| Secrets In The Past |
| Chapter 49 ________________ �Michael,� Liz called from her bedroom. �Come zip my dress for me.� �What?� he appeared in her doorway, an apple in one hand and a bottle of Tabasco in the other. �Can you zip my dress please?� she turned around holding the garment up by the straps. �Oh, sure,� he set his snack down on her dresser before coming up behind her. Careful not to catch any skin, he zipped her up quickly, then pulled her hair back off her shoulders. Standing in front of the mirror, he watched her over her head while she smoothed out her skirt. She looked so little and so grown up at the same time. He had a sudden pang of regret that he hadn�t paid as much attention to her growing up as Max had. She was practically an adult already and he felt like he�d missed something really special not having known her as the inquisitive, playful little girl she had most likely been. Now she was standing here getting ready to go out with his best friend. It wasn�t like Liz and Max hadn�t gone out before, but this time it was different. Max knew more about Liz in some ways than he ever would and loath he was to admit it, he was terribly jealous of Max for that reason. Not only that, but he resented the fact that Max was trying to take her away from him so soon. Sure it was only a date now, but like last spring, how long would it take for both of them to forget about the rest of them, for Liz to forget about him? In the back of his mind he heard Maria and Gwyn telling him he was being irrational and stupid, but when it came to Liz over the last few months, when had he been anything but? He constantly fought himself at telling Max she wasn�t ready, she hadn�t had enough time and he had to back off. He couldn�t for one simple reason. He couldn't be that selfish when that was the only thing his sister really wanted. She had believed she�d given up everything for the rest of them, he couldn�t be so cruel as to keep her from the one thing that would ultimately be able to make her happier than he ever had a chance of. Max. He saw it again in her eyes just then. She hadn�t smiled like this since last spring. She was gorgeous when she smiled. Max had better tell her that, a lot. How could he not want to see her smiling and happy like this all the time? Even if it wasn�t with or because of him. Besides, it wasn�t like Max was going to take her across state lines or anything. He was too responsible, unlike some other people who shall remain nameless, he smirked to himself. �What?� She asked when she finally caught him staring at her. �I just, umm. You just about ready?� They way he met her eyes and the low tone in his voice quietly communicated his double meaning. Liz paused for a minuet, not answering right away. �Yeah, I am.� Her answer was soft but firmly resolute, as if coming to a final realization. He didn�t say anything, turning his attention to the rest of her reflection. He smoothed away a loose strand of hair and straightened a twisted shoulder strap before leaning down and kissing her cheek. �You look nice sweetling.� He didn�t use the endearment often but it was just one of those moments. The doorbell broke the moment before Liz could respond to his heartfelt complement. �That�ll be Max. I�ll just go get the door and you can finish... whatever.� �Thanks Michael,� she said in all seriousness, knowing he hadn�t just been talking about her dress. He returned the sentiment with a nod and a rare half smile before answering the door. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ �Hey Max.� �Michael,� the boys greeted each other as Michael led him into the the front room. They stood awkwardly for a few minutes, fascinated with their shoes. �Liz is almost ready,� Michael blurted out, trying to relieve the tension. It didn�t help. �Yeah, I figured,� Max shrugged. �So uhh, everything all set?� He asked in reference to Max�s plan, which he was partially privy to. �Yeah, yeah. Eveything's ready.� �Cool,� there was another long pause as they shifted on their feet. The awkward irony of the situation was not lost on either young man. �Ok, well, Maria�s probably waiting for me so I�m just gonna head out.� �Oh sure,� Max nodded enthusiastically. �Have fun.� �You too, but not too much fun.� He glared warningly at Max while he shrugged into his jacket. Max just smiled at him. While it was annoying to the extreme, sometimes Michael�s protectiveness of Liz was funny. Especially when he recalled a very different attitude Michael had this time last year regarding his �having too much fun� with Liz. �Liz...� he called down the hall. �I�m leaving.� �Ok.� Her light voice carried to his ears and Max felt the familiar rumble in his stomach. �Don�t stay out too late.� �O-ka-ay.� �and Liz,� �What Michael?!� Sweater in hand, she came into the living room where they were. �Those things I saw in that bag before? I better be the only other person that sees them.� �Michael!� Liz gasped, thoroughly shocked. Her cheeks pinked despite herself as she gaped at his insinuation. Getting the desired effect, Michael flashed her another smile, waved good bye to Max, and was out the door. Max was acutely aware of the precise moment Liz set foot in the living room. The intoxicating scent of her vanilla and white flower perfume that he loved mixed with the clean fresh sent that was purely Liz floated across to him, assaulting his senses and making his head spin. He was barely registering her amiable bickering with Michael as he watched her. The subtle way her hips moved, making his blood stir. How her slender hands glided through the air as she talked. The way her hair bounced lightly on her back, making his fingers ache with the need to run though its silky texture. The tiny expanse of her waist that his arms longed to be wrapped around again. She was beyond beautiful. Stunning, radiant, immaculate, exquisite, glorious, none of them sufficed to describe her perfection. She was wearing a dark red dress made of some kind of silky material that begged for his touch. It wasn�t too tight, but delicately skimmed her curves as she walked. It flared slightly from her hips, making her somehow seem even more tiny and delicate, and fell gracefully just below her knees. The neckline was a gentle scoop that allowed a tantalizing glimpse of creamy cleavage. The straps holding it up were wide enough to be practical while being thin enough to show most of her graceful shoulders. She wore her hair down, the way he liked it most. It was a swept back off her shoulders exposing the long line of her neck and soft curve of her clavicle. As she walked with Michael her cheeks flushed mildly in embarrassment and her eyes sparkled. Put more simply, she was a goddess. He couldn�t help but stare at her soft lips while they moved. Couldn�t help thinking of how long it had been since he had truly been able to thoroughly kiss them and if she was wearing raspberry or strawberry lip gloss. It wasn�t until they stopped moving did Max realize that she�d asked him a question. �Do you ever feel like you�re in one of those after school specials?� It took him a second to regain his bearings. �I don�t really think they�d make an after school special about my life,� he chuckled. �Well,� she shrugged heading to the door as well. �That�s what living with Michael is like, an after school special. Only weirder.� �Is that a good or a bad thing?� �It depends on the day.� ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ �How was shopping?� Max asked to distract her as he pulled out onto the highway. He still hadn�t told her where they were going or what they were doing. �Really fun. Too much fun.� �Too much?� �Yeah. Oh! I got to talk to Gwyn and Justin and they told me a bunch of stuff,� she blurted out excitedly, almost bouncing in her seat. �What kind of stuff?� he smiled broadly at her apparent delight. It was great to see her happy, even excited about something again. �Stuff like Grama Claudia was my protector.� Max swerved at Liz�s blunt statement. �Sorry,� he apologized, smiling sheepishly when they were back in the correct lane. Liz laughed, �its ok. That was kinda my reaction too.� �Gramma Claudia? How does she know that?