Title: The Mirror
Author: Lori R
Email: Gussywussy55@yahoo.com
Category: Max/Isabel
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: The WB not me.
Feedback: Yes please!
Summary: Discovering mutual feelings...

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

Max walked into the bathroom, but did not turn on the
light. He was sweating, and needed to cool his face
with a splash of water. 
Another damn dream about her. Why did he keep dreaming
about Isabel? And not just at night either. He was
even day dreaming about her. She filled his thoughts
almost 24 hours a day and it was becoming a problem.
His heart beat faster when she was around, and when he
heard her voice, his breath would catch.
She had little quirks like tossing her hair when she
was annoyed or troubled, and she ran her fingers
through her hair absently when she was in deep
thought. He loved to hug her, and found any possible
reason to do so. She smelled so good, always fresh and
soft. 
He also knew that she presented a tough exterior to
the world, but inside she was just a scared girl.

Max was about to turn on the water when he noticed
Isabel's lamp on. He thought she had gone to sleep
already, maybe something was wrong. As he prepared to
open the door, Max caught a glimpse of Isabel through
the door, and it made him pause in shock and wonder.
Isabel stood before her mirror and stared at herself
for the longest time, as if searching for something.
Then she suddenly pulled off her night shirt and bared
her breasts.
Max watched with quickening breath as she examined
herself with hesitant fingers. He felt himself leap in
his pajama bottoms at the sight of a bared Isabel. She
was even more beautiful than in his dreams. 
Isabel's eyes never left the mirror as her fingers
went from her breasts to her face and then her throat,
ending with her arms. Then she crossed her arms over
herself ,and closed her eyes. Tears formed and
silently fell. She quickly opened her eyes and swiped
at the tears before putting her shirt back on.

Max couldn't figure out what Isabel was looking for,
but he knew she was in pain. Maybe not physical, but
definitely in pain. 
He pushed open her door and Isabel jumped a little at
his entrance, but her eyes never left the mirror.
"Max, what are you doing awake?" she asked.
"I had a dream and was up trying to clear my head,
when I saw your light ,and wondered what you were
doing up," answered her.
Isabel didn't answer, but kept staring in the mirror.
Max came and stood close behind her, his breath
caressing her neck as he peered at her in the mirror.
"Isabel, what's wrong?

Isabel shook her head and gave him a tremulous
smile,"I'm just fine Max,maybe a little tired, but I'm
just fine."
Max put his arms around her waist, settling his chin
on her shoulder,watching her face all the while.
She was shaking.
Max lowered his head to Isabel's neck as she leaned
her head back on him, her hands going to his arms at
her waist.
She smelled heavenly as he breathed in her scent.
"Isabel, something is wrong and I want to know what it
is so I can help you," said Max as he again watched
her in the mirror.

Isabel felt safe in Max's arms, she always had.
Whenever she had been frightened, Max would hold her
and let her cry, but they were older now ,and maybe
this was wrong, these feelings she had for him. They
were not related, but maybe he wouldn't understand
these feelings she had been having for him...had been
trying to ignore by dating other guys. And there was
the problem...other guys.

Isabel raised her head and looked at Max in the
mirror,his strong good looks and muscular body
apparent under his shirt. She had always loved him,
ever since they had emerged from the pods, but now she
was in love with him, and had to keep it to herself
for fear of losing him.
She decided to be partly honest with him.
"Max, why do the guys think I'm some dumb blond that 
only wants to be jumped?"
Max started at her question. She thought the guys
thought her a dumb blond. Jump her...yes, but dumb?
No.
"Isabel, who thinks you're dumb? Not Michael, or Alex,
or even Kyle, and certainly not me. Where would you
get the idea that guys think you're just a dumb
blond?"
Isabel teared up as she recalled for Max overhearing
some of the guys saying that they bet she was an easy
lay, and that dumb blonds who were stacked like her,
probably gave the best head.

Max clinched his fist as he watched her relive the
conversation she had overheard. 
How dare they talk that way about Isabel!
She was kind, and smart, and really very sensitive if
she let you in.
No wonder Isabel had been looking at herself in the
mirror. She had been trying to see what those idiots
saw.
"Isabel, those were just a few jerks who were trying
to impress each other because they have no brains. You
are beautiful, it's true, but you are also
compassionate when you want to be. You are incredible
smart, and if those guys took the time to get to know
you, they would see it."
Isabel smiled and rubbed Max's arms, as she hugged
them close, leaning her head back on him.
"Thanks Max, I guess I just let the really small
things get to me lately."
Max kissed the side of her neck and hugged her to him.
They both froze at his actions.
Max immediately let her go, and stepped back. 
"I'm sorry Isabel...I uh..I'm going to bed. Good
night," said Max as he backed towards the door, not
looking at Isabel anymore.
Isabel watched Max look all flustered as he seemed to
want to get away from her...or did he?
"Max, don't go," came Isabel's voice to Max's pounding
ears.
Max stopped and looked at her face in the mirror. She
was watching him, and didn't look at all upset by his
actions.
Isabel turned, and taking a deep breath said,"I need
you Max...I've always needed you, I have just realized
lately though that I need you more than maybe I
should."
Max wondered if she knew how her words affected him?
The double meaning for him. No she couldn't.
"Isabel, we've always been close and we probably
always will be. I need you too," said Max quietly.
Isabel approached him ,and put her hand to his face ,
gently caressing his cheek.
"But I need you more than that Max. I ...feel more
...than that... I ..." she tried to tell him.
Max put his hand over hers , stilling her caress.
"Are you feeling something stronger?" he asked her,
almost afraid to know.
Isabel's eyes teared up, what if he turned away from
her now? But she had to know.
"Yes," she replied with a slight nod of her head.
"How strong Isabel?"
Isabel swallowed and then taking Max's head in both of
her hands, gently pressed her lips to his.
Breaking the kiss she leaned her head on his.

Max looked up and then placed his hands around her.
Her kiss had sent his heart soaring with joy. 
She loved him. That had to be what the kiss meant.
He leaned his head into hers and putting one hand
behind her head, he kissed her, his tongue touching
lightly along her lips and then sliding inside. 
Isabel opened her mouth to Max's searching tongue and
lost herself in his tender kiss.
Feeling her response, Max deepened the kiss so that
he was kissing her hungrily. Isabel returned his kiss
just as eagerly, her tongue dancing and searching
along with his.
Finally they broke apart,heads together, fighting to
still their ragged breathing.
"What do we do Max? We can't tell the others...and Mom
and Dad would die," asked Isabel.
Max nodded, and thought.
"For now we will keep this to ourselves. It's so new
to both of us Isabel, and I wouldn't want to share you
with the others just yet anyway. I think we need to go
through this slowly, and then we can decide what to
do."
Isabel nodded and relaxed into Max's arms. 
"I don't want you to go Max. Stay with me here
tonight."
Max looked at her bed, and felt himself quicken again.
"Isabel, do you know what you're asking me to do? I
don't know if I can sleep with you... and not touch
you," said Max raggedly.
Isabel took his hand and led him to her bed.
"We can hold each other Max. I know you won't touch me
until I'm ready...I will let you know when that is
Max...that time may not be to far away. But I do need
you to hold me. Please?"
Max nodded his head, and crawled on the bed with her,
pulling her close. He kissed her slowly, pulling her
into his arms so that they faced away from each other,
spooning.
"Go to sleep Isabel. When you wake we will talk about
this new relationship we have."
"I love you Max," she said softly as she closed her
eyes, secure in his arms.
Max kissed the top of her head. "I love you to
Isabel."

The End