| posted on 21-Oct-2001 7:46:31 AM |
| Disclaimer: I don't own anything Roswell, GH, M/L, J/B, etc.
Category: M/L with the rest of the gang Rating: PG-13 Summary: This is an AU fic. Kendall Blake is really Liz Parker. If you want to know why she has a different name, you'll just have to read and find out. ~~~~~~~~~~~ Kiss the Flame (excerpts by Jewel) Kiss the flame Let's run with the hunted, the untamed Kiss the flame Embrace the faceless, the unnamed Kiss the flame Please, love, let's make No impartial vow Let all fall away that's not crucial now I want a brave love One that makes me weak in the knees I want a crazy, crazy love One that makes me come undone at the seams Kiss the flame Let's run with the hunted, the untamed Kiss the flame Embrace the faceless, the unnamed Kiss the flame ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ chapter 1~ The speaker's voice droned on and on as Max absently drummed his fingers on the table. He tried to concentrate on the prospectus in front of him, but his thoughts kept flying here and there with no particular, definite direction. He reached up and loosened his tie. Funny. Max thought. This tie has never choked me before. He leaned back restlessly in his chair as his thoughts drifted once more. He was so bored. Not just with this meeting. With life. In fact, he couldn't remember the last time he'd felt alive and full of purpose. The last time he'd been faced with a real challenge. Something that made him think. Made him risk everything. Business had become routine for him. One long progression of boring meetings and handshakes, takeovers and deals. He found little satisfaction at the end of the day when he closed his brief case and turned his thoughts toward home. Home. Wasn't that the place you were supposed to want to be? Your refuge. Your castle? Max couldn't remember the last time that he actually breathed a sigh of relief when he closed the door behind him and stepped into his own personal kingdom. Lately, it seemed like a prison of silence and restlessness more than a place to find peace. And pleasure. Wasn't the very definition of 'pleasure' to have fun? Max released a sigh as he thought of his latest string of girlfriends. First there had been Tania, then Ashley. Nicole. Meghan. Tiffany and Claudia. Then finally, Tess. She was his latest. They were all extraordinarily beautiful women, but none of them ever kept his interest for long. He often found that their beauty didn't venture below the skin and left a hollow, vacant feeling with him. As vacant and hollow as the thoughts in their heads. Max thought. Tess had managed to stay around the longest with a whopping 5 dates, totaling 2 months time, but that's only because she had a larger vocabulary than the rest. Not that there was anything wrong with her. In fact, she was as close to perfect as any woman had ever come. She was intelligent and witty, born of the kind of old-world wealth that never runs dry. And her beauty and social graces made her a charming companion on any occasion. All in all, it could easily be said that, in Tess, Max had met his social match. But there was something missing. Something that Max just couldn't quite put his finger on. Maybe it was the fire that can exist between two people. Not to say that Tess couldn't be passionate. They had never been intimate, although no one could say it wasn't because Tess hadn't tried. In fact, she had tried on many occasions to prove that she had enough passion in her to shock the safe combination out of her father if he even suspected what his socialite daughter was capable of. By all rights, Max should have been tempted. But that was just it. He wasn't. In fact, Max couldn't remotely imagine returning her passion with equal fervor. To him she was a beautiful ornament to display on his arm at social gatherings where conversation was drab and dullness was served as the main course. The only thing that had given him even a glimmer of hope recently had been his brother, Kyle's outlandish scheme to infiltrate and take over EMG International. EMG was a vast, thriving corporation that had its fingers into various numbers of pies. And at its helm sat one Michael Guerin, CEO and grandson to Edwin Montgomery Graham, the old coot himself. Max had come across Michael in several ventures and found him to be a worthy business adversary. One that would actually challenge him, make things interesting. Just the thought sent a greedy, daring smile across Max's face that didn't go unnoticed by the speaker, who continued he presentation with added vigor. About 4 months ago, Kyle had come to Max with information about a top secret plan EMG had to renovate the dock and downtown area in New Haven, Connecticut, the company's home base. How Kyle got the information Max didn't even want to know. The plan was fairly simple and although not necessarily new, it was a good one. Buy out all of the businesses in the downtown area, renovate and rebuild. New business could purchase space. There would be plenty of family oriented parks and attractions. Export/import traffic would increase. The overall plan was sound and sure to be a financial boon to the city of New Haven…and anyone else involved in the project. You could never really count on things going smoothly in business, however. And the Grahams definitely had a few glitches in this plan of theirs. First, there was the not so small problem of the local mob syndicate in New Haven. They pretty much ran the docks area downtown and had say in anything that went on down there. It didn't help matters that the current mob lord was Jake Ryder, who by birthright was still a Graham even though he'd changed his name and chosen a life of crime at a fairly early age. But as far as Max was concerned, that was Eddie (as he liked to irreverently call the patriarch, Edwin, of the family) and Micahel's problem. Where Max came in was the smaller obstacle of a few holdout businesses that refused to sell to the Graham clan. There had been only a handful, which Max had managed to whittle down to only two. One was on the verge of signing a contract with him. The other Kyle had wanted to handle. He said it would take a little more doing and was still a very unsure thing. And it was actually the one Max wanted most. Because it gave them the greatest leverage against Michael. Without this one piece of property, the renovation plan would be shut down before it even got started or they would lose a fortune re-routing their plans. Max smiled confidently. They'd own it. He was sure. With a little wheeling and dealing and a little pressure applied to the right people by Kyle, Evans Inc. would effectively become a thorn in EMG's side. And from that point on, the world had no choice but to become his again. A flash of red caught his eye as his attention was drawn to the window and the sports car that just flew into the parking lot. He sat up a little straighter in his chair as he watched the driver jump out of the car and slam the door. The wind caught her long chestnut hair and covered the features of her face. His mesmerized gaze followed her as she walked quickly from the car to the door of the building. He still couldn't see her face, but if it was anything like her body, she must be a knockout. A question directed to him brought Max's focus back to presentation before him. "Ah, yes. Thank you Mr. James. Sounds like a very interesting plan. If you'll give the details to my team…." In the next moment, the sound of shouting came from behind the door interrupting Max's instructions. "Is he in here or isn't he?" A raised voice asked impatiently. "Miss! Miss! You can't go in there. A meeting is being conducted…" Barbara, Max's faithful assistant replied, her voice sounding at the door. "Probably to cheat people out of their homes no doubt. I don’t care what you say. I intend to see Mr. Evans. And I intend to see him now!" The door suddenly opened revealing Barbara's flustered face and the woman Max had been so intently observing only a few moments before. He'd been right. She was a knockout. In fact, she was even more than that. She was perhaps the most beautiful woman he'd ever laid eyes on. For the first time since he could remember, Max was unnerved. One look at her and he felt his heart stop dead in the middle of a beat. And no one could ever convince Max that someone hadn't stolen his breath at that very same moment. She took one step into the office and glanced around the table, fire flashing from her dark chocolate brown eyes. "Which one of you is Mr. Maxwell Evans?" All eyes turned to the end of the table where Max sat, as he tried to clear his throat. With the way his other bodily functions had ceased working upon her entrance, he was afraid he might have lost his power of speech as well. He cleared his throat once more as she approached him. "That would be me." Max said, trying to control the shaking of his legs as he stood up and extended his hand toward her. Get a grip, Max. He said to himself. She's beautiful, yes. But she's just another woman... She stood in front of him as her gaze swept over him from head to foot. She looked back up into his eyes, shooting him a withering look that make him blink and look away uncomfortably. Ignoring his hand she slammed a packet down on the table. "Well, Mr. Maxwell Evans, I'll have you know that I won't let you get away with it! I will fight you tooth and nail before I let you take away their home. You think you're big stuff sitting here with your thousand dollar suits and grand plans that will bring you more money than you know what to do with. But you're no better than those two-bit hoods on the street that think they have the power to play with people's lives." She took a step toward him, getting right up in his face. He shook his head slightly at Barbara, who had taken a step forward to stop the beautiful stranger from approaching him, and held up his hand in a stopping motion before putting his hands in his pockets and locking eyes with the woman standing before him. She was so close. Just a hair's breath away. He could smell the vanilla shampoo she'd used that morning to wash her thick flowing hair. And he found himself getting lost in those large pools of chocolate mystery most people would deign to call eyes. Her lips were so full and red, like strawberries. He unconsciously licked his lips, imagining what they would taste like. Max had to fight the urge to grab her and kiss her right then and there just to find out. Even amidst a boardroom full of people, with no warning, and no introductions. He didn't care. He just wanted the right to claim those luscious lips as his own. And the angry blush that spread across her cheeks made Max wonder what particular shade of blush love's passion would bring to those perfect cheekbones. He had no idea what she was there for, but the fire and passion that shone in her eyes excited him and at the same time made him crave to be the cause of such emotion. She pointed her finger at him as she continued her tirade. "They've had way too many people mess with their lives in an effort to prove just how powerful they are. And now, they finally find a safe place to be and you want to waltz in and take it away from them. Well, over my dead body! You continue this course, Mr. Evans, and I promise you, you'll be in for a war..." she crossed her arms in front of her as her chin came up defiantly, "…which would be a shame. Because you'll lose." Max's eyebrow raised in surprise at her bold, confident words. "What makes you so sure?" "Because I have something a helluva lot more important to fight for than money. And if I don't win…" she glanced at the package she'd thrown on the table then back up at him, her dark eyes filled with determination, "…they would be the real casualties. I simply won't let that happen. Good day, Mr. Evans." Without another word, she nodded to him, turned on her heel and stalked out of the room, disappearing as quickly as she came. Max stood spellbound. Stunned. Completely mesmerized, until the sound of the slamming door jolted him from his daze. He'd been so captivated by this firebrand that he hadn't had the presence of mind to stop her from walking away. At the realization that she had just vanished from his life and he didn’t know the first thing about her, Max jumped into action and quickly ran to the door. "Wait! Hold on a second!" Max called after her as he ran out into the lobby followed by Barbara. He ran into a couple of clerks sending their files and papers flying into the air before floating slowly to the ground. He continued, moving into the lobby and glancing around quickly to see where she might have gone, drawing strange stares from waiting clients. But he was oblivious to the stares. All he could think about was finding her…not letting her get away. Looking around and not seeing her anywhere in the lobby, he ran to the entrance and threw the door open just in time to see the red sport car speeding away. He quickly turned to Barbara and started barking questions. "Who was that? Where did she come from?" "I'm sorry, Mr. Evans. I should have never let her close to the room…." "Never mind that, Barbara. Did she give you her name?" "Yes….I believe she did." "Well??" Max prompted impatiently. "She said her name was….Ken…no Blake something…no…it's Kendall. That's it. Her name is Kendall Blake." Max turned back toward the door and gazed down the road where her car had disappeared around the corner. "Kendall Blake." He repeated quietly as a smile played on his lips. This was going to be fun. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After learning his enchantingly mysterious visitor's name, Max had quickly dismissed his meeting, grabbed up the package she'd dropped on the conference table, told Barbara to hold all of his calls and locked himself in his office to look through the documents and contemplate his next move. Now, an hour later, Max sat at his desk staring out the window at a pile of autumn leaves as a fierce late September wind whipped through the pile upsetting it and sending the milti-colored leaves in all directions. Max sighed suddenly and shook his head. He certainly knew what that felt like. To be hit with something so strong and so powerful that it blew your settled mundane world apart. To describe all of the emotions running through him at that moment would have been utterly impossible. He was shocked...and angered. Intrigued and mesmerized. Curious and challenged. Somehow he felt found…and yet lost. He glanced down at the opened package on his lap. What it contained, Max could only imagine was very precious to the woman, who like the wind outside, had come into his office and completely turned his emotional world upside down. How could it not be precious to her? Inside were cards made by hands of various ages. Some had tiny red hearts and big letters that said, 'I love you' on them. Others were children's drawings of houses with families standing in front of them and notes their guardians had written that said, 'You made this all possible'. There were 4 folders an inch thick with these kinds of correspondence and momentos. And those that had been sent were all addressed to Kendall Blake, New Haven Children's Home and Shelter, 842 River Street. Which made Max's blood run hot then cold. His brother had been known to pull some nasty tricks, but even Max had believed Kyle had his limit. How could Kyle do such a thing? No wonder he'd wanted to 'handle' that second 'company' in the EMG takeover…the piece of property that had become their meal ticket into the renovation project. He knew damn well Max would never condone the takeover of a children's center…no matter how important it was to a business venture. His mind instantly flashed back to the memory of Kendall's eyes. The fire and determination that had literally blazed there as she fearlessly declared war on him in the name of the children whose history and declaration of love and gratitude he held in his hands. "Amazing." Max whispered as his mind held that picture in his head. He spun around in his chair as a sudden impulse swept through him. He grabbed his legal pad and started to scribble a list of notes. Nodding his head, he gave the list a once over before hitting the intercom button on his phone. "Barbara. Come in my office, please." In the next moment, his door opened and Barbara walked in with a note pad and pen in her hand. Closing the door behind her she came to stand in front of his desk. "Yes, Max?" Max leaned back in his chair and consulted the list he'd begun to make of reminders to put his plan into action. "I need you to reschedule all of my appointments." "Starting?" "Tomorrow." "Tomorrow?" Barbara asked incredulously. "All of them? Max. That's impossible. You know long it takes to set up some of these meetings. Need I remind you that your biggest meeting with ACME is for Friday? You've waited for that for 3 months." Max looked up at her sharply. "I'm aware of that, Barbara." He thought for a moment. He really wanted to get started on this new plan of his, but it wasn't worth alienating the entire business world for it. No, his plan could wait. He just hoped he could. "Alright, make it Wednesday. That gives you 2 days. As for ACME, see if we can reschedule for tomorrow or if I can do a conference call." "Alright. Standard excuse?" She asked with relief as she began to make notes wondering what in the world had come over him all of a sudden. Max nodded. "Yes. And let Steve know I'll need the jet ready to fly out on Wednesday morning. Oh, and I need you to do a little research for me before I head out for my trip. Find out everything you can on the New Haven Children's Center. It's in Connecticut. Find out who owns it. Who runs it. Financial data. But don't ask Kyle. I don’t want him to know anything about this." "Ok. Anything else?" "Yes. Also check EMG's connection to it. And…" Max looked down as a faint blush began to spread over his cheeks and he cleared his throat. "…and Kendall Blake's involvement in it." "Ah." Barbara said as she tried to hide her grin behind her notepad. So that's what had gotten into him. Now she understood the real reason for the rush. "Anything in particular on Ms. Blake? Marital status? Dress size?" "That's cute. You're a real comedian, you know it?" Max said dryly as he leaned back, trying to shrug off her suggestive tone. Try as he might, Max just couldn't help but grin to himself. Actually, he already knew her marital status. Single. Unless she was one of those women who believed in not wearing wedding rings. Somehow he didn't think she was. As for dress size, he'd guess she was about a 6 maybe 4. Depending on the style. No, definitely a 4. Max pulled his attention back to a waiting Barbara who had cocked a slender eyebrow when she saw his smile appear with the mention of this Blake woman's dress size. She'd never seen him quite so taken so…quickly…before. Clearing his throat he instructed further. "Actually, I'm looking more for how exactly she got the jobs of the Center's 'protector' and 'crusader'. In other words, what exactly does she mean to the Center…and what does it mean to her?" "Got it. Although from today's performance, I'd guess an awful lot. Whatever you did it sure got her pretty hot today. I haven't seen that kind of….I don't know what…in a long time." Barbara commented. Max's gaze drifted as he thought once more about the strength and passion Kendall had shown. He saw more from her in 3 minutes time than he had in a lifetime of débutantes and socialites. "Neither have I." He said softly before pulling his gaze back to Barbara his voice taking on an unexpected defensive edge to it. "And just for the record, I didn't do it. Kyle did. Which means I have to go out there now and clean up after him." Not that I mind…this time. It'll give me a chance to see that incredibly beautiful face again. "Ok. But just remember--some messes don't clean that easily." Barbara cautioned. "And just what is that supposed to mean?" Max asked as he looked up at her sharply. Barbara shrugged. "It just means that I've been around long enough to watch the fall out when business and pleasure get mixed. Kyle does it all the time. I'd just hate to see you make the same mistakes your brother does." "Oh, I never make the same mistakes Kyle does. I'm much smarter than that." Max stated with a confident smirk. "But, uh…out of curiosity…what makes you so sure I want to mix business and pleasure?" Barbara didn't miss a beat. "The way you looked when she walked out that door and you thought she was gone forever." Max rolled his eyes to cover the uncomfortable feeling he got in the pit of his stomach that someone, even Barbara, had been able to read so easily the panic he'd felt when Kendall had walked out the door. "Oh, don’t be so dramatic." Barbara shrugged. "Alright. But I'm warning you now. You'd better know what you want when you go into this. Because something tells me if you don't, you'll be taking the biggest risk of your life." Max shook his head and chuckled. "Knowing what I want and going for it is never where the risk lies, Barbara. No, the risk comes when what I want turns into what I need. And I don't intend to let that happen." "Right." Barbara said in a tone of voice that wasn't quite convinced. "Ok. I'll get these plans made for you. Will there be anything else?" "Nope. Thanks, Barbara." Max said as he leaned back in his chair and turned it back around so he could look out the window once more. His eyes took on a sparkle that hadn't been there in so long as his thoughts drifted once more to Kendall Blake and the challenge she'd laid at his feet. For the first time in a long time, Max actually felt…alive. Max's smile deepened. Imagine that. And to think…round one was barely underway. To be continued… [ edited 1time(s), last at 20-Oct-2002 8:23:33 AM ] |
| posted on 21-Oct-2001 7:48:36 AM |
| "Come stand a little bit closer. Breathe in and get a bit higher. You'll never know what hit you when I get to you. Ooh, I want you. I don't know if I need you. But, ooh, I'd die to find out." Excerpt from "I Want You, I Need You"-- song by Savage Garden
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~chapter 2~ Three days later: New Haven Children's Home Kendall rushed in and smiled weakly at the copper-haired receptionist, V Cosmorelli. "Good morning. Just how in trouble am I?" V, short for Venus--a name she detested and for good reason given her last name and years of childhood taunting--looked up as she handed Kendall her messages. "Not very. Although Claire did say that she wants to see you as soon as you came in. Here are your messages." Kendall was glancing through her messages as she began to walk away. "Where is she?" "In her office. Oh, and I've got to tell you...I've just seen the most gorgeous man I've ever seen in my life. He has the most incredible eyes..." Kendall was only half-listening as she continued to sift through her messages. She had a tendency to tune V out whenever she started mentioning men. Every man to her was the most gorgeous man she'd ever met. "Really? He wouldn't happen to have amazing amber-colored eyes that can darken to midnight in a heartbeat, take your breath away, send shock waves through you and haunt your dreams at night, would he?" Kendall absently murmured her flippant, but all too revealing, response as she headed for the hall, her head still bent as she struggled with the purse and laptop while juggling her coffee and messages. "I don't know about the dreams or the shock waves, but--yeah, he does. Hey! How did you know that?" V called out with a confused look on her face, but Kendall had already turned the corner heading toward Claire's office. Knocking on the door quietly, she entered when she heard Claire called out for her to come in. She barely got in the door when she began to explain her lateness as she plopped her purse and laptop on a nearby couch. "Claire, I'm so sorry I'm late. I don't know what it is the last few days, but I've been having the worst time sleeping. Then, of course, I have the worst time getting up and..." Claire stopped her with a raise of her hand as Kendall advanced toward the middle of the room. Married affluence and consummately professional, forty-three year old Claire Harmon was the director at the Center, in name as well as authority. She sat on the board of directors that created the non-profit center and was very concerned about its financial future. She was also one of two psychiatrists who had volunteered their services to the Center and counseled many of the troubled children that came through their doors. Since her duties in her private practice as well as other volunteer organizations had been taking her away from the Center as of late, she had been turning many of her duties over to Kendall to handle. So far, she was very pleased with the way things were being run under Kendall's management and had recently promoted her to Assistant Director. Her hopes were to one day turn over complete control into Kendall's capable hands. Her desk was in the center of the room facing the door with two high-backed chairs facing her. Smiling a greeting, she motioned Kendall into the room. "That's ok, Kendall. We all have nights like that. That's not why I asked to see you. Please, come have a seat." Kendall headed for the chair that Claire had indicated, but stopped short upon seeing the chair immediately next to it occupied. Her eyes widened in shock and her mouth dropped open when she saw him sitting there. He was the last person she'd expected to find there in Claire's office--especially looking as comfortable and smug as he did. "*You*?? What are *you* doing here?" Kendall asked with a lot of surprise and a hint of disdain in her voice. "I see Mr. Evans was correct. He said you'd remember him." Claire said dryly with an upraised eyebrow. Kendall glanced back and forth between Max and Claire wondering exactly what else Mr. Evans has been telling her. By the satisfied look on his face, she could only imagine it had been the worst. She opened her mouth to speak, "Claire. Let me explain..." "Ms. Blake, please." Max interrupted with a warning look in his eyes and a smile on his lips. He could tell she was just getting ready to spill the beans about their previous 'meeting' and he simply couldn't let her do that. It would ruin his plan. "There's really no need. I've just been telling Claire here how you came to me to present the grave financial need you find yourselves in here at the Center. You're plea touched my heart in such a way that I came to offer my help." Kendall's eyes flashed with anger at his words. Help? Of course he was there to help...to help himself to the land and the buildings! And how dare he mock the importance of the work they do at the Center by saying it had touched his heart? Despite the deceptive kindness in his words and the tone of his voice, she doubted he even knew what a heart was! Max saw the fire in her dark eyes and it made his heart race wildly. He'd never seen anyone with such passion radiating from their eyes before. That familiar wave of desire swept over him again as his gaze moved from her eyes to her full lips closed in a tight line. What he wouldn't give to taste those lips... He unconsciously tightened his grip on the arms of the chair to prevent himself from jumping up and taking her in his arms right there. Claire's eyebrow raised as she looked from Max to Kendall then back again. Well, something was definitely going on between these two. The tension that had invaded the room was so thick it could be cut with a knife. Wonder what really happened between them. Claire thought. On second thought, I don't even want to know. She took a deep breath hoping she wasn't making a fatal mistake. "The reason I called you in today, Kendall, is that I would like for you to give Mr. Evans the grand tour of the Center. Show him the grounds and what we do here. Perhaps if he has a better understanding of the organization, he'll know in what ways he can help." Kendall stood silently, her cold gaze locked on Max's face. So he wanted a tour, did he? Probably to see which part of the building he would tear down first once he got his grubby little hands on it. She clenched and unclenched her fists unconsciously. He sure had one helluva nerve walking in like this. Well, she'd show him what he was up against. Claire cleared her throat to get her attention. "Kendall? Do you have a problem with that?" Max was amazed. As quickly as irritation had flashed in her eyes only moments before, a calmness now seemed to claim her. Those lips that had been clenched in a firm line suddenly loosened to bestow on him the most radiant smile he'd ever seen. In that moment, he thanked his lucky stars that he was sitting because he literally felt his knees go weak. What a breathtaking smile. It nearly blew him away. So much so that he almost didn't notice how her lips said one thing and her eyes said another. But he did catch it, and it both fascinated him and put him on his guard all at the same time. He had no idea what she was planning, but from the looks of it he'd better be prepared for anything. There was an unmistakable hint of mischief in Kendall's eyes as she looked at Claire and shook her head. "No, Claire, there's no problem at all. I would love to show Mr. Evans around." Amazing. Simply, incredibly amazing. Watching the changing emotions play out on her face was like watching a complex rainbow. Just when he recognized the colorful shade of one emotion her expression would subtly but swiftly pull him into the middle of the next feeling before he got a chance to catch his breath. She was by far the most fascinating woman to watch. "Very well. I have a meeting to attend right now, but…" Claire said as she turned to Max and held out her hand to him. "…Mr. Evans, it was a pleasure meeting you. I hope to be seeing you again soon." "Likewise." Max said pleasantly as he watched Claire walk out of the room. As soon as the door was safely closed behind Claire, Kendall crossed her arms in front of her and turned toward him, dropping her charade. She scowled at him, her sudden frown chasing away the light that had entered the room moments before with her brilliant smile. "So, Mr. Evans. You've come to see the battlefield first-hand I see." Max got out the chair and came to stand in front of her. He was so close she could smell the subtle aroma of his cologne. She craned her neck to look up into his god-like features. From the top of his raven hair down the straight bridge of his nose and the tiny dimples around his well-formed lips to the shadow cleft in the middle of his chin, every inch was pure perfection. As her eyes flicked back to his, Kendall bit her bottom lip holding back the gasp that almost escaped her. She had never seen eyes that color before. They were dark brown…yet there were tiny flecks of gold mixed in like sunbursts so that his eyes were forever shifting in hue and density. They were like shimmering amber stones that could darken to velvet midnight in an instant stopping off at warm chocolate on their way. Each new wave of thought or emotion brought about a new depth of color to explore. And the way his eyes lit up when he smiled was like watching the sun dance on the water causing it to twinkle like tiny diamonds. They were so incredibly beautiful she could already feel herself drowning in them…just like she'd done every night in her dreams since meeting him. Which could be dangerous. In fact, for her, his distance was way too close. For him, not close enough. He just wanted to reach out and touch her. Discover if her skin was as soft as it looked. Determine if her face would fit as perfectly in his hands as he imagined it would. Or if her lips would taste as sweet as they had in his dreams. He quickly shoved his hands in his pockets and smiled slyly at the way she was biting her lower lip. Hopefully that was a sign that he was getting to her as much as she had already gotten to him. "It's only a battlefield if war is being waged, Ms. Blake. And I, for one, came to...how did they say it?...'Make love, not war." Kendall swallowed hard and cocked her eyebrow at his choice of words as she tried valiantly to stand her ground. Make love. She thought as images of her nightly dreams flashed through her mind. Of his kiss searing deep into her soul. His gentle, soft voice whispering in her ear causing shivers to run down her spine. Of his hands slowly moving to... Stop this! Get yourself under control! He's the enemy, for pity's sake! She took a shaky breath before clearing her throat and tried to speak with more confidence than she was feeling. "You can't 'make' love, Mr. Evans. Love is something you either have or you don't. And if you do, you want to share it with those around you." She took a step back from him trying to place some distance between them in an effort to regain some control over her pounding heart and wandering thoughts. "Then again, what would a ruthless corporate raider who can cut down his rivals with a single look across the negotiating table know about the concepts of love and sharing?" Max grinned slightly. "Ah, I see you've read 'Fortune's' latest article on me. You forgot to mention the charmingly clever part." "Oh, was that in there?" "Yes. Along with 'devastatingly handsome'..." "Gee. Must have missed that somehow." She shrugged her shoulders and tilted her head to the side in the most adorable away. "Oh well, I guess you can't always believe what you read now, can you, Mr. Evans?" God, she's beautiful. From her cute peckable nose to the flow of hair that reminded him of the satin. And those eyes. He’d never seen eyes so deep before. He literally felt like he was falling into the vast warmth of the richest, deepest midnight sky. The kind you only see far away from city lights while sailing through soft breezes on a fathomless ocean. The kind that Max loved to lose himself in when the cares of the world pressed too heavily on him. The kind where he found an unattainable peace. And her mind was just as sharp as her beauty was intoxicating. And she was quick. Yep. This is definitely going to besomething. Max couldn't quite come up with the word for that 'something' he just knew he wanted it no matter where it took him. "I usually don't. In fact, I'd say 50% of what you read in magazines is false and the other half is made up." Max quipped. "I see. So, you 're saying you *didn't* single-handedly bring down 9 corporations in the last two years?" Max chuckled. "Single-handedly? No. As much as I'd like to, it's against my policy to take the credit due to others. Many people worked behind the scenes to pull those raids off. Oh, and the actual count was 12, by the way." Max noted with an air of pride. Kendall smiled wryly. "So, tell me, Mr. Evans...are you here for that magic number...13?" "Actually, I've always thought of two as a magic number." Max commented suggestively as he took another step toward her. He want so badly to just forego the banter and whisk her off to some exotic location where he could make her forget about any other kind of raid except the one he had planned just for her. He boldly reached up and ran his finger lightly against her cheek. "So. How about you?" He whispered as he gazed at her, hoping to see the desire he felt reflected in her eyes. Kendall flushed as she felt the trail of fire his touch left on her cheek and the sudden shiver it sent through her. She wanted to dive forward and attach her lips to his. To see if they held the same blazing power that his fingers did. She hadn't felt this kind of instant attraction to someone since... No, don't go there. Her mind screamed out to her. In fact, don't even think about going down this particular road with this man. He's nothing but danger. Gorgeous, intelligent, undeniably sexy...but dangerous nonetheless. And you've had more than your share of that for one lifetime. That thought alone drove her to action. Kendall cleared her throat as she moved away from him and went to stand behind the chair. She desperately hoped that by putting a physical barrier between them, he would cease to have this overwhelmingly unnerving affect on her. Her steady gaze met his intent, penetrating stare head on. Strange. For a second there I thought I saw an unmistakable flicker of sadness and fear in her eyes. I wonder who put it there. Max mentally filed that perceptive bit of information away in the back of his mind before turning his full attention back to Kendall who had begun to answer him. "Two *could* be a magic number, I suppose. That is, of course, if the two empires you've narrowed your list down to are the Thorntons and...EMG." Max instantly veiled his surprise, but not before she caught a glimpse of the affect those two names had on him. His thoughtful expression was replaced with a plastic smile reserved for business adversaries when he didn't trust the direction of their negotiations. "And what list would that be?" He asked warily. She smiled again. And his knees went weak. That disarming smile seemed to have that particular affect on him...and he wasn't so sure that was a good thing anymore. Not with her apparent knowledge of his business pursuits. Or was she just guessing? He studied her expression carefully. Damn, she was good. He really couldn't tell if her statements were founded on fact or suspicion. "Your next targets." She stated in a matter of fact manner feeling more and more in control of the situation with every second that passed. "I mean, that is why you're here, isn't it? To add another notch or two to your corporate belt?" When he didn't answer she continued with a wave of her hand. "You know, I do have to admire your taste. The Thornton and Graham family fortunes are beyond compare. And they pretty much give you everything someone like you could ask for." "Which would be?" Max prompted with a raised eyebrow. This was going to be interesting. What could she possibly know about what he was looking for when at that very moment he wasn't quite sure himself? "Money. Power. International ties into a number of different industries. Both Thornton Industries and EMG meet all qualifications…in abundance." She looked thoughtful for a moment. "But the thing I think you'll get out of it the most is...the challenge." She chuckled and shook her head. "And let me just say if challenge is what you came looking for, you'll find plenty of it in New Haven." He donned amused nonchalance like a cloak. "Really? Do tell." Max encouraged as a steely gleam stole into his eyes. Who was this woman? She'd known him a space of 20 minutes and already she had identified and labeled what drove him to action--that insatiable need for a challenge that ruled his life and the sense of victory when the conquest was won. Kendall noticed the way his eyes changed from the color of gold to an alluring shade half a whisper away from black. Another shiver went through her. So this must be what it feels like to sit across the table from Max Evans in business negotiations. No wonder he'd toppled so many companies. Those eyes would make me want to do anything he asked. Despite her unwillingness to admit it, she couldn't help but feel a wave of admiration and sudden desire. She cleared her throat once more, trying to bring her thoughts back into focus. "Let's just say that I wouldn't expect a warm welcome if I were you. The people of New Haven have a stubborn tendency to hold on to the things they hold dear. And they fight for what's rightfully theirs." Max shrugged. "So does anyone with half a backbone. What makes them any different?" Kendall nodded as she clasped her hands in front of her. "True. Very true. But the Thorntons and the Grahams have a lot more power and a lot less heart than most people. Not to mention a general lack of conscience. So, when they fight, it's usually for keeps. And anyone who goes against them had better be willing to risk it all." Max grinned slightly as a greedy almost wild hunger shot through his darkening eyes. "Don't you know? That's the only way to play the game." Kendall's eyes shimmered with reluctant admiration as a smile played on her lips. She always had been attracted to powerful men. Confident men. Men who knew exactly what they wanted and knew exactly what to do to get it. Max Evans was certainly no exception. "Maybe so." She paused before adding a warning. "Just be prepared. It won't be easy. They're always looking out for those wolves in sheep's clothing." Seeing a chance to switch the direction of the conversation back to the original intent of his visit, Max interjected, "So, is that how you see me, Ms. Blake? As a wolf?" "Yeah. The child-eating type." A decided nod of her head caused her luxurious hair to bounce around her shoulders. Max didn't miss a single move as he cocked a triumphant eyebrow. "Ah, but wolves don't eat children. In fact, wolves are one of the more family-oriented animals to exist. Haven't you heard of the little boys who were raised, unharmed, by a pack of wolves?" Kendall tried to hide her smile amazed at how many directions their conversation had already taken in the space of 20 minutes. He was such a fascinating man. And there lie the danger. For a woman who had only recently learned to control her voracious curiosity, Max Evans was a very tempting candidate for exploration. "You might want to brush up on the definitions of fact and fiction, Mr. Evans. That's a fairy tale legend--a myth-- if you will, that never really happened." Max shrugged, enjoying this game they'd begun more and more with every passing second. "How do you know? Who's to say that somewhere, somehow it did happen and was passed by word of mouth from generation to generation? That is how legends begin, you know. There's probably a bit of truth in every fairy tale you read. Unless, of course, you don't read fairy tales." "Seems a waste of time, don't you think?" Max grinned devilishly as if he'd just discovered a weakness he could use later against her. "Ah. A cynic. So, you don't believe in any fairy tales?" "Oh, on the contrary. I most certainly do believe in fairy tales...especially the ones with wolves in them." Kendall batted her eyelashes and smiled innocently. "Oh, really? And why is that?" Max asked with an amused twinkle in his eyes. "Because in fairy tales the wolves are always very big...very bad...and *very* deceptive. Just like the wolves in real life." She added her judgement of him, the look in her eyes leveling him with the meaning of her words. "Just like…you." "Maybe those big wolves really aren't as bad and deceptive as you think." Max suggested as he sidestepped her jab and continued to parry. "Maybe you're right." She countered, holding her ground firmly. "Maybe they're worse." Max cocked his head to the side, trying his best to size her up and finding it almost impossible. Which was a new sensation for him and one that made him long to discover even more what exactly made this little bombshell tick. It had been a long time since he'd met a woman who could keep up an intelligent, witty, almost flirtatious conversation with him. And he didn't want it to end. With an air of decidedly casual sensuality, Max walked to where she was standing behind the chair, put his elbow on the back and folded his hands together as he leaned against it bringing his eye level much closer to hers. "What exactly would said wolves have to do to convince you that their intentions are completely honorable?" Kendall's eyebrows furrowed in mock concentration as she tried to form her answer. "Hmmmm, that's a tough one." She snapped her fingers as if she suddenly thought of something. "I got it. How about trying the truth for a change?" She crossed her arms in front of her and looked into Max's eyes defiantly. "So, how about it, Mr. Evans? Why don't you tell me the real reason you're here?" Max leaned in closer to her, his voice becoming sexy and low. "I should think that's rather obvious. Wouldn't you?" Kendall looked up at him coyly. "Somehow I don't think the words 'obvious' and 'Max Evans' belong in the same sentence." A slight grin caused her eyes to sparkle with a challenge. "Is it really this hard for you to answer a simple question or are you being obtuse on purpose?" "You're right. They don't go together." Max noted in answer to her first statement then continued to answer her questions, each in their turn. "Not usually. And...I prefer to think of it as answering questions with style." Max stated with a cocky grin as a fresh wave of vanilla scent filled his senses. "So, what was that question again?" Kendall gulped and her eyelashes fluttered helplessly as her mind frantically searched for consecutive words that would make sense. Somehow, that lethal smile of his drove all thought clear out of her head. She reached…she reached…she grasped. "What…uh…what's the real reason you're here?" Kendall repeated for him absently as her eyes remained focused on the sudden brilliance of his smile. "The *real* reason?" Max echoed as his voice lowered with meaning as his eyes locked with hers. "You, of course." "Me." Kendall repeated. Max nodded. "Uh-huh. I thought you deserved a chance." "A chance to what?" Kendall's level gaze never faltered, but despite her own inner resolve, she couldn't stop the corners of her mouth from turning into the beginning of a grin. This man was unbelievable. Cute. Adorable. Sexy as hell. And utterly unbelievable. "Thank me." Was the simply stated reply. Kendall's grin widened into an unbelieving smile. Her voice held a note of incredulity. "Thank you? For what?" "For saving your job." Kendall laughed in unbelief. It was a tinkling, musical laugh. Completely unexpected and totally sincere. "Saving my job? And how do you suppose you did that?" Max shrugged trying to hide the shiver that he felt wracking his body at the sound of her laughter and the sudden sparkle in her eyes. "By not telling your boss the truth, of course. See, I could have told her how you barged into my office, upset my secretary, disrupted my meeting and made me look...uh, less than my usual best, shall we say, in front of potential business partners. You're little stunt could cost me several million, by the way." "Oh, like that's of any great concern of mine." Kendall threw back at him quickly with a quick roll of her eyes. "It should be. See, the more projects I have on my plate, the less time I have to think about you." Kendall smiled slyly. "Sounds like a personal problem to me." "Would you like it if it was?" Max asked, his voice becoming low. His eyebrow raised seductively as he leaned even closer to her his eyes never leaving hers. Kendall swallowed hard and blinked quickly trying to calm this sudden feeling his nearness was stirring within her. Without realizing it, she found herself being instantly and completely drawn into his eyes. Get a grip! her mind screamed to her. But her body had a will of its own. Her gaze moved from his eyes to those perfectly framed lips that were inching their way toward hers. She looked back up into his eyes and saw a fire burning there that couldn't be mistaken for anything but desire and wondered if what she saw was his alone to claim or just a mere reflection of what was surely written in her own. She could feel herself getting lost. Lost in those eyes that had kept her from sleeping successfully the past few nights. The ones that made her want to stay forever in a world full of chocolate oceans and golden sunsets. Trying desperately to keep herself from drowning in his eyes, Kendall forced her mind to form a sentence. "It…uh…depends on how personal." What!?!? Where did that come from?!? She couldn't believe that not only did she just think that...but she just blurted it out...to a complete stranger. What was happening to her? She wasn't like this...anymore. Max was having as hard of a time forming sentences as she was. He could feel himself being pulled into the darkness of her eyes and marveled at how incredibly right it felt. It was the most wonderful feeling. Like he was floating. How he'd love to live forever in that hazy cloud of desire he saw waiting for him in her eyes. "You tell me. How personal is all the way to heaven?" Kendall blinked and let out a shaky breath as she read the hidden meaning behind his words. No. Uh-huh. She couldn't do this. This wasn't right. There were a million and one reasons not to want this. Not to be drawn into him. Not to feel his fire only a breath away from her. He was a man she was supposed to be preparing to battle, not someone she should even consider getting involved with. Not someone she should want to even kiss. But oh, what a kiss it would be… Soft as velvet. As scorching as the sun. Steamier then volcanic sand after a cleansing rain… She had to stop this. She had to stop thinking this way. Feeling these things. More than just her own life depended on it… Think, girl. Think. Problem was…she didn't know the first thing about him, except that he was a ruthless corporate raider that had his sights set on her kids' home. Her kids! How could she have forgotten? They were the reason she was on the warpath in the first place and she had no doubt he'd walk right over them and anyone else in his path to get what he wanted. Well, she wouldn't let him do it. He'd have to go through her first and when he did it would most definitely be war they made--not love. Intoxicating. Magnificent. Completely fascinating the way her face changed as each thought painted a new expression on her face. It was as if her body was warring with her mind. She wanted him. He read that as plainly on her face as if he were reading a book. And the hungry, primal man in him wanted to take her before she had a chance to think about what she was doing. But the lady in her stopped him. Max was suddenly at a loss. This woman was different from any woman he'd ever known. He'd felt that instinctively the moment he saw her step out of the car and burst through the door of his office. That she was perhaps the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen with a body to match was no question. That he wanted her was a certainty. But there was so much more to her than just that. In the space of a half an hour, she'd stood up to him, verbally sparred with him, turned him on, shut him down, read him like a book and intrigued him like no one ever had. And he was baffled. Because as strong and spirited as she was, there was a vulnerability, even a sadness in her eyes that made him want to reach out and protect her...make that pervasive sadness disappear. Suddenly, her opinion of him mattered. It was as if he needed to win her approval and touch the heart he saw in her eyes before learning what it felt like to hold her through the night. Instantly, unexpectedly, he knew he wanted more. And it excited him...and terrified him all at the same time. Seeing the dazed desire in her eyes begin to fade as rational thought came crashing down on her and becoming aware of his own changing thoughts, Max pulled back a little and grinned. The unsure territory he was treading shook under his feet though his practiced smile remained confident and nonchalant. "If heaven's too much to ask for right now, I will settle for lunch and a chance for some pleasant conversation." Kendall opened her mouth to speak when there was a quick, unexpected knock at the door just before it flew open causing Kendall and Max to jump away from each other as if they'd been shocked. V poked her head in the door and stopped short. Realizing she'd obviously walked in on something, but not exactly sure what, she mumbled an apology. "I'm so sorry to interrupt, Kendall, but we have a bit of an emergency." "What is it?" Her voice sounded strained, even to her own ears. Maybe because all she'd been able to hear for the past several minutes was the sound of her own blood as it rushed through her veins in perfect, irrational cadence to the rapid beating of her heart. V looked down at the papers in her hand. "A new admittance. Jared Rollins. Ward of the State. His dad's in prison and his mom's in the hospital. She has cancer and probably won't last much longer. Jared's grandmother…um, Margaret Thompkins, has been contacted, but she lives in Iowa and doesn’t have the money for the plane trip so it'll take a bit of time for her to get here. Jared's screaming for his mommy and well...he's getting a bit uncontrollable. They said you'd know what to do..." Kendall nodded her assent and started to walk past Max when he reached out and stopped her by grabbing her arm. "Hey, wait." He'd been watching her face while V was giving her the run down on the little boy. He was amazed at how her every focus was on the emergency at hand. How all was forgotten except the fears and pain of one small child. Kendall looked up at him, irritation flashing in her eyes. When she spoke her voice was cold and filled with barely controlled frustration. "I'm sorry, Mr. Evans, but I won't have time to take you on that tour. And I certainly don't have time to banter with you about fairy tales and heaven anymore. There's a world called reality that I live in and right now it's calling my name." Max got the full significance of her words and nodded understandingly. His voice suddenly softened with a genuineness that shocked her. "Just as long as you realize reality isn't all there is to life. There's also a very powerful thing called 'love'. Sounds to me like Jared's going to need every ounce you can spare." Max stated quietly before adding sincerely, "I hope...I hope everything works out ok. For Jared, I mean." Kendall blinked and looked away. She wasn't sure how to respond. She certainly hadn't expected such unselfish, heart-felt statements from someone like Max. If he was trying to confuse her, he was doing a bang up job of it. She nodded and whispered, "Me too." Then she walked toward the door stopping suddenly and turning back toward Max. "For lunch and pleasant conversation, I'd be at The Bluff Café'. High noon." With that impulsive invitation given, she turned and quickly walked out the door. Max released a loud shaky breath with a slight shake of his head and whispered, "Wow!" Still reeling from the aftershock of her presence, Max said out loud to no one in particular. "Alright, Kendall. So, you know how to get to me." He then smiled to himself as a plan began to form in his mind. "Well, get ready...because you aren't going to know what hit when *I* finally get to you." Making a mental note to find the nearest cold shower, Max pulled out his cell phone and punched a few buttons as he headed out of Claire's office. "Barbara, it's Max. I need you to send one of the company jets to Iowa. Yes, Iowa. No, send Terry. He'll be picking up a woman. A grandmother by the name of Margaret Thompkins…" to be continued... |
| posted on 21-Oct-2001 7:49:34 AM |
| ~ chapter 3 ~
