wonderful time. "Mk," she sat straight in her chair as if she were holding court and the matter at hand was of the utmost importance. "Michwill is Lizzy's brother. Wite?" "yeah." "K. So, would tat make the ucky dupe guy her buther too." She held up two fingers. "Biologically, yeah I guess so." Maria started to snicker and looked over at Liz. She had since gotten over her emotional outburst and was sitting contentedly next to Max with her head resting on his shoulder. Max looked pretty contented himself. So far, aside from seeing his sister without a shirt, he couldn't find anything to complain about. "Lizzy! Ewwwww!" She scrunched her nose and pointed accusingly at the other girl. "You kissed your brother. That is *so* gross." "What?" Michael, Max, and Gwyn all leaned forward in their seats. They couldn't be sure it this was just Maria being wacky or if there was a grain of truth to her babbling. Before they could question her further, Liz sat up already covering her mouth and moaning softly. Her wide, horror filled eyes locked briefly with Maria's before she stood and stumbled towards her bathroom. Max recovered a moment later and rushed after her. Knowing Max would take care of her and not really being good with the whole sick thing, Michael stayed in the living room turning on Maria. "You. Explain. Now." he commanded. Maria giggled, "Lizzy kissed her brother." "Maria," he made every attempt to level his voice so she would get the story out before her had to strangle her. "I have never kissed Liz, I think I would remember that." "No! Not you siwwy." She pushed him with both hands throwing herself off balance. "Yucky, Mr. Dupe kissed her," her nose crinkled again. Realization laced with extreme revulsion and fury began to dawn on him. "Rath? Rath kissed Liz? When?" He was barely containing himself now, he could feel the power surging within him begging for release. "Ummmm," Maria bit her lip and looked up at the ceiling, "when they were visiting us. I don't really 'member. Only that Lizzy told me 'bout it." "Michael..." Gwyn's voice and demeanor had changed dramatically from what it was a few minutes ago. She could feel the air starting to charge with energy as Michael let his anger stoke his powers. She had to bring him down at least a notch or two before he lost all control. "Michael, listen to me. you have to calm down. We don't know what really happened. In all probability we won't be able to get the full story until tomorrow afternoon, just let it go for now. If you press this when they aren't thinking straight you are only going to upset Liz." Michael ran both hands through his hair and took a few deep breaths. Gwyn was right, besides that what good would getting all riled up do anyway? It's not like they knew where the dupes were or if they were even alive. It wouldn't to any good to go off half cocked to look for Rath. He snorted when he realized what he was thinking. When had he become so reasonable? ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Max found Liz huddled on the cool tile of the bathroom floor, her head resting against the closed lid of the toilet. "Hey," he said softly as he kneeled down next to her. "You ok?" his hand went to rest reassuringly on the middle of her back. She nodded weakly. After a moment she turned her watery eyes up to him, "I thought I was going to throw up." "I know," he pushed her hair behind her ears. "Apparently a low tolerance is something we have in common," he said lightly, trying to cheer her even a little. "No." She shook her head, ignoring his attempt at humor. "It wasn't that. I forgot about Rath. Max, I'm so sorry." Without warning she threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly around the waist. He was caught off guard but instinctively wrapped his arms around her, rubbing her back. "Liz, why are you sorry? What about Rath?" He rocked form side to side hoping to calm her but she didn't respond. "Liz, sweet, I don't understand. You are going to have to tell me what's wrong." After another long pause she raised her head but didn't extract herself from him. "He kissed me," she told him at barely a whisper. She felt him stiffen and squeezed his middle even tighter. "Who?" his tone was unassuming, while his body language was anything but. Liz, in her altered state, started to panic even more, misinterpreting his anger as being directed at her. "R-Rath." She made herself look away when his eyes darkened and his jaw tensed. "Rath kissed you?" his voice was as hard and cold as steel this time. She could only answer with a barely perceptible nod. When he didn't say anything else she tried to get up but Max held her tightly in his lap, restricting all movement except the rise and fall of her