� �Well, she didn�t. Not really, I figured it out. Apparently they had some very detailed records but over the years parts of them were lost. Among the lost information was the name of my human protector and the exact location of my pod. Gwyn said they knew it was an important location, but they no longer know why it was important and they didn�t even know exactly were it was. That�s why they had so much trouble finding me.� �Ok, well, I can kinda see that. Actually, no I can�t. How is it that they keep losing us? You were all alone for all they knew. How could they not leave people to look after you?� �Max, they thought they were doing the right thing. There was a war going on, things were bad. They thought I was safer like this, and I was,� she pointed out gently. Max decided to let it go for now. He hadn�t realized he was having abandonment issues, that was Michael�s department. He wasn�t though, not really. There was only one person he truly feared leaving him. It was Liz that he was angry they left, not him. �So how is it you figured out Claudia was your protector?� �Gwyn said the ship came in 1945 and I was entrusted to a young archeologist. She had been doing research where they were going to leave my pod. I have no idea how, but they befriended each other and trusted her enough to ask her to look over me until I was ready to come out. �They knew that it was in Arizona but the exact site was lost. They had a vague description and from that they were able to eventually narrow it down to two possible sites. That�s why the Underground is based in Arizona, it was my last know location.� �Ok, that still doesn�t explain how you know its Claudia. Not that I don�t believe you, I just want us to be sure.� �The two places they thought it might be were Casa Grande National Monument near Coolidge, Arizona and The Anasazi cliff dwellings in The Navajo National Monument. I remembered from Gramma�s notes that in 1945 she was at Casa Grande working on the Hohokam�s disappearance in the early fifteenth century. When she came back from that trip she was even more dedicated to her research. Now that I think about it, that was when she turned her focus from the Hohokam to the Navajo, huh. Anyway, Grampa was always really supportive of her work and they sold the family bar not long after the �47 crash so they could move to Tuscan. Its central to lots of different dig sites and preserves in southern Arizona. More accurately it was the biggest city between Roswell and The Casa Grande National Monument.� �Which contained one of the possible places your pod was left?� �Right. When I was six months old my parents and I moved back to Roswell. My Dad, he was born eight years after they moved to Tuscan, had spent summers here with Grandpa�s parents and preferred it to Arizona. And since Mom was from Santa Fe, we wouldn�t be far from her parents either. They bought the property were the old bar had been and turned it into the Crashdown.� �So you guys are thinking that your grama was your protector because she moved near one of the places they think you were left?� �Well it doesn�t seem as plausible when you say it like that,� she returned some what defensively. �I didn�t mean it like that Liz. I was only trying to be objective. I know how much she meant to you and I wouldn�t want you to be disappointed if we find evidence to the contrary.� �That�s not the only evidence though, Max. And you know I never come to conclusions hastily.� He chuckled, �true. Ever our little scientist.� Liz hit him playfully, �jerk!� She laughed as she pushed her hair out of her face. �Anyway, there�s also the adoption records, there aren�t any. Birth certificates can be easily forged and my protector would have had to have done something with me. If she somehow thought the crash in �47 was the skins and not Antarians, there could be a chance they knew I was with her. It would have been safer for me not to be with her. By placing me with her son and his wife she would be able to keep an eye on me and everything would look completely normal. As far as anyone knew I was biologically a Parker. That could explain why my parents never said anything to anyone about me being adopted.� �Then why let your parents move back to Roswell?� �Hide in plain sight, just like you guys. Also, no one here would know that they suddenly had a six month old. They could tell everyone they decided to move to a smaller community after I was born so they could spend more time as a family. It was the perfect cover really.� �I agree, it does seem the most likely. Especially the way you�re grama didn�t seem at all surprised by what happened at the hospital.� Max mentally kicked himself when he saw Liz turn to look out the window. He shouldn�t have brought up that day so casually. �Liz, I�m sorry I didn�t mean to-� �No, Max its ok.� She waved her hand in dismissal. �I actually hadn�t thought of that, I�m glad you did.� He sighed, relieved he hadn�t ruined the evening by bringing up painful memories. �Do you think your parents know?� �About the whole alien origins thing?� �Yeah.� �No. I�ve thought about it a lot and if they did, not matter how they came about the information, I think dad would have told me. Even if they had decided not to, which in some ways I can see how it would be safer to keep it a secret from me, I think things would have gone a lot differently last spring.� �Huh? Last spring?� �Uhh, yeah. I was acting, umm, a little weird. The whole eraser room thing, sneaking out at night, That kind of thing. My mom wasn�t exactly supportive of my new activities. Anyway, I don�t think if my parents knew the entire story I would have been able to continue seeing you. They probably would have stuck me in an underground convent in England thinking you were evil and out to kill me.� �Yeah, I was surprised your dad didn�t come after me anyway.� He flashed her a grin, raising his eyebrows. Liz rolled her eyes. �Daddy likes you Max. Especially after he saw you with the mariachi band. I think he was disappointed he didn�t get to tease you after that.� It was Max�s turn to flush with embarrassment. �Yeah, well, lets hope he�s forgotten about that.� He scratched behind his ear, laughing nervously. �Max, you in a sombrero is not something anyone is likely to forget.� She couldn�t help but laugh at the slightly mortified look on his face. If it hadn�t been for a certain unexpected visitor that would have been one of her favorite memories of Max. Trying to save what little dignity he had left, Max turned the conversation back to the original subject. �Do you think your pod�s still there, at Casa Grande I mean?� �No,� Liz sighed. Max was surprised she sounded so sad. �They looked. Either Claudia destroyed it, its hidden really well, or the parks department did something with it...� �I�m sorry Liz.� He knew how important it was for him and the others to see where they had been born, even if it had been at a really inopportune and confusing time in his life. Now Liz might not have that chance. She was quiet for a minute and Max could tell she was debating about saying something, �what is it?� he encouraged. She turned more in her seat to look at him, �I was thinking, this summer, after everything with Durton is over, do you think maybe we could go there. All of us, or not, whoever wants to go. We could take the sheriff if our parents thought we needed an adult. I�d really like to see it Max. Even if my... pod isn�t there anymore. Seeing it would make it more real somehow.� Max picked her hand up, lacing their fingers together, and brought it back to rest on his thigh. �Of course we�ll go.� He said it like it wasn�t even a question. They would have gone even if she hadn�t asked. �As soon as school gets out, we can make a big trip of it. We could stop in Tombstone and have our picture taken in period costumes and see one of their reenactment things. I bet Kyle and Valenti would get a kick out of it. We could maybe even take a day or two and camp at Chiricahua. I�ve always wanted to go there.� �I�d like that,� she squeeze his hand in thanks. �How come Gwyn didn�t tell you what she knew sooner?� �She said because it wasn�t pressing information she was waiting until I could better handle more inconclusive information, which I can understand. She didn�t know I would be able to put the pieces together and I haven�t been really... open to new stuff lately.� �Yeah, I can see that. She�s been keeping it a secret for years, too. Its hard to break the habit,� he said knowingly. �I�m sure that was part of it.