Max glanced down at his watch. Five minutes till noon. High noon. He shook his head in disbelief. He'd only met the woman twice and was already thinking of another meeting as if it were a showdown at the OK Corral. Not that he minded. In fact, he was actually looking forward to the fireworks. He'd prepared for it even. A sly smile spread over his face and his deep amber eyes twinkled with mischief as he checked the bag by his side once more to see that his props were in place. Yep. He was definitely prepared for this one. Unlike this morning. This morning, he'd made a huge mistake. One that he should have never made given his track record in business. It was the unforgivable mistake of assuming. He had walked into Claire's office believing he held the upper-hand with the element of surprise being on his side. But Kendall showed him she was more than up to the challenge. In fact, there were actual moments that Max had been unsure what to say…and do. Which never happened to him. Physically, he was so attracted to her it blew him away. He hadn't felt that kind of instantaneous desire for someone since...well, for a very long time. But it had been the strangest sensation. As gorgeous as she was and as many times as he had dreamed over the last three days of wrapping his arms around her and carrying her to paradise, once their rousing discussion began he couldn't do it. He couldn't bring himself to expertly storm the castle gates and claim the spoils of war once he had gotten a glimpse of the sparkling princess hidden deep within the strong fortress' walls. More than once since leaving her, Max found himself wanting to don a suit of armor, take up his sword and protect her from any of those big bad wolves she believed were so prevalent in the world. Which completely intrigued him. Because he'd thought his days as a true, selfless knight in shining armor had been snuffed out of him years ago. As had the notion that there were still real-life princesses in the world worth fighting for… Their conversation had been both challenging and stimulating and even eye opening. He was amazed at how well she read him like a book. And how quickly. He prided himself on being enigmatic. Mysterious. Intriguingly contradictory. That always gave him the advantage in any relationship--business or personal. Besides his family, no one really knew who the real Max Evans was deep inside. What his secret passions were. What his goals or his loves. What drove him to action. And he liked to keep things that way. Strange as it seemed, he actually appreciated and even enjoyed the ruthless, cutthroat business facade he donned in public. It kept people at a distance he could handle. A distance he could afford. Until three days ago. Until her. Somehow she'd gotten past his first armor of defense. Somehow she was able to peer in his eyes and peel back that cloak of mystery enough to understand what made him tick. The thrill of the challenge. The passion of the game. The exhilaration of victory. And she not only understood it, she played up to it with amazing ease....and won. The first round at least. Oh, he wasn't out to hurt her. In fact, he wasn't even out to take the Center away from her like she believed. Max was ruthless in business, but even he knew where to draw the line when it came to his own business pursuits. And that line usually came when it effected innocent people who had no chance of recovering their losses on their own. Like children who had been forced to suffer through lives of abuse at the hands of power driven, thoughtless lunatics. Max shook his head as his thoughts instantly turned to Kyle. Thoughtless lunatic was precisely the part Kyle must have been playing when he attempted this deal. In fact, Max was so disgusted and furious with Kyle's actions that when he found out the only thing that had kept his brother alive was that Max couldn't find him at the time. So, instead, Max needed to find a way to minimize the damage Kyle had created while trying to salvage their own interests. And although he had been aching to see this Kendall Blake again, Kyle’s antics had created a legitimate business reason for his presence in New Haven. Now, after meeting with and spending a very short, very intriguing time with her, he knew that, more than ever, he wanted to be the one to tell Kendall about the misunderstanding and that he intended to make things right for her...and her Center. He needed it, in fact. He needed to be the one to look in her eyes and see her relief and joy when she knew her precious center was safe with him. Maybe then the unsettling images of fairy tale princesses and fire breathing dragons would be banished again to the world Max never visited. The world of dreams. That didn’t mean he couldn't have a little fun with this game first, though. In fact, it would make the victory all that more sweet. And that's what this lunch would be about. Perhaps if he could explain this misunderstanding, he might have a chance to repair what damage had been done while securing Evans Inc.'s future in the city of New Haven. After seeing that goal to completion, he’d be able to pursue his second, more enticing goal...Kendall. To do that, he’d first have to discover exactly what made her tick. Because only then would he know how to position himself so that they were on a more equal playing field then he'd been in the past two meetings. He simply couldn’t let her get the upper-hand again. And once he’d won a round or two, he was convinced she’d be more favorable to giving in to this incredible connection they had between them. The one he’d felt since the moment he saw her. The one he was now convinced she felt as well. Especially after this morning. This morning, sparks had been flying. Lightning struck more than once. The earth actually began to quake under his feet. And electric heat had crackled in the air around the two of them as they bantered back and forth with an ease that had even shocked Max. Despite the unexpected challenge Kendall presented, or maybe because of it, Max was determined to play this fiery game and win without so much as a single singe. As for Kendall's defeat…well, he'd never had a complaint from a former conquest yet. As in all deals, both parties came away mutually satisfied. No reason to think Kendall would be any different. That is, once he broke through those barriers she'd built around herself. Max still remembered the look of sadness and fear in her eyes when he'd mentioned two being a magic number. He wondered who had hurt her so badly that those eyes meant to be alive with dreams were clouded with mistrust and cynicism instead. Whoever he was, he must have been a fool to let her go. Shaking his head clear of that unexpected thought, Max glanced back down at his watch and grinned. Noon. Finally. Let the showdown begin. ~~~~~ “Hi. Sorry I'm late." A perky voice interrupted Max's perusal of lunch specials as he sat alone at a corner table by the large window that overlooked the docks and peacefully flowing inlet into New Haven Sound. Max looked up from his menu to see a woman with chin-length reddish brown hair standing in front of him, a broad smile plastered to her face and her hands nervously fingering the chair in front of her. He narrowed his eyes slightly. She looked familiar. But from where? "Kendall said you'd be waiting for me." She said as she pulled out the chair and plopped down across from him. "Kendall? As in Kendall Blake?" Max asked as his eyebrow raised at the same time his heart sank. No. She couldn't possibly have done this to him. Could she? Glancing out the window absently, Max remembered the mischievous twinkle in her eyes when she told Claire she'd love to take him on a tour of the Center. It was a twinkle that had immediately put him on guard. Yep. She could. And she did. He sighed unconsciously, half amused-half annoyed, unable to believe she'd out done him once again. He'd been sure he was prepared. And he was. For everything except her not showing up. His eyes drifted to his lunch companion who seemed to have trouble with the concept of sitting still as she bounced slightly in her seat and played absently with her utensils. So, this is what happens when you assume one too many times around Kendall Blake, huh? God, she's good. And she's going to pay for this one… Max plastered a smile on his face and prepared to get through this lunch as best he could, all the while beginning to plan his counter attack in the back of his mind. "So, Ms..." "Cosmorelli. But you can call me V." She gushed. "We weren't properly introduced this morning. Which happens a lot at the Center. Most people are so busy running around we rarely have time to look at each other let alone talk. Which is all the more reason why I was just totally floored when Kendall said you wanted to have lunch with me. I mean me of all people? I can't even begin to imagine why." V said as she picked up her menu and began to look over it. Neither can I. Max thought dryly. I can't believe she told this obvious chatter-box that I wanted to have lunch with her. Oh, the price for this little stunt just went up ten-fold. "One of life's little mysteries, I guess." Max commented, less because he meant it and more because it just felt like something needed to be said. Especially since V had taken a necessary breath and Max feared it might be his only chance to say anything the entire meal. V smiled and returned her perplexed gaze to the menu beginning to bounce again in her seat as she did so. Max rolled his eyes. Oh, god. This is going to be such a long lunch. At least Kendall would have had a challenging comeback for him. Or a smile that didn't make him care if she said anything at all. "So, what exactly did Kendall tell you about me?" Max asked trying to ascertain the exact amount of payback he needed to plan for. V leaned forward, put her elbows on the table and placed her chin in her hand before her words began to tumble forth like rushing water. "Hmmm. Well, let's see. She warned me that you were 'a heartless, opportunistic, deceptive snake in the grass that would take advantage of any and all situations to further your agenda while stepping on anyone and everyone regardless of sex or age'. At least, I think that's what she said." "Really?" Max said, making sure his smile didn't waver. First a wolf, now a snake. This woman really had a thing for dangerous animals. And talk about deceptive. And did she really think he was that jaded that he would take advantage of women and children? Well, it was going to be an immense pleasure to show her just how wrong she was. "Not a very pleasing description of me. It'd be enough to make anyone run screaming in the opposite direction. Yet, you didn't." And how I wish you had. V shrugged her shoulders. "I told her she may be used to free meals with gorgeous men, but I wasn't. And I was going to take advantage of the opportunity presented. Do you realize that I will be saving exactly...." V pulled out her calculator and began punching numbers before looking up at him with an excited grin. “...$23.48 by having you pay for lunch? I mean, if I were here by myself, I’d never spend that much on a lunch just for me. I think it’s outrageous what some people pay for things, but Kendall told me you were filthy rich so just order to my heart’s content." She shook her copper head as her hazel eyes widened. "And I’m not one to argue with Kendall." Max restrained himself from rolling his eyes again. Could this possibly get any worse? "Neither am I…” Max quipped as a secret smile played on his lips. He suddenly had a very strong feeling that arguing with Kendall just might become a way of life for him if she continued to pull stunts like this. In fact, he was pretty sure of it. Normally not a very appealing prospect. So, why then, did a secret thrill just run though him like a current of electricity? “Please feel free to order anything you’d like…” Max glanced down at his menu as he paused before posing a question he wasn’t all too sure he wanted the answer to. “So…is that all she said? About me, I mean?" V pursed her lips and thought for a moment before shaking her head. "No, she also mumbled something about you being some kind of god or something...which one was it....?" She tapped her fingernails on the table and Max raised an annoyed eyebrow, fighting the urge to grab her hand in his to make the irritating sound stop. Suddenly, she solved his problem for him when she snapped her fingers. "I know. It was Adonis. I'm not sure which Roman god that was." Tilting her head to the side, her face scrunched up in confusion. "Do you know which one?" A million dollar smile spread across Max's face as a slight blush crept unexpectedly up his cheeks. "Uh, it's Greek and yeah, I…I think I have a grasp on which one that is." "Well good, because I wasn’t sure which one she meant. I meant to look it up, but with the phones ringing off the hook like they do…" V brightened remembering one more thing. "Oh, and speaking of phones, I overheard her tell someone on the phone that she'd just met someone with the smile of an angel, but that they were really the devil in disguise. I can only assume she was talking about you since you're like, the only new person she's met this morning…except Jared, of course, and he wouldn't be considered…" Max smiled again as effortlessly tuned out V's rambling. The smile of an angel, huh? And Adonis. He knew it. He knew she wasn't as immune to his charms as she pretended to be. He glanced back up at V. Maybe this wasn't such a bad choice of lunch dates after all. She was obviously willing to chatter and didn't seem to care about the subject. She could turn out to be a well-spring of information if he played his cards right. Just getting ready to ask her another question about Kendall, Max noticed that V had looked up toward the door with a surprised grin spreading over her face. "Well, speak of the devil…" Max looked behind him toward the door just in time to see Kendall smiling at the waiter and nodding her head. He watched with increasing interest as she glanced at their table, nodded at him with a decided look of triumph on her face, victory flashing in her eyes and an air of devilish delight washing over her before turning to man with short-cropped, wavy blonde hair standing behind her. Reaching out to take his hand in hers, they both followed the waiter past Max and V's table to sit at the table near them in perfect view. "Who's the man with Kendall?" Max asked his curiosity definitely piqued by the appearance of a possible rival on the scene. V glanced over her shoulder and waved at Kendall who was seated at the side of the table that was facing Max. "That? Oh, that's Kendall's boyfriend, Sean Graham." Max looked over at Kendall's table and noticed how she was holding her menu high up in the air in front of her covering the whole of her beautiful face. Everything, that was, except her dark shining eyes which were curiously focused directly over the menu to his table instead. An amused grin spread over his face when he saw her duck her head and quickly return her gaze to the menu with such absorbed intensity the moment his eyes locked with hers. He bit down on his bottom lip to stop the bubble of laughter that threatened to explode. So, that's going to be the game today, huh? Sly glances with a little peek-a-boo on the side. Bring it on, Princess. I'm more than willing to play… Max cleared his throat to cover another chuckle when Kendall slipped him another glance then quickly turned her head away nonchalantly as her face flushed with an unstoppably adorable shade of 'I-am-embarrassed-because-I-just-got-caught-again' pink. Max forced himself to focus on getting as much ammunition against Kendall Blake as he could gather. "Sean Graham, huh? Is he part of the EMG Grahams?” V nodded decidedly. "Yep. Grandson. From what I hear he and Michael don't get along. Michael Guerin is the CEO and I guess there is some big family rivalry over the position or something. I'm not really up on all the details. I just hear things, you know." Max nodded understandingly. "Oh, of course. I understand." He looked back over at Kendall who had just ordered and handed her menu to the waiter before he left while Sean reached across the table for her hand. She gave it to him, but....what was that expression on her face? Hesitancy maybe? Or even reluctance, perhaps? "So, uh…what makes you think he's her boyfriend?" Waving a hand of dismissal in the air, V rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. They've only been dating for like...forever. I mean, I haven't known her that long, but they been together since before I came. And that's been about a year ago." "By 'together' do you mean they live together?" Max tried to be inconspicuous as he moved his chair ever so slightly so that V's head wasn't blocking his view of Kendall. V rambled on not even noticing. "Oh, no. Nothing like that. He lives in the G's mansion. That's the Grahams. And she lives in an apartment above Rosie's." "Rosie's?" "It's a local diner. Really good chili. You should go there some time. They also have great....." V's voice trailed off as Max's gaze returned to Kendall's table where she was now sitting with her chin resting in her hand listening to Sean as he spoke animatedly and gestured with his hands. At least, she was pretending to listen to Sean. Max's eyes narrowed a little as the rest of the world around him went out of focus till the only thing he could really see was Kendall Blake as he she sat at another table with another man. His heart did a strange little flip-flop a sight that was unmistakable. She had a glazed over look in her eyes as if she was completely wearied with the content of Sean's ramblings and on her lips was planted the most fake smile he'd ever seen. It was even more plastic than Barbie's. One thing was abundantly clear to Max Evans. Kendall Blake…was bored to tears... After this morning's dynamic dialogue with Max, listening to Sean's discourse on EMG, his grandfather and Michael paled in comparison. Sean was once again complaining about Michael and another phantom offence that had occurred between the two. She loved them both, but there were times she just wanted to ring both of their necks. Or put them in a room together and let them go at each other once and for all and 'may the best man win' and all of that. While Sean rambled, Kendall's mind took a little trip of it's own. Right into Max's arms… She was instantly transported to a white sand beach. The soft breeze from the turquoise ocean whipped her long dark hair in front of her eyes. She reached up to push her hair away, her eyes swiftly scanning the expanse of shoreline...searching. Searching for that one person that burned her like the sun and sent her senses floating like a feather on wind.... Max sat watching Kendall, vaguely aware of the sound of V's voice chattering on. No matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't take his eyes off of her. She was too fascinating to watch. Suddenly, her expression had changed. It was as if she were no longer in the confines of this building. Maybe not even in this hemisphere. A far away look came into her eyes as a dreamy smile floated over her ruby lips. What he wouldn't give to be in that dream world with her right now. To see what she was seeing. To know what brought that look of passion to her eyes.... Before she saw him she knew he was there. It was like the sun had risen after a long, cold, dark night with his appearance. He looked up and saw her, a blinding smile gliding over his lips. It was the kind of smile that warmed her from the top of her head to the tip of her toes and made her completely melt inside. Before she knew what she was doing she had begun to run straight for his waiting figure. Only he wasn't waiting anymore. He was running toward her as eager to reach her as she was to reach him. They met halfway and stopped short. Her breathing was shallow as she looked up into his fathomless amber-jeweled eyes warming with laughter and joy...and desire. The wind played gently with the wisps of his raven hair and she longed for her hands to join it in feeling his hair's softness under her skin. The electric heat that flowed between them exploded the moment he reached out and touched her face bringing his lips down on hers in a searing kiss that.... "Kendall? Kendall." Sean's voice broke through the beginning of her delightfully steamy dream. He smiled at her suddenly. "Where were you just now?" Kendall crinkled her nose and cleared her throat looking confused and a little dazed. "Me? What? Where was I? Oh, um...nowhere. I mean, I was here. Listening to you." Doubt crept into Sean's hazel eyes. "Are you sure? I mean, you really looked like you'd drifted...somewhere." Kendall looked at Sean and blurted out. "Sean, what do you know about Maxwell Evans?" Sean looked confused and blinked at the sudden change of conversation. "Max Evans? The corporate raider?" Sean shrugged as he began to explain. "Pretty much what everyone knows. He’s ruthless. The kind of man who once he knows what he wants, he doesn’t let up until he gets it...anyway he has to. Grandfather says he's a scoundrel. Very brilliant and clever, though, from what I've heard. He, along with his father and brother, owns Evans Inc. of Alaska " “Alaska?” "Yep. Their family headquarters. They own half the state from what I hear. I've also heard Max is a bit of a playboy. But I guess he can get away with it. Apparently women find him attractive or something." Sean commented with a shrug not noticing the look of disappointed annoyance that flashed over Kendall's face. "I know Michael doesn't like him, which gives him a gold star in my book." A look of disgust flashed in Sean's eyes. "Do you know what Michael said to me today? He said...." V leaned forward and whispered. "I'll be right back. I have to go to the ladies room." Max just smiled and nodded his assent as his gaze drifted to Kendall once more. Whatever dream held her captive before, it seemed to have vanished because now she was conversing with her lunch date instead of merely pretending to pay attention. A low voice tense with hatred and anger sounded at Max's side. "Well if it isn't Wile E. Coyote, himself." Almost simultaneously, a hand passed before Max's eyes to drop a small, shiny, brass object on the table in front of him. "Recognize this nice, shiny bullet with your name on it? It's been waiting a very, very long time for this day, Max Evans. If I were you I'd start saying my prayers. Cuz I'm thinking this will be a very pretty day for you to die…" Max closed his eyes and sucked in a breath. Not because of the bullet. Not because of the threat. But because he recognized that voice as well as he recognized the tatoo of a six-pointed star at the base of the man's wrist. Tbc… |
| posted on 21-Oct-2001 7:50:13 AM |
| ~ chapter 4 ~
A low voice tense with hatred and anger sounded at Max's side. "Well if it isn't Wile E. Coyote, himself." Almost simultaneously, a hand passed before Max's eyes to drop a small, shiny, brass object on the table in front of him. "Recognize this nice, shiny bullet with your name on it? It's been waiting a very, very long time for this day, Max Evans. If I were you I'd start saying my prayers. Cuz I'm thinking this will be a very pretty day for you to die…" Max closed his eyes and sucked in a breath. Not because of the bullet. Not because of the threat. But because he recognized that voice as well as he recognized the tatoo of a six-pointed star at the base of the man's wrist. And Max really did pray. He prayed that he was wrong. He prayed he wasn't seeing the tatoo in front of him. He prayed that his memory was faulty. But he knew it wasn't. His dreams at night sometimes reminded him of that star. The symbol of loyalty and devotion. Brotherhood and secrets. Life and death. Painting an enigmatic smile on his face, Max steeled himself and looked up, masking his emotions with casual nonchalance. "Nate. Long time no see. So, tell me...is that the latest greeting for your nearest and dearest?" Nathaniel Carter, the Bluff Café's owner and New Haven's current mayor, put one hand on the table and the other on the back of Max's chair to lean down, his ice-blue eyes locking with Max's. "Don't get cute with me, Evans. You may not be one for keeping your promises, but I am. I promised to blow you away the next time I laid eyes on you. I intend to do it." "If I remember, blowing things away was your specialty. But am surprised." Max cast an amused look around the café. "Here? Amidst all these innocents? Oh, my. You really are slipping. Not even seven years has passed and you've already forgotten rule number 3 on how to destroy the enemy…never leave witnesses." He quirked an amused eyebrow at Nate as his observant gaze swept over Nate from head to toe. "Surely, you don't have enough ammunition on you to blow this place to kingdom come just to cover your lousy tracks." Max's eyes darkened and narrowed as they flicked back to Nate's, his jaw tightening in barely controlled hatred. "Unlike last time." Snapping his fingers as if he'd just remembered something, Max grinned up at Nate. "Oh, that's right. You didn't cover your tracks completely last time. Which is why you lost your job." "I lost a helluva lot more than a job and you know it, you lousy son of a…" Nate's blue eyes flashed with icy fire as he sucked in his breath. "Let's take this outside." Max shrugged and casually hooked his arm around the back of his chair as he leaned back and crossed his legs. His confidence was building more and more by the moment. Whatever Nate wanted to do to him, Max was sure he wouldn't do it here. In a room full of people. "I think not. I'm rather liking the ambiance here. Crowded. Safe…" Kendall glanced up and saw Nate's towering position over Max and sat up straight, instantly captivated by the activities at the next table. What in the world was going on over there? Nate was talking too low for her to hear and Max's face was a mask of indifference. Or was it barely controlled anger? Yep. By the way his jaw just clenched, she'd have to go with the second one. "Kendall, I'll be back. I need to make a phone call." Sean informed her as he leaned over and pecked her on the cheek. "Yeah, whatever." She responded automatically, her eyes never leaving Max's face. Although he was trying valiantly to hide it, he really looked upset by something Nate said to him. Suddenly, without warning, Nate grabbed Max by the lapels of his suit jacket and pulled him to his feet. Kendall shot out of her seat immediately. "Max, I said we're taking this outside...." "Nate. What seems to be the problem?" Kendall interjected as she walked up to the table and looked up at Max with a raised eyebrow and a 'What-did-you-do-now?' expression on her face. This was certainly an interesting turn of events. "He's the problem." Kendall looked back at Max and saw the storm brewing in his eyes. He was really upset. Wonder what happened between these two. "Uh, Nate, I'm sorry Max is being such a nuisance. If I'd known the two of you knew each other or that he was going to cause trouble for you, I wouldn't have suggested that he come here for lunch." Kendall mentioned lightly. "You know this scum?" Nate asked incredulously as he looked from Max to Kendall. "Unfortunately." She responded dryly, noting the annoyed look on Max's face as his cold, hard gaze swept from Nate's hands still gripping him firmly by the lapels to Nate's angry face. The dangerous flash in his eyes said one thing loud and clear: he literally wanted to rip Nate apart piece by tiny piece. "Look, Nate, I'm not sure what's going on but I am sure that the last thing you want to do is cause a scene." She glanced around at the patrons who were beginning to take notice of the commotion in the corner. "It's not all that great for business, you know. Look, if I promise that Max won't cause any more problems while he's here, could we just forget this? For now?" She pleaded her case with her eyes. "Please?" Kendall's breath stilled in her chest as Nate debated her offer. Her gaze moved to Max's face and her heart stopped mid-beat. Max Evans had the most expressive eyes she'd ever seen. It was never hard to guess what was going through that mind of his and at the same time she was constantly surprised by each new emotion that hit her from the depths of those glowing orbs. Surprised, because she didn't know what was behind the emotions. What made them so powerful. So swift. So…alluring. She wondered suddenly if she was as transparent to him with her feelings as he was to her. If she was, she was in trouble. Big time. Nate glanced around them then looked from Kendall to Max. His voice was cold and rough when he finally let Max's lapels go with a bit of a shove. "Fine. He can stay…this time. After this, he isn't welcomed here. And I'm warning you, Evans...this isn't over. Watch your step in my town…because I'll be waiting to settle our score…" "Might as well get comfortable, pal." Max stuffed his hands in his pockets, his stance casual. The timbre of his voice, deadly. "You'll be waiting a long time." Max shot back sullenly, his eyes trying to mask the obvious inner pain he was feeling as his barely controlled anger caused each word to be bitten off with venom. Nate's jaws tightened. "Just so you know where I stand." Max, the aloof unruffable businessman, was suddenly back in control. "Located and pinpointed, sir." Max retorted like a soldier standing at attention and saluting, a cocky, challenging smile coming to his lips. Nate shot him a warning look that spoke volumes only the two men understood then walked away. Max straightened his suit and shook himself as if trying to shake off the bad experience then sat back down, relieved that little confrontation was over with nothing more than the warning that had been given. His eyes immediately drifted to a world beyond the window. A world it was obvious only he could see and one that Kendall got the feeling was very exclusive. And utterly lonely. Kendall slipped into the chair opposite of Max and raised a curious eyebrow as she tried to keep her tone light. Trying to coax a smile or at the very least dull that sharpened, caged look in his eyes. "Wow. That was…interesting. I've never seen Nate that angry before. You know, when I told you that you wouldn't be welcomed here in New Haven, I had no idea the dislike would be so instant and so volatile. So, what did you do to him?" Max looked up at her sharply still a little unnerved by meeting Nate again the way he did after all these years. He had no idea Nate lived in New Haven. And he certainly had no desire to revisit the past they had shared. Especially not now. Especially not with her. "Maybe you should ask him. He started it, in case you failed to notice. He was the one manhandling me." He pointed out, irritation lacing his words. She was taken aback by the look in his eyes. They looked haunted somehow. As if he was trying desperately to forget something...painful. No. She couldn't do this. She couldn't start thinking of him as a man with actual emotions and feelings. A man that could be hurt. That would put him on a level she was in no way prepared to deal with. "Yes, but there must have been a reason. Nate isn't the type of man to attack unprovoked." Her curiosity pressed the question. Max sat silently giving her an enigmatic smile as his eyes flashed with…something…before they took on a far-away look. It was obvious this subject was closed for discussion. At least, the deep dark secret parts of it were. She chose instead to respond in the almost flirtatious banter they'd chosen early...the one that came so naturally and didn't cost her anything. "Oh, I get it. It's a macho thing, right?" "What are you talking about?" Max asked sounding more annoyed than he had planned. He took a gulp of his water in an effort to drown the images Nate's presence invoked in his memory. Get a grip, Max. You have a virtual goddess in front of you. Concentrate on her and not the horror… Sensing that he needed a moment to compose himself and understanding all too well the hauntings of a past you'd rather forget, Kendall plunged on into the philosophies of men and emotions, knowing he probably wouldn’t be listening too closely anyway. "Men. You all do the same thing. At the first sign of an emotional conversation or a situation where real feelings need to be expressed, you just take one look at each other and....lunge. Fists start flying and things get broken." She glanced down at the table as her own private memories instantly began floating to the surface. "Violence is always the answer for you." Somehow her words reached him. He studied her for a moment before answering, instinctively sensing that although she was trying to keep her tone light, she was speaking from deep within her own private world of pain. "Not all men are like that, Kendall." Max said softly. She raised her eyes to meet his defiantly, surprised that he had been paying attention after all. "Most men that I've known are." "Then you're obviously spending time with the wrong men." And Max let the past go. For the moment. His eyes softened as he felt his control returning to him the more he looked into those midnight eyes frame with the most luscious lashes he'd ever seen. Suddenly, he'd remembered the game and dove in with reckless abandon praying somewhere deep inside of him that his haunting memories would get washed away by the thrill of the chase. The way it always had in the past. "That is...until now." Max's suggestion was laced with meaning as he leaned forward and looked intently into Kendall's eyes searching deeply for what he was quickly becoming accustomed to. And there it was. That look of uncertainty mixed with hope. Desire mixed with fear. For a moment, Max Evans wanted so much to just reach out and prove he was the one man that could change her world forever. To be the one to wipe away the uncertainty. To banish the fear. But he forced the moment to pass. Desires like that were too raw to be acknowledge. Too real to be attainable. Too strong to be carefree. Fun and games were his modus operandi. Winning was his objective. Walking away unscathed with the prize, his ultimate goal. And he wasn't about to change that now. Not for anyone. Not even for her… Oh, no. It was happening again. She felt herself being inexplicably drawn toward him as she began to lean forward, their eyes locked in a look charged with mutual desire. Before she knew it, she was getting lost in those sunlit jewels again. What was it about his eyes that completely took her over? What spell was he casting? What mesmerizing web was he weaving around her? Kendall let out a shaky breath as she felt his fingers lightly graze hers. Fire shot through her at the touch, rippling its way through her blood and seeping into her bones. It didn't matter. Just as long as this beautifully hazy warmth he was wrapping around her never disappeared. As long as living in the moment was all she was required to do… No. She couldn't do this. She couldn't lose herself. Not now. Not with him. Her spine became a rod of steel and her hand quickly slipped from under his light caress as Kendall cleared her throat and looked away trying to gain some semblance of rational thought. Crossing her arms in front of her, her eyebrow raised in defiance as her eyes locked with his in challenge when she chose to ignore his final suggestive comment and instead move to more solid ground. Like thought. And speech. And not falling deeply into his eyes… "So, let me get this straight. You’re telling me that if I hadn't stopped you, you and Nate still would have walked away without any black eyes or broken bones." It was working. He was getting to her. The raging fire that swept through him when he'd simply brushed his fingers over her soft hand had flashed through her eyes with such force that Max was sure she'd crumble in defeat right then and there. But that would have been disappointing. And Kendall Blake certainly hadn't disappointed him yet. Like a cat playing with a mouse, Max gave in to her obvious need for reprieve. Shrugging he pulled his hand back from the table, Max's confident macho shined through as he declared his response with a cocky grin. "I don't know about Nate, but I know I would have." Kendall smiled in spite of herself. She couldn't help it. He was so adorably....arrogant It was such a pleasure to be able to bring him down a few notches. "Umm, let me point something out to you. You just admitted that you would have punched him. That makes you no better than any other man who addresses his feelings with a fist instead of words." Max's mouth dropped open in mock shock as his eyes began to twinkle. "I can't believe you just lumped me in with that unfeeling cad. For the record, my actions would have been purely self-defense. You made a quick sweeping generalization that does not describe me at all." He paused to regard her expression, trying to guess her reaction to his next statement. Denial? Surprise? Or…admittance? "But it sounds like that's not the first time you've done that today." "Oh, really? And what have you heard?" A secret smile came to her lips as her eyes widened innocently. She knew full well what he was talking about. She had specifically told V her view on Mr. Evans knowing that V would inadvertently pass the word on to him at lunch. What better way to get the word out then to tell the Center gossip, especially when she wasn't sure she'd have the strength to look in those eyes and tell him herself. He seemed to have a way of breaking her resolve and making her change her mind about him with just one look. Being around him was all very…confusing. And confusion was the last thing she needed in her life right now… Oh, smooth. So, she's going the denial route. Max eyed her carefully before he looked up at the ceiling as if he were trying to remember. "Uh, let's see. I think the words used were....snake in the grass, heartless, opportunistic, deceptive." He waved a hand dismissively in the air. "Something along those lines." She shrugged and tilted her head to the side in that way he found absolutely, adorably distracting. "I call them like I see them." "So do I. And what I see in front of me is someone who is well acquainted with the word 'deception'. Kendall leaned forward and stretched her hand out to pick up a glass of water. "How so?" She asked before taking a sip. "You deceived me into thinking I would be having lunch with you today instead of..." Max stopped when he saw her unconsciously lick her lips after taking a drink of water. His gaze lingered on those full red lips still wet from its recent bath. Once again he fought the urge to turn into Tarzan, sweep her up in his arms and carry her to a remote location where the only drink they would crave would be the sweet intoxicating nectar they'd taste from each other's lips. "V. Her name is V." Kendall prompted bringing him back to the content of their discussion, unaware of where her actions had led his thoughts only moments before. Had she known the images flying through his head, her power of speech would have been swiftly stolen from her and not returned after a very, very long time. "I know that's a really difficult name to remember, what with so many letters to keep track of and all. But I'm sure a man of your extraordinary intelligence and cleverness should be able to come up with a way." Max cleared his throat and forced himself to concentrated on her words and not the full, luscious mouth that was forming them. "That's cute. Very cute. And very off the point." Max said pointing at her reprovingly. "Which is?" "How you invited me to lunch then told V I had invited her instead." She rolled her eyes. "Oh, THAT!" "Yes. That." He tried to keep the amusement from his lips, but failed miserably to keep it from seeping into his eyes. "So, what exactly were you trying to accomplish?" "Accomplish?" She shrugged her shoulders with a nonchalant air. "I wasn't trying to accomplish anything. You said you were interested in good food and pleasant conversation. I've provided both." "But you knew I wanted you." His voice lowered with more meaning than he had anticipated. The seductive inflection of his voice and the intent gaze that met her eyes sent a sudden shiver down her spine. Her mouth suddenly went dry and for the life of her Kendall couldn't think of one single thing to say. Well, nothing she could say out loud, that is. Not without revealing to him just how liquid her insides were becoming. How hot and melted. And how utterly, uncontrollably flushed and dizzy she was… Truth be known, when she invited Max to lunch she had every intention of showing up. To sit across the table from this man who had so completely, instantaneously captured her attention would be bliss. But the more she thought about it, the more she knew she couldn't possibly keep the appointment. He had a way of getting to her. Unnerving her. Causing her to say and do things that she normally didn't. Feel things that she'd taught herself not to feel. In short, she couldn't trust herself with him. And if there was one thing that she'd learned in life it was that the only person she could trust fully was herself. To knowingly put herself in a situation where she couldn't even rely on that was asking for trouble. And personal trouble was the last thing she needed in her life right now. Her gaze flitted back to his eyes a new resolve taking hold of her. "I guess it's too bad that what you want isn't a priority in my life, isn't then, Mr. Evans?" "Priorities can change." Max stated simply. Annoyance flashed in her eyes. "I suppose for a spoiled little rich-boy like you getting what you want is a way of life." Her voice became low with determination. "Well, if I were you, I'd get used to disappointment because there is nothing you want in this town that you'll be able to walk away with." "There you go making sweeping generalizations again based on little to no facts. You don't know the first thing about me, yet you presume to know what I want and for what reasons. You've misjudged me, Kendall. And for you to not even give me a chance to explain why I'm here is simply not fair." Max said as he leaned back, frustration beginning to well up inside of him. He'd been watching her. Gauging every little nuance of her expression. Every flash of fire in her eyes. Each tiny shiver that coursed through her body. As exciting as she was…she was also very unnerving. Because this woman was completely, irresistibly impossible. One minute she was hot. The next she was cold. Every time he thought he was getting through, she'd turn around and slam the door in his face once again. It was going to be very difficult to play the game if she shut down every time he came close to scoring a point. Then again, maybe that was the very thing that made this game worth playing. It also made it the most dangerous game he had played in a very, very long time. With an inner shrug, Max threw caution to the wind, unwilling to give up this sudden, irresistible feeling of finally being alive again. Kendall leaned forward across the table the corners of her mouth turned up in a devilishly challenging smile. "As far as I'm concerned, Mr. Evans, we are at war. And everything is fair in war and....." she looked away as if she were trying to think of the other word. In reality, she wasn't sure she could trust herself to say the word 'love' while looking in those mesmerizing eyes without losing all sense of control. Realizing the game was far from over and seeing his next opportunity to score so neatly handed to him by his enchanting opponent, Max grinned slightly and leaned forward keeping his eyes level with Kendall's, his voice intimate and low. "Love. I think the word you're searching for is...love." Ignoring the shiver that ran down her spine and the sudden spike in her temperature as he spoke that one word, Kendall's eyes cut back to his face. "Right. That thing you don't know anything about." She saw a momentary flicker of....something.....what was it? Sadness, perhaps? Pain? His perfectly formed lips tightened into a thin line and he looked away as if he’d suddenly been hit. Whatever it was, it had been there as plain as day. Seeing that hurt in his eyes made her instantly wish she could take it all back. He must think she was the cruelest person he's ever met. What was happening to her? Why should she even care what he thought about her? She swallowed hard as her gaze softened. There was just something about him... Max blinked quickly and looked away to cover the shot her words sent through his heart. Normally he could take it. Normally he could take pretty much anything. But hearing her say that he didn't know anything about love. Especially after his run-in with Nate...well, for some reason it smarted. He looked back up at her wondering what she was doing to him. How was it her opinion of him had become so important all of a sudden? Or was that even it? And was it possible she knew about his past? That Nate had told her something? No. Most likely Nate wanted to forget as much as he did. Besides, he doubted if she'd be Nate's confidant in such matters. Looking in her eyes, Max realized that she had no idea what affect her words would have on him when she spoke them. In fact, she had only been taking cues from him in this duel of jab and duck. It wasn't intrinsic to her nature to be intentionally hurtful. It was a learned trait. One to protect oneself in the heat of battle. Even now, she looked a bit sympathetic, even regretful. Gentleness replaced the pain in his eyes and when he spoke his voice was serious and confident. The slight tremor revealing the intimacy of his admission. "I…may have forgotten a few things…about love, but I know a lot more than you think." In that moment, looking in his eyes, Kendall instinctively believed him. He had known love. And it had caused him pain. She felt an odd sense of kinship with him. Shared pain will do that. What she wouldn't give to erase that sadness from his eyes and make them twinkle with laughter instead. What am I thinking? Have I gone crazy or something? He's my enemy! Since when do you want to make an enemy's sadness go away? She had to get control and she had to do it quickly or she'd be lost forever to this man. Swallowing hard, Kendall began to bit her lower lip again in uncertainty. She looked so adorable. Max had to find out what it meant when she did that, what caused it and then do it more often. Seeing the doubt in her eyes, he grinned suddenly trying to lighten the mood as he added, "And what I’ve forgotten, I could always re-learn." Taking her cue from him, her eyes began to twinkle unexpectedly suddenly feeling as if they'd silently, mutually agreed to take this skirmish onto more solid ground. "You'd need a willing teacher." She shot back glad to see that her words hadn't caused any permanent damage. Max leaned forward again across the table as he looked into her eyes and whispered with meaning. "You could teach me." Kendall flushed slightly at his words and the intense gaze he was giving her. She cleared her throat. "Yes, but I said a 'willing' teacher. Besides, I'm unavailable for lessons." She added nodding toward her table where Sean had returned a few moments earlier. He was apparently unconcerned about where his lunch date had gone, seeing that he was once again on the phone. Max's eyes followed the direction of her nod and he grinned suddenly. "Ah, yes, the boyfriend. Somehow I don’t think your relationship with him classifies you as 'unavailable'." Kendall laughed at his boldness. "Oh, really? So, you're telling me that even though I'm dating him and even though I love him I'm still classified as 'available'...according to you." "Love?" Max chuckled. "That's not love. Well, not true love anyway." "Oh, it's not? Then what is it?" An amused smile played on her lips as she tried to anticipate what he would say next. "Convenience." Max said quickly then put his finger up. "No, on second thought, I think he's more like your security blanket. You know, that thing you cuddle and cling to and wrap around you when you're too afraid to go it alone." Now it was Kendall's turn to look away. She blinked and swallowed quickly as she felt her cheeks burn hot with the blush she was sure had risen. How had he seen? How had he known? For weeks now, even months she'd felt unsatisfied with her relationship with Sean. Perhaps it was because he was pressuring her for more than she was willing to give. Or maybe it was because she was becoming more aware of the feelings she had for him and how they didn't equal the intensity of his for her. Lately it seemed she'd been holding on more because he was a convenient date and less because she enjoyed his company. Like today, she knew in her heart how dangerous it would be for her to sit across the table from Max for any length of time, yet she couldn't resist the chance to see him again. So, she sent V in her place and called Sean to keep her distracted enough not to wander over to his table at some point during the meal. The only problem with that was Sean's company left a lot to be desired…and what was desired was all sitting at another table. Until Sean left. And V left. It had taken her only a matter of seconds before she was by his side. Oh, she could tell herself it was because she was trying to help him out of an obviously painful situation with Nate. But the truth was, if Nate had never approached him…if Max had never even looked her way, she still would have found a reason to sit across from him and gaze into the magnificent eyes that had captured her with that very first look. And that terrified her. Because deep down inside she knew he was right. Sean was her security blanket…at least he had been today. That Max had been able to sum up their relationship in a matter of moments without even having talked to Sean or seeing them together for more than 30 minutes, scared her more than words could express. Because that meant he'd been able to read what she'd been trying to hide even from herself for so long. Well, she certainly couldn't let him know that'd he'd hit a nerve. That would give him too much power...too much leverage. Her eyes flicked back to his face as a guarded smile crossed her lips. “My security blanket?” She chuckled lightly. “Well, I certainly wouldn’t expect someone like you to understand about the importance of feeling secure in a relationship…” “Someone like me...” Max repeated knowing full well what road she was headed down and determining not to let her go there before she faced a few of her own signs along the way. “...probably understands more about security in a relationship...and the lack of it...than you could ever imagine.” “Then why do you belittle and ridicule it?” Kendall asked taken back by the sincerity of his answer and the flicker of loneliness she saw in his eyes. “I’m not.” Max answered quickly as he leaned forward once again locking eyes with hers. Even Max was shocked by his own sincerity and openness as he began to speak. “I think one of the most precious gifts you can give to the person you’re committed to is your full, undivided attention and the assurance of knowing they are the only one in your heart and mind. That’s not the same as having a security blanket. What a lot of people don’t understand is that before you can have real security in a relationship, you have to be willing to take a risk. Risk takers with true love waiting for them demand it. Blankets don’t.” “And which are you?” Kendall asked as she folded her hands on the table in front of her and leaned forward a challenge waiting for him in her eyes. Max grinned slightly as he crossed his arms in front of him on the table mirroring her own posture. "Oh, I think you know. In fact, I could ask you the same thing…only I think I already know the answer to that too. So, I guess the real question would be...who burned you so badly that you deny your true nature? That you're no longer willing to risk your heart on true love…the kind that comes around once in a lifetime?" Unnerved but unwilling to let it show, Kendall deftly sidestepped his question and decided to raise one of her own. Her coy smile was not lost on Max. “What makes you think I’m not…with Sean?” “Your eyes.” Kendall blinked and looked away stunned at his simply, penetrating answer. Looking back up at him she smiled uncomfortably. "You're rather nosey aren't you?" "I prefer to think of it as having a healthy dose of curiosity mixed with an astute sense of observation." Was Max's quick return as he continued his pursuit. "Let me ask you something else. How well does your boyfriend know you?" "What? What kind of question is that?" She as with a perplexed look on her face. This man was full of questions and she never really quite knew where he was taking her with the answers. "A simple one." Max retorted with a shrug. "Unless, of course, he doesn't know you and you just don't want to admit…" Kendall let out a frustrated sigh as she leaned back. "Ok. Fine." She said as she ran her fingers through her hair before launching into a lie she'd tried to tell herself many times. She sighed again as she looked back at him and saw his raised eyebrow, "He knows me, ok? Look, we've been dating for 2 years. I think in that amount of time he knows me as well as anyone ever could." "Is that so?" Max asked with an upraised eyebrow. "Yes. That's so." Kendall responded with a little more force than she'd intended while crossing her arms stubbornly in front of her. Max had to hold back a chuckle as his eyes began to sparkle with amusement. She was so adorable trying to convince him of something he wasn't all that sure she believed herself. She was definitely a stubborn one. So much so that he just couldn't help himself from baiting her even more. He cleared his throat as he became serious once again his voice low and probing. "Alright, then. Tell me something else. Can he tell what you're thinking by just looking into your eyes? Does he know your deepest, darkest secrets? How about your most treasured dreams? The ones you've had all of your life but no one seems to know how to make come true. And what about what it takes to make your eyes shine with passion and fire. Or how to make your heart race with a touch. Does he know the secret to that too? Or have you hidden all of that from him somehow?" Max paused a moment noticing how her expression had changed once again. Where stubbornness had claimed her moments before, her eyes now held a hint of uncertainty and longing that couldn't be mistaken. A longing for the kind of love that could do all of those things...a love she clearly didn't possess…no matter how hard she tried to convince him she did. Kendall's eyes had begun to mist unexpectedly as his words began hitting their intended mark…her heart. He decided to press his luck once more while she was at least open to listening as he added, "Does he know who you dream about at night? For that matter, does he know who you were daydreaming about just a few minutes ago? Or was he too busy rambling about his own problems to even notice you were no longer in this world with him?" Kendall looked up at him with complete surprise written all over her face. He'd seen that? How had he known she'd been daydreaming from half a room away? And did he guess the images in her mind or was he merely posing a question unaware that he had been the object of her thoughts? In the next instant she masked her surprise with indifference and quickly blinked the prickles out of her eyes, finally finding the voice to speak. How this complete stranger could waltz into her life and open her heart open with a single look was beyond her. But that's exactly what he'd done and now it had to stop. "Maybe he didn't notice because there was nothing to see." Honing in on his target, Max shook his head slowly as his eyes locked with hers in unforgiving seriousness. This was one prey that would not get away. "No, it was there. I saw it. You're eyes were shining as brightly as the stars in the velvety darkness of an ocean night sky. Now the only question is…who made them shine? Because is certainly wasn't Sean." Kendall smiled suddenly as she tried shrugging off his questions. "Maybe I was dreaming of that nice plate of chicken pasta I'd just