chest. When he was finally able to form a thought that did not involve a string of colorful obscenities his voice was strangled and hoarse. "Did he hurt you?" "No. He was pretending to be Michael. I pushed him away really fast. I didn't find out 'till later. I thought he was just being weird." Max nodded and pulled her closer, if that was possible. "I'm s-sorry Max," she told him again, her chin trembling against his chest. Max realized that was really what this was about. For her the kiss was a non event, it was the fact that someone other than him has kissed her perfect lips and that he might blame her. He let his anger that someone, especially that poor excuse for a hybrid, had touched his Liz against her will take a back seat for a while. Make no mistake, if Rath was still alive and their paths ever crossed it would be the last time. However, now he needed to assure her there was no reason for him to be upset with her. "Liz, sweet," he loosened his grip on her little body a bit and hooked his finger under her chin so he could look into her eyes. "You have nothing to be sorry for. There was a lot going on at the time. Even if you wanted to kiss him," he put a finger to her lips halting her denials before they could be voiced. "I would have no reason to be angry with you. I am very angry with him but not with you. Never with you." Liz burrowed her face back into his body mumbling a heartfelt "I love you, Max," into his neck. He smiled into her hair, placing a few light kisses on the juncture between her shoulder and neck. "I love you too My Liz." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Gwyn had gone into the kitchen for a well deserved five minute break and to get she and Michael a soda. "Michael!" Isabel and Tess came charging into the room finally having registered his presence. "We're going to play beauty parlor!" Tess a bounced as she swept everything off the coffee table so Isabel could plop down her three cases containing cosmetics, hair accessories, nail polish, etc. "Oh Goody," Maria squealed and slipped out of her chair to the floor. "Can I play too?" "Sure," Iz looked up from where she was sorting out the nail colors. She saw Michael slid into Maria's place and an evil grin started to twitch at mouth. "I have the best idea. Come 'er." She motioned Maria over and whispered in her ear. The same wicked smile started to play at her lips. They motioned Tess over and they all started to whisper and giggle. The three were cooking something up, whatever it was, they were too excited for it to be a good thing. Boy, was he right. The whispering stopped and there was an erie silence and a rustling the girls tried to shield with their bodies. Suddenly, Maria jumped ito his lap. Then he felt someone pulling on his left hand and another someone tugging his right shoe off. "Maria what-" he began to ask, trying to get up. "Shhh! Sit stwill Shpace Boy." She scolded him sternly. His eyes widened when she raised a hand brandishing a little brush covered in purple powder to his face. "We're gonna make you real pitty." Chapter 41 "Liz, come on, stop. You're going to fall," or I'm going to die from heat stroke he added silently. After sitting a few more minutes in the bathroom Max suggested they go try to convince the others to watch another movie. He didn't really care about the movie, it was just an excuse to continue to have her in his arms. On the way out Liz's alcohol induced inner child spotted the bed. Before he could stop her she was jumping up and down as if her life depended on it. "Ma-ax. Its fun. You try with me." She held out her hand to him, continuing to bounce and giggle. This had been going on for a good five minutes and it was starting to effect the horny teenage boy part of Max that he tried desperately to keep in check, most of the time. All the jumping and bouncing and heavy breathing was doing a real number on him. Given the severe shortage of Liz time over the past year, this was like some kind of cruel torture they only have in countries where chewing gum is illegal. "I'll break the bed Liz. Come on, let's go watch a movie." He held out his hands for her. She shook her head, giggling as her long hair hit her in the face. "Its too much fun." Her smile started to send things into slow motion for Max. Her hair was flying wildly around her face and when she came down it was like it stopped in midair for a fraction of a second setting off her beautifully flushed cheeks. She was waving her arms and twisting around causing her shirt to ride up, giving him tantalizing glimpses of her trim stomach and tiny waste. Her light weight let her jump even higher and it brought her long, smooth legs level with his eyes. Then there was the the heaving