� �Did you guys talk about anything else?� �Just one to her thing. I�d had my suspicions but Gwyn confirmed them for me.� �What�s that?� Max let go of her hand for a moment to shift gears as he turned off the road and on the the desert floor. �I asked her if she had any ideas why my powers were so strong.� He looked at her quickly, �and?� He had been wondering the same thing, especially since Wednesday, but he wasn�t sure if reminding Liz that she was not only different from other humans but from him as well would be a good thing. It was still something he had trouble coping with at times. �I�m human, one hundred percent.� �Uh huh...� �Our powers, all of us, are a result of our human physiology, not alien. Given a millennia or two of evaluation Maria and Alex could be just as powerful as I am.� �Right, but shouldn�t our added alien DNA strengthen our powers?� �Not in this case. Whenever you combine two things, in this case human and alien genetic material, there will be compromises in the result. The part of your physiology that�s alien, in essence dilutes your human physiology. That alien part isn�t capable of those things and hinders your powers. Where as I�m purely human so my powers are full strength.� �That makes sense,� Max said thinking it over. �Ok, but what about the New York set? They were more advanced but they�re more alien than we are.� He smiled, thinking he�d found the fly in her logic. She smiled right back at him. �Yes, they were stronger but they also hadn�t spent the last six years doing everything they could to suppress and hide their abilities. They had been working on them since birth, where as you had only been seriously working on them for six months. Our powers are like muscles, if they go unused they atrophy, you have to practice to get them up to full condition. When you guys have had enough time to learn what you can really do and become proficient, you should be much stronger than they were.� �That actually makes sense.� Liz balked, �you doubted it?� �You? Never.� He kissed her hand as the jeep came to a stop. �We�re here.� |
| The songs on the first half of Max�s CD are as follows: (in order of appearance in the story) Paint the Sky With Stars Enya She Elvis Costello When You Love Someone Bryan Adams I Shall Believe Sheryl Crow Everything Lifehouse |
| Chapter 50 __________________ �Here?� Liz looked around but couldn�t see much. They were in a part of the desert she didn�t know well, at lease fifty miles in the opposite direction of the pod chamber if she had to guess. They were parked by a short out crop of boulders. As far as desert formations went, this one wasn�t anything to write home about. From the highest peak it stood maybe eight feet tall, the boulders arranged in a half moon shape where they stood at the back of the arc. �Yes, here.� Max amusedly mocked her disbelieving tone. Coming around the hood of the Jeep, he helped her down on to the dusty ground. Not letting go, he led her around the formation. �Max, I don�t eve-� Liz was caught mid sentence when they rounded the edge of the rocks. The boulders were indeed in a half moon shape, leaving a hollow area like a small amphitheater. Not thirty feet from the open area was a curving ravine that somehow she had managed to miss when they were in the jeep. But that wasn�t what made her catch her breath. It was the hollowed out part of the formation that gathered all her attention. Somehow, it had been transformed into something out of a fairy tale, Aladdin meets Cinderella was probably the only way to describe it. Covering the ground and leaned against every surface were blankets and pillows of every shape and size. The blankets were all of the plushest, softest fabrics like chenille and velvet while the innumerable pillows were in sumptuous silks, satins, and chiffons. Everything was done completely in rich desert tones of gold, red, umber, and orange. It was cozy and at the same time wildly decadent. Like a tiny turkish palace in the middle of no where. The mouth of the formation measured nearly thirty feet wide. Towards the front and to the left side was a small table barely fit for two people. At each place sat a silver dome that, if the ambiance was any indication, contained something completely sinful and delicious. The glasses and other table wear were all of china, crystal, and sterling. Two flickering tapers in sterling candle sticks and white rose petals completed the adornments. The unique thing about this particular table was its height. It was barely a foot off the ground with large round cushions to sit on. Farther out from the rocks, close to the ravine ledge, stood a telescope on a tripod. Currently the only light not provided by the stars was the that from the candles on the table. So far away from any sign of civilization, the view of the night sky was breath taking to say the least. There was another small table stationed at the inner crest of the hollow. On it was another large silver dome accompanied by four smaller ones. There were a dozen tea lights that had yet to be lit, as well as more rose petals. When Liz was finally able to find her voice, she turned to Max with wide eyed astonishment. She hadn�t realized until now how tightly he�d been holding her hand. �Max...� she said on a breath full of awe. �How did you...? When did you...?� Not finding words to express what she was feeling at the moment, she gestured to his preparations. �Max, this is incredible.� He all but beamed at the praise as he let out a relieved sigh. In those few silent moments she�d been taking it all in, he was more nervous than he ever expected to be. �You like it?� �Max, this is... You did this for me?� �Of course, you�re the only reason I�d let Isabel and Maria take me shopping at the same time.� �You let Isabel *and* Maria take you shopping?� �Uh-huh.� �Max,� Liz covered her mouth to stifle her giggles. �Are you ok? I mean, I�m not sure I�m worth that kind of torture.� �You are worth every kind of torture,� he affirmed solemnly. �Besides, this is only the beginning.� �Only the beginning? Are you implying there might be other surprises this evening?� His mouth quirked slyly. �Oh, I might have a few more tricks up my sleeve.� �Oh really?� Her lips curled and one eyebrow raised in challenge. �I might.� Max bounced on his heals, not able to stop grinning. How he�d missed this. �Hmmm. Well, I�ll just have to see then, won�t I?� She grabbed onto one of his arms, unbuttoned the cuff of his black, collared dress shirt, and peered up his sleeve.� �I don�t see anything up that one. There better be something up the other.� �There might be something,� he continued to tease. �Like what?� �Oh, like this...� he waved the hand that hadn�t been inspected and turned her to look at the face of the rock formation again. Liz�s swift intake of breath and the look on her face told him that despite what a pain it was to get them up there, it was well worth it. Suddenly before my eyes Hues of indigo arise With them how my spirit sighs Paint the sky with stars Only night will ever know Why the heavens never show All the dreams there are to know Paint the sky with stars On every shelf, crack, or depression that the rock face could safely support one, stood a flickering tea light. There must have been four or five dozen dotting the expanse like stars captured from the sky. A soft melody began to fill the air. The sound caught in the crescent and bounced off the opposing wall of the ravine, filling the desert hauntingly with song. Who has placed the midnight sky So our spirit has to fly Has the heaven seemed so far Now who will paint the midnight star Night has brought to those who sleep Only dreams they can not keep I have visions in the deep Paint the sky with stars Who has placed the midnight sky So our spirit has to fly Has the heaven seemed so far Now who will paint the midnight star �Max its so beautiful,� Liz whispered. �How did you do this?� She looked up at him and the light sparkling in her deep brown depths and dancing on her smooth skin stole all coherent thought from his head. Not altogether unfamiliar with the sensation, he recovered quickly with the half smile that made her insides quiver. �Magic,� was his only response. Liz smiled in remembrance of his last reference to �everything being magic�, �and the music?