ordered." Max grinned in response, recognizing her tactic of changing subjects all to well. He'd found himself doing that on many occasions when anyone got to close to matters of the heart. The more he learned about her, the more he realized just how much they were alike. Unwilling to let the conversation go at just that, he responded back. "Maybe." Max nodded as he looked down at the table for a moment trying to form his next words carefully. He looked back up at her his amber eyes full of an emotion she couldn't quite place. When he spoke it was as if he were speaking as much to himself as he was to her. "You know, you'll never find it. That kind of love you're dreaming of. Not until you're willing to be vulnerable enough to let someone else know you…the real you…inside and out. It will allude you…until you're willing to take that risk with your heart." Surprised by the frankness of his words and the openness of his expression, but unwilling to let it affect her, she leveled her gaze at him and quipped rather coldly. "Well, this is rich. Getting love advise from what I hear is the playboy of the western world." Max smiled slyly at her reference to his status as a playboy. Boy, were those stories over-rated. Sure, he was constantly surrounded by beautiful women, but that was mainly because few held his attention after the first date. None of them were ever serious and they certainly couldn't be even remotely considered love. Maybe his current romantic status was precisely why he was qualified to recognize true love when he saw it. And he couldn't say he saw it in Kendall's eyes when she looked Sean Graham. "I agree with you. The irony of me, the 'Playboy of the Western World', as you put it explaining love...well, let's just say it isn't lost on me." He leaned back and eyed her for a moment before venturing further into this newly charted territory not sure what kind of response he would get. "Look. All I'm saying is that I've seen women in love before. Truly, madly, completely in love. There's a certain look in their eyes. In fact, you can put a woman in love in a room full of men, and every time, without fail, I can tell which man holds the key to her heart." "Without fail, huh?" Kendall's lips quirked upward into an amused smile, but wariness ruled her eyes. "You are rather arrogant, aren't you?" "No. I'm just observant." Max replied with confidence. He leaned across the table, his voice lowering intimately as his eyes began to sparkle with secret knowledge. "Want to know the secret? Want to know how I can tell?" Despite her better judgement, Kendall couldn't resist. She leaned forward, her eyes bright with curiosity. Her breath faintly passing slightly parted lips in captivated anticipation. The expression on her face like a little child eager to hear the story of a lifetime. A knowing smile shadowed Max's lips as his eyes slowly roamed her face taking in every smooth, sculptured curve. With her porcelain skin, her midnight eyes and those strawberry lips, she truly was a work of art. And the amazing thing was…she didn't even know it. When he finally spoke his voice was soft, seductively pulling her further into a world of enchantment. "Together, their eyes speak without words. They feel without touching. They sense…without seeing. It's like he's her best friend…the other half of her soul. Her passion. Her reason. Her life. All rolled into one." A softness crept into Max's eyes and Kendall felt herself once more spinning out of control and falling headlong into a mesmerizing silver web of magic. As the gentle prick of Max's words deftly penetrated the tiny pieces of a heart too broken to feel alive, Kendall felt a breath of fresh air rush into her soul. It was the fresh air of healing. And hope. Dreams. Possibilities made real. And they were all being sewn deep in the softest parts of her heart. Parts she thought she'd forgotten years ago… "He’s the beat of her heart, the breath in her lungs and the blood in her veins. He grabs her attention from the first hello, beyond the last good-bye and even claims a place in her dreams." Max shook his head, the sincerity of his apology shooting straight from the depths of his eyes to the hollowest parts of her soul. Echoing her loneliness. Screaming out an emptiness she thought had been filled. "Now, I'm sorry, Kendall…try as you might…I just don't see it in your eyes when you look at Sean." Kendall looked down at the table knowing his words were hitting way too close to home. He was right. She'd seen love like that and it had sent a pang of envy shooting through her every time. She swallowed hard and blinked back the sting at the back of her eyes. But that was the fairy tale kind of love. A love like that wasn't meant for her. It never had been. It never would be. And it was time to stop wishing it were… Shaking off the spell Max had cast around the table, Kendall's voice was trembling with uncertainty when she began her protest. A protest Max had seen coming when he saw her shoulders square and her chin raise defiantly. Despite her inner struggle, she was stubbornly standing her ground. In a strange way, Max was proud of her. He really hadn't expected anything less. Again, she didn't fail to disappoint. "You don't know the first thing about me or my relationship with Sean. You've known me less than 2 hours and you think you have the right to come in here and tell me that I don't love a man that I've been dating for 2 years. Now, who's jumping to conclusions and misjudging?" Kendall silently wished there were more conviction in her voice than what even she had heard, but she didn't let on. Sensing that he was dangerously close to crossing the line with this particular line of questioning, Max decided it was time to give her a small victory. So he took a step back. "I'm not saying you don't love him. I'm just saying it's not the love you're capable of." "And what kind of love would that be?" She asked, crossing her arms in front of her in an unconscious effort to shield herself from whatever truth he might have discovered in the depths of her eyes. Nothing surprised her more than his response. "The fairy tale." Max made the statement simply and honestly. He'd known it from the moment he'd seen her face. Something deep within him whispered that this woman deserved it all. The words flowed, their intrinsic truth spilling into the air surrounding them. "The kind that makes you risk losing everything just to be together, yet you risk it anyway because it's the single most powerful thing you've ever known. The kind that demands your all…your passion, your fire…even your vulnerability. The kind that makes you look at him like he's your very next breath." He reached over and for the first time gently took her hand in his. "Now, tell me, Kendall. Tell me that's what you have with Sean Graham." Kendall swallowed hard as she felt her heart stop with his touch. The gaze from those fathomless eyes was so penetrating she felt as if he were cutting her open and pulling out the very truths from her heart. What was he doing to her? How could he read the secrets desires of her heart so clearly? How could he know her dreams with just one look in her eyes? "Ahem. Excuse me, Kendall." Kendall pulled her gaze away from Max's face to see Todd, the waiter, standing by the table with a phone in his hand. "Yes, Todd?" She prompted, her voice sounding very shaky and strange to her own ears. "You have a call. It's an emergency." "Thank you." She said as she took the phone from him. "Hello. This is Kendall." She listened intently to the person on the other end. "Let me guess....Grace." She sighed out loud. "Alright, listen, Cindy, I need you to do me a huge favor. Don't let her leave. I don't know. Make something up...I'll be there as soon as I can. Bye." She put the phone down and immediately began to get up. Max grabbed her hand and looked up at her. "Is everything ok?" "No. Everything's not ok." She snapped at him as she pulled her hand away. "Look, Mr. Evans, as far as I'm concerned, you can live in a dream world with that fairy tale love you described all you like. But when it comes to real relationship analysis, if I were you, I wouldn't quit my day job. And as for being a risk taker…don't kid yourself. It's nothing but talk. When it comes to love, you're just as scared as the rest of us." Tears of frustration were beginning to well up in her eyes. "Now if you'll excuse me..." She turned on her heel, gathered her bag and rushed out the door, her absence hitting Max with a loneliness unlike anything he had ever known. Tbc.... |
| posted on 21-Oct-2001 7:52:29 AM |
| (Author's note: Song excerpts from Jewel's song "Barcelona")
~chapter 5~ Max was restless. So, he set off on a fact-finding mission. After lunch, he took time to scope out the town of New Haven, including the layout of the docks. It wasn't a bad town...as little towns go. In fact, there were some parts that were downright delightful. It was just the right size. Not the large bustling metropolis that New York City was, but at the same time there was certainly enough breathing room so that not every person you met knew your name. He could see how someone could choose to make this their home and want to fight for it with everything they had. An unbidden image of Nate's face flashed before Max's mind when he thought of the concept of fighting. He pushed the image away immediately. There were just some things in life that weren't meant to be relived. Or dealt with. Until absolutely necessary. His past with Nate was one of them. Kendall had bought him a little time. He was determined to make sure he'd accomplished his goals here in New Haven before that time ran out. If he didn't, he just might be forced to open doors that had been sealed tight in the deepest, most forlorn places of his heart and mind. That simply wasn't going to happen. If, on the off chance, this little 'war' with Kendall ran longer than expected, Max would just have to do something he had never done before--concede defeat by forfeit. No game…no person…was worth facing those dark lurking shadows of a life he'd practically crawled his way out of years ago. He simply would not be put through that hell again. For any one. Or any reason. Max let out a deep, solitary sigh. As he sat watching the river drift by, his thoughts turned once more to Kendall. She certainly was an intriguing woman. Beautiful. Full of spirit. Head-strong. Intelligent. Witty. And tricky. Max smiled to himself as he shook his head, amusement covering layers of determination. He had thought by showing up unannounced at her supervisor's doorstep, he'd had a chance of throwing her off her game enough to weasel a dinner date out of her at least. Then he could work his usual magic. And at first, he could tell she had been unnerved at seeing him there. But he had to hand it to her, she recovered quickly and won the hand once again with the fake lunch invitation. Well, that just meant he'd have to be more on his toes. He'd get her next go around. He was sure. In fact, he'd already put his victory into motion. While touring the town of New Haven, Max made a point of finding out where Rosie's diner was. In fact, it was the first place he'd searched for and found. Not only was he spurred on by the mission of dropping off the package he'd brought to lunch for Kendall as well as getting a feel of where she called home, but his growling stomach told him that food had better not be far away. Especially since he had teased it with the idea of having lunch at the The Bluff Café only to disappear faster than fog on a sunny day the moment V returned to the table. He'd been surprised by the protectiveness that the diner's owner, Rosie, showed when he began questioning her about Kendall. Because of that fierce protectiveness, he was also surprise that he walked away with as much information as he did. Must have been his upbringing that pulled him through once again. His mom always did tell him he could find the soft spot in any woman's heart as long as he complimented her cooking. It had taken 3 bowls of Rosie's chili, but he'd finally won her over enough to get the required information he was looking for. And that particular information was that Kendall Blake was 25 and single. Had lived in New Haven for about 5 years. Worked at the New Haven Children's Center as volunteer coordinator and assistant to Claire Harmon, the Center's Chief of Staff. She also worked part time at a small but booming record company called MLK Records with her best friend Maria DeLuca Guerin. Kendall was dating Sean Graham. Due to Kendall's responsibilities at the Center, they didn't go out often, but when they did meet for dates it was in the diner's lobby or she would meet him at the Graham mansion at the edge of town. Rosie seemed to like Sean, but wasn't that much in favor of a Kendall-Sean pairing for some reason. Rosie wouldn't elaborate, but Max could tell from her reactions to his questions that that relationship was as dead as he had supposed. Kendall had few but well chosen friends. Was quiet and sweet and never bothered anyone or caused any problems. 'Mainly keeps to herself'...that's what Rosie had said. What seemed to be glaringly absent was the description of the woman he'd met three days ago. The one that spoke with such wit, perception, passion and fire. The woman who could level him with a seductively challenging look and keep going as if her actions had no affect on him at all. The one that was tricky enough to send her receptionist to lunch instead of showing herself, but was also transparent enough to allow flashes of pain show in her eyes whenever the past was mentioned. The woman who had fearlessly marched into his board room and declared war on him. Max grinned devilishly to himself as he thought about the package he'd dropped off. He had actually planned on giving it to Kendall at lunch, but under the circumstances decided to deliver it to her front door instead. He chuckled when remembering the note he'd attached to it. Their brief discussion of love gave Max the distinct impression there was much more hidden behind that forced contentment she tried to make him see than what met the eyes. So he'd decided to turn the tables on her a little and claim that she was actually the one with something to hide. Attached to the wool sweater he gave her was the note, "Now who's hiding in sheep's clothing? Forever, Your Adonis" The fact that she was 'dating' Sean Graham was an added twist he hadn't expected. Especially since Sean was one of the major players in the EMG docks plan. Which explained how she knew so much about EMG's empire. He wondered just how much Sean confided in Kendall about his business. His guess, at least on this one project, was not much. Her fierceness in fighting him for 'her' children made him believe she had no idea that Evans Inc wasn't the only contender for the property the Center rested on. But he could be wrong. It could be she was playing a part that Sean convinced her to play to flush Max out. Although, he was very doubtful about that. There was no mistaking the sincerity of her concern or passion where these particular children were concerned. Still, it gave him yet another reason to be on his toes. He also started to wonder exactly what kind of relationship the two of them really had. She said she loved Sean, but her eyes lacked that certain spark when she looked at him. The one that told the world whom her heart belonged to and that it couldn't be stolen no matter what method the intended thief employed. Whatever their relationship, he knew it certainly wasn't what she had been trying to lead him to believe earlier. He had a strong feeling he'd hit the nail on the head when he said Sean was her security blanket. Max smiled slyly to himself. This was turning into an even more interesting adventure than he'd anticipated. As quickly as his smile appeared it faded as his thoughts turned toward their conversation. What exactly was she doing to him anyway? He hadn't thought about let alone spoken the word 'love' with so much conviction and belief in years. Lately, he'd even spoken it with as much cynicism as he'd accused Kendall of earlier. He leaned forward putting his elbows on his knees and shook his head slightly as he looked out over the water. There was just something about her eyes. The way they reached deep down into his soul and not only spoke to, but actually breathed life back into that romantic part of his heart that he thought had been buried forever. The part he vowed would never see the light of day again. Max let out a sigh. Maybe Barbara was right. Maybe he was about to take the biggest risk of his life. That thought alone sent a shiver of excitement...and fear...down his spine. As the sun began to lower in the sky, Max decided to take a walk a little further down the docks. As he came around the corner of a building he spotted a familiar figure standing on a nearby pier looking out at the water. Her dark head was bent, the long silky hair covering her face, but he would recognize that figure anywhere. And by her posture Max could tell that she was crying. Taking a few slow, cautious steps closer, his heart stopped cold the moment the sound of her tears actually made it to his ears. It was the loneliest sound he'd ever heard. Questions immediately began to bombard him. Why was she crying? Was it because of him? Something he might have said? A past he might have reminded her of? Or had it been that call she received that made her shut the door on him so quickly and run? Not for the first time since meeting her, Max Evans wasn't sure what to do. Should he approach her? Or was this a pain she'd deal with better on her own? He certainly understood the need to do that. Years of hiding his own pain had taught him the treasure of not letting people too close. Gauging the results of their last discussion, most likely she would consider it an embarrassment to be found in such a vulnerable state, especially by 'the enemy'? But for some reason the very idea of her crying for any reason sent chills down his spine and made him long to take away her sadness. He couldn't just walk away... Just as he was about ready to take a step forward a second figure joined her on the docks causing Max to step back into the shadow of the building. She turned instinctively toward the man as he enveloped her in a hug, her tears falling on his suit coat. They stood like that a moment. Her leaning and him wrapping her in comfort. Once her tears had eased, she pulled away and looked up into his face. "Thanks for meeting me here, Michael. I just...I just needed to be with someone who knew..." He flashed a small smile and shrugged as his brown eyes roamed her face with concern. "It's ok, I understand. So, talk to me. Tell me what happened." Kendall let out a sigh as she wiped her eyes. "I got a call from Memorial Hospital about a case I've been dealing with for a while now. A woman a little older than me. She's married and her husband abuses her. This is the 4th time I've talked to her. She won't budge, Michael. She says he loves her and he doesn't mean to do it..." Kendall turned away from Michael and walked over to look at the water. "She just reminds me so much of me, you know? When I was with him. I was sitting there listening to her and it all came back. The fear. The desperation. The utter hopelessness. You know, it's funny. When I was with him, I was so afraid I'd lose myself if I lost him. Then when I left, I used to say I lost myself when I was with him. But I don't even think that's true. I don't think I knew who I was back then. In changing who I was, I actually found me." Michael came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her shoulder pulling her back toward him. "That's not true. You always knew who you were. He just made you forget for a while and almost destroyed you in the process. But you brought yourself back in the end and that's all that's important." Kendall smiled wryly at Michael as she turned to look at him. "Did I?" She let out a shaky breath. Her gaze traveled from Michael's concerned confused expression to the setting sun. "I met someone the other day. He...he challenged me in ways I've never been challenged before, Michael. He saw things I didn't even want to see. He made me think things and feel..." she took a deep breath and continued. "He made me wonder if who I am now is the best I can ever be." She looked back up at Michael as her voice cracked. "If it is, then 'he' really did manage to destroy me. 'He' really did win." Michael put his hands on her shoulders and turned her toward him. "No. Now you listen to me. You're alive. You're safe. You've rebuilt your life. And it's a pretty good one." He reached up and brushed away one lone tear that fell down her cheeks. "You have a home. And a job. And friends who adore you..." Kendall nodded her head silently in agreement before interjecting quietly. "But what about love? Am I never to experience the best it can be because I've already known the worst?" She shook herself as if that thought alone was too much to bear, then quickly forced a brave smile to her lips as she ran her fingers through her hair. "Pay no attention to me. I'm just being overly sensitive today. I guess seeing her really took it out of me." "I'm so sorry. I'm really sorry that you're constantly reminded of that time." Michael said as he searched for the right words to say to the hurting heart standing before him. "Are you sure you don't want another job doing something else? Something less painful? I could get you a position..." Kendall put her hand up to his mouth to stop his offer as she shook her head. "Who would be there to stop the children's pain?" "You know, you have to be the strongest woman I've ever met. Besides Maria, of course." Michael smiled. Kendall chuckled as she wiped her eyes clear of any residual tears. "But, of course." Michael became serious again. "But strong or not, you can't heal all of the pains of the world. It's just impossible to do alone." She smiled up at him, her tears having dried now. "You know, I'll never really be alone. Ever again." Michael shook his head again in awe as he pulled her into another hug. "I love you, kiddo." "I love you too, Michael." She whispered against his shoulder. "Hey, I've got an idea. After work, why don't you come over to the house and have dinner with Maria and me?" Kendall started to shake her head. "No, Michael." "Awww, come on. Why not? What better place to be than with friends when you're feeling low like this?" "I appreciate what you're trying to do, Michael, but...really, I know where I need to be tonight. I think you do too." Michael nodded in understanding. "Alright, but remember we're just a phone call away if those demons start to taunt you and you don't have a place to hide." "I know." Kendall hugged him again then slapped him playfully on the arm. "Thanks for meeting me, bro." "I wouldn't be anywhere else when you need me, Liz. Just remember that, ok?" Max's eyes narrowed as he watched the exchange. No. Wait a minute. That's not right. His hearing must be playing tricks on him. Instinctively, he knew it wasn’t. Was it possible? Could it be that she wasn't...? Did...did Michael Guerin just call her Liz?? ~~~~~~~~ After the day he'd had, Max had no idea why he could have possibly imagined that finding his lodgings would have been an easy task. Barbara had been out sick the day that the arrangements for his stay in New Haven had been handled. So instead of being set up in the penthouse suite of the New Haven Hotel as would have been his standard choice, he'd been sent on a wild goose chase looking for an out of the way bed and breakfast somewhere along the outskirts of town. He pulled up into the front of the main building and sat for a moment looking at the sign. "You've got to be kidding me." Max said out loud before he read the sign. "Come discover your dreams at the Hidden Paths resort. Wonderful honeymoon cottages and romantic weekends.' Great. Just great. I'm here on a business deal and she's set me up in a haven for honeymooners." Why couldn't just one thing go right for him today? Max sighed as he got out of the car and walked into the building muttering something about being trapped in New York's version of Mayberry. The front desk clerk looked up and greeted Max with a smile. "May I help you?" She asked sweetly. "Yeah, I'm supposed to have a reservation. Evans. Maxwell Evans." Max said wearily and somewhat self-consciously as he glanced around at the few couples he saw milling around the lobby. Max shook his head. They were either holding hands or had their arms wrapped around each other, gazing into each other's eyes as if no one else in the world existed. Oh, someone was definitely going to pay for this one. Max thought wryly to himself. The clerk looked in her computer. "Yes, here it is, Mr. Evans. Cottage number 8. It's the one around the back. The furthest from the main house. You're assistant wanted to be sure you had the quietest. You can drive around the back to get there. There is a path from the front that leads directly to the house here for breakfasts and dinners. And there's a path that leads from the back door to the garden. If you have any questions please give us a ring." But Max barely heard her. In the moments that he'd been glancing around him, his gaze fell on one of the most hauntingly beautiful paintings he'd ever seen. Max loved art. He often went to galleries to view new and old work to add to the collection he had in many of his homes. The styles varied and he liked them for many reasons. Some for the color while others for the overall effect. But this was the first time he really felt that instantaneous 'something' that pulled him in like a magnet. He stood in front of it having been drawn into it before he was aware what was happening. What was it about this painting that touched him? He shook his head slightly. He couldn't quite place it. It wasn't as if there was anything different in the content or the use of colors. They were mostly pastels with a few strokes of boldness coming through in the deeper, darker colors chosen. Maybe it was the scene itself. It was an ocean scene with one lone figure sunk down in the sand as dark skies flew above her. It was a woman with long dark hair being swept back from her face by the wild ocean breezes. Her back was to the observer so her expression had to be guessed. By her posture one could only assume it was an expression of great longing. Her arms were stretched outward toward the sea and the setting sun...the only bit of light left in her darkening world. What was this feeling he had? An intense sadness followed by sudden irrepressible hope. As if her act of reaching out alone would bring the world she so desperately longed for closer to her. That by sheer willpower and strength she could stop the sun from setting. Max's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a voice at his elbow. "Beautiful isn't it? In a sad, haunting kind of way." Max nodded mutely unable to tear his eyes away from the painting. "It's extraordinary." He whispered. He suddenly turned to observe the woman standing next to him. She was in her mid-forties with dark hair and flashing dark eyes to match. The Latin blood so evidently flowing through her veins gave Max the impression that she was one spirited ball of fire once she got going. She had clearly been a complete knockout when she was younger. Not that she wasn't attractive now. She was very attractive and yet motherly somehow. The smile that touched her lips as she gazed at the painting before her was sad but held a hint of warmth and comfort. She turned her gaze on him, her smile broadening to reveal the crinkles around her eyes. As she held out her hand, she introduced herself with a heavy Italian accent. "Hi, I'm Angelina. Angelina Bailey, but my friends call me Angel. I own this place." She said with a wave of her hand. She smiled at the surprised look on Max's face as he shook her hand. "Let me guess. You expected something more like Corleone or Rosini, right?" Max started to chuckle. "Well, you have to admit your heritage clearly shows on your face. Maxwell Evans, but my friends call me Max. Nice to meet you." Angel nodded at his introduction. "And you’re land of origin sounds faintly in your voice. Let me guess...Mid-West, right? But you've been away for quite a while." Max nodded. "Uh-huh. Born and raised till I was 8 years old. Then our family packed up and moved to Alaska. I go back every year though. I'm surprised you even picked it up. Most people say I no longer have an accent." Angel shrugged her shoulders. "Just the barest hint and I have a gift for picking up on hints." She added with a wink. Max smiled then turned back toward the painting. "So, this painting...I don't see a signature. Do you know the artist?" Angel nodded. "Yes, I do. Local artist. Likes to keep to herself." "Is all of her work like this one?" Angel thought for a moment before answering. "The talent is the same. So is the style. But the content varies. This was her last, I believe." "So, she doesn't paint anymore?" Max asked as he stuck his hands in his pockets. "No. She gave it up some years ago." "Why? I mean, she obviously had incredible talent..." "She still does." Angel turned to look at him with a twinkle beginning to shine in her dark eyes. "Sometimes it's not the talent that leaves the artist...it's the inspiration." Max studied the painting for a moment before venturing a guess. "Broken heart?" This boy is sharp. Angel watched Max carefully out of the corner of her eye before nodding her head solemnly. "Along with broken dreams and a broken spirit." "I'd like to meet her." Max said suddenly surprising even himself. Angel smiled indulgently. "Unfortunately, that won't be possible. She's a little on the eccentric side. Doesn't like to meet new people and certainly not to discuss her work." Not willing to take 'no' for an answer, Max smiled that smile he always got when he had his heart set on something, his eyes flashing with determination. "Anything's possible...for a price." Angel chuckled. "Her price is so high not even Bill Gates' net worth multiplied by 100 could make a down payment." Max grinned and reached into his pocket pulling out a notepad and pen. He quickly wrote something down then ripped a page off and handed it to her. "Would that be down payment enough?" Angel's eyes grew wide when she saw the figure he was willing to pay just to meet the artist of this one painting. "You're serious, aren't you?" "As a heart attack. Show her the sum and see what she says. You can get back to me when she's decided. You know where I'll be staying." He said with a grin before turning back to look once more at the painting that had so completely captured his attention. "Simply extraordinary." Max whispered with a slight shake of his head. He quickly turned to Angel and nodded, "It was a pleasure meeting you." He said before walking out the door whistling a tune and twirling his keys around his finger, leaving Angel wondering what just hit her. ~~~~~~~~~~~ Max paced his room impatiently waiting for the phone to ring. "Come on, Alex. Call me back..." The phone rang and Max dove for it landing on the bed with a bounce as he did so. "Hello?" Max grinned as he heard the familiar voice on the other line. "Well, it's about time you called back. Oh, I see. So this distraction that kept you from calling…are we talking a literal bombshell or the beautiful kind with long dark hair and curves that don't quit?" Max started to laugh. "Yeah, I remember what it's like. So busy chasing the real criminals you never have time to chase those beautiful thieves that try to steal your heart." "Me? Come on, Alex, you know my criminal-chasing days are over. And the thieves must be hiding because I haven't had my heart stolen in quite a while. Uh-huh. Hey, how are your researching skills? Still as excellent as before or have they body-trained the brains out of you?" Max laughed again. "Yeah, I know they don't expect computer geeks to exercise anything but their brains. I know you won't believe this, but I was the only one that managed to maintain both brains and body despite their best efforts." A chuckle filled the room. "No. You just have to remember I always was the exception the rule." Max laughed before sobering a little. "Yeah. Life on the outside is treating me fine. Actually that's why I'm calling. Well, I've run into someone. A woman." Max grinned again. "Yes, she's beautiful and yes, she's caught my attention, but that's not why I'm calling." Max leaned against the pillows propped up along the headboard of his bed. "She's pretty connected to a couple of business rivals of mine. We're competing for the same space on a deal I'm working on. Apparently, she's not all she's cracked up to be. Can you help me find out what her story is?" Max's grinned again after listening to his friend a moment. "I knew I'd come to the right place. Alright. Her name is Kendall Blake. She lives in New Haven, CT. She's been here about 5 years. The thing is…I overheard one of my competitors, Michael Guerin, call her by the name Liz. I need everything you can get on Kendall and any and all friends, relations, acquaintances...anyone...that Michael Guerin has ever known by the name of Liz..." Max let out a sigh of relief after hanging up the phone with his friend. If anyone could find out the scoop on Kendall/Liz...Alex Whitman was that person. Max looked around his room. Good. That had been taken care of. He really didn't feel like unpacking. He'd already checked in for his messages before he put in the call to Alex. So, he certainly didn't feel like doing any more work. Especially not after the day he'd had. His plan to ambush Kendall today had backfired on him and sent him on a journey of surprises that kept piling up one after another. For some reason, he felt exhausted, yet restless and listless all at the same time. What he really needed was some air. That's what he'd do. He'd go for a walk in the garden. It was dark outside, but that didn't matter. Max enjoyed walking at night. It had a calming effect on him somehow. He quickly changed clothes then headed out the back door in search of some solace. As he took the garden path he could still smell the aroma of flowers in the air. It was a delightfully calming smell and instantly put him at ease. He wandered further into the garden and spotted an old wooden gate illuminated by the moon and half covered by bushes and leaves. Curiosity getting the better of him, Max pushed his way through the brambles and managed to open the creaking door enough to slip through. On the other side he found what once must have been a well-worn path but was now overgrown with weeds and creeping vines. Max carefully picked his way through the path his mind able to concentrate for once on something other than Kendall or Liz. He wasn't quite sure what to call her. Suddenly, he stopped short and listened. Wait. Was that...singing he heard? Max shook his head in an effort to clear any cobwebs that might be lurking in his brain so he could be sure. Yes. It was definitely a voice. A magnificently beautiful voice. Haunting and low and full of strength. A sudden urge to see the owner of such a voice propelled him forward through the weeds. Max pulled himself up short when he abruptly came to the end of the path and the edge of a clearing. The clearing was a perfect circle and looked like it had once been laid out for use in parties and social get-togethers. In the center was a gazebo, weathered and worn but still strong enough to hold and protect the wisp of a woman he saw swaying to music that surely was playing in her head because he heard nothing but the sound of her voice sounding clearly through the night. Her slim, graceful back was to him and she was wrapped in a white filmy shawl from the top of her head to the middle of her back where it was lost in the fullness of her white flowing skirt. The whole effect gave her a shimmering, unearthly glow as the moonlight shone down on her perfect figure. She looked like one of those mystical fairies pictured in children's books. Since her hair was covered by the lacy shawl Max couldn't make out the exact color of her hair, but it looked dark. Long and silky. Like a waterfall of chocolate. That was, until the pale moon transformed the lace into a magical veil of silver. Max was instantly enraptured as he unconsciously held his breath, the words of her song beginning to reach his consciousness and melding into his soul tearing it to shreds with each haunting note that was sung… "…look out stranger. There's a dark cloud moving in. But if you could hear the voice in my heart it would tell you...I'm afraid I am alone." Max could literally hear the heartbreak in her voice before the plea of her heart escaped from her lips as she wrapped her arms tightly around her chest and continued to sway. "Won't somebody please hold me. Release me. Show me--the meaning of mercy. Let me loose." Her arms released into the air as she suddenly began to spin around slowly in the middle of the gazebo keeping in perfect time to the humming she had begun. Her face was bowed to the ground so he still couldn't see her features, but there seemed something familiar about her. Her arms slowly dropped to her side as the last notes faded into the night. Her back was turned to him once again as she began to sway once more her soulful anthem continuing... "Silver paranoid. I'm blending, I'm blurring, I'm bleeding into the scenery. Loving someone else is always so much easier. I hold myself hostage in the mirror." She once again pulled her arms close to her body embracing herself with the comfort she longed for but couldn't seem to find. "But if you could hear the voice in my heart it would tell you...I'm tired of feeling this way. God, won't you please hold me. Release me. Show me the meaning of mercy..." Through the blanket of magic that had fallen over the clearing, Max felt his heart rip wide open. It was as if she were singing directly to him. Describing him. Revealing herself. Mating their two souls in a mesh of lyrics and melody that couldn't be ignored, so clear was the call for comfort and release. Their roles were clear: He was the stranger. She was the storm begging to be rescued. The electricity in the air crackled in time to the beating of his heart…the rhythm of the nymph's song. Her infinite sadness floated to him like leaves on a soft breeze and Max felt his blood begin to stir with anticipation and need. Desire. To touch the ghost. To hold the dream. To embrace the melancholy angel till her loneliness melted away in the heat of a passion he'd long since forgotten he was capable of--the passion of selflessness. Max took an unconscious step forward longing to be the one person to make the haunting sadness so evident in her voice disappear. The moment he moved, his foot stepped on a branch. The cracking noise echoed through the night causing the unknown singer to stop immediately and turn in his direction. The shadows of the gazebo cloaked her face in darkness so that her features were still hidden from him. In the next instant sudden fear gripped her as she turned and began to run away from him. Max stepped out into the circle and reached for her afraid to lose sight of this mysterious woman. "No! NO! Don't run! I just want to know your name..." He tried to follow her but she was too quick and before he knew it this singing angel had vanished into the night leaving him cold and alone. ~~~~~~~~~~ Angel was quietly rocking in her chair going over the menus for the following week when there was a quick tap at the door before it swung open. Angel looked up from her menus to greet her night visitor. Seeing the flushed look on her face, Angel's smile disappeared quickly. "Honey, are you alright? Did something happen?" She slipped into the door and closed it quickly locking it behind her and breathing a sigh of relief as she leaned against it. "A man." She tried to steady her heavy breathing from her midnight run. "He...he saw me at the gazebo.." Angel sat up straight. "Who was it? Did he recognize you?" She shook her head, her long dark hair bouncing with each movement. "I don't know who it was. And believe me I didn't stick around long enough to find out." She added as she dropped the lacy shawl on the couch and slumped down into it to catch her breath. "Man, what a day!" The twinkle in Angel's eye returned when she realized the immediate crisis was over. "Really? So, what happened to you?" She rolled her eyes and let out a sigh. "I'd rather not." "That bad, huh?" Angel said with a grin. "Well, I had quite a day too. In fact, there's a part of it that should really interest you." "Oh, really? Do tell." She said as she rolled her eyes again recognizing the look in Angel's eyes and knowing which direction this was going. She was probably going to tell her about another 'great catch' she'd met today. One that she should 'definitely meet'. Angel took a deep breath and began. "Well, he's 6", handsome as all get out, very rich, and...he loved your paintings." "Oh, no. Not this again." She groaned as she covered her face and leaned further back into the couch. "Uh-huh. This again." Angel leaned forward. "Honey, you have so much talent. It's such a shame to let all of it go to waste..." She sighed deeply. "Angel. You know I can't. I haven't painted anything new in years. Even if I could...it wouldn't do any good. Really. Think about it. Should I throw myself into painting for what? So they can hang in an out of the way bed and breakfast or better yet so they never get finished? I know that's not what you want for me." "Neither is singing to the stars at night when you should be singing to crowds of adoring fans." Angel responded quietly. She let out a sigh as she ran her fingers through her hair. "I know. And I usually don't. I just...I just needed to be me. Just for tonight." Angel leaned forward. "Don't you see? You shouldn't have to pick nights to be yourself. You deserve to be yourself all the time. You deserve to live out your dreams. You deserve...so much more than what you have. You both do..." Leaning forward and taking Angel's hands in her own, she stated calmly, "I have the life I chose. It's not perfect. And it's not the life I wanted, but it keeps us safe. As for my dreams, well I don't have any...not for myself...not anymore. They all died when I met him. I've resolved myself to that fact. Maybe you should try to do the same." Angel looked down at her hands being held by those she considered much stronger than her own. "I'll try, but it's not easy for a meddlesome match-maker like myself." Her face lit up with a grin in an attempt to change the subject. "He really is handsome, you know. Do you want to hear about him?" "No!" She shook her dark hair and laughed. "I've had enough of handsome young strangers for one day, thank you very much." "Really? Tell me." Angel prompted eagerly. She laughed again at Angel's obvious excitement trying to dodge the barrage of questions she knew would soon follow. "You'd never know I was dating someone the way you're acting." "Who? Oh...him. He's more...how do I put this? I see him as being more...safe and convenient for you than anything else." Angel said not realizing the impact it would have on her young listener. She blinked and looked away as if she'd been hit. That was the second time today someone had said that to her. Angel noticed and looked concerned. "Liz? Did I say something wrong?" Liz looked up at her still a little dazed. "No, of course not. I know Sean isn't your favorite person in the world. It's just...well...someone else said the exact same thing to me today. Angel's eyebrow raised accenting the questions in her eyes. "Really? And who was this incredibly wise person?" Liz rolled her eyes. "No one important, believe me. In fact, he's so non-important that I don't want to spend another moment thinking about him today." "Him?" Angel asked with a wiggle of her eyebrow. "Not another moment, huh? You realize that implies you've spent quite a bit of time thinking about *him* already." Angel teased becoming very interested in this particular line of conversation. "So spill. Who is he?" Liz shrugged not really wanting to venture too far into this subject realizing that if she did Angel really would figure out just how much of her time *had* been devoted to thinking about Max. Looking at Angel's expectant expression, Liz let out a sigh knowing there was no means of escape. Well, fine. If she wanted to know, she was going to get the full scoop. "Who is he? Alright. I'll tell you who he is. He's the most irritating...insufferable...arrogant...conceited..." "Handsome?" Angel threw in noting how flushed Liz's cheeks were becoming just talking about this stranger and guessing the reason. ...like Adonis Liz thought to herself but answered instead, "Like Beast in 'Beauty'." Angel grinned. "Rich?" "Filthy." Liz scrunched up her nose. "Intelligent?" Way beyond... She thought as she remembered how quickly his mind worked. She could literally see the wheels turning in his head at times. "Yeah, right. In his dreams." Was Liz's verbal response as she dismissed the thought with a wave of her hand. "Perceptive?" Like he's taking a page from my soul and reading it out loud. Was her mind's response. Liz looked up at the ceiling and shook her head as she chuckled in disbelief. "He wishes." "Sexy?" Angel asked with a mischievous look in her eyes, her voice lowering suggestively. Liz's blush turned brighter as she leaned back into the couch and let out a sigh, her next thoughts escaping her mouth before she had a chance to reign them in. "You have no idea..." The corners of Angel's mouth turned up into a knowing smile. "Sounds like you like him." Liz looked sharply up at Angel. "And it sounds like you need a hearing aid! Haven't you been listening? I hate him!" "Uh-huh. Sure." Angel said not believing a word Liz said. Liz sat up straight, fire flashing out of her eyes. "Uh-huh. No. Don't even start. Look. I don't know what is so difficult for everyone to understand. I am dating Sean Graham. Is that clear? Or do I need to take a billboard out and announce it to the world before you people get the message?" Take back by Liz's irritation, but not put off by it, Angel held back a chuckle at the look on Liz's face. Boy this stranger must have really gotten to her. Is it possible? Could it be? Nah. That would be too much of a coincidence. Angel held up her hands in surrender. "Ok. Ok. I get the point. You are dating Sean. And I'm to keep my nose out of your personal business." A slow smile came to Liz's lips as her eyes began to sparkle with amusement. "Yeah, right. Like that'll ever happened." Angel's eyes locked with Liz's and they both began to laugh. "I'm sorry, Angel. I've just had a really, really long day." Not to mention confusing, I'll bet. Angel thought. "Well then it sounds like you need some quality hug time." "Boy do I ever." Liz agreed with a grin. "So, where is she?" "In her room." "Good. I think I'll run up and spend some time with her." Liz got up and squeezed Angel's shoulder as she was walking past her toward the door. "Thanks for understanding." Angel nodded, a wickedly teasing grin coming to her face as Liz reached the door behind Angel. "Oh, Liz? Just one more thing." Liz stopped and looked back at her. "What?" "What's his name?" "Who's?" "This Beast you don't want to talk about." Liz rolled her eyes and let out another sigh. "Max. His name is Maxwell Evans." Then before Angel could form any more questions Liz slipped out the door. Angel began rocking gently in her chair a satisfied scheming smile spreading over her face and filling her eyes with visions of the future. to be continued.... |
| posted on 21-Oct-2001 7:55:00 AM |
| ~ chapter 6~