breathing combined with the bouncing that was causing other... things to bounce and... He took a very deep breath and looked away for a moment. This was getting really out of control. He was going to have to take some drastic action. He focused on Liz's feet watching the pattern in which she jumped. Middle, middle, to the left, and then back to the middle of the bed. Stealthily, he edged to the left side. Counting the pattern he waited until she was at the beginning, then shifted the molecules on the spot she would move to. Not much, just enough. She jumped into the divot he created in the mattress and lost her balance. Letting out a startled shriek, she fell backwards. Completely expecting the outcome, Max was strategically placed in the exact spot that would allow him to heroically break her fall. "See what did I tell you?" He looked down into her flushed face, his tone was stern but the laughter in his eyes gave him away. Liz giggled lightly, too out of breath to speak. Max rolled his eyes, kissed her forehead, and went out to the living room still carrying her high against his chest. The scene that awaited him sent both of them into instant peals of laughter. Max had to set Liz down or risk dropping her he was laughing so hard. Michael was in a chair with Maria planted in his lap facing him. She was doing his make up like a Barbie and The Rockers doll from the late eighties. Purple eye shadow, heavy black liner, silver mascara, hot pink blush, the works. Isabel was kneeling on his right, having already completed the left, with a bottle of pink glitter nail polish. Tess had his legs propped up on the coffee table, sitting on his shins so he couldn't move with out sending her tumbling to the floor. She was painting his toes a rather vibrant orange. Gwyn was lounging in the recliner across the living room, sipping a soda and watching as if it were her own private side show. "All done!" Maria declared triumphantly. She swiveled around in his lap but didn't get up. "Isn't he boo-tiful?" She grinned at Max. Max nodded trying not fall to the floor in hysterics at the face Michael was making. If he only had a camera! "Oh yeah, he's uh, gorgeous." "Not another word Maxwell," Michael growled warningly. It only prompted another fit of laughter form Gwyn and Max. "I'm done." Isabel stood, capping the bottle of polish. "Me too." Tess attempted to stand but fell to the floor taking Isabel down with her. Seeing how the giggling and lack of activity could quickly turn ugly Max seized the opportunity to introduce the movie. Walking over to the tv he pick up the video's the girls had rented. Sleepless in Seattle, American Pie, Charlie's Angels, and Beauty and the Beast. Well, at least they had diverse taste. Turning back around he held up the boxes. "Ok, which move?" Michael finally succeeded in getting Maria off him for a few minutes and joined Max to look at the selection. Gwyn also came to the from of the room. "I vote for Charlie's Angels. At least its got some action." "Bad idea," Gwyn motioned to the girls who were now pretending to pay homage to Queen Maria. "Do we really want them trying to reenact the stunts at oh," she looked at her watch, "two in the morning?" "I have to go with Gwyn on that one, sorry Michael." He smiled apologetically at him, it really wasn't his night. "Fine, no Angels. But I'm not watching Sleepless in Seattle its just way too chick flick for me." "I don't really care one way or the other. You guys?" "I'm not sure a comedy that raunchy is a good idea on the Maria front but," she added when she saw Michael roll his eyes, "if you can handle her I'm good with either one." "Why don't we ask the girls. Isabel usually gets pretty angry when we just tell her what we're watching." "You got a point Maxwell. I'm not saying I want to watch Beauty and the Beast but I'd be happy just to get this crap off my face." "ok. Hey girls," he got their attention. "Which movie do you want to watch American Pie or Beauty and the Beast?" They looked up from their dog pile to evaluate their options. "I say Boo-ty and da Beast, and because I'm the queen I should get my way," Maria declared pointing to Liz's crown. "I thought Liz was the queen?" Tess looked back and forth between the two girls. Gwyn rolled her eyes, "Maria is just playing Tess." "Oh, ok." "So Beauty and the Beast? Is that working for all of you" "Yeah!" came the chorus of slightly slurred voices. "The queens have spoken Max." "Well, we can't go against the queens now can we?" He popped the movie into the VCR and went to sit on the couch. Gwyn shut off the lights and took command of the remote, fast forwarding through the old commercials at the front of the tape. Michael huffed down into the larger of the