� He had a slightly more earthly explanation for that. �Alex.� �Alex?� �Alex. I picked out some songs I knew we both liked or I thought were appropriate. Izzy filled in the blanks and I had Alex burn the cds. Two copies, one for each of us.� Place a name upon the night One to set your heart alight One to make the darkness bright Paint the sky with stars Before Liz could tell him how utterly romantic that was, he took her hand and led her to the table. �Let�s eat before it gets cold again. That is, if this is ok for you.� He scratched his ear nervously again. He wanted so much for her to like this. She smiled up at him, completely charmed by his insecurity. �Its perfect.� ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ �Dinner was fabulous Max. Thank you.� Liz put her fork down and folded her napkin next to her plate. �I�m glad you liked it. I wasn�t sure, dinner was the hardest thing to plan. I wanted it to be something we hadn�t done before.� Liz laughed looking around, �well you certainly succeeded in that endeavor.� The corner of his mouth lifted in a half smile, �I suppose I might have gone a little overboard.� Liz shook her head. �No, its wonderful, all of it. Italian was a good choice, too. I wish we had a decent Italian restaurant in town. You would think it would be really popular. Did you make these yourself? They were really good.� �No. I�m afraid I can�t cook much better than mom.� Liz laughed, she�d heard stories of Diane�s adventures with Martha Stuart. �Maria had her mom make up these special for us. Isabel said ravioli was a good choice because there was less of a chance of something getting on your dress and I could heat it with my powers without it tasting like road kill.� �That�s definitely something to keep in mind for the future. I love Amy�s recipe, its one of my favorites, but Max, you know I would have been happy with a hamburger and a movie. Right?� �Yeah, so would I,� he admitted. �Anything would be perfect as long as we�re together when we do it.� He paused for a minute wanting to make sure this came out the right way. �We haven�t done anything like this, I mean as a... couple, in so long I wanted it to be different than anything we did before. We�ve done the traditional stuff and I wanted it to be specialer than the Crashdown and a movie. As special as the company.� Liz leaned across the table, covering one of his hands with her smaller one. �It is.� They fell into each other�s stare then, sharing their feelings of sheer bliss at finally having made it back to this point. It was like nothing had changed. They were together and all was right with the world, at least for now. Max heard the current song ending and was reminded that he especially liked the next song on the cd. Standing, he came around to Liz�s side and offered her his hand. �Dance with me?� he asked simply. In lou of an answer Liz slipped her hand into his. Max helped her up and led her closer to the ravine. He stood in front of her for a moment just looking into her eyes. Reaching out, he ran the backs of his knuckles along the ridge her cheek lovingly. Liz gasped at the warmth of his hand on her cool skin and turned into the caress as Max flattened his palm against her cheek. She may be the face I can�t forget The trace of pleasure or regret May be my treasure or the price I have to pay She may be the song that summer sings May be the chill that autumn brings May be a hundred different things Within the measure of a day Feeling the breath of distance between them was too much, Max stepped forward running his other hand through her hair. Encouraged by the small helpless sound that tumbled from her lips, he let his hand wander farther down until it cupped her slender neck. She may be the beauty or the beast May be the famine or the feast May turn each day in to a heaven or a hell She may be the mirror of my dreams A smile reflected in a stream She may not be what she may seem Inside her shell Slowly he lowered his lips to hers, waiting until the last possible moment to let his eyes flutter closed. With tightly leashed control, he brushed his lips over hers. While he should have been expecting it, the jolt of electricity that shocked his system and left his body tingling almost knocking him backwards. Liz�s hands gripped his shoulders for support when the same welcome jolt rocked her own senses. She returned the gentle pressure of his kiss as his other hand came to cup her face. Experimentally, Max ran the tip of his tongue along the seam of her lips. Another helpless whimper was drawn from her as she parted them slightly at his request. It was Max�s turn to groan as he gently stroked the soft skin just inside her lips and ran his tongue over the sharp edge of her teeth. He felt the velvet tip of her tongue brush sleekly over his and pull away. Giving chase, he drew her out to massage her satiny sweetness languidly. She always seems so happy in a crowd Who�s eyes can be so privet and so proud No one�s aloud to see them when they cry She may be the love that can not hope to last May come to me from shadows of the past But I�ll remember �till the day I die Still wanting to do the right thing and go slow, Max reluctantly pulled away. He couldn�t suppress a groan though, as he watched her pink tongue flick out to lick her puffy lips before she opened her eyes. Their glazed beauty and the absolute knowledge that he was the only one who could put it there, were almost enough to snap his control and break his promise. Before that could happen he pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her tiny waist as he had longed to do earlier in the evening. Her little hands reached around his neck playing lazily with the short wisps of hair. Max sighed in contentment as she rested her head on his shoulder. Pulling her even closer, he looked up at the twinkling sky and hoped to the heavens that there would be many more perfect moments just like this in their future. She may be the reason I survive They why and wherefore I�m alive The one I�ll care for the rough and ready years Me I�ll take her laughter and her tears And make them all my souvenirs For when she goes I�ve got to be The meaning of my life is she She She Liz reveled in the feeling of Max�s strong arms around her. Breathing in his masculine scent, she looked out over the vast desert scape. She hadn�t felt this safe or loved in a very long time. The previous year�s hardships all but disappeared, leaving only the incredible feeling she had in her heart. The extreme peace of knowing that this was right, that this was where she belonged, that this... was home. The song changed and they continued to dance. As they turned in the light of the waning moon, Liz marveled at this beautiful place and all the trouble Max had gone to to make this night special. �Max?� She moved her right hand down over his heart as she snuggled closer in his embrace. She could feel his smile where his head was resting against her hair. �Mmm?� �How did you find this place?� She felt him swallow convulsively as a hand moved from the small of her back to stroke her hair possessively. When you love someone - you�ll do anything You�ll do all the crazy things that you can�t explain You�ll shoot the moon - put out the sun When you love someone �Max?� she asked again in concern. She felt his emotions shift from contentment that mirrored her own, to an unsettled melancholy, and a sense of loss and confusion that made her heart sting. �I found it last summer while you were- away. I never told anybody about it. I would come out here when I missed you or wanted to get away from the others. So, I uhh, spent a lot of time out here. �I always wanted to bring you. It just took a little longer than I thought it would.� �Max,� she looked up at him. �I�m so sorry. If I-� �No, Liz.� He stopped their movement to lean his forehead against hers. �No apologies. Not for that, not from you.� �I know, it was something I had to do and I can�t apologize for that. I�m just sorry that you had to find this place at all. I�m sorry you had to hurt and that I couldn�t be here for you.� You�ll deny the truth - believe a lie There�ll be times that you�ll believe you can really fly But your lonely nights - have just begun When you love someone Max smiled, his hands moving to brush over the soft skin on her neck and chin. �Do you remember what I said to you the first time I kissed you?