"Max, I can't apologize enough for the mistake on your lodgings." Max heard Barbara say on the other end of the line. "I'll see that your reservations are made at the New Haven..." "No, Barbara. Don't." Max interrupted quickly. "I...uh...I don't mind my current lodgings. In fact, there's something rather…" His weary, absent gaze focused on the road ahead of him through the windshield of his rented Porsche, but his thoughts were hours in the past as he searched for the right word to describe the mysteries of the quaint, out of the way, romantic B&B. "…intriguing about it." "Intriguing?" "Yeah. Fascinating. Even…" Max's eyes closed briefly as a haunting voice danced through his head and waltzed its way into the exquisitely lithe form of an angel. "…mystical." "Mystical." Barbara repeated confused more by the distracted, almost dreamy tone of Max's voice than by the word he'd chosen. There was a momentary pause where Barbara tried to make sense of his comments. Knowing from experience there was no use in trying to figure her enigmatic boss out, she gave up. "But, Max. It's a bed and breakfast. For honeymoon..." "I'm aware of what it is, Barbara." Max's voice cut her off coldly as his eyes snapped with irritation. "Just...just leave it alone. Don't change anything." His command met silence. If only he could have seen the raised eyebrow on the other end of the line... Ever since that Blake woman had shown up at his door, Max had been making rather odd statements and requests. First, canceling all of his appointments for an impromptu trip to a little Connecticut town. Then, searching all over creation for Kyle as if he'd committed some crime against humanity and needed to be strung up by his toenails. Now…it seemed this strange, unexplainable pattern was going to filter over into his lodgings as well. "Barbara?" The silence had been too long and Max felt a twinge of guilt for his abruptness creep into his consciousness. Barbara was more than just a secretary to him. She'd been, at times, almost like an older sister. Then again, having seen him through the ins and outs of corporate battle for years, she was fairly used to his mood swings. Still…he had no right to snap at her. Must be the lack of sleep that he'd been getting was starting to grate on his nerves. Max's gentled prompt snapped Barbara's attention back to the matter at hand. "Oh, uh…yes, sir. I was just wondering how long I should extend the reservation. I believe it was only for 2 nights." Max's mind began to whirl. How long was he planning on staying here? Since coming to this sleepy little town he had already been challenged and shot down--twice--by the most alluring woman he'd ever met, found out she had a fake name and a secret past, run into an old enemy he'd rather forget, discovered an unknown eccentric painter, and was captivated by a mysterious singing angel. And he'd only been here 24 hours. What more could possibly be in store for him if he stayed longer? Suddenly a word popped out of his mouth surprising even him. "Indefinitely." "Indef..." Barbara cleared her throat. "I'm sorry, but did you just say indefinitely?" Max felt the blood rush to his cheeks in a blush he was thankful Barbara couldn't see. "Yes, Barbara. That's what I said." What was going on with him? Max had asked her to make some odd arrangements before but to set him up in a honeymoon cottage at an obscure bed and breakfast indefinitely had to be one of the strangest she'd heard yet. Uncertainty laced her words. "Al-right, then. I'm make the arrangements." She paused for a moment not sure if she should ask the next question or not. "Max? Are you...sure you're alright?" Max sighed deeply not sure if he really knew the answer to that question. He'd gotten a total of three hours sleep the night before...maybe. He had tossed and turned all night as visions of Kendall...no, Liz's face constantly flashed before him all the while that haunting melody he'd heard in the woods kept playing in his mind. At times he was so frustrated he wanted to yell. At others, he just simply lay in bed staring up at the ceiling, wondering if he should check himself in to the nearest insane asylum. *Was* he alright? Probably not. Would he be? Yes. As soon as he saw Liz. Somewhere in all of his tossing and turning he'd realized that the message he'd sent her with the sweater might not have been the most appropriate thing. Especially after finding out she really did have something to hide. Something that was obviously painful to remember. And possibly dangerous. The last thing he wanted to do was make her cry again. Just that thought made his stomach tie up in unexpected knots. He'd tried to figure out a way to get the package back before she'd see it--he'd even tried calling Rosie, but it was too late to do anything about it. Rosie said Liz had gotten back ten minutes before he called. That's why seeing her today was so important. He had to look in her eyes and know with certainty that she was ok. That his 'gift' hadn't backfired and caused her more pain. Oh yeah, he'd be fine...once he knew she was. Realizing he still hadn't answered Barbara, Max cleared his throat and replied, "Yes, Barbara, I'm fine. I just didn't sleep very well last night and I've got a lot on my mind. I'm sorry if I snapped earlier. Everything will be good if you can just see to the arrangements I asked for, ok?" Barbara's relieved smile made it to her voice. "We'll do. Oh, and Max. Whatever you're worried about...well, you'll find a way to work it out. You always do." Max smiled into the phone. "Thanks for your vote of confidence, Barbara. I'll talk to you later. Bye." Max let out a sigh as he clicked off his cell phone. "I hope you're right, Barbara. I really hope you're right." ~~~~~~~~~~ Max reached the Center about mid morning and checked in with V at the front desk. He leaned over the desk and gave her one of his most dazzling smiles hoping to produce a certain effect in the receiver. Finding his efforts well rewarded in the starry-eyed look V gave him, Max proceeded with confidence. "Hi, V. How are you today?" V's dazed smile had been plastered to her face since the moment Max had walked in the door. "Me? Oh, I'm fine. Today's been a little hectic though. The phone's been ringing off the hook and we've had tons and tons of supplies delivered today and the kids..." Max broadened his smile and sighed inwardly. God, I hope I don't have to go through this every time I want to see Kendall…Liz. Shaking away the confusion of just which name to think of 'her' by, Max quickly interrupted V's flow of thought to pour on the charm. "I'm sure it's been horrendous. Hey, I don't want to interrupt you from your work, but I did want to tell you how much I enjoyed lunch yesterday. It was very...enlightening." "Oh. Well, I'm so glad to hear that." V sounded genuinely surprised as her eyes widened to add a few more stars as she gazed up at Max with an involuntary sigh. "You know I was just so sorry that I took so long that you were ready to leave by the time I got back. I had to stop and make a few phone calls as well. I just didn't realize how long it had been." V said rather uncomfortably as she looked away from Max momentarily. V would rather die before admitting to Max that there had been a more embarrassing reason for her delay at lunch the day before. She…Venus Cosmorelli…was the ultimate clutz. Her face colored noticeably as she remembered Max's questioning her about the loud crash he'd heard from the general direction of the kitchen and restroom moments before she had emerged and how quickly she lied to cover her clumsiness. The last thing she wanted was for some gorgeous, classy man like Max to know the hand she'd played in the early demise of a set of Jake's dinner plates. Not to mention the ruination of Terry and Cindy's uniforms. With the amount of dry cleaning she was now indebted to pay, it was a very good thing that Max picked up the tab on yesterday's meal after all. Unaware and unconcerned with V's sudden discomfort, Max nodded understandingly. All he could remember was asking V about a loud noise he'd heard right before she returned in order to give him enough time to make up an excuse so he could duck out of there as fast as he could. He'd run out of there so fast, in fact, that the three bowls of chili at Rosie's ended up being his real lunch. His dazzling smile never wavered. "I completely understand. A busy, important woman like yourself has many priorities to take care of." V blushed and ventured a guess as to why he was there. Incorrectly ventured. "So, would you like for me to make it up to you? It's almost lunchtime now. We could go..." Max straightened himself immediately and began quickly shaking his head. God, please no. Not another lunch with Chatter-box. The thought flashed instantaneously through his mind before he plunged in head-first without stopping to rein in his reaction. "Oh, no. No, that's not necessary." He saw the disappointment cloud her face. Realizing how rude that must have sounded and knowing how he couldn't afford to lose an ally in this apparent war with Liz, Max softened as he leaned back over the desk and gave her his most apologetic, disappointed look. "I...I mean, I'd love to, but I'm actually here on business. I was really hoping to see if Kendall could fit me into her schedule today for a tour. You know we didn't get a chance to do one yesterday. I realize that I didn't have an appointment, but I thought as…uh…" Think, Max. Think. A little white lie never hurt anybody… His brain snapped back into player mode providing him just the words he needed. "…talented…as you are at making things happen you just might be able to squeeze me into her schedule somehow." V unconsciously batted her eyelashes and gushed. "Oh, really? You...you think I'm talented? You know...my aunt always told me I had the Cosmorelli talent for finding things. I remember one time..." Max reached over and covered her hand with his, hoping his touch would still her tongue from rambling any further as he flashed her his most mesmerizing smile. "Uh, you know, V, I'm sure your aunt was right. In fact, I'll bet you could prove that talent right now and find me an appointment with Kendall. Do you think you could at least try?" His head tilted to the side as he gave her that infamous 'puppy dog' look as his lips came out in a slightly pleading pout. "For me?" V let out a long, loud sigh as she looked from his eyes down at Max's hand holding hers. "I'll...I'll do my best..." Her voice was dreamy as she reluctantly removed her hand from his and pulled out the schedule book. She ran her finger down the page unaware that Max was looking on with darkening eyes, snapping victoriously, and a cocky grin that screamed he still had 'it'--that enigmatic something that always got him what he wanted. "Well, let's see... She's in with the reading group right now. That should be over in about 10 minutes. Why don't I take you to her and show you a few things along the way?" Realizing that he really had no other choice, Max plastered a smile to his face and agreed with as much enthusiasm as he could muster. ~~~~~~~ Max managed to make it through the next five minutes by paying more attention to the childish drawings on the walls and nodding appropriately at V's incessant chatter beside him. He barely heard a word of what she said, but somehow managed to flash her a smile at all the right pauses that caused her eyes to glow. He should be ashamed, but somehow he wasn't. Everything was fair when it came to war. Even Kend…Liz…had told him that. It wasn't until they reached a window looking into a room full of children that Max's attention really began to take focus. There she was. Liz was sitting in the middle of the floor with children all around her. They sat spell-bound as she was reading them a story, her facial expressions and bodily movements matching whatever emotion the characters were supposed to be feeling. His gaze swept over the tiny upturned faces as they stared at Liz, wide-eyed and enraptured. He smiled to himself. He couldn't blame them. Max couldn't even hear the words of their story and he was already completely captivated. As if feeling someone's eyes on her, Liz suddenly glanced up at the window to see Max watching her intently, his hands jammed into his pants pockets casually and a faint smile on his face. She felt a heated flush rise over her cheeks and tried to ignore his presence by quickly turning her attention back to the children to finish her story. Not surprisingly, it was the story of Little Red Riding Hood. Good. The Big, Bad Wolf did show up today. Liz had a feeling he would. Not that she *wanted* to see his gorgeous smile that made her knees weak or those amber eyes that spoke volumes. Or that hard body and smooth skin that her fingers just ached to touch and her body wanted to melt against… Oh, no. Her reasons hadn't been anything like that. No, she just didn't want all of that wasted sleep she'd had last night to be for nothing. Last night when she'd arrived home after visiting Angel, she'd found a package lying on her doorstep. Curious, she'd taken it inside and opened it almost as soon as she stepped into the doorway. Her curiosity as well as her confusion grew by leaps and bounds when the large, cranberry-colored, wool sweater tumbled out of the box. It wasn't until she saw the note that she understood it's meaning. "Now who's hiding in sheep's clothing? Forever, your Adonis." Her first reaction had been sudden paranoia. Was he really who he said he was? Had he found out something about her past? Worse yet, had the infamous 'he' found her? Was Max an associate of 'his' sent to report on her? As soon as that thought came to her mind, she dismissed it immediately. No, 'his' associates were not hard to miss. Max had nothing to do with that organization. Of that one thing, she was sure. Her initial fear being quelled she looked back at the note again. Their earlier conversation about wolves came back to her as the meaning of the message became clear. The corners of her mouth began to twitch in amusement despite herself. He's cute. Very cute. And clever. She let out a dreamy sigh and in the next moment hated herself for it. So much so that she'd found it impossible to sleep. All night she tossed and turned wondering how she could pay him back. What she could do to get the point across to him that he could be as cute and adorable, funny and charming, sexy and delectable as he wanted, she still wasn't going to fall for his games. Somewhere around 4:00 this morning the way became clear to her... When Liz closed the book at the end of the story, a collective groan sounded throughout the room. She laughed as she started to get up only to have the children all scramble to give her hugs. Max watched in amazement as she took the time to hug each child and say something to them that would cause beautiful little smiles to break out over their faces. There was one lone child who still sat on the floor at the back of what had been the semi-circle of eager listeners, watching the scene unfold before her, a look of longing and wariness mixed in her eyes as she watched Liz's outpouring of love for the other children. As the children started to break away from Liz, she glanced over and noticed the sad little face whose eyes were now averted from the group. Liz sat back down and eyed the child for a moment before calling her name to get her attention. The girl slowly raised her large gray eyes to Liz's patiently waiting face to receive a beautiful smile and an invitation to sit beside her as Liz tilted her head to the side and patted the floor next to her. The youngster hesitated for a moment as indecision hung in her eyes. Her desire for love was too strong, however, and finally won out over her fear as she went to sit next to Liz receiving a warm hug for her courage. A sudden desire swept over Max. It was the desire to hear what Liz would say to one whose eyes reflected the exact same emotions he's seen in Liz's only yesterday. Fear. Uncertainty. Longing. Maybe through her own words he'd find the key to breaking those barriers she'd forcefully put up between herself and the rest of the world. At least, the adult male portion of the world. Moving closer to the window as if the wall between them would magically disappear, a subconscious hope to hear the exchange that he knew was about to take place flowed through Max. Not surprisingly, Max couldn't make out what Liz said to the little waif, but whatever it was it literally transformed her appearance. Gone was the sadness. Gone was the suspicion and fear. Only hope and delight claimed a place in her eyes now. Max couldn't help but wonder how Liz would look when mistrust and sadness were no longer part of the language her eyes spoke every time he looked into them. A sudden yearning to find out gripped his heart in a way he knew would never let go until he found out for himself. He was so wrapped up in trying to make sense of the feelings that were suddenly flowing through him at watching Liz's interaction that before he knew it, Liz herself had left the children behind to come stand in front of him. Looking up into his amber eyes, Liz felt that familiar lack of air attack her lungs when her breath caught in her throat. She was once again overwhelmed by the depth of beauty that clashed with her own dark pools of emotion. If the eyes were the windows to the soul, he certainly had eyes worth looking into to. If they were the ocean, she wanted to drown. Slowly and tragically. A flash of delight cracked her heart open briefly when Max's eyed deepened instinctively to a deep, warm chocolate as they locked with hers. An ambrosial shiver ran through her when she saw a new amber hue spark with desire. Then a chill of mistrust sealed her heart up again when his gaze turned almost black…and hungry. Watch yourself, Liz. He will eat you alive if you let him. Liz crossed her arms in front of her as her dark eyes began to blaze with a fire that was meant to scorch its target to a crisp. Instead, it only managed to make Max's blood boil with need. His temperature spiked instantly and he had to bunch his hands into fists deep inside his pockets to keep himself from reaching out and crushing her to him. God, she's delectable. With her creamy skin and berry-colored lips, Max felt his mouth water with an insatiable craving. The faint rose blush on her cheeks reminded him of a wine he tasted once in the South of France. Delicate. Silky. Yet…poignant. And completely intoxicating. Max and Liz stood staring at each other a moment, their eyes speaking in ways that melted the floor around their feet. Intense. Hot. Greedy. Max took a shallow breath and Liz could swear she felt the ragged air burning in her own lungs. It rattled her. Rippled through her blood and thundered against her chest. Max felt a simultaneous quaking inside. Deep in his heart. Dropping to the pit of his stomach. Shaking loose the boulders of walls that had been in place for years. It jarred him to his very core. Unnerved as they both were, neither of them wanted this moment to end. For their own sanity, both were relieved when it did. V's voice finally broke through this fierce silence as she piped up explaining the reason for Max's presence there. "Kendall, Max dropped by to see if you could give him the tour you couldn't yesterday." Misinterpreting the heated look in Liz's eyes she offered a solution to head off the storm she thought she saw brewing. "You know, if you're busy right now, I could always take Max on the tour..." Liz's forced aloofness turned instantly to amusement as she bit back a smile seeing the panic in Max's eyes when he shot a look from V back to Liz at V's suggestion. He tried valiantly to mask it with a smile that only reached his lips, but Liz wasn't fooled. Why not? She'd save him the pain of spending the next half hour alone with V. Besides there were some things she wanted to make clear to Mr. Maxwell Evans. Especially after that staring contest they'd just had. "Actually, V, I believe I have time right now. I'd be more than happy to take Mr. Evans on the tour myself. You know, the kids need to be taken back to their rooms right now. If you could go ahead and do that for me, I'll show Mr...uh, Max…around." She smiled dismissively to V before turning back to Max. Hey, if V could call him by his first name, so could she. V turned with a disappointed sigh after saying her good-byes and left Max and Liz standing in the hall alone. Silence hung between them as they both mentally geared up for battle. His curiosity at an all-time high, Max chose his first weapon of sincere interest, well. With a steady gaze into her eyes, Max posed a quiet question. "So, what did you say to her?" Liz's nose scrunched up in confusion. "Who?" "The little girl you had to call to you. The one whose life you just changed." He answered admiration ringing in his voice as he nodded toward the childrens' story room. Liz's face colored a bit as she realized how intently he must have been paying attention to the scene inside the room to have picked up on the changes that passed over the little girl's face. Liz shrugged as if to throw off the compliment of his sudden interest. "I gave her the only thing I could offer her...my love and attention." "Somehow I get the feeling that's more than enough to mend even the most damaged of hearts." Max responded softly as the honesty in his voice matched the admiration and respect she saw dawning in his eyes. A trickle of warmth flooded the area around Liz's heart as his genuine words reached her ears. A warmth she couldn't, no...she wouldn't allow herself to feel. Liz cleared her throat before leveling an indifferent, untouched gaze at him replacing those blocks he'd managed to knock down in that wall she so desperately needed to keep between them. "So, Max…what is it you're here for again?" Max eyed her carefully, trying to determine the amount of damage his 'gift' might have caused. It didn't look like much since she was actually wearing the sweater he'd dropped off for her and there was at least more indignation and wariness in her eyes than pain. With her defenses up again, it looked like he was clearly on ground he could handle. The only problem was…it had been one of his sweaters... Ignoring her earlier question he launched into a topic of conversation he hoped would answer one of his. "Nice sweater. Although I have to say it is a little big on you." Max said as he touched the arm sleeve and watched it fall down well over Liz's hand. The sweater was so big it engulfed her petite body, but somehow Max liked the look. Maybe because it was beginning to fall a little off her shoulders revealing that smooth, creamy skin he longed to touch. Or maybe it was the fact she was wearing something that had once belonged to him... Liz pushed the sleeve back up and straightened the sweater with a warning look when she saw the way his hungry gaze swept over her in admiration. She forced calmness into her voice so it didn't shake the way her insides suddenly seemed to do. "Yes, well, the person who gave it to me was more interested in making a point than he was in making a friendly gesture. So, size was of no importance to him." "Really?" His eyebrows furrowed in mock confusion and his voice lowered suggestively. "I was under the impression size always mattered." "Are you now?" Liz's eyes raked over Max's body from head to toe in an equally suggestive manner, her eyes lingering just below his belt a little longer than necessary but long enough to make her next jab more effective. "Well, I guess that would explain your drive to continually add to your corporate wealth." Her eyes flicked back to his as a coy smile haunted her lips. "You do know what they say about men and compensation, don't you? Making up in one area for their lack in another, and all that." Max flashed her an equally disarming smile. "Believe me, I have nothing to compensate for. In fact…" Removing his hands from his pockets, Max held them out in a gesture of open surrender though his eyes flashed with an irresistible dare. "…I'm more than willing to show you all of my assets so you can decide for yourself." Taking up the dangerous challenge despite the red warning flags in the back of her mind, Liz's grin was devilish and her eyes snapped with delighted mischief as she began to circle Max as if inspecting him. Reaching his shoulder, Liz stood on tiptoe and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder as she leaned into him, her breath warm against his ear. "And here I thought you had to have a heart before you could show it to anyone." "Ouch." Max feigned a stab to his heart with his hands and was rewarded with a stiffled giggle from behind him as Liz continued her 'inspection'. "Now, would that have hurt so much if I didn't have a heart?" His question was greeted with silence. Well, almost silence. Max heard Liz's sharp intake of breath and tried his best to hold back a smug smile. It didn't work. Even clothed in his tailored suit, he could literally feel every place that her eyes were burning in to him. It felt so good. Hot. Smoldering. He didn't have to concentrate real hard to almost feel her hands blazing the paths her eyes had followed. "So, is there anything specific you'd like to see?" Oh, God. I'm in trouble. Liz didn't want to face him. With the way her skin was tingling and an almost unbearable heat was bubbling deep inside her, she knew she wouldn't be able to hide his affect on her. She simply couldn't let him know that every accentuated curve and line of his broad shoulders, well-toned arms, narrow waist and tight behind were now indelibly etched into her memory. The suit fit him perfectly. Like a second layer of skin. Showing off 'assets' on Max that would go completely unnoticed on any other man. Now that she had dimensions and form to go by those dreams of hers at night were going to be steamier…definitely more detailed. Liz shut her eyes and sucked in her breath at an image of taut muscles and hard flesh shining in the moonlight. Moving with the sleek gracefulness of a panther as it claimed it prey… "You know, I could always unzip my portfolio if you wanted to see…" A hint of amusement trickled through his words as he allowed the thought to go unfinished, guessing it wouldn't take her long to pick up on his train of thought. He wasn't wrong. Max's teasing suggestion snapped Liz back to reality. "Um…uh…no! I…I…uh…" Liz cleared her throat and forced herself to breathe. Cloaking herself immediately in indifference, Liz stepped from around his side to stand in front of him and pinned him with a caustic look as full control wrapped around her. "As tempting as that might sound, it won't be necessary. See, the bottom line isn't what you have but what you do with what you have. Quality over quantity every time." "Oh, well. If you want quality, I'd say that sweater is top of the line." Max commented, his eyes twinkling as took in her flushed face and shallow breathing. Max, my boy, can you say A-DOR-A-BLE? Cuz that's exactly what this woman is. Trying not to let you know she's just as hot for you as you are for her. God, Liz-whatever-your-name-is, where have you been all of my life? "Oh, it is. Amazing material. Great style. Beautiful color. One of a kind, I’m assuming." Liz shrugged her slender shoulders. "But then again, I don't think quality was his concern either." "Ah. I see." Max pursed his lips to keep back a chuckle. "So, then you're wearing it to...." "Make a point as well." Liz finished for him. God, he looked so good today. As if he didn't look good every day she'd seen him. He really does look like Adonis. Liz held back a sigh. Wisps of hair were falling on his forehead and Liz had the sudden urge to reach up and push them back, just to see what running her fingers through that thick dark hair would feel like. "Really. Huh..." Max's brows furrowed in concentration. "So, what exactly would that point be?" He flashed her a smile. "If you don't mind me asking, of course." "Oh, of course not." Liz said with mock politeness pulling her thoughts back to the conversation as if they were, in fact, speaking of a third party instead of each other. "The point is that no matter what this person wears on the outside it still doesn't change who he is on the inside. He can give up as many wool sweaters as he wants and don expensive Armani suits to his little heart's content...it still doesn't change the person I know him to be." Max smiled as if a light bulb had just been turned on over his head. "Oh, I get it. You thought this, uh…let me guess. You still think he's a wolf, right?" "The biggest and the baddest." Liz said without hesitation as she crossed her arms in front of her. Max nodded absently as he continued as if not having heard her. "Uh-huh. Right. So, this wolf...you think the point he was trying to make was that because he gave you an article of clothing, he's no longer the big bad wolf that Little Red Riding Hood has to keep an eye out for?" Liz nodded her head, her eyes never leaving his. "Pretty much. Only I'm not as naïve as Little Red Riding Hood." "He'd be a fool to think you are." Max remarked back as his eyes locked with hers. The connection between them was instantaneous as a battle of wills and desire began again. Verbally sparring with her only served to add to the mounting tension between them. His voice lowered meaningfully. "Perhaps you missed his point." "What other point could he have wanted to make?" Liz tried to not pay attention to how incredibly drawn to him she was, but was failing miserably. Why was it every time she looked into his eyes she felt as if she'd just been hit by a lightening bolt? She had to get a grip. She had to stop these feelings rushing through her. He was still danger and should be treated as such. Max shrugged slightly trying to pretend he didn't notice her inner battle reflected in her expression. Easily playing up to the fact she was struggling. "Oh, I don't know. That although we all have things to hide, maybe you've misjudged him. Maybe he wants to be an open book. If you give him the chance. In fact…" Max leaned forward, his voice a bare whisper, his eyes intently gazing into hers capturing her undivided attention and stealing the breathing from her lungs. "…maybe it's possible that you've already guessed more about him then half the women he's dated in the past year know." He tilted his head to the side in thought. "No. Make that in his whole lifetime. And that was something he had never expected. Something he's not all too familiar with. Or something he even likes." Liz swallowed hard and tried to control her insides from melting with each word he spoke, not to mention the way he was looking at her. When she spoke her voice was strained and not nearly as strong as she wished it would be and she felt a hitch in her chest as she tried to get some air back to her quickly deflating body. The question passed her parched lips in a whisper. "If he doesn't like it, why is he still hanging around?" Max took a step toward her needing to be close enough to smell the vanilla scent he knew would be drifting from her hair. He closed his eyes briefly when he got his desire as a light sigh escaped him. Opening his eyes and looking down into hers, Max whispered a truth he hadn't wanted to admit even to himself. "Because for some reason…he just can't stay away." Liz gulped. As she looked up from under her dark eyelashes into those devastating eyes, she watched with awe as they began to darken with flames of desire. Reason began to melt away. Ok, Lizzie. We have lips. Only inches away. What would it hurt? Just one kiss. Just one…long, luscious duel of tangled, hot, plunging… Then reason came storming back. You should be ashamed of yourself! You're standing in the hall of a childrens' shelter! Raging hormones have no place here! A soft dreamy voice joined the chorus. But those lips. And those multi-hued eyes with those lush, long eyelashes that seemed to brush against my soul and take a piece of me with each slow blink… If ever a breath had been held, it belonged to Max Evans. He watched with increasing awe to the shadows and lights playing havoc with the emotions in the depth of Liz's eyes. Desire shot like a falling star through midnight skies chased by a cloud of reproof that turned into a haze of longing. The thundering of his heart drummed out any voices of doubt or fear that tried to whisper their way into his logical mind. He unconsciously leaned forward, inching his way closer to her slightly parted lips and prayed with everything in him that this would be the moment he'd been thinking of since the second he laid eyes on her. His prayers went unanswered. "Kendall?" A small voice called out to Liz as she stood by the door to the girl's bedroom and flicked off the lights, the light from the hallway illuminating her sweet face poking out from her ruffle-covered bed. "Yes, sweetie?" "Thanks for keepin' me safe. I love you." "I love you too, precious…" As if snapping herself out of a spell, Liz blinked when she heard that sweet voice echo in her mind and quickly took a step back. She had a definite moment of confusion where she tried to figure out how Max had managed to get so close to her and why in the world she had let him, but finally her resolve was firmly back in place. Her eyes instantly took on a challenging look as she picked up their conversation as if nothing had almost happened between them. "Must be all that green he's seeing." Max shook his head slightly as he let out a resigned sigh and stuffed his hands back in his pockets. Too much, too soon. He should have known better with her. But a foundation had been laid. Now it was time to build on it. Undaunted, he flashed her slow smiled, his eyes looking meaningfully into hers. "No. Brown's the color for the day. Soft, velvety, chocolate...just like your eyes." It was a line. Delivered with perfect finesse and a heap of sincerity, but a line none-the-less. Good. The game was back on. Flirtatious. Distant. Manageable. Liz smiled slyly as her voice softened. "Maybe. But even brown eyes can't compete with the crisp green color of money. The kind and amount that comes as a result of a successful raid." "This particular raider has never lost sleep over a business deal." Max stated with a look that let her know he had also lost sleep last night and it had been over her. Another point to Liz. At least she hadn't been the only one. And she hadn't been the one to admit it first. "Couldn't sleep, huh?" She asked with a slight grin. "Must be all of that guilt you're feeling." Max's eyebrow raised. Guilt? No, he hadn't felt guilty. Concerned…but not guilty. He eyed her confident expression. Alright. So, maybe guilt did play a part in his nocturnal musings...but he'd be damned before he let her know that. He chuckled disarmingly. "Guilt? Now what would I need to feel guilty about?" Max asked with an air of disbelief. Liz shrugged her slim shoulders causing the sweater to slide slowly to the side again as she answered. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe the secrets you're trying so hard to pretend that you aren't hiding." Max tilted his head to the side as he eyed her. Should he? Yeah, she seemed ready to take it. A cunning grin slowly taking control of his perfect lips causing Liz's heart to leap in her chest. He was so irresistibly sexy when he looked at her like that. "Oh, but don't you know we all have secrets, Kendall?" Mimicking her earlier move, Max dipped his head and began to circle Liz adding a layer of temptation to the seductive inspection. His fingers. Grazing lightly up her arm. "Things that we try to hide?" His hand, resting gently against her shoulder as he, too, leaned forward nuzzling her hair before whispering in her ear. "Even from ourselves." Liz squeezed her eyes shut and forced herself to focus on taking breaths. Any kind of breaths. Big. Little. Panting. Slow. As long as that thing--God, what was it called?--air. That's what it was. Air. She needed air. Her fingernails bit into the palms of her hands and she swallowed repeatedly before croaking out what she knew was a rather dangerous question. "L-like…what?" She could feel him smile against her hair as the weight of his hand burned right through the sweater and into her skin. He'd been waiting for an opening. And she just handed it to him. Max moved tauntingly around Liz, his warmth engulfing her from behind as he placed his other hand on her shoulder before caressing down her arms then back up, ever so lightly. Like a feather spreading whispers of fire through her body. "Oh, like the way the people we're dating make us feel." He dipped his head to whisper in her other ear. "Or...not feel, in your case." His eyes began to sparkle when he saw a shiver run through her a split second before irritation square her shoulders. He lowered his voice suggestively as he rounded her slowly, trailing his fingers through her hair and across her back. His fingers never left her body as Max inched them upward to the exposed skin of her neck, his dark eyes trained on hers, pulling her further and further into a world where only the two of them existed. "Or how complete strangers can have an instant, electrifying connection unlike anything they ever known before. Like lightening from the sky, it hits and sends..." Max allowed his gaze to follow the path his hand took as he reached up and softly ran his fingers down the side of her neck to the shoulder where his sweater had now fallen completely off exposing her softly scented skin to his view. His eyes flicked back to her face as he heard her sharp intake of breath and felt a shudder rush through her body with his touch. His voice echoed the low rumble of thunder that was pounding away in her heart. Raspy. Electric. Liz could feel every single word he spoke echoing through her entire body. "...shock waves through you that you're powerless to control. And no matter how unnerving it can be, you just…" Max's gaze dropped to Liz's lips and his head instinctively dipped lower. "…can't…" He leaned into Liz's hands that that instinctively raised to rest against his chest as Liz's lips parted to receive him and her eyes fluttered closed. "…stop yourself…" Nose nuzzled nose. Breath mingled with breath. Satin lips were only a whisper away. "…from coming back for more." Max and Liz instantly jumped apart. Stunned back to reality by a voice. "Hey, you two! You haven't moved from where I left you!" Oblivious to the hastily exchanged guilty looks, Liz's flushed cheeks and Max's heavily rising chest, V bounced up with a pretty, blonde woman tagging along behind. She looked as if she were having problems with a load of toys spilling from her arms onto the floor. "Maria dropped by to see you, so I thought I'd hook you two up and see if Max needed to be shown anything else." Liz turned to the woman who was now bent down to pick up yet another stray stuffed animal trying desperately to hold onto the rest of the items in her arms. Anxious to put distance between Max and herself, Liz nervously forced a laugh as she rushed to help the woman before something else fell from her grip. "Here, Maria, let me help you with that." Liz grabbed some of the items on top of the huge pile in her arms just before Max's arms reached to take the rest from Maria. Finally having everything deposited on a nearby chair, Maria let out a loud sigh. "Wow! I never thought going through Michelle's things would be so hard! The only way I got half of this here was because she's at home taking a nap." "You mean to tell us you've stolen these from that precious little girl of yours?" Back turned to Max, Liz focused all of her energy on Maria and asking the teasing question with a hint of mischief in her eyes. Maria put her hands on her hips. "You better watch it, chica! I was donating these to the Center, but if you're not careful I'll just pack 'em back up and take 'em on home." "Don't you dare!" Liz said with a chuckle. Maria' eyes moved to settle on the well-built figure standing outside the scene looking on with amused interest. "Hi, I'm Maria DeLuca Guerin." She stuck out her hand as she introduced herself. "Thanks for your help. I wasn't sure I was going to make it one more step without losing everything." Max shook her hand with a smile. "Anytime I can help such a beautiful lady, it's always my pleasure." "Oh, so we've got a smooth talker here, huh?" Maria asked as she glanced at Liz and saw Liz roll her eyes, but purposely avoided looking directly at Max. "Good. It'll give Michael some competition." She turned back to Max to explain. "Michael is my husband." "I see." Max said with a grin. He too was trying to avoid eye contact with Liz. Not that he minded what had almost happened between them, but he was pretty certain she was going to have a bit of trouble explaining it to herself, let alone her way out of it when the subject did come back up. And he was definitely going to make sure the subject was revisited…very soon. But not now. Now, was the time to gather information. "That wouldn't be Michael Guerin, CEO of EMG now would it?" Maria' eyes glowed with pride. "Yes it would. And you would be...?" "Max. Max Eva..." Maria' eyes widened in surprise as she recognized his name immediately. "Holy Toledo! Wait till Michael gets a load of this! You're Max Evans, aren't you? I thought you looked familiar. I've heard so much about you!" Max started chuckling at her reaction as he put his hands in his pockets and grinned broadly. "Guilty as charged. You're as beautiful and as sharp as I've heard. It's nice to finally meet Michael's lovely wife. Although, I have to say, I'm surprised you've heard nice things about me considering your husband is one of my most challenging business rivals." "Oh, I'm sorry. Did I give you the impression what I've heard is good?" Maria looked genuinely apologetic. "Hate to disappoint you, but what I've heard has mainly been from my grandpop-in-law and he says you're a scoundrel and a thief and some other choice names I'd rather not say. Michael tends to agree with him." Liz stifled a laugh at the disappointed look on Max's face. He looked like a little boy who had just been taunted with a bag full of candy then had it suddenly taken away. Maria saw the look too and quickly added, "Don't worry. I make up my own mind and I tend to disagree most of the time, though...at least with Eddie--that's what I call my grand-pop-in-law. In fact, I just got done reading 'Fortune's' latest and they're right...you really are the cat's meow." "The cat's meow?" Liz asked with a giggle. Maria dismissed Liz's teasing with a wave of her hand before turning back to Max. "Oh, you know what I mean...you're pretty hot stuff according to them. In fact, I think the words they used were 'devastatingly handsome' and 'charmingly clever'." Max shot Liz a look that said, 'Told you so', that made her roll her eyes, before turning back to Maria with a renewed smile. "Well, I'll definitely take that as a compliment, especially from someone so beautiful and charming herself. And I certainly hope I get a chance to expand your good opinion of me in the future." "So, what are ya doing here anyway?" Maria asked. Liz jumped in before Max got a chance to open his mouth. "Watch out, Maria. He's out to steal EMG out from underneath Michael and Sean...but he'd never admit that to you, of course. He's doing his best to prove he isn't the typical wolf in sheep's clothing." Her eyes began to sparkle in jest as she shot a look back at Max while his eyes flashed with amusement. Max attempted to clarify Liz's statement when he saw the confused look on Maria' face. "Don't listen to her. She thinks I'm trying to pull the wool over her eyes." Liz rolled her eyes again and groaned trying hard to not laugh at his reference to the wool sweater and her reason for wearing it. "Oh, God. That was so pitiful." Max just shrugged and grinned back at her in response. "Not as pitiful as yours." Maria looked back and forth between Max and Liz. She felt like she'd missed something somehow. Like she'd stepped into the middle of a private joke that wasn't quite finished. One thing she didn't miss and certainly didn't need explaining were the looks they'd been sending each other. The way Kendall's cheeks were flushed. The way Max's eyes kept drifting to Kendall's exposed neck and shoulder and brightening a notch every time they did. She also saw an aura about Kendall that she'd never seen before. This side of Kendall was playful, almost flirty, toward Max. And he certainly didn't seem to mind. Hmm, wonder what exactly is up with these two? Realizing that Max still hadn't explained what he was doing there and so desperately wanting to be the one to take Max on that tour, V jumped in. "Max is really here to take a tour of the Center. He might be able to offer us some assistance in the future." "Oh, well, I certainly don't want to barge in on your tour, then. I just came to drop these off and see if Kendall here wanted to go to lunch. Apparently, that won't be possible." Seeing the confident look in Max's eyes that Maria' last statement was true, and knowing there was simply no way in hell she was going to be able to spend another minute alone with him an not finish that kiss they'd started, Liz decided to turn the tables on him a little. "Actually, I'd love to go to lunch with you. I'm sure that V wouldn't mind giving Max the tour I had intended." If looks could kill Liz would have been buried 6 feet under by the time those words were out of her mouth. The sudden look of panic and annoyance in Max's eyes made Liz want to jump up and down and do a victory dance. Somehow she managed to keep both feet on the ground. "Oh, no. I wouldn't mind giving Max a tour at all." V piped up as she moved to stand next to Max and looked adoringly up into his face. "Great!" Maria said unaware of the sudden displeasure in Max's face that he tried to mask instantly. "We can eat and talk a little MLK while we’re at it." "That sounds great to me too." Liz commented with a grin while catching Max's reaction out of the corner of her eye. For a moment he looked completely caught off guard. Then annoyed. Then in the next, she could see the wheels turning in his head as he tried to figure out a way to get out of this. Wait. What is happening here? She can't really be sending me on the tour with V. She really couldn't do this to me again. Could…she? One look in her mischief-filled eyes told him she could...and she was. He had to get out of this fast. "You know, I'm sure V's busy. I could always wait..." Max began. "Nonsense." V stopped him. "I'm as free as a bird right now. Come on. I'll show you the kids wing first." V grabbed his arm and started to drag him away before he got a chance to protest any further. "See ya later, guys." Max cast one last look back over his shoulder at Liz and scowled at her when she gleefully waved good-bye to him. "Have fun!" She called out to him with a wink. Maria glanced at Kendall just as V and Max turned the corner. A devilish grin was spread over her face and she punched the air as she mouthed a victorious 'yes!'. She looked positively pleased with herself. "Alright, Chica. What exactly are you up to?" Maria wasn’t sure she'd ever seen Kendall this tickled before. What exactly was going on between her and Max? Whatever it was it was making her positively glow. "What? Me? Oh nothing." Liz tried to sound innocent, but she just couldn't keep the triumph out of her voice or the delight out of her eyes. "Uh-huh. Right. You realize I don't believe you." Maria commented as she picked up her purse. Liz just shrugged and smiled mutely. "Alright, girlfriend. Spill it. What exactly is going on between you and Mr. Gorgeous? I swear to you, Kendall, if you don't tell me now, I'll hound it outta you at lunch." Maria commented as they began walking down the hall. Liz let out a sigh as she glanced at Maria. "Alright. Let's just say that 'Mr. Gorgeous' and I have been having a little battle of wills since he showed up in town yesterday. I'll hand it to him..." Max's touch still burned against her skin and she could still feel his warm breath on her lips as her mind flashed to the near kiss. It took all her willpower to keep her knees from going slack under her. "…he's…uh…won a few points." Liz's grin broadened into a satisfactory smile. "But today...today the victory was mine." ~~~~~~ Liz and Maria were laughing as they walked back into the Center after lunch. Over lunch, Liz had told Maria the basic story of Max's visit to New Haven leaving out certain parts, of course. Like how incredibly attracted to Max she was. And how whenever they were in the room together she just wanted to forget everything--Sean, the center, everything--and just throw herself into his arms to see if kissing him would be as heavenly as she's dreamed. How she'd been milliseconds from doing just that. Or how he made her melt inside with just one look and how she hadn't felt anything like this in a very, very long time. She had just finished giving the details of the sweater and tour incidents and Maria had burst out laughing when she remembered the look on his face as he'd been dragged away by V. Maria had no choice but to agree that it did indeed look like Kendall had won the day. V looked up from her perch at the front desk and smiled. "Hi, did you have a good lunch?" "Yes, we did. And how was your tour?" Liz asked curiously wondering just how long it took before Max was able to extract himself from the tour and what excuse he gave. "Oh, it was great! Max was very interested and impressed with the whole organization. In fact, he was so impressed..." V paused and sighed deeply. "Kendall, you're never going to believe this! I feel as if all of my dreams may have come true!" Maria started to chuckle at V's exuberance while Liz began to get a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. "Ok, V. Spit it out. He was so impressed that...?" Liz prompted her. V took a deep breath and began to wring her hands in excitement before announcing, "He's going to volunteer." Liz's mouth dropped open as Maria started to laugh at the expression of disbelief on her face as well as at Max's boldness. Well, if he wanted to get her back for the little tour stunt, he definitely picked the right way to do it. "He's...he's going...to what??" She asked incredulously not sure she'd heard V right. V bobbed her head up and down. "That's right! He's going to be here a couple of hours every day. Monday through Friday. Isn't that great?" Liz started to shake her head. "No. No. No, he can't do that. He can't volunteer here. I...I have to talk to Claire." She started to walk toward the hallway. "But, Kendall, there's no need. Max already spoke to her. She's in complete agreement with his schedule. In fact, she thought it was a wonderful idea." V gushed suddenly before grabbing the phone that had begun to ring. Liz's mouth hung open again as her gaze shifted to Maria's sparkling eyes full of amusement. "I can't believe this. He's going to be here...every...day." She sank down into the nearest chair stunned and a bit unnerved. Maria came and sat next to her a huge grin dimpling her cheeks. "Well, chica, it looks like you'd better not clear out a place for that victory trophy just yet." She tried to hold back the laughter from her voice, but didn’t quite succeed. This was getting too good for words. Just when Maria thought it couldn't get any better, V came up to Liz and announced, "Oh and I almost forgot. He left this note for you." V handed Liz a sealed envelope then ran to answer another phone. Maria watched Liz's reaction with curiosity as she snatched the envelope from V and quickly ripped it open. She yanked out the note and let the envelope fall to the floor. Boy, she was worse than Michelle at Christmas ripping open her presents. Liz skimmed the note quickly then closed her eyes and let out a groan. "What? What'd he say?" Maria asked. Liz silently handed the note to her, then cringed when she heard Maria's giggle. "It's not funny." Liz snapped. Maria giggled again. "Aw, come on, Kendall. Even you have to admit this is pretty cute." She raised the note in front of her and read out loud... "Little Red Riding Hood, Looks like the wolf made it to Grandma's house after all. See you tomorrow. Your Adonis. P.S. I believe the score is now one, one." Hearing Maria' insuppressible chuckle, Liz snatched the note out of her hands and stood up, determination and fire flashing in her dark eyes. "Yeah, go ahead. Laugh now. But when I'm through with him, he won't even remember what a score is let alone how to keep track of one." With that she turned and stalked down the hall toward her office. Maria leaned back and watched her as she walked away. A slow smile came to her lips as another giggle bubbled up from inside her. She might just drop by tomorrow to see how things go. Yeah, tomorrow felt like a good day to watch some fireworks. She shook her head in amusement. "Let the games begin..." to be continued... |
| posted on 21-Oct-2001 7:59:37 AM |
| ~chapter 7~
His scrutinizing gaze swept over the imposing stone structure in front of him as a sly smile played on his lips. Things couldn't be more perfect if he'd planned them himself. Sure, it needed a little fixing up...ok, so maybe 'a little' was an understatement. There would be painting to do and a lot of remodeling on all levels. The roof would need repairing and the landscape could use a lot of work. The kitchen would need to be modernized and so would the gym. Not to mention the plumbing system looked like it could use some work. On second thought, maybe tearing it all down and starting fresh would be even better. Either way, this would be the perfect place to begin putting his plan into action. Max pulled out his cell phone and hit the speed dial. "Good afternoon, Evans Inc." Barbara's professional voice sounded on the other end. "Barbara. It's Max. Call them and make an offer." Barbara's eyebrow raised as she pulled out her pad and pen. "Alright. How high are you willing to go?" "No limit. Offer them the world if need be. It needs to be in my possession by the end of business day tomorrow, got it?" Max asked as his eyes took on a look of uncertainty. If he was going to accomplish all of this by tomorrow he had a lot of work to do. His mind flashed back to the way Liz tossed him to V the first chance she got and quickly amended his statement. With anyone else he could guarantee his victory. With Liz he wasn't so sure. "Uh, you know what? Make that the next day at noon...at the very latest by close of business." Barbara wrote the instructions down and tapped her pen on the pad. "Got it. Anything else?" "Yes. Reschedule my appointments for the next..." Max thought a moment. Just how much time was he willing to give this little project of his? At this point his best plan was to make no plans. But that wouldn't help when it came to business. "...two weeks." Barbara's eyes widened in surprise. "Two weeks?? Max, have you lost your mind?" The questions popped out of her mouth before she got a chance to stop it. She'd been Max's assistant for the 5 years he'd been in management at his father's company and had never once seen him just 'take off' for a few weeks without keeping close to some kind of business schedule. Sure, he was one of the jet setting crowds and would disappear at the drop of a hat to attend some gala or gamble the weekend away with some of his more eccentric friends, but through all of it business had always remained his number one priority. Now, this Blake woman drops in his life and business moves rapidly from first place to a distance second, maybe even third. He was definitely in over his head on this one. She just hoped he'd realize it before it was too late. Max heard the shock in Barbara's voice and began to chuckle. If she only knew the half of it... "I've been asking myself the same thing, Barbara, believe me. I mean, since when does the ruthless corporate raider Max Evans volunteer at a children's center?" "You did what??" Barbara was even more incredulous than before. This was beyond anything she could have ever imagined. Max did his best to stay as far away from children as possible. "That's right. Every day." Max said the words not really believing them himself. Barbara shook her head. "Well. I certainly never thought I'd see this day." "What day?" "The day you let a woman get to you so bad you couldn't think straight." Barbara quipped. "Max, if you're trying to impress her, take it from me, this is the wrong way to go about it. You haven't the faintest idea what you're doing when it comes to children." "Why? What makes you think so?" Max asked with a bit of sudden uncertainty in his voice foregoing the chance to refute Barbara's assumption that he really was trying to impress Liz. What would be the point? She knew him too well to spend time arguing. "I did fine with your granddaughter when you brought her by the office. Barbara started to laugh. "Yeah, you did. But that's only because you took about 10 seconds to look at her...from a safe distance no less than 5 feet away. It was just enough time to ohh and ahh appropriately, then you headed for your office where you hid until you were sure it was safe to come out." "Hey, I had an important phone call to make." Max stated defensively. "Yeah, right. To your barber." Barbara chuckled into the phone. "You do realize he called later that afternoon and asked what was wrong with you. He said you took forty-five minutes asking about types of shampoos and conditioners then hung up abruptly after cutting him off in the middle of a sentence. But don't worry. He completely understood when I told him I had Chelsea in the office. In fact, he got a big kick out of it. He was still laughing when I got off the phone with him." "So nice to know I could bring laughter to someone's day." Max quipped sarcastically. "By the way, did I tell you I've been thinking of getting a new barber..." Barbara chuckled as she shook her head. "Max, take it from me…if you really want to get to this woman take the usual route. Wine her. Dine her. Look deeply into her eyes when you ask her for a dance. But do not, under any circumstances, let her see you with children." Max let out a sigh as he closed his eyes beginning to feel the weight of his impulsive decision earlier. "That's just it, Barbara. She won't let me close enough to run through the usual routine." Barbara's smile widened as a new found respect for Kendall began to dawn in her eyes. So she was playing hard to get, huh? Most women Max knew were usually shameless enough to throw themselves at him. Maybe this woman was worth giving a chance. "She won't let you close enough? What are you saying, Max? Are you saying there's a woman out there in this world that can actually resist the dashing, mysterious, suave and debonair Max Evans? Someone who is immune to your immeasurable charms?" "No." Max piped up quickly, his ego alert to the chance of being bruised...badly. "No, what I'm saying is that...that..." Max closed his eyes and waved his hand in the air as if desperately reaching for the right words but was having the hardest time finding them. "Uh-huh?" Barbara prompted. Dropping his hand, Max shrugged arrogantly when he finally came up with a way to describe Liz's reactions to him. "She wants to resist me, but she can't. She just hasn't found a way to...you know, to let me know that yet." Max finished weakly knowing just how lame that must have sounded to Barbara. He certainly knew how lame it sounded to his own ears. Barbara bit back her laughter. "Max. Do you want some advice?" "Please." He decided to drop all pretenses as he noticed how desperate his voice had become by this time. What exactly was Liz doing to him? "If you're going to go ahead with this..." Barbara sighed deeply into the phone and rustled some papers around. "...just remember with kids you can't use your normal business tactics. You can't buy them out because they have nothing to sell. Intimidation is out of the question because I really don't think that would gain you any much needed points with that ball of fire, named Kendall, that you're trying to capture." "Nope. I think the only thing that might work is bribing them. But again…you can't use normal tactics." Barbara's tone became light and airy, like a pre-school teacher speaking to the children in her class. "See…bribing children with money is a baaad thing, Max. Most of them can't count yet anyway so it reeeeally does no good. The customary bribing tool…is candy." Barbara's voice suddenly became business-like as she laid out a plan. "So, what I'm going to do for you right now is check out candy companies that are up for sale. I'm sure we can arrange a buyout of at least three maybe four companies by the time you set foot back on enemy soil…" The hint of laughter in her voice was unmistakable. "Actually, with you in the battle…I'm thinking we should go for broke and buy up all the junk food companies on the Eastern seaboard. Maybe the entire U.S…" "Great, Barbara. Just great. I need your advice and you're cracking jokes." Max said into the phone as he rolled his eyes. Barbara laughed into the phone. "I'm sorry, Max. Just the thought of you with a bunch of kids..." She started to chuckle then tried to sober sensing his agitation on the other end. "Ok. Alright. This one's for real." Taking a deep breath and releasing it, Barbara continued with utmost sincerity. "Max, kids are really not that much different from adults. They need love and attention just like everyone else. Just be real with them. They're not that scary. Take it from a grandmother…one hug can go a very, very long way in winning a child's heart." Max nodded his head and repeated her advice. "Ok. Don't be afraid. Be real. Give a hug." Confidence made it into his voice and his eyes began to shine with determination. "I can do that." "Oh, and one more thing. Pray she doesn't make you change any diapers..." Barbara's laughter was irrepressible as the image of Max changing diapers came to her. Max sighed and shook his head. "Gooood byyyye, Barbara." Max stated as he clicked his phone off and chuckled at Barbara's good-natured ribbing despite himself. In the next moment his face scrunched up as the thought of diapers filled his mind. "Diapers. Oh, yuck." He said with a shudder before banishing all thoughts of children and diapers and heading toward his newest purchase. ~~~~~~~~~ Max spent about another hour looking through the building he was about to purchase making notes and taking down specs. Then he turned his attention to the grounds and headed up the path toward the woods. According to the layout of the landscape the realtor gave him there were a few more buildings up this way. His cell phone began to ring just as he was nearing the edge of the woods. He pulled out his cell and hit the button as he continued on his chosen course. "Max here." Max stopped instantly the moment he heard the voice on the other end. "Alex. I didn't expect to hear back from you so soon. So, what did you find out?" "Nothing. Which is why you're hearing back from me so soon." Alex Whitman said into the phone. "Man, whatever you're looking for on this dame, it's not going to be easy to find." Max's eyebrows