two chairs resigned to the over kill of estrogen he was going to receive tonight. Once the first song began the girls started to settle sown. Isabel and Tess stretched out on their sleeping bags in front of the TV where they would probably fall asleep. Maria climbed into Michael's lap, he gingerly removed the crown from her head and put it in the box on the end table. Smoothing out her hair, he settled her against his chest and rested his cheek on the top of her head. Much to Max's delight, Liz crawled onto the couch and snuggled herself next to him. Leaning back, he wrapped her in his arms and settled them into a more comfortable position. He stroked her hair as she rested her head on his shoulder and they both sighed contentedly. Not long after, Max drifted off. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ After 'Be Our Guest' Liz removed herself from the sleeping Max's embrace and quietly slipped out of the room. Stirring, as he felt her shift and stand, Max awoke in time to see Liz disappear around a corner. Standing and stretching, he moved to followed her. On his way he had to smile at the scene Michael and Maria made. Curled up in the big recliner, Maria was asleep but Michael seemed to be following the movie with rapt attention. He was even smiling and bopping his head a little to the song being playing. Making a mental note to remind him of this later, Max went in pursuit of Liz. Down the hall, a few steps from her bedroom, he was forced to stop when his foot caught on something. Bending over, he picked up the wayward article. His breath caught in his throat when he realized what exactly it was. Was she trying to kill him? There, in his hand, was the shirt he knew Liz had been wearing. Max stood outside the door debating the merits of going into the room that could quite possibly contain a very naked Liz. While his hormones were screaming at him to get his butt in that room, his conscience was reasoning that the first time he saw her... like that, he was hoping it would be through mutual consent. He also didn't want to embarrass her. His decision was made for him though, when he heard bath water begin to run. She was in no condition to take a bath, she could fall asleep and drown. Drawing on all his control, he swiftly entered the room before he could chicken out. Rounding the bed, he was struck dumb as Liz came out of her bathroom while pulling down her shorts. Stopping in front of him, she finished removing them, then straightened to look him in the eye as if there was nothing amiss with the situation. Red. They were red. Liz Parker, his dream girl, who was in all ways perfect he would like to add, was standing before him in nothing but matching red satin underwear. This was bad... no-o, it was good. Very good. No! Bad! Bad Max. Brain fuzzy... rushing sound... her mouth, it was moving. Oh her mouth, all soft and pink and warm and kissable... if he could just reach out and- "... bath..." He shook his head a little trying to bring what she was saying into focus. There was a specific reason he was here, what was it again? God, she was so beautiful. No, think... She was looking at him expectantly, what had she said? "What?" He shifted on his feet hoping she didn't notice that he was trying to alleviate the suddenly tight fit of his pants. "I was going to take a bath and go to bed. Is that ok?" She asked with such innocence and sincerity, how could that be more of a turn on? Wait, bath... that was it, she wasn't supposed to take a bath, she could drown. That thought did a pretty good job of knocking some sense into him, at least for the three seconds it took to tell her no. "I don't think you should take a bath." "You don't?" "No, you can take one in the morning though." He wasn't going to take the time to explain why, it would only cause more problems. She thought about it for a moment, then smiled, "ok." She continued to stand there like she was waiting for him to tell her what to do. "Ok," look at her face, only the face, he coached himself. "If you are going to bed you should probably put on some pajamas." Yes, pajamas, good call. Let's get her at least a little more covered so you can breath again. We'll think about maybe getting some looser pants tomorrow. Liz nodded seriously, then side stepped him to go to her dresser. His gaze followed her movement. Hmmm, bikini cut. No, bad Max. Turn around. Now! He was unable to obey his command until her hands started to fiddle with the clasp of her bra. "I'm going to turn off the water," he spit out the sentence and dashed into the adjoining room. Closing the door, he leaned against it hoping to give her more privacy while she changed. Uh huh, keep telling yourself that, Max. You're not hiding in here