� Liz felt more than heard Max�s voice echo in the back of her mind. �... no matter what we go through, It�s all worthwhile for me because we�re together.� She nodded, unable to speak for remembering. When you love someone - you�ll feel it deep inside And nothin� else can ever change your mind When you want someone - when you need someone When you love someone... �I mean it just as much now as I meant it then, Liz. Its all worth it because you�re here, with me, in my arms. At this moment I wouldn�t change anything that�s happened because I have you now.� When you love someone - you�ll sacrifice You�d give it everything you got and you won�t think twice You�d risk it all - no matter what may come When you love someone You�ll shoot the moon - put out the sun When you love someone A single tear escaped down Liz�s cheek as she raised on her tip toes to brush her lips softly over his. Once, twice, finally settling and gently pulling at his bottom lip with her teeth. Not satisfied, Liz changed her tactics dramatically. Grabbing the sides of his face, she fused her lips to his with bruising force. Not waiting for assent, she plunged her tongue through his lips and past his teeth into the warm softness of his mouth. She sought out his tongue, her hands moving up to fist in his hair, desperate for him to feel everything she did at that precise moment. Her emotions so intense, her need to express them so overpowering, that�s all there was. No flashes, no pictures, no whispered thoughts, only their turbulent, heart stopping devotion to each other crashing in and flooding their connection. It took Max a moment to respond to Liz�s physical assault. He was too distracted by the profound, soul searing love filling his consciousness. That didn�t last long though. He grabbed onto her just as tightly, molding her tiny body perfectly against his. One hand moved to her neck, angling her head back so he could taste every corner and cranny of her sweetness. The other danced tantalizingly up and down her spine making her shiver in pleasure against him, and eliciting a low grown from the back of his own throat. When they finally come up for air, Max gathered her intimately to his heaving chest. Liz�s head lay flat against his pounding heart, a rhythm that matched her own. They swayed to the music, catching their breath, and simply savored the feeling of being together at last. *~*~*~*~*~*~* Come to me now Lay your hands over me Max felt her stiffen suddenly and her emotions took a drastic turn as a new song began. Her eyes clouded over with pain and she pulled away from him. �Liz... what is it?� he closed the small distance she�d put between them. Even if its a lie Say it will be alright And I will believe She didn�t answer and Max could see she was fighting with herself. When she still didn�t answer he tried to fix it on instinct. �I though you liked this song, I didn�t mean to upset you.� His throat tightened painfully thinking he�d hurt her somehow. He wanted this night to be special, not cause her to break down in tears. This had always been one of her favorite songs, when had that changed? �I�m sorry, I�ll change it.� As he moved to step around her, she grabbed on to his arm forcefully. Broken in two I know you�re on to me That I only come home When I�m so all alone But I do believe �No,� she said simply. �Its- its ok.� She wrapped her arms around his waist, holding on for dear life. As she raised her eyes to his he saw all the pain he was somehow causing her and had to fight the urge to crush her to him. �Liz, let me change the song. Its not a big deal.� That not everything is gonna be the way You think it ought to be It seems like every time I try to make it right It all comes down on me �It is,� she said with determination. She faltered for a moment as she lay her head on his chest. �Just... don�t let go.� Please say honestly you won�t give up on me And I shall believe I shall believe Max closed his eyes at the tears in her voice and hugged her as close as he could get without taking her breath. Stroking her hair soothingly, he rested his cheek on her head as he whispered to her. �Never. I�ll never let you go. Ever.� Open the door And show me your face tonight I know its true No one heals me like you And you hold the key Never again Would I turn away from you I�m so heavy tonight But your love is alright And I do believe That not everything is gonna be the way You think it ought to be Seems like every time I try to make it right It all comes down on me Please say honestly you won�t give up on me And I shall believe I shall believe I shall believe I shall believe ~*~*~*~*~ Find me here Speak to me I want to feel you I need to hear you As that one died away and a new song came on, Max continued to rock them softly from side to side until he felt Liz pull away some. She looked up at him with something akin to awe. You are the light That is leading me To the place where I find peace again Silently, she reached up and traced every plane of his face with her delicate touch, as if she were assuring herself that he was not a figment of her imagination. Stilling her fingers over his lips, she finally met his concerned gaze. You are the strength That keeps me walking You are the hope That keeps me trusting �Do you want to know?� she asked in barely a whisper. You are the life to my soul You are my purpose He kissed her fingertips, �know what?� You are everything �Everything.� |
| The second half of Max�s cd is as follows: (in order of appearance) I Knew I Loved You Savage Garden Promise of You Edwin McCain Marble Halls Enya Please Forgive Me David Gray Everything I Do Bryan Adams These were on his cd, but they were unfortunately in a scene that was cut due to length. Breathing Lifehouse Wrapped Around Your Finger The Police |
| Chapter 51 ------------------------ �So we would have...� Max swallowed thickly. �That night?� �Yeah, I guess we never made it to the concert.� Liz had just finished filling in all the missing gaps for Max about the last few months. He was actually taking it better than she expected. It had been a lot easier to tell than she anticipated. She hadn�t cried or broken down, and now she felt... free. Having that last secret exposed to Max was indescribably sweet and gave her a renewed sense of control over her life. They sat on one of the cushy piles of pillows while she told him everything. All that had happened, how she felt about it, and why she hadn�t told him before now, it all came flooding out cleansing both their souls and bridging this final gap. Max had held her tight during the whole account sharing his feelings of love, reassurance, and acceptance for everything she had gone through for them. Now that he was certain she was ok, he was pacing around trying to process and come to terms with all the new information. �Those tickets were expensive too,� he laughed nervously. �Hey, I have it on good authority you can be very persuasive.� Max flashed her a grin, then continued to pace. �The wedding, though, apparently that one was my idea.� Maybe it�s intuition But somethings you just don�t question Like in your eyes I see my future in an instant And there it goes I think I�ve found my best friend I know that it might sound more than a little crazy But I believe Max just couldn�t sit still right now. How was Liz so calm? Ok, so she wasn�t calm, she was mostly focused on how he was taking all of this, but still. �And nineteen, God, that�s so young. Too young.� �That�s what I said.� �What were we thinking? Our parents must have been ready to kill us.� �I would assume so.� I knew I loved you before I met you I think I dreamed you into life I knew I loved you before I met you I have been waiting all my life �Wait, if we got married... Liz,� he turned to her his guilt spilling forth like a river. �That means you didn�t go to Harvard. You stayed here. I can�t- How could I let you give that up?� �Max,� she sat up on her knees. �I said it was my idea, I must have thought about the consequences, or maybe I didn�t,� she shrugged. �Either way, do you really think there has been a day since you healed me that I actually believed I was going to go to Harvard?