furrowed in concentration. "What do you mean? I mean, what gives you that impression?" Alex let out a sigh. "I've run the check through the system. Everything that comes up about Kendall Blake is clean. She's an ordinary, normal citizen who has led an ordinary, normal life. Average grades. Average bills. Average jobs. Not so much as a parking ticket on her police records. I even talked to the principle of the high school she went to. Apparently she was so average he didn't even remember her. Neither did one of her high school teachers at first and when she did, she said she was nothing spectacular. Just a normal kid struggling through the pains of algebra." "But that's impossible." Max stated with confidence. "This woman is nothing short of spectacular. There's no way she could walk in a room and not have people remember her." Alex whistled low. "Whoa. Sounds like someone's got a crush." Ignoring Alex's teasing, Max eyebrows furrowed in concentration as his brain shifted into overdrive. "Wait a minute. You said she was 'average' and 'normal'. I know for a fact she isn't. Not only that, I know I heard Michael call her by another name besides Kendall and she talked about changing who she was. You know what this sounds to me like?" "What?" "SOP." Max responded with some gravity. "Standard Operating Procedure?" Alex asked as the wheels began to turn in his head. "Could be. But whose?" Max shrugged. "FBI. Who else?" "Witness protection?" "That's what I'm thinking. They go overboard at times when it comes to making people disappear. They become so normal you just know they have to be hiding something big." Max confirmed. He paused a moment wondering if he should really go forward with his next request. An image of Liz's face flashed before him and he took a deep breath knowing he had no other choice. "Alex, I know what I'm about to ask is going beyond my deal with the bureau..." "Who's your contact?" Alex asked pushing aside Max's preface and plunging into the mystery at hand. Max breathed a sigh of relief. "Sheila Cobb. She'll be able to pull up any records on anyone in the past 10 years who has entered the program." "And you're sure she'll help you?" Max grinned. "Oh, yeah. She'll help. Just remind her of the night I saved her marriage. She'll do anything you ask." Sensing Alex's next question, Max answered quickly. "Don't ask. It's a long story." Alex's smile sounded clearly in his voice. "Do you ever get tired of riding to the rescue on those white stallions of yours?" Max started to chuckle. "Not yet. Haven't met a damsel in distress unattractive enough to pass on by." Max teased. He sobered quickly as a new thought came to him. "Hey, Alex, did you have any luck on Michael Guerin's friends or relatives?" "Nope." Alex shuffled some papers as he looked through his notes. "Wait. Actually, he did know a Liz back in grade school, but she has blonde hair and freckles. She's married and has four children living in Idaho. I didn't think that was your gal." "No, definitely not." Max confirmed. "Hey, why don't you run a check on younger sisters of classmates and friends. There is a bit of difference in their age. That could account for not finding anything the first go round." "Do you realize how long that will take?" Alex asked before posing a suggestion. "Why don't we narrow it down a little. Say, his high school classmates." "Fine. And add in there old girlfriends. College and up." Max added. "Got it." Alex said as he finished writing in his notes. "If she has something to hide, we'll find it." "Thanks, Alex." Max said gratefully. "Oh, and one more thing..." "No one will hear it from me. Not even Kyle." Alex assured Max. "Thanks man. I really owe you one." Max promised. "What are you talking about? You owe my more than one." "Yeah, yeah, yeah. And you know I'll pay them all back...each and every one." Max guaranteed with a grin. "Ok. You know where to reach me." "Yep. Talk to you when I find something out." Alex confirmed. "Alright. Over..." Max said with a nod of his head. "...and out." ~~~~~~~~~~~~ As Max turned back toward the woods, his mind started to drift to the events of the day. After Liz left him to go on the tour from Chatter-land with V, he'd decided he couldn't possibly let that maneuver go without some retaliation. So, he volunteered. Every day. Till who knows when. Max chuckled. Ok. So maybe he did know when. Until she gave in to him and surrendered. She was definitely a challenge and one that he was having quite a bit of fun with...if not without a bit of frustration thrown in for the heck of it. Boy, victory would truly be sweet this time...no matter how much Barbara tried to scare him away from his plan. His thoughts quickly focused on Kendall. No, Liz. The more he thought of her, the more confused he became. Part of him saw her as Kendall, the woman the city of New Haven hailed as quiet and sweet, loving and kind. But for some reason he couldn't quite put his finger on, the name 'Liz' seemed to fit the personality of the woman he was getting to know. The one with so much fire and stubbornness in her eyes. The one with quick, witty comebacks and smolderingly seductive looks that seemed to be reserved just for him. Max shrugged. Perhaps he saw her as Liz because that's who she really was…no matter how hard she tried to hide it. Her secret identity. The reason for it. Her hot-cold reactions to him. Her aloofness yet her down to earth approachability. Her strength and vulnerability. All of these things flowed through his mind as he tried to put together a clear picture of the woman who had completely captured his attention. She was clearly a woman of contrasts. Contrasts that he was more than willing to explore. That her secrets and the reasons for them seemed to be a matter of national security intrigued Max. If he was right and she was in the witness protection program, that could mean only one thing. Either she or someone close that she knew had turned against someone. The question now was who? And was there still a danger to being discovered? And why, of all people, would she trust Michael Guerin with that information? Alex would find out. On that, Max would stake his life. And with this small hint of her past, Max began to understand her a little better. Her fear of getting close to people. Her instant mistrust. The pain he saw flash in her eyes. It all made sense in the grand scheme of things. Yet, there was still so much to learn... And it wasn’t as if Liz were his only problem. There was the mystery woman he'd seen in the woods. Her voice had haunted him throughout the day and he found himself on several occasions humming the song she'd sung. It was so hauntingly sad, but in a way there was an underlying strength. A sense that the survival wasn't an option...it was a must. It was comforting somehow because deep inside he knew that feeling all too well. Max shook his head. What he wouldn't give to hear her voice again. It had reached into his soul and moved him in the space of a heartbeat. He had the strangest sensation that he really did know the singer. That she wasn't a stranger after all. Which made everything even more confusing for him. Max shook himself from his reverie as he continued along the path deeper into the woods. He deeply breathed in the evening air and smiled to himself as he looked up the sky as it grew darker by the minute. He hesitated a moment not sure if he should continue realizing that the hour was getting later. Nah, he'd go ahead. Soon the stars would be out and the full moon would shine brightly enough to light his way back to the car. Stars. He remembered a time when every star symbolized a wish to come true for him. And the moon. The moon was the gift he had planned on roping. Max sighed deeply. What a fool he'd been then. Believing in the stars. Believing in dreams and fairy tales. Strange. For someone who no longer believed in fairy tales he sure had been talking about them a lot lately. With Kendall. No, with Liz. Boy, he was really going to have to get used to that. Now if he could only find out more about her... The sound of giggles reached Max's ears and pulled him out of his reverie. He stopped and looked around him, trying to determine the direction of the laughter when he suddenly realized it was coming from directly up ahead and to the right. He quickly glanced at the map in his hand and glanced back up. That was supposed to be in the direction of the chapel. He heard the giggles again and something powerful propelled him forward as Max swiftly headed down a path toward the direction of the childlike sounds. ~~~~~~~~ Her deep brown eyes locked with his. At first, she looked frightened...like she'd certainly turn and vanish into the night, much like the singing angel in his dreams. Then in the next instant with her eyes still locked onto his, a slow mischievous smile began to take control of her little rosebud lips. She coyly turned away from him and sat on the one stone bench at the front of the gutted chapel being careful to smooth out the creases of her white flowing dress. The roof of the darkening cobblestone chapel was open to the sky due to large branches having fallen through to the floor during a recent storm. Max fancied a conspiracy between the chapel and the nearby trees to ruin the roof for this one purpose...to illuminate the throne of the little Princess who graced this place with her presence. A sudden movement from her caused Max to focus back on her face as she looked at him and gracefully patted the seat next to her. The invitation being given was in a manner so familiar to him, but he couldn't place his finger on where he'd seen it before. Max hesitated not sure exactly what to do. If given the chance, his favorite place in the world to be right now would not be sitting in a run-down chapel with a little girl...no matter what spell this place and the child had begun to cast on him. He was clearly out of his element. What would happen if she wanted to play tea party or something? Barbara was right. He hadn't the faintest idea what to do when it came to children. Yet she seemed so open...even eager...for his company. And she was so beautiful with her long dark hair and twinkling dark eyes he'd barely been able to take his eyes off of her. Very much like an enchanted little elf. Maybe she knew the secrets of a world he'd never be able to discover on his own. Perhaps just a few minutes wouldn't hurt him any... "What's your name?" Max asked once he followed her and sat down next to her. "Garden Princess." Was her sweet, enigmatic reply. Max smiled at the fairy-like name not the least bit surprised. "Garden Princess, huh? So, where did you get a name like that?" "From my subjects, of course." She said with a properly graceful wave of her hand as if they were right before them. "Oh. Of course." Max looked around the dimly lit chapel then returned his gaze to her upturned face. "Well, where are these subjects of yours?" "Everywhere." "But, I don't see anyone." "Of course not, silly." She leaned forward and whispered to him. "They're invincible." Max tried to hide his smile at her improper choice of words. "Don't you mean 'invisible'?" "No." Dark curls danced around her shoulders as she shook her head. "I mean invincible. You can't see them." She maintained stubbornly. "Ah, I see. My mistake." Max glanced back around the chapel once more as an uncomfortable silence filled the room. His mind was desperately trying to come up with something else to say. Before he got a chance, she leaned toward him and asked, "Do you want to know why I'm a princess?" Max smiled down into her sparkling eyes so full of childish fairy tales and dreams grateful she'd chosen to speak. "Sure. Why are you a princess?" She sat up properly, holding her head high as if she really were royalty. "Because my mommy is the queen. I've never seen her cuz she's been out fightin' the Evil Wizard. But I just know she's got to be the most booutiful mommy in all the world. Grandnanny says so." Max stared at her in amazement. He couldn't tell if she was pretending or if she really believed the story she was weaving for him. "You're mommy is out fighting an evil wizard, huh? Does he have magic spells that she has to ward herself against?" "Uh-huh. Mommy has a magic potion that she drinks that keeps her safe. That's why she's out fighting the wizard. She's the oooonly one who can and not be dest'oyed." She announced proudly flipping her long dark curls behind her shoulder as her dimples deepened in her cheeks. "I see." Max said not really seeing anything at all. He couldn't quite understanding what magic land this little slip of a girl was living in but something about her made him want to stay. Which was a first for him. Usually children made him want to run in the opposite direction. Not because he didn't like children. He just never really knew what to say to them when he was around them. Somehow, this little beauty made it easy. "So, do you have a secret potion you take to keep you safe?" She shook her head solemnly. "No. But when I'm here in my secret garden no one can hurt me. Mommy protected this place just for me. She surrounded it with my invincible subjects who make me invincible to the evil wizard too." A confused look flashed over Max's face. "But...we're not in a garden." She looked at him as if he'd lost his mind. "Sure we are, silly. Don't you see it all around us?" She asked as she looked around, her childish eyes apparently seeing things that only her imagination could conjure up. Suddenly she turned to him and grabbed his hand and began to tug on it as she jumped off the bench. "Come on. I'll show ya!" Max allowed her to pull him up and drag him toward the wall as he began to chuckle at her childish energy and exuberance. He pulled up short and his smile faded quickly when his eyes connected with the wall in front of him with complete awe and amazement. Before him was a mural of sorts painted on the stone walls of the church. It was a wonder he hadn't seen it before. Three of the four walls were painted as if from a scene straight out of "The Secret Garden" or some other fairy tale. There were trees with low branches Max could imagine climbing to get a better view of the lake just beyond the wall that was in the background. As Garden Princess led him around the chapel he saw a world full of roses and wisteria vines, weeping willows and hydrangia bushes, spanish moss hanging from the tallest of trees, tulips and daisies, and flowers he'd never knew existed before. Every imaginable color was available for the eye to behold. Blue skies, a crystal lake, green grass that would never wither and die and flowers bursting with a brilliance that rivaled those he'd seen in real life. This enchanted realm even came equipped with a castle deep in the backdrop and what looked like miniature soldiers to guard the gates. The trees that dipped their leaves over the open roof combined with real vines that crept through the chapel walls only served to authenticate the dreamland Max felt as if he'd stepped into. Princess pulled him back down onto the stone bench as she completed the tour of her garden, her childish chatter not having stopped in her excitement to show him everything. She was so proud of her place...her special garden...and it poured out from her every word and action. "Do ya like it?" Max looked around once more as a brilliant smile lit his face. "I love it. It's unlike anything I've ever seen." He whispered quietly before turning back to her. She clapped her hands excitedly. "Goodie! That means you'll come back some time and play with me, huh?" The lonely plea in her eyes nearly broke his heart. There was simply no way he could resist. And even if he could, he knew deep in his heart he didn't want to. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and impulsively pulled her to him. "You bet, Princess." That her little arms wrapped around him as far as they could go to give him a hug not only surprised him but filled his heart in a way he'd never known before. She quickly drew back and looked up into his face a happy light shining in her eyes. For a moment he got the strangest feeling. As if he'd seen those eyes before... Max leaned forward being drawn into this little girl's fancy more and more each second. "So, am I your only guest or do you invite just anybody to your secret garden?" She shook her shiny dark head with a slight frown. "Oh, no. Not just anybody. I have to be careful of the Evil Wizard, don't you remember?" "Oh, that's right. The Evil Wizard." Max responded. "Have you ever seen the Evil Wizard?" She shook her head emphatically causing her curls to bounce delightfully around her shoulders. "Oh, no. I've never seen him in person." "Well, than how do you know who he is? I mean, I could be the Evil Wizard and you wouldn't even know it." "Yes, I would." With a confident nod of her royal head. "How?" She tilted her head to the side as she thought, reminding Max of someone. She turned her large dark eyes full of seriousness on him. "Cuz my heart tells me so." "Because your heart...?" Max studied her for a moment surprised by the maturity of her thoughts mixed in with her child-like faith. Who was this little girl and where did she come from? And who taught her how to dream up these fairy tale worlds and listen to her heart? The more he watched her the more intrigued he became. "So, what does your heart tell you about me?" The sweet pretty smile dimpled her rosy cheeks. "You’re Mr. Prince Charming." She declared sweetly. Max started to laugh. "I'm Prince..." He shook his head in disbelief. Her little mind was such a mystery. "What makes you think I'm Prince Charming?" Her feet began to swing in front of her as she looked up at the ceiling of the chapel becoming lost in thought. "Well, cuz… Cuz you're eyes sparkle like all of the Prince Charming's in my books and…cuz you're searchin' for your Princess." "Searching for my Princess." Max repeated incredulously becoming more and more bewildered by this child's responses with each passing moment. "Uh-huh. That is why you're here, right?" She asked innocently not knowing the effect her words would have on him. Why was he here? The EMG dock renovation project, of course, would be his first answer. But even Max knew it was more than that. He'd come to New Haven to find Kendall and instead found a woman named Liz calling herself Kendall. In confusion, and frustration he'd gone to the garden to find some peace and answers...and instead found his singing angel. Now, a day later he finds this charming little girl who called herself 'Garden Princess' and claimed he was Prince Charming. Why was he still here in the midst of all this mystery and enchantment? For a man of reality and hard cold facts, at that moment, he hadn't the foggiest idea. Max shook his head. "I'm not really sure why I'm here, Princess. Maybe you can help me with that. How would I know if I'm looking for my Princess?" She put a finger up to her cheek as if she were thinking. "Well...first, do you already have a princess?" Max shook his head. "Nope. Afraid not." "Kay. Do you wanna princess?" She asked once again beginning to swing her legs in front of her. Max shrugged beginning to enjoy playing this childish game. "I guess so. What Prince Charming in his right mind wouldn't, huh?" She put her pretty little hands up to her cover her mouth as she giggled, her laughter giving Max the warmest feeling inside. "Right." She agreed with a cute bounce of her head. "Then I guess you're lookin' for your princess, you just don't know who she is yet." "I see." Max let out a dramatic sigh that sent the Princess into a fit of giggles. "So, now that I know I'm looking for a princess, how do I find her?" The little girl got up from the bench and surprised him by standing in front of him. Without saying a word she began twirling as if she'd forgotten all about him being there. Max leaned forward and watched her a moment. She couldn't be more than 5 or 6 years old yet her form was perfect in the way she held her head and her arms. And the strength she had to spin on her toes was amazing to him. Max was no talent scout, but even he could see the talent this little spirited princess possessed. Suddenly she stopped as quickly as she began and came to stand directly in front of him. She reached up and put each of her tiny hands against his face. As her dark eyes held his for a moment, Max an incredible sense of déjà vu. As if he'd seen her before. As if those eyes had spoken to him in a dream or read his soul in another life somehow. She tilted her head to the side and turned the corner of her rosebud lips up into a smile. "Wish for her. Wish on the stars. And when they give her to you, you'll know you have a love that'll last aaaallll the way till the happily ever after." Suddenly a distant bell was heard ringing and the little girl's hands flew to her mouth again. Gone was the little girl with the poise of royal mystery enshrouding her and in her place was the expression of a little girl caught doing something she shouldn't. "Oh, no. I forgot! I gotta go!" She turned to run away then stopped, quickly turned around and kissed Max sweetly, unexpectedly on the cheek. Then she turned and ran out the door waving and calling over her shoulder, "Bye, Mr. Prince Charming!" before he had a chance to react. Max was speechless. He had no idea what just happened. What was it with this town anyway? Ever since he stepped foot here he'd run into beautiful creatures all over the place. Creatures with two things in common...they always disappeared long before he was ready to let them go and they never gave him a straight answer when he asked their name. Max sighed and shrugged his shoulders as he leaned back and looked up into the night sky. Why not? Max picked a star and did something he hadn't done in years. He made a wish. And the stars heard him... ~~~~~~~~~~~ His eyes as green as the Emerald Isles he called home cut through the tension at the table. "So what are ye sayin'?" His thickly accented question pierced through to the very heart of their dilemma. "I’m sayin' that Paddy's been captured." An equally thick accent replied back as his eyes darted to each person at the round table, his message weighing heavily on each mind. "That without him, our plan canna go forward." His hand slammed down on the table shaking the glasses half-full of ale sitting by his side. "That's not acceptable, Gavin. Not acceptable at all." "What would ye have us do, Colin?" Gavin asked as he leaned forward, his nervousness evident in the way he twisted his cap in his hand. "We canna very well go visit him in prison now, can we? Paddy’s the best. Without him, our plan’s as good as dead." Colin leaned back and rubbed the stubble on his chin, a sign to those who knew him best that he was truly worried by this new piece of information. Suddenly his Irish eyes began to shine and a crooked smile twisted his pouty lips. "I got it, lads. If we canna go to Paddy, we'll just have to bring Paddy to us." Ned, a short-tempered redhead sitting across the table from Colin snorted and threw back his head. "And just how do ye plan to do that, Colin?" Colin's scheming smile deepened as his eyes flitted from one anxious face to the other. "Two words, lads. Max Evans." to be continued.... |
| posted on 21-Oct-2001 8:05:48 AM |
| ~Chapter 8~
Liz was up long before the morning sun. She hadn't been able to concentrate at all the previous afternoon at work once V dropped Max's little bombshell on her. She couldn't believe him. Of all the low down things to do, volunteering at a children's center had to be the lowest! Liz ended up taking work home that evening so she could get caught up. By the time she went to bed she was exhausted. But even then, she couldn't sleep. Bits and pieces of conversations with Max kept rolling around in her mind causing her to toss and turn almost as if she were fighting an unseen foe. Around 3:30 she decided to give up trying to get any sleep and decided to put her time to good use. She got out a notepad and pen and began jotting down ideas…for payback. If Max was determined to make her life a living hell, then he'd better be prepared to receive the same. Sometime around 6:00 she was able to fall back asleep again with a devilish grin on her face and a notepad full of scribbles by her side. ~~~~~~~~~ Across town in a tiny cottage, an alarm clock rang a wake up call to a man who'd slept soundly the whole night through. Max hit the off button and smiled as he stretched himself awake. Ahhh. This is it. The day I begin to blow Kendall Blake's…uh, Liz's…world apart. Max chuckled to himself as his eyes began to shine with mischief his thoughts drifting to how he'd gotten her back for yesterday's little tour stunt. He hadn't had this much fun in what seemed like a lifetime. In fact, he couldn't remember the last time the beginning of a day had dawned so brightly. Max sat up, turned the radio on and threw the covers off him. He began to hum along with the tune coming from the speakers as a few words of the song began to filter into his mind. "…just like the games with you and me. Resolution hard to see. But that's ok. Cuz I don't see things that are plain to see. I've got a dream to take you over. Exploding like a supernova. I'm gonna crash into your world. And that's no lie..." "…if there's a way to infiltrate you. Sway your mind and complicate you. I'm gonna crash into your world. And that's no lie…" Max's grin deepened. Yeah. That's exactly what he wanted to do. Crash into her world. In fact, when he was done, her life would never be the same. Just like his hadn't since the second he laid eyes on her. Max let out a sigh. Time to get ready. He had the life of a beautiful brunette to complicate... ~~~~~~~~~~~ Max was waiting in the lobby for her when Liz arrived. His dazzling smile and cheery "Good morning" combined with her lack of sleep for the last two nights automatically put Liz in a bad mood. Good thing she was prepared for him today. All she needed was ten minutes alone and he wouldn't know what hit him… "Max." She nodded curtly to him before taking a sip of her coffee and walking toward V's desk to pick up her messages. Just the glimpse of him she'd already gotten nearly blew her away and made her knees go weak. In fact, she had a hard time making it to the desk without tripping and spilling her coffee. He was wearing a medium gray suit and deep cranberry tie that that blended nicely with his skin tones and thick dark hair and brought out the chestnut hues in his sparkling eyes. The suit was nice. And expensive. Hope he isn't too attached to it. "Good morning, V." Liz turned back to Max and tried to put some warmth into her voice. "So, the big, bad wolf has made his way into our home for good, huh? Well, we certainly need the help and don't begrudge the extra hands. Just make sure you don't get the urge to eat us in lieu of grandmother." Max's grin broadened as he thrust his hands into his pocket. "Don't worry. I had a large breakfast." "Really? Anyone I know?" Liz quipped just as carefully shifted her laptop from one hand to the other. Chuckling, Max leaned forward slightly his eyes snapping with undeniable hunger as his gaze quickly raked over her from head to toe then back up lingering briefly along the modest neckline of her pale pink sweater before burning with intensity when they rested longingly on her rose colored lips. The devilish curve of his sensual lips matched the suggestively aimed whisper when his eyes flicked back up to meet hers. "Not yet. But I am more than willing to sample any delicacies that you might be offering. Right now, I'm thinking a chocolate topped raspberry tart is definitely in order." Liz's mouth went dry. Her mind frantically searched for a witty come back but discarded every last one of them as being lame and falling woefully short of the strength required to battle the bright bursts of amber in Max's darkening eyes. Feeling a tingle of desire run up and down her spine, Liz's fingernails dug into the Styrofoam coffee cup and her back straightened with determination. Max Evans was not going to unnerve her like this every time he was within speaking distance. She simply wouldn't let him. A slender eyebrow rose right along with the perfect double entendre comment to shut him down. At least, she hoped it would. "In that case, it's too bad the bakery is closed." The twinkle in his eyes let her know she'd failed. "Is it now?" Max shrugged casually as a thoughtful expression masked the intention of his words. "So, tell me. Is that just for me or for all potential customers?" Liz glanced around her, the corners of her mouth twitching with amusement. "Do you see anyone else asking to raid the cookie jar?" "Believe me, Kendall…" Max's voice lowered intimately. "…if all I wanted was a cookie, this is the last place I'd be." "Really?" Despite herself, Liz's curiosity was piqued by his response. They were in a childrens' shelter after all. "Why is that?" "Because cookies are common. And you…" Max's eyes raked over Liz again as his hand unconsciously drifted upward to push a wayward piece of hair away from her face back behind her ear. "…are anything but that." Liz fought the urge to close her eyes and just drink in the sensation of his fingers feathering through her hair. She swallowed hard her faltered question coming out in a whisper. "I…I am?" Max took a slight step forward and leaned in closer, his fingers still tangled in her thick locks and his eyes never leaving hers as they became dazed and focused solely on him. "Yes. You definitely are. In fact, you’re the rare dessert that makes a mouth water and an appetite become insatiable with just one look." Max's fingers drifted to the exposed skin of Liz's creamy neck to brush lightly and send delightful chills of fire coursing through her. "The kind that makes a man want to take his time devouring you so that every single last morsel is enjoyed to completion…" "Good grief! Kendall, it looks like it's gonna be another one of those days." The conversation was halted when V hung up the phone with a decided click then scooped up a pile of papers and walked up to Liz. Handing her the pile of messages she'd just taken, V shook her head. "I'm telling you, you are one hot chick today. Seems like everyone wants a piece of you." A slow smile drifted over Max's lips and his eyes held a hint of mischief as his point had been proven by unexpected means. He raised his eyebrows in a slight wiggle. "See what I mean?" God, he has the most amazing eyes. And that slow, sexy smile… God, Liz, you've got to get a hold of yourself. You've not even been with him ten minutes and he's already gotten to you…twice. Liz's gaze wavered uncertainly for a moment before her chin came up in defiance and her hand forcefully brushed his away. The shields around her heart were at full strength now as her eyes flashed with fire. "Don't dig in too soon there, Max. You're on my time now." She cast Max a determined glare as she clear her throat and quickly donned a coat of aloofness while reaching for the messages from V. Instead of going back to her desk V stood there staring at Max with complete unabashed adoration. Liz flipped quickly through her messages, as the smile of amused admiration directed toward Liz turned to V uncomfortably. Liz glanced up in time to see the awestruck expression on V's face and the look of annoyance flash in Max's eyes before his fake smile deepened to brighten the room. She glanced back and forth between the two of them. Should she? For some reason the thought of him spending more time with an obviously adoring fan sent a pang of…something…flowing through her. Nah. Not today. Today he was all hers. But it was good to know she had a back-up torture plan in case her others failed. On second thought, she did need a momentary distraction. "Thank you, V, for the messages." She turned to Max. "I hope you don’t mind, but it looks like I have a few phone calls to make now that can't wait. Why don't I have V show you around her area for a few minutes so you get a feel for what we do here?" Max's smile abruptly disappeared and she saw his adam's apple bob up and down as he swallowed. "You…you will be coming back, right?" Liz bit back a smile. "Yes, I'll be back. It'll only take about ten minutes then I'll show you to your first assignment." Relief flashed in the depths of his amber eyes. Until he saw the knowing twinkle in hers. Get a grip, Max. If you don't show your weaknesses she can't use them against you like she did yesterday. Max nodded in agreement and flashed a smile that could make ice cream melt. Liz certainly felt the effect in her knees as they wobbled unexpectedly. She took a deep breath and tried to still the butterflies that had begun to flutter in her stomach. If she could just concentrate on her plans, everything would be fine. He'd be out of her life in no time and she wouldn't have to worry anymore about things like breathing and thinking and keeping her legs strong and steady whenever she got a whiff of his cologne… Max's agreement interrupted her thoughts. "Ok. That sounds like a plan." "Good." Liz turned to V who had just gotten off the phone. "V. I'm going to entrust our new volunteer here to your care for a few moments. I need to make a few phone calls so why don't you show Max what you do at the front desk." V beamed before jumping from her seat and rushing around the desk. "OK!" She grabbed Max's hand and practically jerked him from the spot where he was standing. Liz smiled to herself and shook her head. Poor guy. No. Poor was what he'd been what *she* got through with him. As she started to back away, Liz left V one more instruction. "Oh, and V…since Max seems a bit hungry, why don't you find him a bag of cookies to chew on…" She held back her laughter at the expression on Max's face and her eyes took on a wicked sparkle as she headed off down the hall. She was unaware that Max was craning his neck to keep an eye on her for as long as he could...as if he was trying to hold on to his last bit of hope before it disappeared around the corner leaving him to sink in V's endless chatter. As soon as Liz turned the corner, she headed for her office, dropped her things on her desk and took off toward the supply room. She quickly grabbed several large paper clips, glue, tape, a few marbles, copier toner and a box full of spreadsheets. She headed off toward the old workroom and began to set her plan in motion. Ten minutes later she wiped the dust off her hands and smoothed her skirt with a satisfied smile. That ought to do it. She let out a contented sigh. Who ever knew years ago that paying more attention to the 'lessons' the repair guy taught her than to her tutor would come in handy some day? She rounded the corner in time to catch V regaling Max with the story about how she got the award for selling the most cookies one year in Girl Scouts. His glazed expression told Liz everything she needed to know about how his last 10 minutes had gone. "Well, Max, are you ready for you're first assignment?" Liz asked as she walked up to the desk. Until he heard Liz's voice, Max had been in a self-induced daze. Fortunately in his line of work he'd toned his 'tuning out the unnecessary conversation' skills and knew when to pick up on and respond to relevant information. Unfortunately, in V's case, none of it was. So, he let his mind wander...to Liz. And how incredibly beautiful she looked today. She had on a pale pink sweater set that accentuated her every curve and a short black skirt that showed off her beautiful legs. Her business like demeanor was a side he hadn't seen before and one that could definitely keep his interest...along with every other side he'd seen so far. Somehow he got the impression there were way too many sides to discover in just two weeks. And he wanted to know them all. This little project of his might turn into something a little more permanent if he didn't watch himself. Not to mention the way her eyes clouded over with desire when they'd been talking earlier. Bantering was actually more like it. Fun, quick, flirtatious banter with a whole heap of truth behind the suggestive words. God, she was so good at that. Letting him tower above her in verbal victory only to deftly stab him with a witty comeback that almost left him speechless. Or a look that made him loose all sense of himself. And the way she fought to keep from sinking under his spell when his fingers ran through her hair… Max let out a sigh. Yes, she was truly a mesmerizing woman. A look of relief swept across his face and he smiled suddenly when he heard her voice a question that would extract him from certain boredom. "Lead the way." As they were walking down the hall far out of V's earshot, Max commented. "Thank you. For a moment there I thought you were going to permanently assign me to be V's assistant." Liz glanced up at him. "Thanks isn't necessary. I did it for me not you." "For you?" Max asked his voice suddenly taking on a suggestive meaning. "Jealous, perhaps?" Liz rolled her eyes. "Don't get so excited. I simply meant that if I put you with V, we'd never get any work out of her for all the stars in her eyes. It was a purely administrative move on my part." Max's eyes began to sparkle. "Uh-huh. Jealous." He shook his head and began to chuckle. "I love it." Liz just shrugged her shoulders in an effort to ward off the feeling that his words had a bit of truth to them. "Whatever you have to tell yourself to make it through the day." Because what I have planned for you, you'll definitely need it. A mischievous sparkle came into her eyes as she led him toward a room at the end of the hall. "And just what do you tell yourself to make it through the night?" Max's question caused Liz to glance up at him sharply. "Excuse me?" "When you're lying in bed…all alone. And you see visions of…" "Sugar plums dancing in my head?" Liz quickly finished the old children's rhyme to stop the images Max's words were sure to conjure up. There was no way she was going to let him gain another inch in this tug of war they were playing. He'd already closed the distance between them too much as it was. Max had to hide a chuckle as Liz's eyes raked over him meaningfully. "Huh. I didn't picture you as the Old St. Nick type, but hey…stick around till Christmas and we just might be able to use that." Stopping suddenly, Liz inclined her head toward a closed door and ignored the knowing smirk on Max's face. He was no dummy, that was for sure. He knew exactly what she was up to with the sudden change of topics. That much was evident in his bright, dancing eyes. Damn him for being able to read me so well. That just means its time to pour on the charm… Liz cleared her throat. "Well. Here we are." She turned to Max, her back to the door, and clasped her hands in front of her. "So, tell me the truth. Are you sure you're ready for what awaits you behind door number 1 here?" A cocky grin spread over Max's face. "Hand me a spoon, Beautiful, because I'm ready for anything you want to dish out." A dark eyebrow raised as Liz fought to hide a smile by biting her lower lip. "Well, then I guess we should get started…" The room was sparsely decorated. It had one table, shelves and a copy machine along the wall. Obviously a work room. There was a bulletin board with messages of planned activities and reminders from various workers. There were two boxes in the middle of the table along with several city directories and phone books. Liz and Max walked fully into the room. "I'm not really quite sure what you expected when you volunteered. I hope it wasn't for things here to be as exciting or challenging as the dog-eat-dog world of corporate raiding. But, I think you'll find what we do here is meaningful work even if it can be tedious at times." Max watched her as she walked around to the head of the table. Suddenly, he got this gut feeling that something wasn't quite right. She was being too...what was the word? Too agreeable...too complaisant…too calm about the present situation to not raise a questioning eyebrow. He had certainly expected her to put up more of a fight than she was. Maybe she'd resigned herself to his presence. Somehow he didn't think that was the case. "It doesn't matter to me. I find a way of always having fun with whatever I do." Max stated confidently with a shrug. "I'm just here to help." Liz glanced up and eyed him carefully. That almost sounded sincere. Almost...but not quite. No, she couldn't bring herself to believe he was only here out of the goodness of his heart. "Well, good then. You'll have lots of fun with these." Liz pulled out a stack of papers and plopped them on the table. "I'm sure you're aware that although we receive some state funding, most of our financial support comes from donors. These here are a list of donors from the past 6 months. We're going to be sending out a mailing soon and we need someone to go through this list. You just happened to be that lucky person." "Now, what we need you to do is check the addresses listed here against the addresses in the latest phone books or directories. This will help us with…" Max raised his hand to stop her. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but don't you have a database that has all of this information in it already?" Liz looked down at the table unable to meet his eyes when she lied. "Uh, no. We still do the old method of searching. Someday we'll try to bring the center into the 21st century, but for right now you'll just have to do." Max narrowed his eyes. Why didn't he believe her? Maybe because she couldn't meet his eyes. Or maybe it was the sudden rose colored flush of her cheeks. Or maybe he was just being paranoid…. "Ok. So what do I do again?" Liz let out a little sigh of relief. That had been close. "Just double check the addresses with the phone book. Then when you're done with that…." Liz walked over to the other box and pulled out a stack of papers. "I need you to make three copies of each stack, front and back. Only I need them collated and stapled. Then stacked in rows according to months, alphabetizing them within each month." Max looked at her like she'd gone crazy. A slow smile crossed her face. "Max? Did you get all of that?" Max cleared his throat unwilling to let on that he had no idea what she just said. "Of course, I did. I'm not completely helpless in an office, you know." Seeing the doubt in her eyes he added, "Look, I run a multi-trillion dollar corporation every day, I can handle a copier and some staples." Liz's smile deepened knowingly. "Riiight." She moved toward the door. "Ok. Well, that's about it. If you have any questions, my office is right across the hall. Have fun!" She closed the door behind her leaving Max alone to stare at the pile of papers in front of him while she went to her office to wait… ~~~~~~~~ Three hours later, Max leaned back with a sigh of relief. He hadn't done this kind of mindless detail work since he first started at his father's company over 6 years ago. He got up and walked around needing to stretch his legs for a moment. He'd discarded his suit jacket almost immediately when Liz left and dove right into the work she'd given him trying his best to prove he was indeed useful to her. Even if it only was at some menial task. He wanted her to know that he wasn't there to cause problems. He was actually there to help. That way, she just might listen to him for once instead of jumping to conclusions. Maybe once and for all he could tell her the truth about his role in this whole twisted scheme his brother had pulled him into. Max turned when he heard the door open hoping to find Liz's beautiful face looking in on him. Instead he saw V's dazed smile and tried his best to return a smile with as much warmth. “Hi! I just thought I’d check on you and see how you’re doing and to bring you this.” V’s perky voice announced as she entered the room with a tray of snacks and a drink for him. “Thanks.” Max said as he took the drink from her. “Doing fine. I’m finally done with all of these lists.” He gestured toward the piles of papers on the table. “What lists are you working on?” V asked as she came over to look at the work he’d been doing. “Donor’s lists from the past 6 months.” Max explained as he popped a cookie in his mouth. “Donor’s lists? But...why in the world would she have you...” V picked up the lists full of notes that Max had written and began shaking her head. “Are you sure Kendall told you to go through these? Max answered somewhat uncertainly. “Yes, she did. Why?” V looked up at him as he took a quick drink of the soda she’d brought him. “Well, I’ve already entered these in the system.” At V's words, Max nearly choked on his drink. He cleared his throat. “You...you what?” “I’ve entered these in the database. You know...in the computer. In fact, I just got done with these just last week. See the date at the bottom and my initials?” V held a paper up to him for him to see. Max’s face went white then it turned red. She tricked him again. And what was worse, she lied to him in addition to that. He should have known! In fact, he did know! He knew something was up the way she was so obliging! He'd just wasted 3 hours of his valuable time doing work that had already been done. Who knows what businesses he might have been able to topple if he hadn't been needlessly playing secretary. She really was asking for war. "Max? Max, are you alright?" V asked with concern. Max's stunned gaze shifted to V's face. "Uh, yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. Let me get this straight. You do have a database where all donors are listed." V nodded her head. "Yeah, we do. In fact, Kendall's the one who has basically technologized this place. She's gotten us all the latest software and made our record keeping a whole lot easier. I'm surprised she didn't tell you." Max shook his head as his jaws tightened. "I'm not." He said tersely. Noticing the shocked look on V's face, Max tried to hide his irritation with a smile. "She's so busy I'm sure it just slipped her mind. Is she in her office now?" "Uh, no. She's with one of the kids." V said hesitantly. Max pursed his lips as the wheels in his head began to turn. "Alright then. Let me ask you before I do something else that doesn't need to be done…" Max walked to the table and indicated the papers that needed to be copied. "…have these been copied yet?" V looked at them. "No, they haven't. Now these are something that do need to be done. I just haven't had the chance…" "Fine." Max said rather curtly. "I'll copy these and if Kendall returns before I'm done, will you let her know I'd like a moment with her please?" Recognizing the authoritative dismissal in his voice, V nodded and moved to the door. "Sure. I'll let her know as soon as I see her." She slipped out of the room and almost ran right into Liz who was standing outside the door waiting for her. "Well? What happened?" Liz whispered. V shrugged a look of confusion clouding her eyes. "He didn't seem to even know we had a database. Kendall, why didn't you tell him…" Liz shook her head impatiently. "Never mind that now. Was he angry? Upset? What?" "Well, he seemed surprised and irritated, but calm." "Calm? He was calm??" Liz hadn't been expecting that one. A mischievous glint made her eyes sparkle. "Well, that'll change." V looked at her like she'd lost her mind. "What's going on with you and Max?" "Oh, don't worry, V. It's just a game Max wanted to play….and I intend to win." ~~~~~~~ Inside the room Max was pacing in front of the table his mind racing with thoughts and questions. He really couldn't blame her. He'd actually expected resistance. He just thought she would be more vocal about it. Instead she'd chosen to take the subtle route to prove her point. But what point was she trying to prove? That she didn't want him around? That much was obvious. But it wasn't the reason for the stunt she pulled. No, she was trying to tell him something else. What was it though? That she didn't need his help? Nah. He suspected that if push came to shove and she really did need help with this place, she'd be willing to at least consider taking help even from him. She cared too much about the work here to let personal feelings get in the way. Finally, Max let out a sigh and shrugged his shoulders. On second thought, she was way too complicated to figure out in a few minutes. And he had things to do. Why waste time right now trying to figure it out? Suddenly, a slow smile came to his lips. That was it! She was trying to tell him he was wasting his time with her. Max shook his head and started to chuckle. If she only knew how patient he could be when it was something he really wanted… Max quickly found his cell phone and dialed his Manhattan office number. "Hi, Barbara. Max. Listen, I need you to send something to me. I want you to go in my office and get my box…" "You mean the box? The one Diana gave you?" Barbara asked in amazement. "Yeah, that's the one. I want you to gift wrap it and send it to me…" "But Max, that's your special box. Are you sure…?" Alright. Now things were going a little too far. "Yes, Barbara, I know it's my special box. Just…just do it ok? Oh, and by the way, I need it delivered to me by this afternoon." "This afternoon? But Max, that's impossible…" "Nothing's impossible, Barbara. I don't care how much it costs…even if you have to send Steve down with the jet. I want it this afternoon." "Yes, sir. Gift wrapped, huh? What kind? Are we talking for a business associate?" Barbara knew the answer to that one long before she asked it. No doubt this hair-brained idea was another Kendall Blake initiated moves. "No, make the paper outlandishly beautiful. With ribbons and bows." "Ribbons and bows." Barbara repeated unsure of what she was hearing. "And the card?" Max shook his head. "No card. I'll handle that in my own special way." "I'm sure you will." Barbara said under her breath. Not hearing her, Max continued. "Thanks, Barbara. I'll check in with you later to see the progress…" "Uh, Max." Barbara stopped him before he tried to hang up. "Aren't you even going to ask how things are going? You know…with the EMG…." "Oh, right. How are things going on negotiations with the Darrs?" Barbara rolled her eyes at the sound in his voice. He was distracted and seemed to only be asking out of politeness. Not to mention the fact that he got the name of the business owner's wrong. If she didn't know Max better, she would say this woman had managed to put a spell on him. "It's the Carrs, Max. And they are going great. In fact, so great that all you have to do is sign the contract. It came in this morning with their signature." "Great!" Max said, finally tuning in to what Barbara was saying. "Send it to me with the box. Oh, and how's the deal with Parker Industries going? Do we have sole ownership of the gear company yet?" "Emily Parker called and left you a message. I've got it right…." Barbara explained as she ruffled through some papers. "Ah, here it is. She said to tell you the deal is in the bag at your offering price. She hopes you enjoy your new venture…even if it takes you to EMG." Max smiled into the phone. Emily Parker always was a sharp one. "She leave any messages for Michael?" "No. She just said to be careful. New Haven can be a challenging town." "So I'm discovering…" Max said more to himself than to Barbara. "Alright. Send the details to me on that as well. I want that company in my pocket by tomorrow evening. There's an EMG board meeting I plan on crashing. Oh, what about the purchase on the property?" "Everything went fine. It's costing you a pretty penny that's for sure. But it's a done deal and I have the papers right here in front of me. I'll send them along with everything else." Barbara stated. "Great! Things are working out just great." Max commented as the wheels began to turn in his head. "Ok. Anything else?" "I don't believe so…" "Good. I'll check in with you later then." Max clicked the off button on his phone as a sly smile spread over this face. Everything was working right according to plan. That is everything except Liz. Then again, he really didn't have a plan with her. How could one plan for an unexpected, thoroughly intriguing, surprise-a-minute enigma like her? Max put his phone away and turned his attention to the copier. After playing with the buttons for a moment, he found the settings he was looking for to copy the files Liz asked him to. Collated--on. Stapler--on. Double-sided. Good. Everything was set. He grabbed up his first pack and placed it in the paper feeder then set the number of copies to 3, hit the start button and stood back to wait for the job's completion. As the copier hummed along a satisfied grin came to Max's lips. He crossed his arms in front of him and relaxed against the table. See. That hadn't been so hard. And here Liz had doubted his ability to operate office machinery…. Suddenly, his smile disappeared as a loud banging noise coming from the copier filled the room. The copier began to shake a little and Max jumped to his feet and hovered over it trying to see where the noise was coming from. "What in the world….?" Before the words were out of his mouth, papers began shooting from the copier output trays in every direction. Max dove for the flying records but they were coming too fast for him to catch. "Damn!" Max exploded as the documents quickly began making a pile of white on the floor. Max jumped back in front of the copier and started hitting buttons….any buttons…to make it stop. He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration as another sound came from the beastly machine. This time it was a grinding noise. And with the grinding noise came the advent of jammed, crumpled up papers. He tried pulling them out, but they were stuck in the output bin. He couldn't budge them. That was it! Enough was enough! Max immediately began searching for the off switch. It took him longer than he'd expected as it was hidden in the back of the copier. The grinding noise sounded loudly in his ear as he had to get on his knees to reach all the way around to flip the switch off, all the while papers were jamming in his face. Max let out a relieved sigh when the clanking of the copier slowly died to a silent calm. Ok. Now to find out what's wrong with this thing. He didn't even think about asking for help. He knew the moment he did he'd never hear the end of it from Liz. Making a swift inspection of the machine's insides revealed a few loose marbles rolling around inside an empty paper bin, a couple of paper clips stretched out and strategically hooked inside the paper feeder. No wonder the paper was jamming. There was also tape holding down the number of copies buttons so that no matter what number he put in, the copier would automatically translate it to mean 'infinite number of copies'. Obviously these were put there on purpose… Liz. Why, that little sneak... There was one more obvious problem. The toner cartridge was low and needed to be replaced. That certainly couldn't be the cause of the awful noises. That was probably the marbles' doing, but at least the toner was one thing he knew how to fix. He removed the unwanted elements from the guts of the copier then glanced around the room. He found a box labeled 'toner' sitting in the corner. Alright. Things were starting to look up. Let's just see how she'd like it when he'd fix the copier and finish the job despite her best efforts to stop him. Max grinned slyly at the thought. He got the box out and put it on the table to open it. There was only one bottle of toner