trying to calm down the over active libido you didn't know you had, so you don't maul that innocent girl out there. Right. Taking a few deep breaths, he calmed himself a little more, at least to where he could be in the same room with her, then turned off the faucet and pulled the plug on the drain. He waited a few more minutes to make sure she was done changing before cracking the door and peaking out. "Liz?" "Yeah?" "Are you done changing?" "All done." He opened the door slowly, sticking his head out hesitantly to check the room. Sure enough, she was standing in front of her bureau dressed in blue and white plaid boxers and a blue tank top. It was a still an outfit that sent pangs of heated lust through his body, but at least it left a little more to the imagination. Moving farther into the room, he went to the bed and turned back the covers. Still at her dresser, she rubbed her eyes sleepily as she watched him with fascination. He stood back up and patted the bed. Max smiled and felt the tug on his heart strings at how utterly adorable she was. Holding the covers back, he helped her climb into the middle of the bed. Once she was comfortable he pulled the covers back up, tucking them around her little body, then sat at the on the edge of the bed. Liz scooted closer to where he was sitting as Max reached out to caress her beautiful face. Softly, he skimmed his fingers up her cheek, barely brushing the skin. Grazing up to her hair line, tucking an errant strand behind her ear, continuing the slow stroke over the shell of her ear and down her jaw. Her eyes were riveted to his as he moved the delicate touch of his fingers from the soft skin of her chin up to her smooth lips. Almost imperceptibly, he traced the graceful pout of her bottom lip, followed by the soft arch of the top. Giving into temptation, he leaned forward replacing his fingers with his mouth. He pressed his lips to hers in an achingly tender and sweet kiss. While it was the briefest and purest of kisses, the familiar electricity he felt begin to hum within his body and the sparks that flew between them were undeniable. Pulling back, he was more than relieved to see that his dazed expression was reflected on her. He ran his fingers through her silky hair one last time before whispering, "Good night, my Liz." He began to stand when she grabbed his hand with a startling urgency. "Max?" Her eyes filled with a reluctance and vulnerability he was unaccustomed to seeing in her. "What is it, Liz?" His voice communicated his concern as he sat back down. Her gaze drifted away for a minute and she chewed her lip, finally, when she found the words she wanted, it returned to his. "Would you, could you- stay?" she asked in a small voice. Before he could answer with the instant YES! that was screaming in his head, she rushed on to explain herself. "I-I still don't like the dark too much. Michael, he usually stays until I fall asleep. Could you...?" "Of course," he answered without hesitation before climbing in next to her and taking her in his arms, the only place she belonged. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Liz woke slowly with the awareness of something firm under her check and outstretched palm. Something firm... and moving. Consciousness seeping into her sleep fogged brain, she didn't have time to question the odd actions of her pillow when the ache in her head compounded with each passing second. Keeping her eyes sealed, at a snail's pace, she brought a hand up to massage her temple. The small action elicited a painful moan and she squeezed her eyes tighter. As she debated her options of staying in bed or going in search of aspirin, she felt gentle fingers weave through her hair to lightly grip the back of her skull. Still too hazy to question, a relieved sigh escaped as a blissfully healing warmth worked its way into her head relieving the pressure and pain. A tingling began at the base of her skull, moving up over her scalp and into her forehead, relaxing all the taught muscles. It moved down her neck, past her shoulders, and into her arms. It swirled through the rest of her body taking away any other soreness or tension, awakening her senses, and leaving butterflies in her stomach. After a moment the tingling ebbed leaving her with a profound felling of warmth and security. Once again, she became aware of the fingers still gently massaging her scalp and the odd state of her pillow. Opening her eyes slowly and running her hand over the interesting texture of her pillow, she realized it wasn't moving, it was breathing. She tilted her head up, a lazy smile playing at her lips, to meet Max's adoring gaze. "Thank you," she whispered earnestly, not wanting to disturb the early morning