� There�s just no rhyme or reason Only a sense of completion And in your eyes I see the missing pieces I�m searching for I think I�ve found my way home He came to a dead stop in front of her, �don�t say that.� It came out much more forcefully that he had intended and she shrank back a little. His face softened and he traced one finger down her cheek. �I�ve already changed your life so much Liz. I couldn�t live with myself if I took that away from you too.� I know that it might sound more than a little crazy But I believe �Max,� she sighed in exasperation. �Where I eventually go to college will be my decision. Sure you will factor into that decision but, and I�m sorry to bruise your ego here, you�re not the only thing I have to consider. Besides, can you honestly look me in the eye and tell me you want me to go away, to leave Roswell?� I knew I loved you before I met you I think I dreamed you into life I knew I loved you before I met you I have been waiting all my life �If its what will make you happy.� �That�s not what I asked you.� Max sat back down, leaning against the pile of pillows from earlier. He held out his arms, almost in answer to her question. He needed her close, always. Once she was arranged comfortably, reclining in his arms but still able to see his face, he began again. A thousand angles dance around you I am complete now that I�ve found you �No,� he admitted with a sigh. �I don�t want you to go. I don�t want you out of arms reach, but I of all people know you can�t always have everything you want. �We�ve gotten this far. We�ve overcome insurmountable things to get to this place. I would be stupid to ask for more than what you have already given me, but I can�t stop myself.� I knew I loved you before I met you I think I dreamed you into life I knew I loved you before I met you I have been waiting all my life �I want us to be together, forever. I want all those things we had in the other time line and more. I want us to get married and have little Liz�s running around a picket fenced yard. I want to make love to you under the stars without worrying if the world will end. But most of all...� He turned her chin up so he could look into her eyes. �I want you to be happy my Liz... and if going away for awhile will make you happy, then I would be here waiting when you came back.� As punctuation, he leaned down and captured her mouth. He didn�t attempt to deepen the kiss, but let his firm mouth kneed her soft lips rhythmically, slowly, with an aching tenderness that drew a soft whimper from Liz. After not nearly long enough, he pulled away, leaning his head against hers. �I love you my Liz.� It was a declaration so soft she wasn�t sure if she had actually heard it with her ears or felt it in her mind. �I love you too,� she returned, her small hand cupping the strong line of his jaw. He kissed the tip of her nose sweetly and pulled back, laying flat out and staring up at the sky. He pulled her almost on top of him then, needing to hold her close for awhile. Stroking the silken skin on her arm, Max watched the stars. One line from his impromptu speech was repeating in his head. Promise of you It sleeps in the air The air that I breath And I know that its true Don�t have to convince myself to believe What would it be like to make love to her, his goddess, his Ara, his Andromeda, under the stars? Or in her bed? Or in his bed? Or in the kitchen at the Crashdown? The UFO Center? Their own house someday? Probably ecstasy beyond description. That was about what everything with Liz was like, sheer bliss. Completely beyond description. Even this, laying here quietly while she traced lazy patterns on his chest, he was happier than he had been in over a year. How could actually making love to her be anything but the pinnacle of existence? What secrets sleep in the heart of man So much love wasted Slip right through my hands See it in the eyes of the lonely As they make their weary way Shimmer in the eyes of the longing I hear it say The Kyle question had been answered in theory for a long time and in truth for over a month now. It made his blood rush loudly in his ears knowing that he would be the first, the only one to ever touch her like that. To make her feel safe like that. To love her like that. A sudden thought struck him that clenched at his heart and made his blood run cold. What if she... What if they... She would have told him, wouldn't she? A dark could settled over his heart. Why wouldn't she have? She was giving up everything else and knowing him he probably couldn�t resist. Max swallowed hard trying to push the corrosive thought away for another time. His attempts were spoiled though. Sensing his shift in mood as surly as he had her�s, Liz leaned up on her elbow so she was looking down on him. Promise of you It sleeps in the air The air that I breath And I know that its true Don�t have to convince myself to believe To believe... �What is it Max?� Her brow creased in concern at the way he was worrying his lip. He didn�t even try to wiggle around it now, he needed to know so he could deal with it and move on. �I know this is stupid, and I�d understand if you did, but did you and he, umm... did you, were you...� he couldn�t even say it. �Are you asking me if Future Max and I made love?� She asked bluntly but not without compassion. �Yeah, I guess I am.� What secrets sleep in the heart of the night Dreams of salvation Slipping out of sight In the shimmering moments of twilight Closing up the shine Whisper on the wind of a rescue Savior in time Liz wrinkled her nose. �Ok how do I explain this? First off, no. Absolutely not. Even though he was you, he wasn�t you Max.� She reached up to brush his bangs off his forehead, ignoring the way he squeezed his eyes shut and blew out a shuddering breath. Promise of you It sleeps in the air The air that I breath And I know that its true Don�t have to convince myself to believe �He had lived this whole other life and had all these other experiences with his Liz. While he looked like you, and I know he was you, in a sense, he wasn�t my Max.� Her wandering hand flattened over the middle of his chest. �There wasn�t the same connection there. I loved him but it was more like... I don�t know, an old flame or something. I wasn�t attracted to him like that. And I think, for both of us, it would have been like cheating on you and his Liz. �Do you understand?� All this time I�ve been fighting my own private war All this time You were the peace I was searching for Promise of you It sleeps in the air The air that I breath And I know that its true Don�t have to convince myself to believe �I think so.� He tucked the hanging curtain of her hair behind her ear. �Thank you, for thinking of me like that. I�m not sure what I would have done if the roles were reversed.� �You would have done what you had to, just like I did.� �Maybe,� he looked passed her into the distance, not as convinced as she about his possible honor. �Its weird, isn�t it?� Liz�s soft voice brought him back. �What�s that?� �Being jealous of yourself.� He laughed, nodding slightly. �Yeah, I was going to say something about that.� �I had a hard time with that too. I was almost obsessive for a while, wondering what she was like. What I would have been like if I had gotten to live that life.� �And now?� he prompted her, tucking the same strand of hair back behind her ear. �And now... I think she�s the one who should be jealous. I know not everything�s going to be a cake walk, but this has to be better than that life, because we already changed this one for the better.� Max only stared at her and she wondered if she�d said something wrong. Wasn�t it him who�d said forever? �You�re really amazing, you know that?� He brought her hand to his lips placing a dozen kisses on her palm. Liz smiled and rolled her eyes, both at her bout with insecurity and his overstatement of adoration. �Besides,� she took her hand back, patting his chest indulgently. �As sexy as you were in all that black leather, I don�t think your hair should be longer than mine.� She had to laugh at the way Max�s face scrunched up. His mouth worked for a minute trying to come up with a response but finally gave up. �You know, I don�t think I even want to know.� �Ok, my turn to ask you a question.� She snuggled up under his protective arm, laying her head back down on his strong chest. �Did you really have a condom with you that night.