left. He reached in to grab it out of the box only to have his hand slip from its narrow neck when he tried to pick it up. "Now what?" Max asked out loud as he reached back in and grabbed the bottle with a firmer grip. He pulled upward again. It didn't budge. "You've got to be kidding me…" Max said in frustration as he put both hands on the bottle and yanked on it…hard. With that one jerk, the top of the bottle soared across the room as the box released its hold on the toner. The bottle itself, along with all of its contents, came flying straight at Max without warning. In the next instant, Max was covered in black toner from the top of his head all the way down the front of his crisp white shirt. "Dammit!" Max's anger erupted as he tossed the empty bottle back into the box. Just at that moment, the door opened as V and Liz rushed into the room. V's hands flew to her mouth when she saw Max's eyes, black with rage, blend perfectly with the dark soot on his face as he turn on them. "Oh my goodness! What happened?" Liz tried as hard as she could to not laugh, but couldn't help herself. Max's irritation, so clearly expressed in the way his hands were firmly planted on his hips and the way his eyes locked with hers in angry accusation sent her into a fit of giggles she simply couldn't control. She was laughing so hard, in fact, that tears were beginning to fall from the corners of her eyes. "Of all the low-down tricks…." Max began. He was so angry he could barely speak. She wasn't shocked in the least at what had happened to him. She wasn't shocked…because she'd planned it all. Well, he wasn't going to stand around and be made a fool of. In fact, he wasn't going to stay in this one-horse town any longer. No woman was worth it. He walked around the table, grabbed his suit jacket and headed toward the door stopping briefly when he reached Liz who had managed to stifle her laughter for the moment. He looked down at her, his eyes having turned a heated shade of furious. "Point made and taken. And you're right…I am wasting my time here." With that, he turned and angrily marched down the hall, Liz's muffled laughter ringing in his ears. When he reached the front door, he threw it open and almost rammed right into Maria. Maria' mouth dropped open when she saw him. "Holy Mackerel! Max? Is that really you under all that stuff?" "Yes. It's me." Max's anger was not even close to being under control and each word he spoke was clipped and hard. Maria bit back her laughter realizing it would probably only serve to make him more angry. She stepped in front of him and put her hands on her hips when she saw his attempt to sidestep her. "Uh-huh. You're not leaving till you tell me what she did to you." Max grunted at her before he ran his hand through his hair in frustration, a motion that only caused black flakes of toner to fall from his tousled hair. He shot a look of disgust at her. "I'll have you know that your little…friend in there is a world-class con-artist….acting all innocent and everything. She sabotaged the copier so it would go wacky on me! Then when I tried to switch out the toner, she rigged it to attack me!" Maria began to chuckle at his choice of words and Kendall's choice of action. She'd expected fireworks. Obviously, these two weren't going to disappoint her. "Sabotage? Attack? If I didn't know better, I'd say the two of you were in a war." "We are." Max confirmed his voice low with determination. "Really? And what's the prize?" Max looked stunned by her question. "What? What do you mean 'what's the prize?" "Exactly what I said. In every war there's an aggressor and a defender. Now, since you're on her turf, I'm thinking you're the aggressor, which means there's something you want. So, what is it?" Max threw his hands up. He'd had just about enough of the women in this town. He couldn't find a single one of them among the lot that wasn't sharp, stubborn, confusing, and who could see through his motives somehow. Was he really that transparent or had he just had the misfortune to land in the world of the most overly-perceptive female population known to mankind? "Look. For your information, she started this war. I was minding my own business. She's the one who barged into my office and threw a challenge in my face…unnecessarily, I might add." Max threw out in frustration. "In fact, I'm came here for one reason as far as Kendall is concerned. I came to tell her that her precious center is safe with me. I don't want it. I never wanted it. This was all a mistake. I came to tell her that my brother is the Evans boy she should be aiming her missiles at…not me!" Max crossed his arms in front of him, anger still pouring from his eyes and into every expression of face and body. "And you know what? I haven't even gotten the chance to do that. Since I showed up here 2 days ago, I've been tricked, manipulated, verbally abused, sabotaged and…and attacked without reprieve. Now you tell me…what 'prize' could I possibly want that would make me go through even an ounce of what that woman has already put me through in less than 48 hours?" Maria had been closely watching his reaction to her simple question. Yep. Just what she thought. He was hooked. That was the only logical explanation for his continued presence. Especially after all Kendall had put him through so far. Maria' grin deepened to show the dimples in her cheeks as her blue eyes started to sparkle with a hint of laughter. "Truth? I think you want her. See, my guess is that you are having the time of your life. That Kendall has thrown a challenge in your face that you can't refuse…and you wouldn't even if you could. That the games the two of you are playing with each other excite you in a way you can't deny." Max ignored the truth of her words as he scoffed in an unconvincing tone of voice and began to absently shake the soot-like toner from his hair. "That's crazy." "No. What's crazy is letting her win." Confusion flashed momentarily in Max's eyes when his head snapped up. "Wait a second here. Aren't you supposed to be her best friend?" "That's me. Best girlfriend in the whole wide world." Maria said with a nod of her head. Max's eyes narrowed warily. "But I could have sworn that I just heard you encourage me to not let her win. Shouldn't you be on her side?" "Oh, I am. In fact, if I thought for one moment you were in this to prove some macho point or to win another beautiful trophy to hang on your arm, I'd be the first one rushing you outta town." Maria eyed him carefully before making her next assessment known. "But I don’t think you're like that. At least not this time. Not with Kendall." She paused and pursed her lips in further contemplation before she shrugged. "Besides, you bring out a side of her I've never seen before. And I have to say it's quite interesting to watch." Max grunted again before mumbling as he reached for a handkerchief to wipe his face, his anger having cooled considerably. "What? Her conniving, vindictive side?" Maria chuckled at him. "No. Believe it or not, she's having as much fun as you are…she's just not good at showing it." Max's eyes darted back to Maria' face. "Fun? This is what she considers fun?" Max stood back and threw his arms out in a wide gesture. "Look at me. I'm a wreck! This suit is ruined and my time has been more than wasted!" Maria started laughing at his sudden outburst. "I have to admit, she certainly did a number on you. But there's always the next time…unless, of course, you plan on throwing in the towel so early in the game." Max shook his head in disbelief. "I just don't get it. Why are you so eager for me to play this out?" Maria shrugged. "Maybe I like seeing my best friend's eyes sparkle like I've never seen before. Or…maybe I'm just curious to see if you can top her latest move. Guess we'll just have to wait and find out." With the latest challenged tossed to Max, Maria winked with a grin and walked past him through the door. Max stood in stunned silence. Crazy. That's what they were. All of them were just plain crazy. No. What was crazy was that despite everything she'd gone through to get him to leave he'd actually just found the incentive he was looking for to stay. Could it be she really was having as much fun with this as he was? Just the thought made his heart leap in his chest. Max let out a sigh before he could stop himself. What was he doing? Maybe he was the one who was crazy. He had to be for letting her get to him like this. That and the fact that he was still standing in the middle of a parking lot covered in toner for all the world to see… Max glanced around then quickly walked to his car. Just as he was about to get in he noticed a white envelope on his windshield. He reached for it and opened it to find a short message written on the note inside. "Dear Wolf: I believe the score is now Home Team 2, Visitors 1. Ready for round 3?" Max grinned slightly in spite of himself as he glanced back toward the building. "Ready?" Max chuckled. "Ah, Liz. I'm looking forward to it." Tbc… |
| posted on 21-Oct-2001 5:47:12 PM |
| ~ chapter 9~
"So, where's Michael tonight?" Liz asked Maria as she plopped down on the couch in the luxurious penthouse suite that Michael and Maria called home. "Oh, he's up at the Big House in some big secret meeting with Edwin." Maria commented dryly as she handed a box of tapes, CDs and labels to Liz. Liz started to laugh. "The Big House? The way you make it sound, he's been sent up the river to prison or something." Maria shook her head. "Sometimes I feel like it, ya know? In fact, with that family, sometimes I feel like I've been dropped into the middle of a loony bin and there's no way to escape." A beautiful dreamy smile came over her face as a sigh escaped her lips. "Then I come home with my Mikey G and everything is just...perfect again." Liz started laughing. "Maria, although Michael is like a brother to me, there are times I'm completely convinced that you love that guy way too much for his own good." She teased as she picked up the first CD and began labeling it. Maria sat down with a dismissive wave of her hand and grabbed up a handful of labels herself. "Nah. Everyone deserves to have one person that drives them to distraction and is completely head over heels for them. Michael and I were just lucky enough to have it happen to us at the same time with the right person that's all." Liz let out a little sigh before chiding herself for allowing her thoughts to drift in Max's direction for the umptinth billion time today. "Too bad it's not that simple for everyone." Maria eyed Liz carefully as a tiny smile of knowledge hung on her lips. "And sometimes it's not as hard as you make it." Receiving no comment from the suddenly too-busy-to-hear-anything-let-alone-respond Liz, Maria ventured down a road she'd been dying to go since this morning as she leaned over and grabbed her daily planner, her comment appearing distracted. "Speaking of hard. You certainly gave Max a rough way to go this morning." Liz glanced up sharply. "He deserved everything he got." "Really." Maria stated as if she didn't believe her when her eyes raised to meet Liz's. "Yes, really." Liz responded rather defensively. Maria set her planner aside, leaned forward and pointed a long wildly painted fingernail at Liz. "So you're telling me that he deserved to have three hours of his time wasted, a temperamental copier and a whole load of toner dumped all over him?" Liz nodded her head decidedly. "That's what I'm saying." "What was the crime?" "Invading my space." Liz shot back with a raised eyebrow. Maria shook her head in disbelief. "Holy Toledo, Kendall! You went to all of that trouble just cuz he was there? Do you have any idea what the poor guy looked like storming out of that door? He was so hot he had steam coming out of his ears!" "Poor guy? Poor guy??" Liz repeated in astonishment. "Do you have an idea how much that man makes a year? He practically prints his own money." "I'm not talking about his cash flow, Kendall. He looked really...hurt." Maria fibbed waiting to see what kind of response that would draw from her protesting pal. "Hurt?" Liz asked incredulously even though her eyes took on a hint of uncertainty. "How can you hurt someone who doesn't have a heart?" "You sure about that?" Maria countered, quickly picking up on Liz's hesitancy. "Cuz from what I can see, that man definitely has a heart...and every beat is for you." She teased in addition her eyes coming to life with mischief. This was one tease she was going to have a lot of fun pulling off. Liz shook her head in amazement and a flash of irritation. "Oh. My. God. He's gotten to you too." She got up and started pacing in front of the fireplace talking more to herself than anyone else in the room. "What is it with him and every woman he's met in New Haven? It's like he puts a spell on them or something. Take V for instance. She can't keep her eyes off of him...let alone her hands. She's always touching his arm or grabbing his hand. Or…or gazing up into his eyes." Floodgates having opened, Liz suddenly turned to Maria and began to ramble on non-stop. "And have you noticed how she hovers every time he's around? It's like she's some hormone-driven teenager or something. It's disgusting. And Rose. She couldn't stop talking about how wonderful and charming he was the other night when I got home. Oh, and sitting with him at the Café' the other day...you should have seen the women staring at him. It was absolutely embarrassing..." Maria's grin deepened to reveal the tiniest of dimples in her cheeks as she leaned back in her chair and held her hands out with a satisfied sigh. "And there we have it, folks. The green-eyed monster rears its ugly head." Liz looked up sharply at Maria as her mouth dropped open. "I can't believe...you didn't just..." She was so mad she was having a hard time getting the words out until she finally pointed her finger at Maria and exploded. "You take that back! I am not jealous!" Maria started laughing at her angry protest. "Come on, Kendall. It's as obvious as the smell coming out of Mrs. Roselli's kitchen every Friday afternoon when I was a kid. The whole neighborhood knew when they smelled that odor in the air Mrs. Roselli was cooking up her famous secret pasta sauce. It's what we called a 'no brainer'." She paused for a second before adding with wiggling eyebrows and a smirk. "Come to think of it...the sauce was almost as hot as you and Max when you get within 10 feet of each other." Having no good honest come back to counter what Liz knew instinctively was the truth, Liz raised her hands in protest as she tried to control her emotions knowing that Maria would only play each and every outburst for all it was worth. "Stop. Just stop. I can tell this conversation about Max is obviously going no where. Why don't we just concentrate on work, huh?" She plopped back down on the couch and tried to busy herself while Maria shrugged her shoulders and tried to hold back the chuckle that was bubbling up inside. She wondered exactly how long this little 'work' routine was going to last. True to her guess, it didn't last long. Liz nervously tucked her hair behind her ears and glanced up at Maria quickly before looking back down at the cds in her hand and venturing quietly. Maria' earlier statement had begun to go to work on Liz's conscience. Big time. "So, you think he was hurt, huh? Like...how bad? Maria shrugged and looked serious. "What does it matter? You said he doesn't have a heart..." "He doesn’t." Liz echoed quickly. "I just...I just wondered that's all." Silence filled the room once more as Maria continued to busily label the cds on her lap. Liz bit her lower lip nervously and her attention span allowed her to label two more cds before she ventured into the ring once more. "So...do you think he was more angry or hurt?" Maria let out a low whistle. "Wow. Sounds to me like someone's a tad bit sensitive about what she did earlier. Feeling a little guilty maybe?" "I have nothing to feel guilty about." Liz ran her fingers through her hair before flipping it behind her shoulders. The doubt and irritation in her eyes contradicted the confidence of her words. Seeing Maria' raised eyebrow, Liz continued. "Look Maria, I know you think I went a little too far, but I didn't ok? He came to town looking for a war and I don't intend to let him down." "What if...by chance...war isn't what he's looking for?" "What are you talking about?" Liz mumbled as she shifted her gaze back to the cds so that she didn't have to meet Maria's penetrating green eyes. Maria' eyes began to sparkle with mischief. "As if you didn't know." She started to chuckle at Liz's obvious attempt at obliviousness. "Come on, Kendall. Like I said earlier, it's a no-brainer. Anyone with a pulse can feel the heat rise 50 degrees whenever you two are in a room together. You honestly believe I think you don't feel the sparks between the two of you when you look at each other?" She shook her head. "Nope. Can't say that I do. Remember, I've seen ya together." "And let me tell you…" She leaned forward to emphasize her point. "We're talking explosions here. Fourth of July fireworks. Volcanic eruptions of seismic proportions. The two of you could probably make the earth move with just one kiss…" "I haven't the foggiest idea what you mean...." Liz's cheeks began to color as she started looking around her as if she lost something. "Hey, have you seen the inventory list?" She asked the question hoping to divert Maria' attention from the subject that she now realized she should have never attempted to revive. Explosions. Fireworks. Eruptions. Yep. Definitely described what Liz had been feeling the last few days whenever Max was around. God, she hoped he hadn't noticed too. If he had and if he were even the slightest bit of risk taker that she thought he was…she was in trouble. Big time. This was not good. Not good at all. Maria grinned slightly. "It's on your lap." She sat back and watched Liz grab up the paper and flash her a grateful smile. "Boy, he really has you flustered, doesn't he?" Liz rolled her eyes trying to stifle her rising irritation. "I am *not* flustered. I'm just...I'm just trying to work." Maria leaned forward. "Did anyone ever tell you what an awful liar you make?" Liz released a sigh of frustration. "Alright. Since you're obviously not going to drop this why don't we just get it over with, ok?" "Fine with me." Maria shrugged trying to keep the laughter out of her voice. Watching her try to weasel out of this was going to be good. "Go for it." Liz leaned forward and began to weave the lie she'd been telling herself since the day she laid eyes on Max. "He's nothing to me. Nothing, that is, except a pest. An irritation. Someone who wants something that I simply won't let him have. He thinks he can waltz in here and take what he wants, and I'm...I'm going to prove him wrong." Liz pointed her finger at Maria for further emphasis. "Now. Can we please get back to work?" Silence filled the room as Liz quickly bent her head over the inventory list once more trying to give the impression that Max was the furthest thing from her mind. Unfortunately for Liz, Maria wasn’t convinced. She decided to see just how far Max had gotten to Liz. Watching Liz's reaction carefully out of the corner of her eye Maria remarked seemingly to no one in particular. "I wonder...I wonder what it would be like to kiss him. With those perfect lips, I bet he's an incredible kiss..." Maria' words immediately brought vivid images to Liz's mind that she'd been fighting since the day she met Max. Anger at herself more than anyone else flashed in Liz's eyes as she looked up sharply cutting off Maria' musings. "Maria Guerin, stop it! You are a married woman! What would Michael say..." "Oh, I didn't mean for myself..." Maria replied with an easy grin. Liz rolled her eyes and said in forceful protest. "Well, I definitely wouldn't know. And I certainly don't want to find out..." Maria couldn't hold back her amusement any more as her eyes started to sparkle. "Keep telling yourself that, Kendall. Maybe one day you'll actually believe it." Hearing Maria's girlish chuckle was the last straw for Liz. She tossed the inventory list to the side and stood up with her hands on her hips. "Maria Louise Guerin! I’m telling you for the last time...that--that---that person is nothing to me! Nothing except my enemy. You got it? He's a ruthless raider here to steal the center from underneath us. And I will do everything in my power to stop him!" She stepped over the cd boxes blocking her path to the door and grabbed up her coat. "Where ya going?" Maria called to her trying to keep her laughter in check. "I can't work like this! There are too many distractions!" Liz replied angrily. "So, I’m going home...and...and call my boyfriend!" The last part was an obvious addition in a last ditch effort to convince Maria that Max had absolutely no hold over her thoughts and feelings. Liz stormed out of the penthouse slamming the door behind her. Maria sat in shock for a moment before doubling over in laughter at Liz's irritation. She was laughing so hard she almost didn't notice Michael coming through the door with a stunned look on his face. "Maria? What's going on? I just saw Kendall leave here. In fact, she almost ran me over..." Maria wiped the tears from her eyes. "Oh, babe. She's got it so bad." "Got what so bad?" Michael asked becoming more confused by the moment. "You know. IT. love. Lust. Desire. The hots. Whatever you want to call it...she's got it so bad it's killing her." Michael rolled his eyes. "Please, Maria. Not so soon after a dinner meeting with Grandfather and Sean. How that mega screwup even managed to get Kendall to go out with him in the first place is beyond me. I really don't want to hear about their...uh, 'personal' life." Michael made a face of disgust at the thought of Kendall and his cousin, Sean, even having a 'personal life' together. Maria shook her head and swiped tears of mirth from her eyes. "No, babe. Sean's not the one she's got the hots for. He is so not in the realm of what she's feeling right now. In fact, I almost feel sorry for him." Michael's eyebrows furrowed in even deeper confusion. "If it's not Sean, then who are you talking about?" Maria's smile deepened to reveal the tiny dimples in her cheeks. "The new man in Kendall's life, of course. I believe you've heard of him. His name is Max." ~~~~~ The late evening sun filtered through the windows causing a blinding glare to settle on Max's laptop screen. But Max didn't seem to notice. He was too busy pacing back and forth in front of the table absorbed in thinking about what to enter on the screen to pay attention to the screen itself. Suddenly, Max stopped and snapped his finger as he turned toward the computer with a wicked grin. "That's perfect!" He was shaking his head and chuckling as he typed his idea into the keyboard. "She is going to die when she sees this!" A tap on the door stopped his merriment momentarily. "Who is it?" Max called out. "It's Angel." Came the muffled reply. "I have a package for you." "Ok. Just a sec." Max typed in the last few letters of the last word then clicked the button to make sure his changes were saved. He went to the door and opened it with a smile. "Hey there, Angel. Come on in." Angel looked up at him suspiciously as she walked into the room. "You seem to be in an awfully good mood for a man who came home wearing a ton of black stuff all over him. What was that anyway?" Max started laughing. "That? Oh, that was just someone trying to make a point." "I see." Angel said as she turned around to face him. "And did they? Make a point that is?" Max nodded his head. "Oh, yeah. She definitely made her point. The problem is, I'm not very good at taking directions." "She?" Angel asked with a suggestive look. "In town only a few days and you already have a lady friend, do you?" "Yeah, right. Just don't tell her that. She thinks we're at war." Max commented wryly. "War?" Angel asked, immediately having her suspicions confirmed as to his opponent was. "Let me guess…today was her first attack." "Oh, yeah." Max admitted with a chuckle as he sat down and offered Angel a seat as he took the package and documents from her and put them on the table. "An ambush. And a pretty good one. She caught me by complete surprise." "And the nature of her attack?" "Sabotage." Max said without hesitation. "And the weapons?" Angel asked with a twinkle in her eyes. "A copier and toner." Angel held back her laughter. She could just imagine what Liz did to the poor guy. Leave it to her to come up with some hair-brained scheme to teach him a lesson. "That's what was all over you today, wasn't it?" "Yep. A whole bottle. Rigged to sail through the air at me at just the right moment." Max confirmed with the appropriate hand gestures and a lopsided grin. Angel started laughing. "I’m sorry. I shouldn't laugh..." Max shrugged. "Oh, no. That's fine. It is pretty funny...now. Although I have to admit at the time I wasn't too pleased." "I can imagine." She commented with a chuckle. "So, what was the point she was trying to make?" "Oh, something silly about how I'm wasting my time with her." Max commented with a dismissive wave of his hand. "You don't seem to believe her." Angel observed as she eyed him carefully. Max thought for a moment, unsure of why was telling this virtual stranger all about his relationship with Liz…if that's what you could call it. "It's hard to believe her when she seems to be having so much fun wasting my time. Besides, I get a very strong feeling that she and I are quite a bit alike. And I know I certainly don't want this challenging...war...to end any time soon." "She sounds special if she's attracted your attention." Max grinned with a shrug. "More like holding it hostage, I would say." "That bad, huh?" Angel asked as her eyes began to twinkle with delight. She knew it! This was the perfect man for Liz! Now, if she could just get Liz to see that... "So, do you mind telling me this captor's name?" Max took a deep breath before uttering her name. "Kendall. Kendall Blake. She works at a community…." "…children's center. I know." Angel finished for him. "You know her?" "Pretty well. In fact, she stayed here for a while." Angel divulged information she hadn't expected to. "She's very beautiful." "Beautiful doesn't begin to describe her. She's…exquisite." The statement escaped his lips in the form of a dreamy sigh before he thought about it and how it would sound to a complete stranger. His face colored slightly as he looked away embarrassed trying to find the next topic of conversation to start. Having his eyes rest on a painting hung nearby, Max got up and walked toward it, changing subjects deftly. "Speaking of exquisite…is this painting by the same artist as the one I saw in the lobby? They're both breathtaking." Angel followed him with her eyes. He was a smooth one. The perfect match for her Liz. Even though it still looked like there was a lot of work to do. She cleared her throat as she pulled herself back into the current subject on the table. "Uh, yes, it is." "So, how's the progress on my little request coming?" "It isn't." Angel stated plainly. "What do you mean? Did she refuse?" "I haven't asked her." "Why not? Is it more money? Because I can pay…." Max began to reach for his briefcase to pull out his checkbook, but was stopped by Angel's next words. "Money isn't the problem, Max." Angel came to stand next to him as she gazed at the painting in front of them. "Tell me what you see." Angel commanded indicating the picture. Max tilted his head to the side for a moment analyzing the painting before him. It was of a meadow with a sparkling stream flowing through the middle of it and a dark forest bordering it on one side. "I see a meadow full of flowers with a stream in the middle." "And?" Angel prompted. "A dark forest to the side." "Anything else? In the forest perhaps?" Max looked at the painting more closely. His eyes widened in surprise. He'd studied this painting several times before. How could he have missed that? Having noticed the one lone flower off to the side just on the edge of the woods, Max nodded as the feeling of the painting began to come over him much like the one in the lobby had the other day. "Yeah. Yeah, I see a flower. Right here on the edge of the forest. It's half hidden by the darkening shadows surrounding it. In fact, it's leaning into the shadows away from the sun. As if it's too afraid to enter the sunshine and be seen." "Very much like the artist." Angel commented as she tried to fill in the blanks for Max. A look of understanding began to shine in Max's eyes as he whispered, "Amazing." Suddenly he turned to Angel with a grin. "You realize that this only makes me want to meet her more, don't you?" Angel tilted her head to the side wanting to understand where this intense curiosity of his was coming from. "Why?" Max shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe I'm the only one who can teach her that flowers who hide from the sun only wilt and die." Angel shook her head amused by his confidence and his lack of horticultural knowledge. "Not all flowers flourish in sunshine, Max. In fact, some actually thrive better in shade." Max glanced back at the painting and gently touched the flower with his finger as he commented softly. "Not this one." Angel watched him carefully. The more she saw the more she liked him. And the more certain she became that this was the perfect match for Liz. It was amazing how he was able to look at her paintings and see beyond the beautiful colors to the pain and loneliness and fear deep inside. Or how instead of the flower on the canvass in front of him, he read the soul of the artist that created it. Maybe he was right. Maybe he was the only one who could bring Liz out of her self-inflicted darkness into the happiness that she deserved. "What makes you so sure?" Max pulled his gaze from the painting and thoughtfully turned to Angel. "You've already said she hasn't painted in years. I'm wondering if it is less because of that lost inspiration you've mentioned and more because of her fear. Or maybe the reason her inspiration is gone is because she's hiding not only from the world, but from herself as well. Whatever the reason, this is one flower who needs to experience the warmth of sunshine to grow." "And let me guess. You believe you're that sunshine." Max shrugged his shoulders. "You know her. You tell me." Angel's eyes began to twinkle. "Maybe you're right." Max grinned. "So does that mean you're going to give me the chance to tell her that in person?" Angel started laughing. "You don't give up easily, do you?" "Not when it's something I really want. And I really want to meet her." Perfect. Just what Liz needed--someone who wouldn't walk away at the first sign of opposition. Unable to budge on this one point Angel offered an alternative couched in the words of defeat. "Then meet her you shall." Max's victorious smile broadened as he clasped his hands together. "Great! When and where?" "When? Whenever you like. As to where. Well, I'll personally take you to her." Max's eyes began to glow with excitement. "How about now? There's no time like the present…" Just then a beep sounding from his laptop grabbed his attention. He held up his finger and headed for the machine, "Just one second…" Max clicked on an incoming email and groaned. "Great. Just great." He turned to face Angel with an apologetic look on his face. "I'm sorry. Something just came up. Can I have a rain-check?" "No problem. Whenever you're ready just let me know." Angel headed for the door and stopped. "Just one question if you don't mind. About Kendall…what do you plan to do? I mean, you mentioned not following direction very well. It sounded as if maybe you had some kind of plan or something…." Max's mischievous grin returned to his face in full strength. "Oh, I do. Believe me, she isn't going to know what hit her come tomorrow morning." "Really?" Angel asked mischief now beginning to show in her own eyes. "Do you need any help?" Max started to chuckle. "But I thought you liked her." "Oh, I do." Angel agreed readily. "You do realize this will be treated as a war, don't you?" Max said in mock seriousness that was betrayed by the amusing glint in his eyes and the way he stuck his hands in his pockets with a boyish nonchalance. "Take no prisoners and all that..." "Yeah, I kinda got that impression." "Then why are you so eager to help me retaliate?" Angel shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe I want to see if you can match her." Max crossed his arms in front of him and gave Angel a confident smile. "Oh, don't worry. Not only can I match her, I intend to top her every move." Angel grinned slightly. "Then this is a battle I definitely want front row seat for. So what do you say? Do I get to help?" Max shook his head as he began to laugh at her eagerness. "Alright. You can help." He reached over and picked up the gift wrapped package and headed for the table where he pulled out an envelope from out of his briefcase. Placing the note on top of the package, he handed it to Angel and explained, "I have a very strong feeling that some time tomorrow morning, Kendall will come looking for me, but you'll make sure I won't be found. Instead, she'll find this." "You’re mission…" Max lowered his voice to mock the now famous line. "…should you choose to accept it…" Max winked at Angel with a grin. "…will be to make sure she reads the card after she opens the package. Not before. That's very important, ok? Oh, and she probably won't want to accept it once she's opened it. So, if you can convince her otherwise, I'd be forever in your debt." Angel leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially. "What is it?" Max shrugged with a cute boyish grin on his face that let Angel know her curiosity would just have to wait to be fulfilled. Angel rolled her eyes as she teased. "Awww, you're no fun." She headed for the door as Max began to chuckle. "So, is that all I have to do? Make sure she opens the gift first, then the card." Max nodded. "That's all. Then sit back and watch the fireworks." "Oh, believe me, I will. I'm actually looking forward to it." Angel commented with a wave of her hand as she opened the door and walked through it closing it behind her. "Me too, Angel. Me too." Max said with a chuckle that filled the empty room. Max's smile faded quickly when he heard a second beep coming from his laptop. He let out a deep sigh. "Alright. Alright. I hear you." Max walked over to the table, sat down and said out Loud, "Ok. Now to find out what Michael is up to." ~~~~~~~~~ "So, whaddya say, laddie? Will ye pass the word on to yer brother and get him to agree?" Kyle Evans leaned forward as far as he could in the chair he was tied to. "Not on your stinking Irish life." Kyle's head snapped to the side with the hard blow. He straightened and looked back at his captor with cold blue eyes. "You can beat me till I'm black and blue. Hell, you can string me up by my toenails and leave me to die. Max would probably thank you for it since it would save him the trouble. But it's not going to get you what you want. Only one thing will do that." Kyle swallowed back the lump of bile that rose in his throat at the thought of what he was about to offer. But at least it was better than Max getting mixed up in this. "I'll do it instead." A mixture of laughter and chuckles rang through the room until one voice broke through the merriment to address Kyle. "Good form of you to appeal to our Irish sense of humor." The man stepped into the light shining down on Kyle. His scruffy beard and tousled hair told a story of late nights and continuous activity. "Unfortunately, Mr. Evans, when it comes to our mission, it is no laughing matter. Which is precisely why we want your brother. He is the best…" "He was the best." Kyle spat back tersely. "Or haven't you heard? Max hasn't done this kind of job in years." Colin Malone shrugged his thin shoulders. "Doesn't matter. It's like riding a bike. He'll remember everything once an AK-47 is placed in his hands." Kyle swallowed hard. That's what I'm afraid of… Changing tactics, Kyle shook his head slowly. "He won't do it. There isn't enough money in the world to make him do this for you. No threat serious enough to make him cave into pressure…" A quirk of smile touched Colin's lips. "We'll see." His eyes raised to a person standing behind Kyle. With a small nod, a silent command was given. And Kyle's world went black… ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Instead of going home like she said, Liz opted instead to take a stroll down by the docks. It was a clear, crisp night. The perfect night to clear the cobwebs out of her head and make plans. About Max. She honestly had no idea what he was doing to her. Every time he came around she felt…powerless and yet fearless. Restless, but content. Confused and at the same time more sure of herself. Completely at his frustrating mercy and having more fun than she had in ages. She was feeling too much. Too soon. Too many emotions all at once. And she didn't like it one bit. Well, ok. So…maybe she did like the fire that coursed through her when his fingers brushed against her skin. Or when that arrogant half smile of his made her knees go weak. How her heart literally stopped beating when she felt his breath against her lips as he'd lean in to whisper. And the way his chocolate eyes looked into hers with such intensity…such depth. As if he had some secret knowledge about her. A knowledge that made him reach for the reckless, fearless girl she'd lost long ago. And he was finding her somehow… Which had to stop. Too much was at stake to let this thing with Max go on too much longer. Too many lives… A groan of pain stopped Liz's thoughts mid-sentence. She spun around and narrowed her eyes looking into the shadows along the docks' stairs and walkways. "Hello? Is somebody there?" A scraping sound and another groan. Liz immediately took up a defensive stance and inched her way toward the sound cautiously. "If someone's there say something…" There was another grunt of pain as Liz turned a corner to be greeted with a sight that made her gut wretch. "Oh my God." Liz immediately dropped to the fallen man's side and began to take assessment of his injuries. His face was bloody from a beating and would be black and blue in no time. There was blood coming from the back of his head and the way he clutched his chest, she could only guess that he had more than a few broken ribs. Pulling out her cell phone, Liz immediately began to punch in 911 when a hand shot up and pulled the phone from her grip. "No…please." His voice was thick with pain. "No doctors. No police." "But you're hurt…" His blue eyes opened to plead with hers. "Please." Wincing in pain as he shook his head, his voice shook with determination. "Please…very important. Lives depend on it…" Liz swallowed hard as a moment of indecision hung in the air, her gaze sweeping over his prostrate body and the condition he was in. When her eyes finally made it back to his face and her gaze met his, she was powerless to deny him. For she saw herself the way she once was…the way she some day may be…reflected in his eyes. Nodding her head once she slipped her phone from his hand and stuffed it back in her purse. Kneeling by his side, Liz helped him struggle into a sitting position. "Ok. Here's what we're going to do. My car is just around the corner. If you can make it that far, I have a cottage…very secluded. No one will bother you there. We'll get you patched up and then…" A bloody hand covered hers as blue eyes met brown. "What's…your name?" "Liz." The name sprang from her lips without hesitation. "I'm…Kyle." A small smile made it to his face as his eyes closed in pain. "So…what's a nice girl…like you…doing in a place…like this?" A chuckle escaped Liz when she heard the all too familiar pick up line and Kyle's smile widened in response as his eyes slowly opened with a teasing twinkle. "Although you're certainly no prize, I can't imagine you being *this* hard up for a date." She shook her head at him and rolled her eyes when he attempted a chuckle. She sobered suddenly when his chuckle turned into a cough and Kyle winced in pain again. "Come on…let's get you out of here before I end your misery and toss you in the river instead..." Once on his feet, Kyle wrapped an arm around Liz's shoulder and leaned into her for support as they slowly made their way off the docks unaware of a pair of green eyes watching intently from a darkened phone booth across the street… A phone rang and was answered. "Yeah. It's me. The luck o' the Irish is shinin' on us tonight. Aye. A girl came to his rescue. If I'm not mistaken…it's the same one Max has been makin' inquiries about." He nodded his copper head. "Yeah…I think callin' Duke is a great idea. He'll find out what makes Max Evans tick. Once he does, Max will be puddy in our hands…" Tbc… |
| posted on 21-Oct-2001 5:49:29 PM |
| ~ chapter 10~
A warm, soft hand was the first sensation Kyle remembered. It was gently brushing back the hair from his forehead only seconds before a moist cloth carefully followed then ran cautiously first down one cheek, then the other. Kyle's eyes fluttered open. The world around him was hazy and bright. Then a shadow fell and Kyle's eyes began to focus on long dark hair surrounding a fuzzy face. If he could just focus on the face, he knew she'd be beautiful. He knew he'd know her… "McKenna?" The whisper was hoarse as his hand reached out to touch the vision. Liz shook her head slowly and attempted a smile as she took Kyle's hand and returned it gently to his side. "No. It's Liz. Remember? You were beaten up pretty badly and…" Kyle swallowed and attempted to wet his parched lips. "Liz. Right. I…I remember." He blinked to clear the cobwebs from both his eyes and his mind and attempted to sit up. "Oww…" Kyle fell back heavily against the couch and grabbed his chest. "Um…I wouldn't try to sit if I were you." A hint of amusement laced Liz's voice. "From what I could tell we're dealing with three broken ribs, a possible concussion and a face only a mother could love." Kyle started to chuckle then winced with pain instead. "Gee, thanks." Liz grinned. "Sure." She got up from her perch on the side of the couch and tossed the washrag into a nearby bowl full of water. "I thought you'd be out of it a little longer. Give me a sec and I'll get something for you to drink…" Letting out a weary sigh, Kyle took the opportunity to take in what he could of his surroundings. The high ceiling to his right sported a chimney for the cobblestone fireplace beneath it. There were wide windows on both sides of the chimney, heavily curtained with floral drapery in colors that complimented the cozy plaid chairs flanking the hearth making a quaint, charming sitting area. The perfect picture of a secluded little cottage. A lover's getaway. An inspirational retreat. A secret hiding place. Kyle's thoughts instantly turned to his attractive rescuer and who she really was just as he heard her voice behind him. "Alright, here we go. Now, I'm not even going to tell you what exactly is in this because I can guarantee you'd refuse to drink it…" She carefully slipped onto the couch again and put the glass of creamy gray substance on the table next to her. "…but its definitely the cure for what ails you. Here let me help you sit up a bit…" Once Kyle was in a semi-sitting position, Liz turned and reached for the glass. She held it out to him with a forced, bright smile that turned into a chuckle when she saw Kyle's face scrunch up with disgust. "What the hell is that thing?" "Your magical cure." She rolled her eyes at his raised eyebrow. "Trust me. It works." Liz helped a grimacing Kyle drink a few sips then helped him lean back against the pillows as Kyle eyed her carefully. "Why are you helping me?" The sudden question pulled all amusement from Liz's expression as she replaced the glass on the table. She paused a moment contemplating her words before turning back to him with a brief smile. "Because someone helped me once when I needed it. Now it's my turn to do the same." Shrugging her shoulders, Liz reached to the back of the couch and pulled down a blanket to spread over Kyle. "Besides you said lives depended on it. I believed you." Kyle swallowed hard and nodded his head as his gaze became unfocused and took on a distant look. "They do. My brothe…" "I don't want to know." Liz's voice was hard and distant as she interrupted Kyle. When their eyes met, the same distance had taken up residence in their inky blackness. "Look, when I told you this was a secluded cottage and that no one would find you here, I meant it. What I didn't say was that there's a reason for that." Liz pushed a few loose strands of hair behind her ear. "So, here's the deal. I won't ask and you won't tell. Whatever you're in to, whatever is going on…I don't want to know. Anything." "And I expect the same courtesy. My guess is that you'll be here for a few days at least. So as not to arouse suspicions with…whoever…I'll go about my business as usual and check on you periodically. I'll set up everything you'll need before I go tomorrow morning..." "Look, I don't want to cause problems…" Kyle took a deep breath and started to move. "Maybe it's better if I just…" "Men. They're such macho idiots." Another chuckle escaped Liz as she gently pushed Kyle back onto the couch. "You'd never make it to the door, Superman. Besides, you'd be completely lost once you got outside." She let out a resigned sigh as her eyes met Kyle's, the distance and hardness gone. "You can stay as long as you need to. Just…don't be curious, ok? It won't be good for your health….which is what we're concerned about here." Liz stood and glanced around to make sure everything was in place for her visitor. "Ok. I think that's all for now. We can talk later. If you need me just yell…" Kyle reached up and grabbed Liz's arm. "Liz. I don't know how to thank…" Liz gently pulled Kyle's fingers away, her hand holding his for a moment. "Just…get better. And…" Her narrowed with curiosity as a feeling of familiarity washed over her. There was a six-pointed star tatoo on the base of Kyle's wrist. Kyle instantly noticed her failed speech and the direction of her gaze. He pulled his hand away from hers and tucked it safely, if not smoothly, under the blanket as he finished her sentence adding a meaning of his own. "And don't ask questions." Liz's eyes snapped up to meet his. One slow nod of her head. "Right. No questions." Gracing him with a warm smile, Liz nodded once again. "Good night, Kyle." "Night, Liz…" The lights went out and Kyle's mind began to whirl… ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Liz lay awake staring up at the ceiling in her room at the cottage as she let out a heavy sigh. "This is ridiculous." She said out loud in frustration, letting out yet another sigh before glancing at the clock by her bed. Here it was 3:30 in the morning and she couldn't sleep...again. And it had absolutely nothing to do with the stranger sleeping just a floor below her on her couch. For some reason, she felt safe with him. Maybe it was the condition she'd found him in. Maybe it was the Beretta she kept loaded in her nightstand drawer. Or even the fact she was an excellent shot. Whatever the reason, his presence only caused a faint hum of concern in the back of her mind. Especially compared to the wailing sirens screaming at her from every direction whenever she thought of her other problem… She let out another sigh as amber eyes flashed before her mind and a wicked, wolfish smile taunted her from the darkness. Why was it her sleeping habits had changed dramatically since that first meeting with Max Evans? Was she not staying busy enough during the day that sleep at night was a welcome release to her? Or did she simply have too much on her mind? So much so that it wouldn't let her body get the rest needed to make it through the next day? Or…was it because every time she closed her eyes she saw Max's face before her? Maria's words came back to haunt her. "He looked really hurt….Feeling a bit guilty maybe?" Dammit. Maria was right. She was feeling guilty. And a little worried. He was so angry when he left. What if it actually worked? What if he really had decided that his time was being wasted in New Haven and he packed up his bags and left? Not that she wanted him to stay or anything. No. That wasn't the case at all. But wouldn't it be better for the center if he was close by where she could keep a close eye on him? Just for information purposes, of course. She snapped her fingers as a solution came to her. She'd apologize. Not because she was really sorry, but because she wanted to make him believe she was sorry. That way he might give her a second chance and stick around. After all, it was better to have the enemy close by and able to be observed than far away and hatching schemes that would come back to haunt her. Right? Right. So, she finally had a plan. First thing tomorrow when she saw him, she'd apologize and make nice so he'd stick around longer. It was the least she could do…for the center… ~~~~~~~~~ By the time Liz made it to the center the next day, the morning was already in full swing. First, she'd gotten up late. But what was new about that? It was becoming a habit with her lately…ever since she'd met Max it seemed. Then she'd had to check on her patient. Kyle was just waking up when Liz breezed down the stairs. After helping him stand and shuffle his way to the downstairs bathroom, Liz ushered him back to the couch where she had set up entertainment of every kind. Books, tv, music. She even tossed him a phone as a reward for drinking an entire glass of her awful concoction…her magic cure. With a teasing "See ya tonight, dear" from Kyle, Liz flew out the door in a rush. Then when she'd finally made it to the highway, traffic had been awful. Not to mention the major traffic jam she ran into about a block from the Center. Apparently there were cars parked all along both sides of the street as well as other vehicles trying to find parking places making it hard for traffic to flow smoothly. "Wonder what's going on." Liz said to herself out loud as she was stalled in one place for three minutes. She would have called V on her cell to apprise her of the situation, but she'd inadvertently left it on her kitchen counter. Fifteen minutes later when she finally managed to reach the entrance for the Center her mouth dropped open as she let out a gasp. "What in the world?" The parking lot was full. Not one space was available…and several people were double- parked. There was a line outside the door for what seemed like miles. Her mind quickly scanned the Center's calendar to make sure she hadn't forgotten a special event. No, they didn't have any public activities planned. So, what could be going on? Liz drove toward the back entrance and found a space that just been vacated. She jumped out, locked the car and hurried quickly to the back door of the building. Inside there was a flurry of activity. Every available person was running up and down the hallway and bumping in to each other as general mayhem seemed to have erupted. Liz saw one of the volunteers leading a group of strangers down the hall. As she turned the corner to head for her office, V came running around the opposite direction with her head down paying more attention to the piece of paper in her hand than to where she was going. It was no surprise then that she rammed right into Liz almost sending both of them to the floor. "Oh, gosh! Kendall, I'm so sorry." V exclaimed as she righted herself and held onto Liz for support. "Oh! Wait! Kendall! You're here! Boy, am I glad to see you! You have no idea what kind of mess you've created. Claire is about ready to blow a gasket. You know you really should have warned us…" Liz grabbed V by the arm to silence her. "V. Hold it a sec. What are you talking about? What's going on?" "That's what I'd like to know." Claire said as she came up beside Liz a stern look written all over her face. "The next time you decide to do something like this I would at least appreciate a warning." Liz shook her head. "Claire, I don't know what you're talking about. Do something like what?" At Claire's silence, she looked back and forth between Claire and V her frustration level beginning to mount. "WHAT?" "Oh, there you are, Kendall. Wow. It's about time ya got here. Now you can help us out with the tours." Maria suggested as she came and joined the group looking down at the clipboard in her hand. "You know, if I knew you were this good at promoting things, I would have put ya in charge of MLK promotions a long time ago. You can't even imagine the turn out this has brought." Liz was becoming more and more confused by the second. And her face showed it. Along with all of the frustration that was quickly building up inside. Everywhere she looked were strangers milling about and the people she did know were standing in front of her either angry at her, impressed with her or just plain relieved that she was there. Enough was enough! She put her hands on her hips and finally yelled above the noise. "WOULD SOMEBODY PLEASE TELL ME WHAT'S GOING ON???" Sean walked up just as Liz finished her question and posed one of his own. "Hey, Kendall. Why didn't you tell me you wanted to go into business for yourself?" Liz let out a yell that surprised everyone in the circle that had formed around her. No one had ever seen her that flustered or out of control before. Maria bit back a chuckle as she and Claire locked eyes. Claire looked away before she started to laugh as well. "That's it! I want someone to explain to me what exactly is going on. ONE at a time. V? You start." "Well, I've been getting phone calls all day. Actually the phone has been ringing off the hook for your services. I guess everyone's trying to be the first 100 customers. Oh, and then we have the people who have just showed up. We've been trying to organize them in tour groups. Since you promised and all." "My services? Customers? Tour groups?" Liz took a deep breath and realized she wouldn't get too much clear information from V so she turned to her next best source. "I have to agree with Maria, it was a brilliant plan getting people to visit using a gimmick like that. I just really wish you'd discussed it with me first. We would have been better prepared." Claire commented as Liz turned a desperate gaze on her. Liz ran her fingers through her hair in complete frustration as she slumped against the wall. "Better prepared for WHAT?" "Oh, come on Kendall. As if ya didn't know." Maria egged her on. Glancing around the rest of the group she added, "Look at her trying not to take the credit. Don't ya just love her?" "I know I do." Sean interjected causing Maria to roll her hazel eyes and making Liz want the floor to open up and swallow her right then and there. Why did he have to get that tone in his voice? That syrupy, 'I'm-so-in-love-I-can't-hide-it' tone. Especially at a time like this? "Ok. Back on the subject." Liz said as she looked at each of them in desperation. "Guys. I'm serious. I don’t know what you're talking about." Sean piped up. "Well, we're talking about your flyer in today's paper. You know…the ad you placed." "But, I didn't place any ads." Liz contradicted. "Well, someone did. I've got one right here." Sean pulled out a hot pink flyer and handed it to her. Liz's mouth dropped open as she quickly scanned the page. 