stillness. "Sure," his hand snaked down her neck, between her shoulder blades as he placed a good morning kiss on her forehead. "Feeling better?" "Yeah," she rested her head back on his shoulder and traced invisible patterns on his well defined chest. "I uhh, things are still a little hazy... I didn't do anything too embarrassing, did I?" "Aside from your insistence on playing Lady Godiva all night? Nope, nothing to write home about." He heard her shocked gasp and couldn't help the corners of his mouth from turning up ever so slightly. "I didn't!" Her fist had gripped the material in the middle of his shirt, her upturned face pinking with embarrassment. He chuckled, "no, you didn't." She sighed a breath of relief until he added, "at least, you weren't completely naked." She gasped again and swatted his chest playfully, "Max! You're such a jerk," she couldn't get the giggles out of her voice though. He moved his hand to lightly run over her arm, "actually you kept your clothes on more than anyone else. Maria was the one who was really vying for the Lady Godiva role." "Somehow that doesn't surprise me," Liz laughed as she curled closer to Max's side. It didn't even occur to her that this was the closest they had been to each other in almost a year and that maybe they should be uncomfortable or uneasy, seeing as how she didn't really remember how exactly they got here. Waking up in his arms just felt too right for a silly thing like awkwardness. "But I uhh, I didn't do anything too embarrassing, right?" "No," he tightened his grip on her for a moment. His own feeling echoing hers, that this early morning pillow talk and her snuggled tightly to him, even if he was still fully clothed, was one of the most perfect, peaceful moments of his life. "There were a few moments where it was touch and go, but I think your safe from the gossip mongers for now. So long as I keep my mouth shut," he teased. He could feel Liz's silent giggle and her head shake against his shoulder. She stilled after a moment and they were quiet, listening to each other's breathing and the soft sounds of fingers tracing fabric and skin. His heart threatened to burst when her flattened palm stopped over his chest and a non-prompted, "I love you Max," was whispered into the hushed room. His hand came to rest over hers in reciprocation when Maria came stumbling into the room. "Max," she whispered lethargically. Her hand covered her eyes, only a small separation between her fingers allowing her to see. She drug herself over to Max's side of the bed and half heartedly shoved him. Max had the fleeting thought that one day he would get an entire moment alone with Liz, away from Maria and her inopportune interruptions. "Fix me," she whined as softly as possible. Her head must really be killing her, Liz thought, she didn't even raise and eyebrow at finding Max in her bed. Indulgently, Max scooted into the middle of the bed while keeping Liz tightly held to his side. Holding an arm out for her, Maria sank into the spot he vacated and rested her head on his available shoulder. Gingerly, he cupped the back of her head and banished her hang over. She sighed in relief as her body began to relax. Snuggling closer, her eyes drooping, she mumbled, "I knew there was a reason we kept you around." Max chuckled and pulled both girls closer to him. Liz and Maria were dozing lightly and Max was about to join them when a gruff voice startled them all from dreamland. "Maxwell, its not bad enough you're taking my sister, who is capable of sleeping by herself, by the way," Liz rolled her eyes as Max pulled her and Maria into sitting positions. "Now you have to move in on my woman too?" "Michael," Maria snorted with indignation. "I am not your woman. I do not belong to anyone. Join the twenty first century Space Boy. Although," a small smirk graced her lips as she assessed his appearance, "I think the alternative lifestyle you seem to be embracing may be a step in the right direction." Liz buried her face in Max's chest to hide her laughter but Max and Maria didn't try so hard. "Huh?" was Michael's response. Max was the only one capable of answering, "Yeah, umm, Michael, you might want to think about washing your face, unless badly paid drag queen was the look you were going for today." His brows raised almost to his hair line as he realized that he had fallen asleep last night without washing his 'make over' off. Turning abruptly on his heal, he marched out of the room grumbling about drunken humans and purple eye shadow. That was the only time Max could ever remember seeing Michael blush. The three were dragging themselves out of bed when a rather irate, "ISABEL!" came from Michael's room. This could be a long day Back Next |