� She heard his sharp intake of breath and smiled secretly, it had been just as shocking to her at the time. �I uhh, I umm. He told you that?� his voice cracked a little. Liz�s giggle didn�t help the situation from his point of view either. �He had to, I didn�t believe him when he told me.� �Oh. Uhh, ok, I should- I should probably explain then. I wasn�t looking or expecting to umm, be with you, that night,� he stuttered brokenly. �Its uhh, its been in my wallet since just after we started dating, the first time.� Now it was Liz�s turn to roll over and look shocked. �No! Its not what you think.� He moved quickly to stop any misconceptions. �My dad, we had this really embarrassing, incredibly uhh, detailed �talk�.� Even as he said it Liz could see his ears begin to burn. �He told me to put it in there, just in case. Apparently he had very little faith in my control, I really think he was just glad I had a girlfriend at all. For a while I think they wondered if I wasn�t keeping a different kind of secret from them.� Liz laughed, so Saint Max had not just been walking around with a condom in his pocket, he�d been walking around with a condom in his pocket for almost a year. Something about that sent a secret thrill through her and she just had to know. �So umm, is it, do you still- have it, there?� She ducked her head so her hair fell over her face and covered her reddening cheeks. Max coughed in surprise, �actually, no.� And he had never regretted a response more. Liz sat up, suddenly thinking that laying practically on top of Max might not be the best place to discuss this. �I wasn�t suggesting we... I was just curious.� �Right,� he shifted, sitting up in front of her, their knees touching. �No, I - I threw it away, later that night.� �Oh,� she kept her eyes trained on her lap. �I do have something else for you though.� The heavy and unexpectedly awkward turn of conversation needed a reprieve and this would be the perfect time for his last surprise of the evening. His light tone though, belied his near gut wrenching nervousness. This could either go very well or very badly, but he was going to take the chance that she was ready for something like this. Liz�s eyes practically popped out of her head when Max produced a long rectangular jewelry box from behind the small dessert table. It was a blue box with a white bow too. Trembling hand met trembling hand as she took the box from him. �Max, this is umm,� she swallowed, glancing back and forth between Max and the box. �You can�t do this.� I dreamt I dwelled in marble halls With vassals and surfs at my side And of all who assembled within those walls Thought I was the hope and the pride I had riches all to great to count And a high ancestral name �That�s not actually where its from,� he said gently. �Maria said something awhile ago about my having to get you something from Tiffany�s to apologize. My mom had the empty box from last Valentine�s Day and I used it. What�s inside though, its not from there.� The way he said it, like it was even better for not coming from there, intrigued Liz all the more, but she still hesitated. �Go ahead. If you don�t want it right now Isabel can keep it for you, but I can�t take it back, if that�s what you�re thinking.� Nodding absently, she slowly untied the bow, letting it drift to the blanket below. The top of the box opened with a creek and a snap. If it hadn�t been for Max�s quick hands it would have tumbled to the ground with the bow. �Max...� He scooted a bit closer, holding the box open for her inspection. Her breathy gasp in his head barely caught his attention as being out of the ordinary. She reached one hand out to run her shaky fingers over its delicate scroll work. The clear lavender and aqua gems were so familiar. But I also dreamt which pleased me most That you loved me still the same That you loved me you loved me still the same That you loved me you loved me still the same �Max,� she raised her wide eyes to his, �are these...?� �From your crown,� he confirmed. He glanced at the piece in the box before explaining. It was of shining sterling silver formed into delicately swirled representations of the whirlwind galaxy, all linked together to form a short chain. At the center of each swirl was one of the exquisite, almost transparent gems that used to reside in the scrolls of her crown. �I wanted you to have something from both then and now. The crown and necklace aren't exactly something you can wear around town. I talked to Gwyn and she didn�t see anything sacrilegious or traitorous or whatever about it, so I replaced the real stones in your crown with the best looking replicas I could make. I don�t know, maybe its silly, but I thought you should have them to wear now. Its- symbolic I guess. Even if you can�t wear your crown I think you should be able to wear your crown jewels. You know, queens have to wear precious stones,� he joked, trying to lighten the moment. He knew she wasn�t quite to terms with her title yet, and neither was he for that matter, but officiality aside, she was his queen and she should have pretty things. I dreamt that suitors sought my hand That knights upon bended knee And with no vows a maiden�s heart could withstand They pledged their fate to me And I dreamt that one of the noble most Came forth my hand to claim �Its beautiful, Max,� she breathed. Liz reached in, picking up the light chain and letting it drape over her palm. She held out her other wrist to him asking, �put it on for me?� �No,� he set down the box and took the delicate piece from her. �Its not a bracelet. Its a uhh, anklet.� �Oh,� she didn�t even hesitate as she leaned back supporting her weight on her arms and presented him with her left leg. She must have kicked off her strapy sandals at some point when they were talking and Max hadn�t noticed. Right now she was dangling her tiny foot, that was connected to a very shapely leg, just inches in front of him. �I...� he could only stare at it for a moment in fascination. How was it possible for a foot to be so small and flawless? �Uhh, yeah,� he snapped out of his stupor nodding and licking his lips unconsciously. Taking her leg in one hand, he used the index finger on the other to draw an iridescent line from the underside of her knee all the way up to her heal. As he did so, Max memorized exactly what her skin felt like, how each little muscle twitched under his caress, and how the curve of her calf fit perfectly in his hand. Repositioning his hand to just above her ankle, Max bent forward placing a feather light kiss on each little pink toe. He kept his eyes on Liz the entire time, she seemed... amused. Actually, she looked like she was about to burst from trying not to laugh. Not exactly the response he�d aimed for. Pulling back, attempting not to look too embarrassed, he finished drawing the shimmering line over her Achilles tendon and up her instep. When he reached the ball of her foot she made some kind of high pitched noise reminiscent of Maria, and almost kicked him in the jaw. Holding on tight and deflecting the blow, he looked up to where Liz was all but writhing and biting her lip. With one brow raised and a small mischievous smile, he looked back at the offending foot. Before she could blink he did it again, this time making sure he had a firm grasp on her leg. When his finger quickly swept over the sensitive spots, Liz couldn�t help it any more. She exploded in a fit of giggles, wiggling and pleading with Max to stop. �So you�re ticklish?