Distributed by Wolf Enterprises [ edited 1time(s), last at 21-Oct-2001 5:52:59 PM ] |
| posted on 21-Oct-2001 5:55:55 PM |
| Liz's face turned from ashen white to red hot the instant she read 'Wolf Enterprises'. "Why that lousy, low-life, bottom-feeding scumbag!" The flyer in her hand was shaking uncontrollably, evidence that her anger was dangerously close to exploding. "And to think I was going to apologize…." She took a deep, shaky breath as the fire of determination flashed in her eyes. "Well, he's not going to get away with it."
"He who?" Sean interjected. "Kendall?" Liz angrily brushed past V and Sean and headed for the back door oblivious to any protests or questions from her friends. She was a woman on a mission…and no one was going to stop her. Maria and Claire looked at each other and burst into laughter when they heard the door slam behind her. "I don't know about you, but I kinda feel sorry for the guy." Maria said between gasps as she and Claire started walking toward Claire's office. Claire shook her head as her laughter calmed. "Something tells me he's well up to the challenge. Come on. We have a crowd to control." "Guy? What guy?" Sean asked suddenly feeling a twinge of apprehension run through him as he heard their departing words. Taking a few steps and calling after them he asked once again. "Hey guys? Who are you talking about?" ~~~~~~~~~ Max was having a somewhat restful morning back at his cottage at the B&B. He'd had a leisurely breakfast, had already gone over stock quotes and had called in his most recent corporate takeover. All in all, this morning had turned out to be a very peaceful, profitable morning. He glanced down at his watch. It was almost 10:00. She should be here by now. Max was becoming restless not having seen hide nor hair of Liz this morning. He was sure she would come rushing over as soon as she got to the Center. A wicked smile spread over his face. He was glad he'd talked to Claire before completing his scheme. Her endorsement of his plan put the icing on the cake. Not to mention the donations they were sure to receive once the people took a tour and saw the Center's needs. Max let out a satisfied sigh. Yes, all in all, this was one plan that was going to be hard to beat. That is if she would hurry up and get here. Maybe he should go for a walk. That should take up some of his time. Max headed out to the garden and began walking the many paths that wove in and out among the bushes and trees. He heard the birds chirping in the air and was taken with their song. So much so that he failed to notice the small roller blades in the middle of his path until it was too late. Max let out a yell as his foot tripped over one of them throwing him off balance and causing him to land with a thud on the ground. "Ow." He said rather calmly for a man who'd just been attacked by a pair of roller blades. He examined the wound on his knee where he landed. It had already started to bleed. "Just great." Max said as he noticed the rip in his new pants in addition to the cut. Before he got a chance to move he was accosted by the same dark haired, dark eyed sprite that he'd met in the chapel. The one he knew by the name of Garden Princess. "Oh, Mr. Prince Charming! I'm so sarcy! I shoulda not had my skates left out!" A brilliant smile spread across Max's face. "Hey, Princess. How are you? Wait a minute. What are you doing here?" Part of Max had walked away from the chapel the night he met her feeling as if she hadn't been real. He believed that she might have just been an apparition or a wood sprite that had floated into his life to show him the beauty of the painted secret garden. Although he'd promised to come back, he doubted he'd ever see her again when he did. What would be the chances of something like that happening twice? Perhaps only on a full moon shortly after sunset. And he certainly hadn't thought he'd see her so close to his lodgings. But here she was. Dressed in every day play clothes with her hair up in pony tails and fretting over misplaced roller blades. His little enchanting Princess of the other evening was gone and in her place stood a beautiful flesh and blood little girl. For some reason, knowing she was real and that she remembered him sent a warmth flooding through him. For the second time in his life, he found himself completely unafraid and instantly drawn to the small child before him. She stood back from him as if she were afraid to approach him. Ignoring his questions she stated what was so obvious to her if not to anyone else. "Grandnanny's gonna be mad." Max's smile disappeared when he saw the fear in her eyes. "Mad? Why?" "Cuz she told me to put my skates away last night. And I forgot. Now you've got a boo-boo." Max leaned forward and grinned. "Then we just won't tell her, will we?" The beginning of a smile began to tug at the corner of her mouth. "But…you still got a boo-boo." Max dismissed her concern with a wave of his hand. "Awww, this is nothing. It's just a little scratch." "But you're bleeding." She said with concern as she inched her way closer to him. Suddenly her eyes came alive with an idea. "Oh, I know! Stay there! I'll be right back! 'Kay?" She took off running in the opposite direction, her ponytails flying behind her. Max chuckled softly as he watched her. I wonder who she is. And who she belongs to. And who is this grandnanny she keeps talking about? All of the questions began to race through Max's mind just as he saw her running back toward him holding something brown and furry in her arms. She stopped to catch her breath when she reached him and turned the object in her hands around so it was facing Max. Then she held it out at arms length as if presenting it to him. "This is Boo-boo Bear." Max grinned as he took the tattered brown bear from her small hands and held it in front of him. "Hi, there, Boo-boo Bear. It's nice to meet you." He said to the bear as he shook hands with it's tiny paw sending the little girl into a fit of laughter. She knelt down next to Max and started to explain. "See, you can hold Boo-boo Bear while I fix you up. That way it won't hurt as much." "Oh, I see." Max responded. "But what are you going to fix me up with?" Princess dove into a side pocket on Boo-boo Bear's vest and pulled out an array of band-aides. "You can have Mickey. Or Goofy. Or even if you want you can get Looney Tunes." Max started to laugh at her childish exuberance. "Well, I always kinda liked Wile E. Coyote. Do you have him in there?" Princess shook her shiny dark head as a disappointed frown covered her rosebud lips. "Nope. I'm sarcy." Then she suddenly brightened. "But I do have Road Runner. Ya want him?" Max shrugged. "Sure. Why not." "Ok. Now make sure you hold Boo-boo bear real tight, kay? That way it won't hurt as much." She said as she pulled out a band-aid and began to haphazardly apply it to Max's wound covering only half of the area that had been hit. She leaned down and kissed it gently then looked up at him with a proud grin. "There. All better now." Max nodded in agreement. "It sure is. Thank you so much. You're about the best boo-boo healer I've ever seen." He added as he handed her bear back to her. "And thank you for letting me hold Boo-boo bear. Is he your favorite?" "Uh-huh." She said as she hugged her bear to her. "He keeps me comp'ny when my heart feels sad." "He does, huh?" Max asked as he eyed her carefully. "Does your heart feel sad a lot?" Princess shrugged her tiny shoulders. "Sometimes. When I'm all alone and I miss my mommy." "So, I know you said she's out fighting the evil wizard, but have you ever seen your mommy?" Max asked his question quietly after a moment's silence when he saw the far away look in Princess' dark eyes. She shook her tiny head. "No." She looked up at him and bit her lower lip nervously as if she were contemplating whether to tell him something or not. She must have decided it was safe to trust him because she leaned forward and whispered. "Can ya keep a secret?" Max nodded his head solemnly. "I sure can. Do you have one you want to tell me?" Princess nodded and leaned closer. "Every night I wish on the stars for my mommy to come and love me. And you know what?" Her voice lowered to the barest whisper. "I even know who she is." "You do?" "Uh-huh." Her long dark ponytails bounced with enthusiasm. "I just know it has to be her cuz she so bootiful and cuz she loves me very very much. She even told me so…" Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard the sound of a car pulling into the parking lot. Something about the car caused her eyes to sparkle with delight. She got up and jumped up and down in her excitement. "There she is! I gotta go!" And with that she took off down the path toward the house faster than Max could blink. "But, I still don't know your name..." Max called after her. "Princess….you left your skates…." His reminder faded into the air as the little girl disappeared around the corner. Max shook his head with a laugh then picked up her roller blades and threw them over his shoulder as an idea came to him. He changed directions and headed toward the house following the path his little Princess had taken. Maybe, just maybe he'd get a chance to find out more about her… He took two steps and stopped short with a groan when his cell phone began to ring. Pulling it from his pocket, Max clicked it on. "Max here." "Max." "Kyle? Just where the hell have you been?" Max's voice hardened and his lips tightened into a thin line. Ignoring Max's demanding question, Kyle immediately got to the root of his call. "We've got a problem, bro." "Correction. You have a problem. And that problem is me the next time I lay eyes on you. Do you have any idea the kind of crap your latest stunt with…" "Max! Shut. Up." Kyle's voice exploded through the cell phone and Max's eyes immediately widened in surprise. Then his brow furrowed in immediate concern. Being the wayward, reckless Evans brother Kyle wasn't one to loose his cool. Which caused Max's stomach to instinctively tie into knots when he did. "What's going on?" Kyle released a light sigh of relief that he'd managed to somehow get through to Max when he heard the serious turn of Max's voice. "No details. Just do what I say." Kyle swallowed hard and squeezed his eyes shut not sure of what response he would receive. "Max…get the hell out of New Haven. And whatever you do…do it tonight…" Tbc… |
| posted on 21-Oct-2001 5:57:38 PM |
| ~ chapter 11~
Being the wayward, reckless Evans brother Kyle wasn't one to loose his cool. Which caused Max's stomach to instinctively tie into knots when he did. "What's going on?" Kyle released a light sigh of relief that he'd managed to somehow get through to Max when he heard the serious turn of Max's voice. "No details. Just do what I say." Kyle swallowed hard and squeezed his eyes shut not sure of what response he would receive. "Max…get the hell out of New Haven. And whatever you do…do it tonight…" "Have you lost your freakin' mind?" Had Kyle been able to see Max at that moment, he probably would have felt the affects of Max's infamous right hook. Max's jaws had tightened in anger and his eyes flared with fury as the grip around his phone tightened till his knuckles were white. Truth be known, his over-reaction had more to do with the sudden, instinctive fear racing through him than anything else. "What in hell makes you think I'm going to just up and leave a place because you want me to? No details…no explanations…" Max exhaled a loud sigh as he attempted to bring his anger under control, trying to pray away the growing knot of dread in his stomach. "Alright, spill it. Which CEO's wife did you screw? Or was it a daughter this time? Give me the name. I'll call and smooth it over. Maybe sacrifice another corporation for your idiotic…" Ignoring Max's insinuations, Kyle tried to keep his voice level knowing it would be critical to Max's agreement on this particular issue. "Does 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star' mean anything to you, Max?" Dead silence followed. "Max?" Max's eyes squeezed shut and his barely breathed expletive was only a whisper into the phone as he pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. "Holy sh*t." "Nothing holy about it, bro. You know that as well as I do." Kyle commented glibly. Head beginning to shake, Max swallowed hard. "I'm not apart of this any more, Kyle. You know that…" "Yes, I do." Kyle agreed readily. "Unfortunately, a few of our international friends haven't heard the news yet." "Who?" Max's eyes snapped open. "You don't want to know." Something in Kyle's tone told Max much more than Kyle had intended. "Where are you? I'll come meet you or…or send a jet…" "Max, you can't." On his end of the line, Kyle glanced around him at the comfortable cottage he was holed up in. As hideouts go, this one wasn't bad. In fact, Kyle had hit the jackpot this time. "I…I don't really know where I am." Panic gripped Max's heart as his mind immediately dreamed up all types of horrible scenarios as to where Kyle could be. "What do you mean you don't know?" "I. Don't. Know." Kyle emphasized each word hoping that alone would stop Max's insistent questioning. Somehow, he knew it wouldn't be that simple. "Look, don't worry. I'm…good." "No, you're not. I can hear it in your voice." Max made his way to a nearby bench and sunk down onto the wooden seat. "They messed you over, didn't they?" "Nothing…I can't…handle." Kyle's bravado would have been more convincing had he not inhaled a sharp breath of pain mid-sentence. "To get to me." Max continued his thought as if Kyle hadn't even spoken. "Look, I handled it for you…for now. But Max…I think they have a beat on where you are. You've gotta get out, man. Get on familiar ground and double security." Kyle paused as he searched for another option for Max. "Or better yet, take a long vacation on a very secluded island. You've been wanting to check out one of those islands in…" "What do they want?" Max's hardened voice shot down Kyle's suggestion with such accuracy that Kyle instantly knew getting Max to follow the book on this one maybe not be that easy. Silence greeted Max's question and he hung his head in frustration, a war beginning inside of him. The war for information. The war to walk away in ignorant bliss. To rush in and handle the situation on his own. Or to fade into the shadows and not give a damn. To follow his instincts and jump into the thick of things. Or to turn his back and pour his energies into a project less haunting…more safe… When he finally spoke, his voice was distracted and hoarse. "I have…that EMG meeting tonight. I'll, um…I'll handle that and…and tie up a few loose ends. I'll be out of here by tomorrow morning." His eyes squeezed shut and an image of Liz's face flashed before his mind. A hand of regret and unexplainable pain reached in and squeezed Max's heart till he felt the breath tighten in his lungs. He ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "Damn." "What?" "There's someone…I…I can't just…" Max let out a heavy sigh. "Look, it's going to take longer. I'm in the middle of something…I can't just walk away…" "Max…" "I can't." Max's voice hardened with determination. "I…won't." Shaking his head, Max's eyes drifted upward to the bright blue sky full of puffy white clouds, the cheery carefree atmosphere around him in complete contrast to the dark, foreboding emotions swirling in his heart. Will this ever be over? His haunted midnight eyes fluttered closed and he swallowed hard. It's over when I say it is. And I say it is right now... "I'm out of this, Kyle. You and the team do what you have to, but I'm through. I don't intend to live the rest of my life on their terms." "But, Max…" "I don't even intend to live them on yours." Max stated with finality. "Thanks for the warning. I'll be extra careful." His voice lowered seriously as his gaze unconsciously shifted to the back door of the B&B. "Kyle...be careful. I've lost too much. I can't lose…" Kyle's ragged sigh came through the phone as loudly as the end of Max's dangled sentence. "You won't. If we both watch our backs…neither of us will." With that, the call ended. And another began… ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The front door of the B&B slammed closed causing the Welcome sign in the door to rattle against the window. Angel popped her head up from under the counter and hid her grin when she saw Liz furiously head toward the front desk. "Where is he?" Liz demanded. "Good morning to you too, dear." Angel commented politely ignoring Liz's question. "I'm not in the mood for games, Angel. Now tell me where he is." "He who?" Angel asked trying to keep the laughter out of her voice. Boy, whatever Max did it sure got her hotter than Angel had seen her in a long time. He'd promised fireworks…looked like he knew how to deliver. Liz rolled her eyes. "You know who. Max. I believe you described him as '6', handsome as all get out, and very rich.' I swear, Angel, if I'd known you were harboring the enemy under your roof that night, I would have found him and hauled him out of here myself." She put her hands on her hips and asked her question once more with a little more emphasis this time. "Now WHERE IS HE?" "I'm sorry, dear. I can't divulge that information." Angel replied calmly. "You what?" Liz's voice was low with surprise and anger. Angel shook her head. "Now, I know you aren't going to like this, but he's a guest in this establishment and as such is entitled to his privacy." "His PRIVACY? HIS privacy? What about MINE? He certainly didn't seem to care about THAT when he pulled his latest stunt!" "His latest stunt? You mean there've been others?" Angel asked wondering exactly how many 'stunts' Max had pulled on Liz already. "Of course there have." Liz responded patronizingly. "Let's see…" She raised her hand and started counting off Max's various sins. "…there was showing up at Claire's office unannounced. Then the sweater thing. Dropping by for a tour of the center. THEN he had the audacity to actually volunteer…of all things!" She flipped her hair behind her shoulders and crossed her arms in front of her as she let out a sigh. "And I haven't even gotten to that pompous, arrogant attitude he carries around with him everywhere he goes. Talking about fairy tales and judging what I do and don't feel for Sean. As if he would know what I feel for anybody. Not to mention this….his latest." Angel leaned over the counter mischief shining in her dark eyes. "Hmm. Sounds like a busy boy. And what exactly was his latest stunt?" Liz pulled out the flyer from her purse and slapped it on the counter. "Here. He put that in every paper in town! Take a look at it then tell me he has a right to his privacy!" Angel scanned the flyer and tried her best to hold back her laughter, knowing it would only stoke the flames of Liz's anger. "What's the 2-All stand for?" She asked clearing her throat to hide the bubble of laughter that was just aching to explode. Liz shrugged her dismissal as she looked down and shuffled her feet unconsciously, knowing her answer would show she was just as involved in the game as he was. "That's his stupid guy way of letting me know that our score is even now. Two to two." Angel's eyes raised to watch Liz and her constraint lasted about 5 seconds after Liz's response then she couldn't hold it back any longer. She burst into laughter as tears started to escape from the corners of her eyes. "I'm…so….sorry…" She gasped between laughs. "This…is…sooo…good." Liz's head snapped up. "Oh, no! No, Angel. Noooo! Don't you do it too. Don't you dare be on his side!" Liz demanded as she put her hands on her hips and glared at Angel who was too busy wiping tears from her eyes to notice. Recognizing present defeat against Max's apparently insurmountable charm, Liz rolled her eyes and let out a groan before plopping down on a nearby seat putting her hands in her head. "That's it. I give up. I give up the whole lot of you." Just then the door opened and a little 5 year old came flying into the room. "Kendall! Kendall! I knew it was you!" She threw herself against Liz for a hug. "Jaedan!" Liz's lips spread into a beautiful smile as she reached over and picked her up giving her another quick hug and kiss before setting her on her knee. Jaedan looked back and forth between the two women, her curious eyes clouded with confusion and concern. "Kendall? Grandnanny? What's wrong? Grandnanny, why are you crying?" Liz smiled at her before turning a meaningful look toward Angel. "Nothing's wrong, sweetie. Grandnanny just joined the ranks of the enemy, that's all." "More like appreciating someone's incredible cleverness and creativity, if you ask me." Angel countered as she shook her head looking once more at the flyer. "So, what did you do to him to make him pull this?" Liz's mouth dropped open. "How can you…I can't believe…what makes you think I did anything to prompt this latest attack?" Complete innocence was etched all over her expression. Angel chuckled as she shook her head. "Because I know you." Liz looked at Jaedan and made a funny face while shaking her head and making small circles with her forefinger by her ear signaling Angel's apparent lunacy, which only sent Jaedan into a fit of giggles. Angel noticed and smiled slightly before adding a final comment that stopped all action. "And because I saw him come home yesterday…" Liz's smile faded as she glanced back at Angel. "Oh." "Yes. Oh." Angel echoed as she leaned against the counter once more. "So, you want to tell me exactly what that was all about, Ms. Not-So-Innocent-After-All?" "Hey, he started it!" Was Liz's opening defense. "Oh, that's really mature." Angel commented sarcastically glancing at Jaedan. Liz pointed her finger at Angel for emphasis. "You don't know him, Angel. He's ruthless and heartless…and he won't stop until he gets what he wants. And what he wants is the Center. And I'm not going to let him have it. He's just wasting his time. Now, if I have to pour toner on him every day till he gets the point, that's what I'll do." Angel rolled her eyes and chuckled indulgently as Jaedan took the opportunity of their silence to launch into her latest most exciting news. "Guess what, Kendall!" "What?" Liz asked with a smile as she looked into those dark eyes that were so very familiar to her. "I met Prince Charming!' Jaedan exclaimed as she started bouncing on Liz's knee. Liz looked disapprovingly over Jaedan's head toward Angel. "Telling her fairy tales again, are we?" Angel shrugged as her eyes began to twinkle. "Hey, don't blame me. I'm not responsible for that romantic heart of hers." Before Liz could respond, Jaedan piped up again. "Kendall! I gotta tell ya aaallll about him. He is sooo awesome!" "Jaedan, honey, Kendall and I were in the middle of something. Can you wait to tell her about Prince Charming later?" Angel asked knowing exactly how long winded her little charge could be when she got going on her favorite subject…fairy tales with all of the Knights and Princes and damsels in distress they brought with them. Jaedan's lower lip came out in a pout as she crossed her arms in front of her. "But I wanna talk to Kendall." Liz caught on to Angel's reason for wanting Jaedan out of the room and quickly joined her effort. If she didn't, they'd be there all day listening to stories of the fairylands that Jaedan seemed to visit each night in her dreams. Sometimes she wished Angel wouldn't indulge Jaedan's penchant for weaving fantasies in her mind. It would only end up hurting her one day…as it did anyone who truly believed in fairy tale dreams and happily ever afters. Liz shook those thoughts out of her mind as she offered a suggestion. "Jaedan, Grandnanny's right. She and I need to talk about a few things. Why don't you run and play and as soon as I get done we can go for a walk and talk all you want, ok? How does that sound?" "Can we maybe see if we can find Prince Charming again?" Jaedan asked excitedly. Liz glanced at Angel with a what-is-she-talking-about look on her face then shrugged as she started to laugh. "Sure. Why not?" She leaned over and kissed her quickly then set her down on the floor. Jaedan waved good bye as she ran up the stair to her room. "Sorry. I just didn't want her getting ideas. She's already a handful as it is." Angel said apologetically. "Yeah, I know. She comes by it naturally." Liz admitted before returning to their topic of conversation. "Now, where were we?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~ After a few moments of dark contemplation, Max tried to shake off the disturbing thoughts crashing in on him after his call with Kyle. He failed. Why now? After all this time? And who exactly was looking for him? And for what purpose? And why…why couldn't the past just stay there? In the past? Why did it have to rear its head at unexpected times, in unexpected places? And most of all…would he ever, ever find relief? Healing? Peace? Letting out a shaky breath, Max forced his thoughts to shift. Distraction. That's what he needed. That's the only thing that would stop the pain. Banish the ghosts. Give him a chance at a semi-normal existence. And he knew just where to find the distraction he so desperately needed… Max slipped around the front of the house hoping to catch a glimpse of where the little Princess had run off to, though he seriously doubted it given the amount of time that had lapsed. Still it was worth a try. And the try was a bust. Instead of the Princess, all he saw was an old beat up car sitting next to Angel's blue Honda. It looked maroon, but Max couldn't quite tell because of the rust that had started to eat away at the paint on the sides. Hmmmm. Whoever Princess was searching for certainly had awful tastes in vehicles. If that even was her vehicle. Max headed for the front door then stopped short when he saw Liz through the window talking to Angel up at the front desk. Uh-huh. He wasn't going in there. Not yet. Not until he knew if Angel had completed her mission. Max grinned slyly to himself and slipped away toward the back of the building. He knew the perfect place where he knew he'd be able to watch the activities inside, himself unseen. As he rounded the corner, Max heard the cutting off of a motor somewhere in the distance and wondered if perhaps Princess' dream mommy had found her way home to another cottage. He shrugged unconsciously. Probably. That would explain why he hadn't seen the little girl inside when he'd glanced in the window. Well, the truth about her fantasy family would have to be put on hold for a while. He had the conclusion of a certain Round 2 to observe. Max closed the back door quietly and slipped through the kitchen, up the back stairs, down the hall and carefully sat on the top step of the stairway leading to the front entryway. He grinned slightly. Perfect. He had front row seats and the audio was perfect as Angel and Liz's words began to drift up to where he sat…. ~~~~~~~~~~~ "Where were we?" Angel repeated. "I believe we were discussing your favorite subject lately….Max." Liz rolled her eyes as she leaned her elbow against the counter. "Oh, please. The only reason he's on my list of things to discuss is because he's chosen to insinuate himself into every area of my life. He's a temporary pest who is wasting his time trying to get something he never will. And I am temporarily making it my mission to show him that." Angel's grin spread across her face as she remembered the reason behind Liz's little stunt and how Max had guessed the meaning behind it. "So he was right." Liz raised a slender eyebrow. "Right? About what?" Angel shook her head in wonder. "He told me last night. You know, I thought maybe he was off base a little, but--no. He was right. He said the point you were trying to make with your toner stunt was that he was wasting his time. Wow. Either you're slipping or you've finally met your match, young lady." She glanced down at the flyer a smile spreading across her face. "And by the looks of the score, I'd have to say it's the second one." Liz rolled her eyes again. "I am not slipping. And he's not as smart as you think he is. In fact, how do you know I didn't want him to figure out my little 'message'?" "No doubt you did. And despite what you say…he's probably the smartest man you've met in your entire life. I know he's close to being one of the sharpest, most perceptive I've ever met…second only to my Jay, of course. And I think you know it too. In fact, I think you were counting on him to be. Weren't you?" Angel challenged. Realizing that any further protest would be useless, Liz shrugged her shoulders and cleared her throat. "So, if you know so much about Max…" Liz leaned over the counter and lowered her voice conspiratorially. "…tell me what his next move will be." Knowing the moment had come for Max's surprise counter attack, Angel said, "I'll go you one better. I'll show you." She reached behind the counter and pulled out the box placing it on the counter in front of Liz. "What's this?" Liz asked as she crinkled up her nose. A beautiful expensively wrapped gift was the last thing she'd expected. "That, I don't know." She shrugged and pushed the package forward. "He wouldn't tell me what was in it. He seemed to think you'd be looking for him this morning. Another point for him, by the way." Angel chuckled at the scowl on Liz's face. "Anyway, he asked me to make sure you got this. So….open it up." Liz tucked her hair behind her ears before she hesitantly reached for the package. She began to bit her lower lip a sure sign of her uncertainty. Angel started to laugh. "What's the matter? You afraid something's going to jump out at you?" Liz laughed nervously. "With Max you never…quite…know." She said as she carefully looked the package over from all angles before finally grabbing it and tearing the wrapping off. Once removing the wrapping Liz stood back with a puzzled look on her face. "A wooden box?" She looked up at Angel whose face showed as much confusion as Liz's did. "Well, open it up." Angel suggested. "Surely that can't be all." Liz picked the multi-grained wood box up and looked at it closely from all angles. "It doesn't open." "Here, let me see." Angel said as she reached for the box and began to scrutinize it carefully. "You're right. There doesn't seem to be any…seams or openings. Huh." "Maybe there's some kind of trap door or something. You think?" Angel shook her head. "I don't know. I don’t see where there could be one." Just then the phone rang and Angel put the box down to go answer it. Liz picked it up and started going over it again running her hand along the smooth surface trying to see if there were any inconsistencies in the covering. She picked it up and carried into the sitting room. About fifteen minutes later, Angel popped her head into the room to see if Liz had figured out her mysterious box. "Oh, there you are. So, did you get it open?" Liz let out a sigh of frustration as she pushed her hair behind her ears. "Are you kidding? This thing is like Fort Knox." "Do you want me to help?" Angel's curiosity was getting the best of her. She definitley wanted to see how this little plan of Max's would all turn out. Liz shook her head. "No, I want to do this myself. He obviously has a plan, I want to see what it is." Angel smiled at the way Liz was getting into this puzzle Max had laid out for her. "Ok. I have things to do in the back, so let me know when you get it figured out, alright?" "Yeah, alright." Liz agreed absently her full concentration back on the box in front of her. Looked like this one was going to take a while… "Alrighty, Max. Let's see what you're up to…" to be continued… |
| posted on 21-Oct-2001 6:00:28 PM |
| ~ chapter 12 ~
Alex's brow furrowed when he saw the unfamiliar number on the caller id. "Who the hell?" Putting his hands behind his head, Alex leaned back in his chair and propped his feet up on his desk to wait for the answering machine to click on. "Dammit, Alex. I really needed you to be there…" Grinning, Alex lunged for the phone and grabbed the handset. "Kyle. Dude, how you doing? And where the hell are you calling from?" There was a loud sigh of relief on the other end. "That's the question of the hour." He let out another sigh. "I'm somewhere in or near New Haven." Damn. Alex's eyes squeezed shut and his stomach twisted into knots. Ok. Deep breath. Just remember you've not heard from Max in ages… Clearing his throat, Alex forced himself to talk. "So…uh, what's going on in New Haven?" "Quite a bit, it seems." Leaning back against the pillows on the couch, Kyle took a deep, slow breath and tried not to allow the pain he was feeling to make it to his voice. "Look, Alex, we've got a slight problem. With Max." Double damn. How did Kyle find out about his little search for Max's mysterious lady so fast? "Oh really? What's that coyote up to these days?" "Corporate raiding. Wooing all the beautiful ladies. Gambling our properties away with those eccentric friends of his." A smile made it into Kyle's voice. "You know…the usual." His smile faded once he'd gotten a chuckle from Alex and immediately cut to the chase. "The IRA want Max to pull a job for them." Alex's feet hit the floor with a thud and his eyes blinked a few times in surprise. "Ex-excuse me?" "You heard me." Releasing a shaky breath, Alex swallowed hard. "But…why Max? I mean, he's not been in the business for years." Kyle shrugged. "He's the best." "Damn." Alex paused a moment to let the new information sink in. Suddenly, a new thought hit him. The girl, Liz, that Max wanted to know about. From all that Alex could gather from Max's reactions to her, this 'relationship' could turn serious very fast. Even if Max didn't know that yet. And that serious relationship could cause serious problems if things weren't handled right. Especially given when he and Max suspected of her background. "Does Max know?" "He knows trouble is brewing but he doesn't know who or why." Kyle explained. "Look, I don't want him in this. He doesn't want to be in this. That's why I'm calling you." "Ok. What do you need?" "We've got to get the team together to decide what to do, but most of all I want Max protected…wherever he goes." "Look, Kyle…that's not going to be that easy." Alex shook his head in regret. "You know when Max split, the bureau did a lock down on all of his contacts." "Yeah, and I also know they were covering the butts big time. They owe him this." Silence followed as Alex's mind quickly began to whirl. "Hey. You said New Haven, right? What about Nate? If I remember right he's the mayor of the town." "Nate Carter is the mayor of New Haven?" Kyle's blue eyes widened with shock, his voice incredulous. "You've got to joking. Wow. Who would have ever thought Nate would do something so…prosaic?" Alex chuckled. "I know. I considered going to the staff psychiatrist when I found out. I thought I'd lost my mind." Sobering instantly at his last comment, Alex shook his head. "Man, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said…" "It's ok, Kyle. We were all there. We know what really happened." Kyle took a deep breath and forced his mind to focus. "So…Nate's in New Haven. Huh. I wonder if Max knows. And if he does…what the hell is keeping him there? I mean, he was so determined to stay. Which makes no sense because it's not like he can't do business long distance…" "Who knows what his reasons are? He's Max." Alex lied through his teeth then quickly switched the topic back to Nate. "Hey…why don't we get Nate to provide back up?" Kyle laughed outright. "You've got to be joking, right? He'd rather put the bullet into Max than keep one from hitting him." "You know, I know that things were bad between them but…" "Bad? Alex, they both blamed each other for what happened. Blood vows were made, man." Kyle shook his head. "No. Nate's the last thing Max needs right now. First, he doesn't need the aggravation. And secondly…he doesn't need the reminder of what he lost." "What they both lost." Alex reminded him gently. "They both loved her, Kyle. Which is exactly the reason Nate might be willing to help." "I…really don't know about this, Alex." "Let me work on it. You know its amazing how powerful a memory can be sometimes. Maybe this time it'll work in our favor." "And if it doesn't?" Kyle's doubt and worry were evident in his voice. "I'll find another way." Alex promised soberly. "Max won't have to deal with this, ok? We'll make sure of it." Kyle nodded his agreement and let out a relieved sigh knowing he now had Alex in his corner. "Ok. I'll uh…I'll check back with you later and see what's going on." "Deal." Alex stated with a nod. "Over…" "…and out." ~~~~~~~~~~ Twenty minutes later found Liz still bent over the box her eyebrows furrowed. She ran her fingers through her hair and let out a yell of frustration. "Aaaarrrggghhh! This is impossible!" She sat back and eyed the box from a distance. Wait. Maybe the key isn't in how to open the box but why Max gave me a box with no openings in the first place. "Alright Max. What is it you're trying to prove?" Shaking her head, Liz started to tap her fingers on the table. For the life of her she couldn't figure out why Max would give her a box with no openings. No, that made absolutely no sense. There had to be something more to it. There had to be a way to get inside. There just had to be. Finally, she gave up trying to figure out the reasoning behind it and decided to just dive back into it again. "Well, whatever it is, I'm not going to find out sitting here and stewing about it, am I?" The question was asked out loud to no one in particular. "You are not going to get the better of me, Max. If it takes me a week of Sunday's I'm going to figure this out!" Tilting her head to the side, Liz looked back at the box once more. Suddenly, a slow smile spread over her lips as an evil chuckle bubbled up from inside of her. "A-ha! I got ya!" She knelt down on the floor in front of the table and pulled the box closer to her the pattern becoming clearer the closer she got. "Angel!!!! Angel, come here! I think I've got it!!" Liz yelled out excitedly. Liz was bouncing up and down impatiently by the time Angel made it into the room. "What? What is it?" Angel asked as she came rushing into the room. Disappointment clouded her face when she saw the box sitting on the table unopened. "I thought you said you got it." Liz's face was glowing with satisfaction and a hint of pride danced in her dark eyes. "Oh, I do. Look." She pointed to the box. "See the pattern the wood makes on the top? There's the light wood. The grain is going in one direction and the dark wood goes in the opposite. Now, take a look at the sides." She tilted the box to show Angel. "See how it's just the opposite?" Angel shrugged her shoulders. "So?" "So….if I just…move…the side…the direction the wood grain is going… on the top..." Liz took her fingers and pulled the right side of the box toward her. There was a sudden clicking noise as the left side slid away from her at the same time revealing a latch to the top of the box. Liz squealed with delight as Angel clapped her hands. "You did it! Hon, that's great!" Liz took a deep breath as her face lit up with a bright smile. "Ok. Now to find out what Max Evans is up to…" She carefully lifted the top of the box and looked inside. Suddenly, her smile faded. "You've got to be kidding me!" She threw back her head as she let out a groan. "No! I can't believe this! There's another one!" Angel looked over her shoulder and started to chuckle but stopped abruptly and cleared her throat when Liz opened her eyes and looked up at her sharply. "This isn't funny." "Of course, it isn't, dear." Angel said trying to keep the laughter out her voice but failed miserably to keep a hint of it from her eyes. One last chuckle escaped and Liz groaned. Looking down at the contents of the box, Liz let out another sigh of frustration and shook her head. "This man's insane. You know that don't you?" She asked glancing up at Angel. "I mean, only someone who has completely lost their marbles would do this to another human being." Angel sat down and started to chuckle. "Yeah, but at least he's not boring." She reached into the box and pulled out the carved cylindrical wooden object from its black velvet cavity. "Wow. That's so beautiful." Liz commented with awe as she ran her hand along the side facing her really getting a good look at it for the first time. "Look at the carvings. They look...oh what's that design that's so popular? Celtic. That's what it is." Angel held it up so they could both look at it in a better light. What they saw was nothing short of amazing. The seven-inch cylinder was made of a deep rose-colored cherrywood imbedded with an intricate pattern of carvings. Try as they might, they couldn't find either a beginning or end on the design. It was one continuous beautiful pattern. Not surprisingly, they also couldn't find a way to open it. "So, do you think there's something inside? And if so, what do you think it is?" Angel asked. Liz shook her head. "I haven't the faintest idea. I just want to know if he was merciful enough to leave instructions on how to open this one!" She rolled her eyes at her own words as she put her head in her hands and groaned. "Wait. What am I saying? We are talking about Max here." "Well, I don't think the wood's grain direction is going to help you on this one." "Obviously, since it's all one color and the with the design there is no noticeable grain." Liz retorted with borderline sarcasm as she reached for the cylinder and began turning it around in her hands. "Impossible. Simply impossible." She placed the cylinder on the table carefully and leaned her back against the sofa behind her. And adorable pout appeared on her lips as she crossed her arms in front of her. "Why is he doing this to me?" "Because he knows he can." Angel answered without hesitation. "And because you want him to." "And just what exactly do you mean by that?" Liz asked as irritation flashed in her dark eyes. Angel rolled her eyes. "As if you didn't know." When Angel's gaze met Liz's stubborn silence, she continued. "Look. He's probably the most intriguing, challenging, intelligent, funny, witty, gorgeous man you've ever met in your entire life. He's showering all of his attention on you….and you, my dear, are LOVING it." "Pwash! That is so not true!" Liz exclaimed as she got up from the floor and began to pace in front of Angel. "I mean, yeah, he's…he's inventive." Her hand waved in the air indicating the wooden boxes on the table. "This…this whole box thing really has me…" "Frustrated?" Angel finished for her. "Yes. Exactly. Frustrated. And the whole volunteering thing is just…just…" "Frustrating?" Angel said again as the corner of her lips began to twitch with amusement. "YES!" Liz practically screamed before rambling on without noticing Angel's duplication of words. "Not to mention his notes. They're so…so….so cute…and…and clever. And that's just plain…" Liz shook her hands in front of her. "…ooooh, I don't know the word…" "A little…frustrating…maybe?" Angel repeated once more as a knowing twinkle came into her eyes. "Precisely." Liz said with a decided nod of her head and a jab of her forefinger in the air as she continued to pace. Angel tilted her head slightly preparing herself for the response to her next question. "So, have you kissed him yet?" Liz stopped her pacing and turned on Angel her mouth opened in shock. "I…I…absolutely not! How could you even ask such a question?" Angel shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, I know if it were me and I was your age faced with a man as utterly fabulous and sexy as Max Evans, I'd kiss him the first chance I got. Especially if he made me as…" Angel paused to clear her throat meaningfully as she wiggled her eyebrows. "…'frustrated' as Max makes you." Liz groaned and Angel stiffled a giggle. Angel's ebony eyes twinkled with laughter as she leaned back against comfy cushions on the couch she was sitting on. "In fact, I did, come to think of it. About thirty minutes after meeting Jay, my lips were permanently attached to his. Jay said if I ever kissed him like that again, he'd have to marry me." Angel shrugged her shoulders with a grin of remembrance. "So I did. We were married 2 weeks later." "Yeah, well, I'm not you." Liz countered lamely as she crossed her arms in front of her and beginning to tap her foot impatiently knowing where Angel was trying to direct this conversation. She attempted a nonchalant shrug of her slender shoulders and an air of indifference. The attempt failed. "Besides sexiness is in the eye of the beholder." "I know." Angel sighed dramatically, her next statement quipped with a smirk. "And you've gotten an eye full lately." Recognizing the truth when it hit her square in the face but unwilling to bend in her stubbornness, Liz bowed out by attempting to change subjects. "You know what? It's useless discussing this with you because he's apparently done it to you too." "Done what?" A sudden grin spread over Angel's face. "Weaved his little magic spell over you like he's done every other woman in New Haven. He's even gotten to Maria." She sat back down on the floor with a plop and grabbed up the wooden cylinder. As she began to concentrate on it she added a layer to her denial that even she wasn't convinced of. "Fortunately for me, I'm immune to his charms." Angel laughed out right. "Yeah, right. And there's a little girl upstairs who doesn't believe in Prince Charming." Angel said lowering her voice with a chuckle as she leaned over and took the cylinder from Liz's hand. "So, how do we open