� He grinned devilishly at her. �That�s something to remember,� he taunted her. His fingers dangling just over the most ticklish spot. �Ma-ax,� she whined and threw her head back exposing all the creamy skin on her neck. Max�s eyes darkened for a moment thinking it had been all to long since the sensitive spot below her ear had glowed. He would have to do something about that later. Deciding to give her a respite from his teasing, for now, he set her leg down on his knee and set about his original task. Taking the silver chain in his hands he wrapped it around her impossibly small ankle. Closing the clasp, he found that despite already having made the anklet quite small, it was still a tad too large for her small bone structure. Wrapping his large hands doubly over the chain, there was a warm glow, lasting only a brief instance as he sized it to fit her perfectly. Picking her leg back up, he inspected it carefully, taking the chance to again run light fingers over every smooth surface allowable, before kissing the clasp and setting her foot back on the ground. Glancing back at her, he was surprised to see her head still thrown back and a smile gracing her lips that could only be described as pure rapture. Liz sighed as Max reluctantly put her leg back down. The way he handled it, so gently, as if she would break, it made her feel all sorts of things. Worshiped and exalted and completely unworthy of the tender way he treated her. While it was at times annoying that he felt she needed constant protection, this reminded her of why. He loved her. He wanted her treated as the precious thing he saw her as. She loved him for it, immeasurably. But I also dreamt which charmed me most That you loved me still the same That you loved me you loved me still the same That you loved me you loved me still the same Letting her eyes flutter open, Liz reached down to run her fingers over his gift. It was stunning. She felt some sort of ancient connection to it, odd as that sounded. She felt like it had belonged to her before, even thought Max had only recently made it. Something about that was comforting though, like it somehow helped her belong in all this. Better than that, it made her feel connected to Max, physically. She knew that every time she looked down and saw the anklet, she would feel his strong, steady hands encompassing her ankle. She�d remember how their warmth radiated from that one spot, traveling all over her body, making her feel loved and adored. It made her feel like a queen. His queen. Please forgive me if I act a little strange For I know not what I do Feels like lightning running through my veins Every time I look at you Every time I look at you Rising to her knees, she leaned forward initiating a slow, sensuous kiss. Parting her lips without question, she felt Max respond to her invitation. Slipping his tongue past her soft, strawberry flavored lips, swiping it slowly against hers, then pulling back to tease her. As Liz fell into the spell they were weaving for each other, she was oblivious to his insistent hands on her elbows pulling her on top of him as he leaned back into the pillows. Help me out here all my words are falling short And there's so much want to say Want to tell you just how good it feels When you look at me that way When you look at me that way Their tongues rhythmically fought for supremacy, battling for the rite to taste one another to the fullest. They languidly played tag from one mouth to the other, dancing together in a mind numbingly luxurious synchronisity. Max�s hand moved to fist in her thick tresses, the other skipping down her spine to the small of her back, pressing her firmly into his body. Liz�s hands were busy as well, roaming the wide muscular expanse of his chest, delighting in the way it rippled and trembled underneath her touch. Throw a stone and watch the ripples flow Moving out across the bay Like a stone I fall into your eyes Deep in to that mystery Deep into some mystery The need for oxygen becoming acute, Liz pulled away slowly, waiting until the last possible moment to relinquish his puffy bottom lip. She smiled against his skin as his deep groan vibrated on her own sensitized lips when she replaced them on his thrumming pulse. She continued under his jaw, laving a line of hot opened mouth kisses up to the sensitive spot behind his ear. Pausing occasionally, she nipped at his bronzed skin and soothed the pain away with a slow stroke of her velvet tongue. Max�s moans became louder and his hands bolder, inching her skirt higher so he could stroke the silken skin on the back of her thighs, eliciting moans from Liz as well. I got half a mind to scream out loud I got half a mind to die So I wont have to lose you girl Won�t ever have to say good bye I won�t ever have to lie Won�t ever have to say good bye When she got to his ear, she ran her tongue slowly around the shell, then blew her warm breath on his wet skin to heighten the sensation. She was rewarded with yet another deep moan reverberating from the back of his throat. Dotting sweetheart kisses on his temple, she allowed her breathing to calm before moving back down and whispering in his ear. �Thank you. I love the anklet. I�ll wear it always.� Please forgive me if I act a little strange For I know not what I do Feels like lightning running through my veins Every time I look at you Every time I look at you His chest still heaving from her assault, Max moved his hands up to her face pulling her lips back to his. Kissing her hard and fast, he pulled back to see the heated darkness of desire in her eyes that no doubt mirrored his own. Then, of all things, he laughed. Seeing how thoroughly he had confused Liz, he moved quickly to explain. �I have got to get you more jewelry,� he proclaimed with a breathy laugh. Rolling her eyes, Liz slid off him so she was pressed tightly against his side. Kissing the place where his shirt had come unbuttoned, she lay her head down as his arms came around her. Look into my eyes and you will see What you mean to me Search your heart search your soul And when you find me there You�ll search no more Don�t tell me it�s not worth trying for Can�t tell me it�s not worth dying for They lay there like that for a long time, listening to the soft music mix with the desert stillness and their own breathing. That and the overwhelming peace flowing through their connection was all that was needed in that moment for them to know how completely loved they were. You know it�s true Everything I do I do it for you However, as wonderful as this night had been and as grateful he was that Liz had finally shared the last secrets from their time apart, Max kept coming back to the same dark thoughts that tainted his content. The same dark thoughts he�d had since Michael had told him the initial story. Of course, Liz felt his mood slipping to the dark side again and pressed him to share what was bothering him. �What are you thinking?� She didn�t pick her head up from the place on his chest that belonged to her, only stilled her constantly wondering hand over his heart. Look into your heart and you will find There nothing there to hide Take me as I am take my life I would give it all I would sacrifice Don�t tell me its not worth fighting for I can�t help it there�s nothing I want more You know it�s true Everything I do I do it for you Max�s hand met hers, twining their fingers together as he exhaled loudly. �I just can�t believe I would do something- like that, to you. How could I have done that knowing how much it would cost you, how much it could hurt you?� There�s no love like your love And no other could give more love There�s no where unless you�re there All the time all the way Liz looked up at him sympathetically, she understood those same exact feelings. �Max *you* didn�t do that to me. A thirty year old man who had seen everything around him destroyed and everyone he loved killed in a war he could have prevented asked me to do that. A man who had to leave his wife to suffer the end of the world by herself, asked me to help fix his mistake Max.� Can�t tell me its not worth trying for I can�t help it there�s nothing I want more �You could not and would not ask me to do that. You haven�t had any kind of experience that would make you go to such drastic lengths, and now you won�t have to. Don�t you see? I didn�t do this just because he asked me to, or to save Michael and Isabel. I did it so you, my Max, would never have to ask someone you love to do what he had to ask of me.� I would fight for you I�d lie for you Walk the wire for you I�d die for you He slid his free hand under her hair, cupping the base of her skull and nudging her so he could look into her face. �I don�t deserve you Liz Parker,� he told her adamantly, believing it wholly. There was nothing he could ever do to be truly worthy of the devotion she had shown he and his family. But he would spend his dying breath trying to do so. You know it�s true Everything I do I do it for you She looked him straight in the eye and with an air of ages old wisdom answered, �you will Max. You will.� Back Next |