it? There doesn't seem to be any openings on this one either." Liz leaned back and started to eye the wood carefully as teasing was put aside and they both began to concentrate on the task at hand. "But there has to be." She said with conviction as her fingers began to slowly perceptively trace the carvings on the otherwise smooth wood in front of her. "I just can't imagine him giving just this to me." Liz shook her head as she started talking more to herself then to Angel. "No, there's something special inside. It's hidden and hard to get to, but once I find the key to opening the case…it'll be magnificent. I can just feel it." Hearing her words, Angel's contemplative gaze moved to focus on Liz's face and how her complete focus was on obtaining the precious object she was sure Max left for her inside. Suddenly, Angel's own vision started to clear. Not only did she see the woman before her eagerly trying to discover the hidden treasure so carefully protected in the wooden shell…she also saw the subtle message the giver had intended with the gift. "Just like you." She whispered absently unaware that she'd spoken out loud. Liz glanced up at her having heard her voice something but not sure what she said. "What?" Deciding to keep her own thoughts on the subject for now, Angel shook her head slightly and said, "Oh, nothing. I was just talking to myself." She smiled suddenly and indicated the tube in Liz's hand. "Maybe there's a secret combination or something." "What do you mean?" Liz asked as she scrunched up her nose. "Well, you know. Like maybe one or two of the sections made by the carvings aren't exactly the same as the others. Or maybe the top turns. Or maybe you have to push…." Liz sat up excitedly. "No, wait. Go back. What did you say about the sections being different?" "Maybe the design of the carving isn't perfectly symmetrical. Maybe there's a section that's not quite like the others and that's the key to opening it." Angel answered her own excitement beginning to show in her eyes. Liz immediately began scrutinizing each and every bit of the tube in front of her. Angel sat back and watched her with great interest as silence filled the room. She'd never seen her so bent on achieving a goal before. Except the goal of keeping her heart free and clear of complicated attachments, that is. And as far as that goal was concerned, Angel had a strong feeling she'd be losing that battle sooner than she thought now that Max was in her life and apparently not planning to go anywhere. Her thoughts quickly turned to Max. Was he just playing a game with Liz? Or did he really see the hidden treasure of her heart? The real person tucked away from the world, hidden behind walls of half-truths and outright lies? There was no doubt he saw her soul in her paintings. How could he not see it when he was standing right in front of her looking in her eyes? No, he saw it. And no matter how much fun he seemed to having and how casual he tried to make this pursuit of his appear, Angel was convinced that this was anything but a game to Max. Even if he didn't know it yet himself. "Hey, I think I got it!" Liz exclaimed bringing Angel's focus back to her and the project at hand. "Where?" Angel asked as she leaned forward and studied the case intently. "Right here." Liz explained as she indicated the pattern about a half an inch from the top of the case. "See how it's larger then the rest of the pattern. I mean, it's still the same, but it's different. Maybe if I turn it…" Liz attempted to turn the band of pattern she'd indicated, but to no avail. She twisted it the other way and released it with a sigh. "Nope. That's not it. I thought I really had it…" She said as disappointment filled her voice. She placed the tube on the table and released a sigh. Sensing Liz's discouragement, Angel made a suggestion. "Maybe you should take a break. You've been going at these for quite a while now. Perhaps some distance will give you a different perspective." Liz sat up suddenly. "That's it. A different perspective." She tilted the case till she had it lying on its side then began to roll it along the table. As she did so, there was a noticeable imbalance in the way the tube rolled. The right side seemed heavier and not as willing to move along the table. Liz grabbed it up and started looking at the bottom of the case. "It's heavier on this side. Which might mean there's a mechanism here in place to open it up…" She fiddled with it for about thirty seconds then gave a cry of victory as she heard a click and felt the bottom turn in her hands. The moment it turned, the top slowly began to open releasing the hidden doors of the case causing them to slowly swing free. Once the doors had completely swung open, Liz and Angel leaned forward to see the treasure inside. "Oh my God." Liz breathed the words softly. "This is absolutely…" "Wow." Angel said as she sat down next to Liz and gingerly touched the object before them pulling it out of its resting place and onto the table. What they saw before them was an ornately carved hourglass. Three wooden legs, like the thread in a screw, wound from base to top giving support to the glass in the center. The glass itself was crystal clear with a design etched along the top and bottom edges similar to the carving on the outside case it had been resting in. On the wooden top securing the hourglass was what looked like a crest or coat of arms imbedded in the grain of the wood. As elegant at the casing and the glass was, it was actually the sand inside that caused both women to exclaim with wonder. The sand was of no particular color. In fact, there were too many colors to name. Various shades of blue and red, green and purple and colors they knew no name for were encased in the glass before them. One had only to turn the hourglass and a completely different picture would take place right before their eyes as the colored sand slipped through the narrow neck twirling and mixing together in a dance of beauty. "This is amazing." Liz whispered before turning to Angel suddenly. "Did he leave anything else?" Angel chuckled as she indicated the hourglass. "Isn't that enough?" She teased. Liz rolled her eyes as she grinned. "You know what I mean. Like a note or something." Liz made the statement completely unaware of how acquainted with Max's habits she was becoming. But Angel did notice and fought the grin that wanted to break out on her face as she watched Liz turn back to the hourglass and touch it tenderly, adding an awed whisper of explanation. "Max always likes to leave notes." "Well, it just so happens…." Angel handed her the envelope Max had left for her. Liz held it up and read it out loud. "From one Princess to another." She looked at Angel a cocked her eyebrow. "What could that possibly mean?" "I don't know. Maybe he'll explain in the note." Angel said impatiently. "Well, hurry up and open it! At least on that we know how!" Liz started to chuckle at Angel's impatient joking as she ripped open the top of the envelope and pulled out the letter inside. "Feeling a little frustrated? Or that your time has been wasted, perhaps? Believe me, Kendall. I know the feeling. At least your quest yielded a profit. Mine required a bath." Liz looked at Angel and shook her head as they both began to snicker. She turned back to the note and continued to read Max's message. "Now to the hourglass and the cases you had to struggle with to get to it. Di had these boxes made for me shortly after a talk we had at the Palace one night…." "Oh, my God. Do you think he means….?" Liz looked up at Angel. "No. He couldn't possibly mean…*that* Diana. Could he?" Liz tipped the hourglass carefully so she could look under it. "Oh, yes he could." She stated before reading the inscription underneath. "'To Max. May the steady beat of time be the rhythm that leads you home. Love Di.' And there's the royal crest on top!" Liz exclaimed excitedly. "I can't believe I missed that! This really was from Princess Diana!" "Wow!" Angel shook her head in awe. "So, that's what he meant from one Princess to another. Well, what else does he have to say?" Angel asked impatiently as she indicated the letter in Liz's hand. Liz turned back to the letter her hands beginning to shake a little. "In that conversation she taught me a very important lesson. She said, 'Time is never wasted when you're on the journey to being true to yourself. Each step you take in following your heart can only lead you home.' I've followed that advice ever since and it's worked so far. I've also realized that the greatest treasures in life, although often hidden and usually hard to reach, are made that much more precious by the time spent in discovering them. Sitting here now, writing this to you, I'm convinced of that more than ever." "And it looks like you understand that concept too. At least in this case. There's a part of you that can't resist a challenge and you proved that today. As you have every day that I've known you. And that tells me one thing: You and I are very much alike. We follow the same game and we play for the same stakes. All or nothing. No matter how hard you try, I won't consider a second of my time as having been wasted if in the end you're convinced of that. Until then, I'm having as much fun as you are. Forever, Your Adonis P.S. By the way, how long did it take you? Don't worry. You can tell me tomorrow…when we start Round 3." Liz sat in stunned silence re-reading parts of the note that caused her heart to leap in her chest. Being true to yourself. Follow your heart. Lead you home. Hidden treasures made precious by time spent in discovery… Very much the same. All or nothing. If in the end you're convinced… If only she could be who she really was. If only she dared to follow her heart. If only her past didn't weigh her down. If only…. Angel watched the changing expressions on Liz's face and knew in that instant the struggle she was facing. The hidden meaning of Max's words didn't go unnoticed or even misunderstood. Liz knew exactly what Max was telling her. And it frightened her to her very core. Because deep in the recesses of her hidden heart she knew she wanted it too. "Sounds to me like a man who knows what he wants." Angel ventured quietly. "And what he wants is you. The next question is in what way and for how long." "Angel please. Don't." Liz raised her hand as if to stop Angel, but her voice was more of a plea than the irritated protests she'd voiced earlier. "Not voicing it won't make it any less true." Angel persisted gently. "I can't do this. You know this isn't in the cards for me no matter how much I...." Liz's voice began to shake with emotion she hadn't planned on feeling…a sense of overwhelming emptiness--as if she'd lost something she'd never really had a chance to fully experience. As if she were standing on the edge of a vastness…something much greater than herself…about to see the wonder of what was just beyond and being yanked back to solid ground by the cold gripping hands of reality. "You of all people know why I can't wish for this…any of this." She ran her fingers through her hair and let out a sigh as she realized just how quickly she'd been caught up in Max's challenging gift. "He's right you know. I do play for all or nothing. I tried foolishly for all once and now…I have no choice but to take nothing…for the rest of my life." The tears that sprang to her eyes didn't go unnoticed by Angel and she reached out to touch Liz's shoulder. Liz brushed her hand away as she quickly got up and blinked back the tears. When she spoke her voice was soft with restrained emotion. "Tell Jaedan I had to go back to the Center, but I'll be back tonight for our walk." "And Max? What do I tell him? He really wants you to have this." Liz glanced back at the hourglass and shook her head slightly sending a tear from the corner of her eye down her cheek. "Tell him…it's…amazing. But…I…can't accept it. Only a real princess deserves the honor. I'm…not the one he's looking for." With that final word, Liz turned and rushed out the door escaping back to a world where Princes and fairy tales and life full of beautiful dreams ceased to exist. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After Liz's sudden departure, Angel sat lost in thought until a slight movement at the doorway caught her attention. She glanced up just as Max eased into the room and leaned against the doorjam. "Did you enjoy the show?" Angel asked as she raised her eyes to his. A look of surprise passed over his face. For a moment he thought of protesting, but seeing the hint of knowledge in her eyes he decided what he'd always heard might be true. That honest really is the best policy. "How did you know I was hiding?" Max asked. Angel shrugged with a slight grin. "It's an old house. The first step after the landing on the front stairs squeaks the moment any kind of pressure is applied to it." "So, you knew I was there the whole time?" Angel nodded silently with a grin. Her expression grew serious as she glanced back at the hourglass in front of her. "So, did you achieve the desired effect?" Max's face mirrored her own in seriousness as he contemplated his response. The cloud of sadness in his eyes showcased the thoughts in his mind. "Yes…and no. Tears were not on the agenda. You have to believe me, Angel, I never intended to make her cry." "I know. And *you* didn't." Angel assured him before they both became silent, each lost in their own world full of separate thoughts and feelings. Angel's thoughts drifted to the struggle she knew was ahead of Liz if she even so much as dared to get involved with Max and how she wasn't willing to take that risk. Not yet. And just how long and difficult that road might be if and when she decided she was. For Max, his thoughts turned once more to the pain he saw flash in Liz's eyes…her tears on the docks and the unknown man in her past who had caused her so much sorrow and fear. Finally breaking his silence Max asked a question of his own. "Who was he?" Angel's eyes met his in a challenge unwilling to give anything away for free. No, if he really wanted this as much as she thought he did, he was going to have to work for it. "He who?" A faint knowing smile touched Max's lips. "The man who hurt her so badly that she can't bear to let another man get close to her." Angel shrugged. "Oh, I wouldn't say she hasn't let any man get close..." "If you're talking about Sean, he's not close." Max shot back not unkindly. Angel narrowed her eyes. "How can you be so sure?" "Because I have a dozen of my own Seans throughout the world. Beautiful, expensive women who are convenient for a quick date when I don't want to go to the occasional ball alone. But they don't know the real me. And they certainly don't own my heart." Max responded reflectively. "Dating someone steadily for two years isn't quite the same thing." "Perhaps." Max said with a nod of his head. "She doesn't make commitments lightly so one can only assume she really does love him." He brought his eyes back to Angel's face. "But is it the kind of love she's capable of?" Max's straightforward probing question broke Angel's resolve as she locked eyes with his, her unspoken answer hanging in the air between them. "Just what I thought." Max said quietly. "And is love what you're looking for, Max?" Angel asked suddenly turning the tables on him slightly. Max shrugged with a wry smile. "Aren't we all in some way or another?" He responded cryptically as he tried to deflect the conversation back to Liz. "What I think is so sad is that she's resolved herself to never even looking." "Maybe because she thinks she's already found what she needs to look for." Angel said with very little confidence. "Even you don't believe that." Max stated with a slight shake of his head. "It doesn't matter what I believe. It matters what Kendall believes. And what she wants." Angel responded back quickly feeling as if she'd been caught somehow. Leveling him with her gaze, she began a course she hoped would help her determine what exactly they were dealing with. Who knows? It might even help him realize it too. "And what is it that you want, Max? Is it to love her…the real her. The one that she rarely lets anyone see?" She waved her hand over the items on the table. "Or is all of this really just a game to you? The thrill of the chase. The challenge of getting to the woman playing hard to get?" Max's gaze moved from Angel's face to concentrate on the hourglass on the table. Sensing she had his full attention even though he wasn't looking at her, Angel continued. "Don't get me wrong, Max. I like you. I really do. And there is a large part of me that believes that you are exactly what she needs. You were right. You two are very much alike. Much more than I think even you realize." "But I wouldn't be able to call myself her friend if I didn't give you a word of caution. She simply doesn't have the luxury of risking her heart on a game of chance. So, if you're only in this for the thrill of victory at the end of the conquest, please do her a favor and walk away now before she starts to want something she can never truly have." Max looked up at her sharply suddenly becoming aware of just how much it sounded like Angel knew about Liz's past. The protectiveness over the state of Liz's heart rang through loud and clear and he was alerted once again to the unknown's he'd still have to face if he continued this pursuit of Liz. Although her words were not meant to sting, he couldn't help but feel a pang of uncertainty about the direction he was heading. Did he really have any idea what he was jumping into? And if he didn't, was she really worth the risk? And what about what risk he presented in this little two-step they were beginning? The past he was tugging along behind him like a dead weight? Wasn't that enough to warrant a quick retreat now before actual casualties began piling up? Max bit his lower lip and shifted against the wall uncomfortably. "What if…what if I'm not sure where this is headed. I can't guarantee love for her, Angel. Until a week ago, I barely said the word myself. I'm only just now beginning to see the possibilities of this…whatever it is." Max shook his head slowly. "If you're asking for a lifetime, I can't give it. Not now. I'm not even sure if I ever can." Angel leaned forward, her voice softening with understanding of his confusion. "Max, I'm not saying you have to know everything right now. Unless you have a crystal ball that goes with this hourglass, you can't see into the future. No one expects you to. I'm just saying that there are great treasures to be found in getting to know Kendall…in loving her. But there are also tremendously high stakes. For you and for her. One wrong bet and she can lose her world." "If I'm going to encourage her to take that risk, I have to know it's worth it for her. Getting involved with her is not for the fainthearted, Max. Or the fickle. You need to know what you want before you go any further." "Is that what you think I am? Fainthearted and fickle?" Max asked quietly as he looked up at Angel trying to read the expression in her eyes. Having discovered just how close Liz and Angel were…having seen it first hand…seeing it now in Angel's concern for Liz, Angel's opinion of him had become instantaneously important to him. Angel shook her head as a slight smile came to her lips. "No, I think you're just the opposite. Which is precisely why I'm able to tell you these things. You've earned the right to know the way the cards are stacked before you ask for another hit…or before you decide to fold and walk away." Angel got up from the couch and headed toward the door stopping when she reached Max's side. She reached out and touched his arm giving one parting word of advice. "Just be sure when you're ready to place the bet that you're willing to risk it all. She deserves nothing less than she'll have to give." As Angel left him alone with his thoughts, Max closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the door, the weight of his next move pressing heavily on his heart. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ She grabbed the phone on the third ring. "Hello?" "Hello, beautiful." The familiar voice came floating to her over the phone lines. "Duke." She answered with a smile. "Please tell me this is a pleasure call and not about business." He chuckled softly into the phone. "Sorry, darling. Business this time. But if you play your cards right..." She sighed deeply as she eased herself onto the bed and pulled her feet up under her pushing her long dark hair away from her face. "The job would have to be lucrative." "Obscenely. That's the only thing worthy of you." She smiled into the phone. "You're such a sweet talker. But you know I'm already in the middle of a job. I really don't know if I can take on any more than I have right now..." "You can do it. Trust me, McKenna." The voice said soothingly. "I do, but..." "This job will be the beginning of making all of your dreams come true. I promise." He stated with confidence. Her brows furrowed as her mind drifted to the face of the raven-haired Adonis who haunted her dreams every night. Too bad Duke couldn't see her real dreams. On the other hand, it was better that he didn't. At least that way Max would be safe... Tbc…. |
| posted on 21-Oct-2001 6:02:36 PM |
| ~ chapter 13 ~
Pulling her thoughts from the past, McKenna forced herself to focus on the current man in her life, her partner of sorts, and on the job he had waiting for her. "So, Duke. Tell me what this lucrative job is going to be and just how will it make my dreams come true." She could almost envision him pursing his lips as her request met silence. When he finally answered it was with a question of his own. "How does finding your very own pot of gold strike you?" McKenna's face scrunched in confusion and her green eyes narrowed warily. "Pot of gold? Duke, what are you talking about?" "Your assignment. And the fortune it could bring us if we look toward the Emerald Isle." "Ireland? You want me to go to Ireland?" McKenna let out a sigh. "You know I can't do that. I've told you, I'm in the middle of a job..." "Ah, but that's the beauty of this job, my dear. You don't have to go anywhere. Your victim has actually come to you this time." Duke answered with a smile in his voice. "My victim." McKenna smiled at Duke's use of term. "Yes. Your victim." Duke repeated as a wicked gleam entered his eyes. "Actually, it might turn out he'll be more like your partner." "My partner, huh?" McKenna nearly purred. "Why, Duke, I didn't know you'd be willing to share. So, tell me. Is he as handsome and clever as you? Or will I be pulling the weight of two on this little assignment you have planned for me?" Duke's voice teased her through the line. "Now, McKenna. I thought you already knew no one is as handsome and as clever as me. Although, I have to admit, some might disagree with me about this particular gentleman rouge." "Ohhh, a gentleman rouge. Stop now. I'm getting goosebumps." McKenna teased flirtatiously. Duke's response was a warm chuckle. "Don't get any ideas, McKenna." He teased back. "If I even suspect you're falling in love with said rouge, I'll have him dispatched." His voice lowered to an almost cold tone as he added meaningfully, "And you know I'm capable of doing just that." McKenna shuddered involuntarily as her thoughts immediately drifted once again to her past. Letting out a nervous chuckle, McKenna pushed her dark hair away from her face and answered back. "Don't worry, Duke. If I suspect I'm falling in love, I'll dispatch him myself." Duke smiled once more. "That's my girl." Breathing a sigh of relief, McKenna focused once more on the business at hand. "Alright, Duke. Don't keep me in suspense. Who is this Gentleman Rouge you speak so highly of?" "I believe you've heard of him. His name is Max Evans..." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Liz was tossing and turning in her bed once again in this never-ending struggle to get a good night's sleep. For some reason, she just couldn't get comfortable. Maybe it's the pillow. Yeah. That's it. First chance I get I'm going to get a new pillow. Liz punched her pillow in frustration and laid her head back down. She turned over and wiggled into a new position. She lay there for a few moments. Sighed. Then changed positions again. Or maybe it's the mattress. No, maybe it's the bed. Yeah, it's got to be the bed. It's so...big. Much too big for one person. What in the world ever possessed her to get a King-sized bed anyway? Maybe when she bought it she still believed in the dream that one day she would share it with someone. That with him in her arms it wouldn't feel so empty. But that was a long time ago and that dream had died right along with so many of her plans... So, why was it on her mind all of a sudden? Her thoughts instantly jumped in the direction of the same raven-haired wolf that was literally making her life a living hell. Not that the jump was that hard to make. His handsome face with those piercing amber eyes was already appearing before her mind's eye when the size of her bed had come into question. How was it each of her plans had managed to backfire since his arrival in Port Charles? Liz sighed again as she turned and gazed up into the darkness. No. That wasn’t quite right. Her plans hadn't really backfired...he'd just come up with a counter plan that blew hers away. Like today. Or was it yesterday now? Liz looked at the steady red light on her nightstand. Two thirty six. Ok, so it was yesterday. He'd managed to take the disastrous copier incident she successfully executed and turned it into a brilliant idea to raise money for the center while exacting his revenge at the same time. Claire told her they had managed to raise close to seven thousand dollars just from the tours alone. That wasn't mentioning the pledges they had received. Or the money Max agreed to kick in for the inconvenience of his little payback stunt. On top of that, Max had paid the $500 the ad had promised to each of the first 100 customers and he had trained repairmen on hand to handle any and all repair calls. As far as the customers were concerned, her non-existent business was a huge hit. And as far as the Center was concerned, Max was their new hero. Not to mention the hourglass stunt. That one had thrown her a curveball she wasn't expecting. She'd never dreamed he'd give her something so exquisite as his hourglass made just for him by a member of royalty. And his note. It struck a chord in her heart reviving a tune whose last beat had been played years ago. Or so she thought. What a dirty trick for him to pull. To open a door she'd closed forever just enough for her to peek inside and see the beauty she was missing. Oh, he hadn't given her any assurances. There were no commitments. No proffers of love or even interest. Yet, his message held a note of promise to it. That he would be patient. That he would persevere. That in the end he would know victory by holding the treasure he sought in his hands. Liz figured she could handle just about anything from him. This fun challenging little war they had going on. His ruthlessness. His cunning and cleverness. Yes, she could handle it all. Even the way he made her quiver inside with that intensely seductive gaze of his. She was strong enough to take anything he threw her way. Anything that is except kindness. And sincerity. Even showing her his heart. No, she definitely couldn't handle seeing his heart. Not even in the smallest way. The moment she did would be the moment she'd be in real danger. It'd be the moment she'd lose her own. And she'd been close today. When she'd opened his unexpected gift to her. Especially after what she'd done to him. In that one gesture he'd shown her a little bit of the real man behind the magazine articles and overheard rumors. That's why she had to run. That's why she needed to escape. Back to a world where she could bury herself in the tragedy of other people's lives. Where she could be reminded that in comparison to others her life was full with friends and work that she loved. That she really didn't need anything more. Not even a second chance at love. Not even a chance...with Max. Running hadn't helped though. Especially since the place she ran to wasn't the Center as she had originally planned. There was too much collective pain there for her to handle. Too many sorrows for her to try to heal. Especially when her own misery was pressing down all around her. Unable to find the smile she'd be forced to show, Liz turned the car in the direction of her little rented cottage instead. And there, she was greeted by her patient, Kyle. Pain having lightened some, his bruises were darkening in color. Yet Kyle managed a teasing smile. Until he saw the remnants of her tears. With a few crafty comments and careful observation as Liz flitted around the room in agitation, Kyle…in his own special, twisted way…had Liz's situation pegged in no time… "So, the boyfriend did something to upset you, huh?" "No. My boyfriend isn't completely insensitive and totally irritating. Or insane." Liz shot back before muttering under her breath. "Unlike some wolves I know…" A slow grin spread over Kyle's face and his blue eyes began to twinkle. "Ah. I see Someone's lit your fire and now you're trying to put out the flames, huh?" "That's ridiculous." Liz rolled her eyes and let out a loud sigh as she turned to face him. "Did you not just hear me say that I have a boyfriend?" Kyle shrugged. "What's your point?" "Oh, God. Not you too." Liz shook her head in disgust and headed toward the kitchen with a load of dishes Kyle had been piling up. Less than thirty seconds passed when Liz emerged with a new fire blazing in her eyes. "For your information, my boyfriend and I have a wonderful relationship. He's sweet and thoughtful and caring and loyal and…and…" "And duller than a flickering lightbulb is my guess. That's why this other guy is getting to you." Kyle took Liz's silence as confirmation of his assumption and continued. "Look, you shouldn't feel bad for having the hots for someone else. I mean, face it…if all relationships were all they were cracked up to be there wouldn't be divorces and affairs happening left and right." A crooked smile touched Kyle's lips. "Believe me, I've helped in my share of them so I know what I'm talking about." "Oh, now there's a thing to be proud of." Liz quipped sarcastically as she sank down into a nearby chair and narrowed her eyes wondering how in the world they had gotten on such personal ground so fast. Especially with a stranger whose very presence in her life symbolized danger. Even more, since they'd agreed no questions, no answers. Kyle chuckled lightly. "Look. It would happen with or without me. The women I meet that are looking for a fling are really looking for that fire and passion they once felt with their significant others. If they didn't get it from me, they'd keep looking till they got if from someone else. It’s the nature of the beast, Liz. Once you've felt passion…no matter how long you try to suppress the desire for it…it will always come back to haunt you. And the longer you keep it at bay, the stronger it'll be when it hits you again. And trust me on this…the boyfriend is never the one carrying the torch…" Liz pushed her hair back behind her shoulders and leaned forward in the chair. "But what about commitment? Doesn't that stand for anything anymore?" "Commitment? And passion? Together?" Kyle winced as he began to laugh. "Oh, that's funny." "So, I take by your response you don't think they go hand in hand." "Not from what I've seen." "What a fatalistic view of love you have there..." Liz commented as she shook her head in disappointment. "Love? Oh. Now, I didn't know we were talking about love." Kyle answered with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Love is something entirely different." Liz wanted to scream at his apparent lack of logic but instead clenched her teeth and pushed out a question she was sure she would regret. Never in a million years did she think this obvious player would give her a new enlightening piece to her baffling puzzle. "How so?" Blue eyes clouded with sincerity and Kyle's expression was thoughtful and full of remembrance. "Love bridges the two. Passion and commitment. With love in the middle, that's the only way they work together. And with that unique combination of the three…the relationship is untouchable. Fire can't burn it. Rain can't wash it away. Time will never steal its freshness. And dangerous storms will never shake the strong walls of its safe refuge. Love is all. All is love." Swallowing hard, Liz blinked back the stinging that suddenly flooded her eyes. "That…that was beautiful…" A light smile touched Kyle's lips. "My brother's words. It was a toast to our parents on their last anniversary." Kyle's gaze dropped and he began to absently finger the loose threads on the blanket covering his legs. "If anyone knows about love, its those three people. My parents, because of what they've held onto. My brother, because of what he's lost." Letting out a sigh, Kyle's gaze raised to meet Liz's. "I guess all I'm saying is there's a reason you're feeling this sudden passion. It might be wise to take a good, long, hard look as to why its consuming you all of a sudden instead of trying to douse it with pails and pails of denial. Who knows? Maybe it's a test and it'll make you realize what you have with Mr. Loyal is what you want after all. Or maybe this 'wolf' that's putting fire in your eyes…well, maybe he's got the missing element for that untouchable relationship you've been looking for. Maybe…just maybe…if you give him a chance, he might…" "Surprise me." Liz stated quietly as her gaze locked with Kyle's, her thoughts on an hourglass full of magical colors and a note revealing hidden dreams. "Yeah. Surprise you…" Surprises. She had liked them at one time. Lived for them actually. Long, long ago when her girlish heart hammered with recklessness and freedom. Long before that same recklessness captured her in its vise-like grip and freedom was yanked from under her feet like a rug revealing a black hole of despair beneath her. The only thing that had pulled her from the endless emptiness had been the rescuing hand of an angel. Angel. Liz smiled in spite of herself. After today, Liz was painfully aware that she'd have to start keeping an eye on that woman. She'd been enjoying herself a little too much at Max's prompting and Liz's expense. That she found Max an amusing, charming man was apparent. That she wished for a union of sorts between her and Max was glaringly clear in her words and actions. In fact, she wondered if Angel was the one who had provided the picture of her that Max used on the flyer. The flyer. Suddenly, Liz sat up in bed. "Why that little..." The darkness was her sounding board as a realization hit her. Liz flung the covers off of her, turned on her light and headed toward her desk. She began to rummage through a drawer and not finding what she was looking for she slammed it shut and pulled the next one out. She shuffled a few papers to the side with an exclamation. "A-ha! There it is!" She pulled out a packet of photos and held them up to the light. Thumbing through them quickly, she found the one she was looking for. "I knew it!" Determination flashed in her eyes as a plan began to unfold in her mind. She ran to her closet, threw on a sweatshirt and sweatpants, grabbed her coat and keys and headed out the door, slamming it behind her. ~~~~~~~~ The penthouse was dark and still as she entered the front door and closed it behind her carefully. Stopping a moment to let her eyes grow accustomed to the darkness surrounding her, Liz then slowly began to tip-toe up the stairs. Standing now in front of the door she'd coming looking for, she slowly opened the door pausing for a moment when it began to creak. She slipped through the opening and tip-toed to the bed lowering her face close to that of her victim. She reached out and cautiously nudged the sleeping form of her best friend being careful not to awaken the person she was cuddled up next to. "Pssst. Wake up." Her friend rolled over slightly, her blonde hair falling away from her still-closed eyes. She nudged her again. "Pssst. Hey, there. I really need you to wake up." Her sleep induced friend let out a slight groan as she fully turned over and swung her arm. Liz jumped back just in time to miss being slapped in the head by the flying extremity. She waited a moment to make sure there'd be no other sudden movements then leaned down again. "Psssssssssst. Maria. Get up." She whispered a little more loudly this time and her nudge was a little less gently. Without warning, Maria's eyes popped open and she bolted upright when she saw someone's face dangerously close to hers. In sheer terror she let out a scream as she grabbed her pillow and held it as if preparing to use it for a weapon. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!" "AAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!" Liz yelled right along with her as she jumped and almost fell backward completely taken by surprise. Once Maria' eyes had focused and her initial shock was over, she exclaimed loudly, "Kendall!!! Holy Toledo!!!!! Criminy, girl, what are you trying to do??? Give me a heart attack??" "Shhhh!" Liz whispered loudly pointing toward Michael's still figure. "We don’t want to wake Michael." Maria glanced over at him and dismissed Liz's concern with a wave of her hand. "Don't worry. We could put him on the highest roller coaster at Coney Island right now and he'd never wake up." "I don't know, Maria. With that kind of protection, you might consider getting a guard dog or another husband. I could have been just anybody walking in here tonight." Liz commented flippantly. "Trade my Mikey G in? Never! Believe me, chica, what he doesn't do while he's asleep, he makes up for while he's awake." Maria relaxed her posture and placed her pillow back in its rightful position as she eyed Liz. "Alright. Now, spill it. What are you doing here at..." she reached over and turned her clock to see the time. "...THREE AM?!?!" Maria let out a groan and fell back onto her bed. "I swear, Kendall, this had better be good." "I need your help." Liz launched into her plan without ceremony. "For what? Counting the stars in the sky?" "I need you to help me get Max back for what he did to me today...or rather, yesterday." Liz declared. Maria propped herself up on her elbow and look at Liz like she'd completely lost her mind. "Are you nuts? You got me out of a very beautiful dream to help you plan another sabotage against Max?" Maria threw back the covers and picked up the phone. Liz slammed her hand onto the cradle causing the dial tone to deaden in Maria' ear. "Who are you calling?" She hissed into the darkness. "New Haven Mental Institution. Cuz, honey, you've definitely lost every last marble you might have possibly ever owned." Maria replied back hotly as she pointed a long fingernail in Liz's face. Liz put her hands on her hips. "Are you saying you won't help me?" Maria replaced the phone to its cradle. "That's what I'm sayin'." Liz shook her head in disbelief. "Well. Some sort of best girlfriend you turned out to be!" She accused trying to pour on the guilt as she crossed her arms in front of her. "Oh, so now my friendship's in question just cuz I won't help you win another point in this on-going war between you and Max?" "No, it's in question because of whose side you're on." Liz shot back. Maria rolled her eyes. "Look, if this is because I teased you about wanting him..." "No." Liz said with a shake of her dark head. "It's because of this." She pulled out the photo of her that she'd found in her drawer. The same exact one that was used in the flyer. The picture that only one other person in the world possessed...Maria. Maria grabbed the picture from Liz's hand and squinted her eyes for a closer look. Hazel eyes suddenly widened as realization dawned on her. "Oooohhh. Now, I see." She shrugged her shoulders and handed the picture back. "So, I gave him the picture..." "Yeah. And now you won't help me. Which only leads me to one conclusion...you're on his side!" Maria rolled her eyes. "Maybe the reason I gave him the picture was because he didn't ask me at THREE IN THE FREAKIN' MORNING!" Liz dismissed Maria' words with a wave of her hand and a roll of her eyes. "Is that the problem? The time?" Liz reached over and flipped the covers off of Maria that she had returned to their rightful place over her tired body. "I really don't know what's happened to you, ya know? You used to be so much fun. In fact, you were the ultimate night owl." "I became a mother. That's what happened to me." Maria responded back as she tried to make out Liz's movements in the dark. Liz had quickly turned toward Maria's dresser and pulled out a drawer. She reached in and grabbed a few articles of clothing then tossed them to Maria. Maria stared down at the clothes that had just landed in her lap and sighed as she picked them up realizing that she had no other choice. "It'll happen to you too, ya know." Her wide smile shone through the darkness as a vision took shape in her mind. She reluctantly began to dress as she spoke with a hint of laughter. "Yep, I can see it now. You and your hubby will put your twins, Jr. and Maria Louise--named for her godmother, of course--to bed then head off to bed yourselves for a private little 'playtime' of your own. You'll start getting' it on, climb into bed…he'll begin to nuzzle your neck and you'll...promptly fall asleep on his shoulder at the oh-so-late hour of...seven thirty." "Oh, don't be ridiculous." Liz whispered from the depths of Maria's closet. "Max would never name a child of his 'Maxwell Adolphus Jr.'" Grimacing into the dark closet, Liz continued flinging items over her shoulder, oblivious to what she was saying. "Maxie. Adolph. God, the nicknames alone would be horrendous." She shivered absently at the thought before exclaiming victory. "A-ha! I found them." Liz pulled herself out of the closet with a matching pair of shoes in her hand. Going to the bed she plopped them down in front of Maria who sat staring at her with the most amused look on her face. "For someone so organized I never would have believed it so difficult to find a matching pair of shoes in your closet. You really need to work on that..." Standing in front of her, Liz could faintly make out the expression on Maria' face. "What??" She asked as she put her hands on her hips. Maria' smile widened perceptibly as her voice took on a teasing tone. "I never said anything about Max." "So?" Liz asked defensively as realization began to dawn on her. What was it she had said? Something about Max never naming one of his kids after him? Oh, no. How in the world had that slipped out? And to Maria of all people. Now she'd never hear the end of it. "So...you're the one who brought him up when I mentioned your hubby and kids." Maria started to laugh as she pointed an accusing finger at Liz. "Wow! You're already thinking about cute, little Maxie Jr's running around and you don't even realize it." "I was most certainly not thinking of little Max Jr's running around. Believe me, one is more than enough. I was merely making a point..." "Uh-huh. A point that had no business in this conversation except to you're mind." Maria laughed out loud. "Holy Toledo! You haven't even had your first kiss and you've already got yourself married to him with two children." Maria stated before a new idea struck her. A wicked laugh escaped her and her hazel eyes danced in the dim light of the moon streaming though the window. "Or...maybe you have had your first kiss and that's why the jump to 'playtime' was so easy to make. Wait till Max hears about this." She leaned forward her grown excitement was evident. "So, tell me...was he as hot as I thought..." Liz clamped her hand on Maria' mouth and hissed into the darkness. "Maria Louise! Stop it! Max and I have not kissed! And don't you dare breathe one single word of what just happened to him! You got it? Not a word!" Maria tried to pull away but Liz held her firmly. "Got it?" Maria nodded. "Do I have your word on that?" Liz hissed again trying to make out Maria' expression to see if her nod was trustworthy or not. Maria nodded her head again as her eyes began to twinkle with laughter. Liz slowly released Maria and started to back away as she looked down at the floor and began to shuffle her feet. The gesture was evidence of her embarrassed not only by the way her mouth seemed to be getting her into trouble lately by popping out things she'd rather keep to herself, but also by her sudden outburst. "So, are you going to help me or not?" Liz asked rather timidly. "I'm getting dressed aren't I?" Maria asked back. "Well...good." Liz said not quite sure what else she should say. "I'll...I'll wait for you downstairs." Liz turned and started to head out the door when Maria called out to her. "Oh, Kendall, one more thing...did they have your ears or his?" "Who?" Liz asked innocently. "Max Jr. and Maria Louise." Maria's laughter erupted when Liz reached down and grabbed up a pillow that had fallen off the bed and hurled it at her before storming out the door to the sound of Maria's incessant chuckles. ~~~~~~~~~~ Later that morning, Liz waited impatiently by the window for a sign of Max's car. She paced in front of the window a few times, sat down at her desk, shuffled a few papers then popped up when she heard the sound of a car pulling into the parking lot. "Yes! There he is. It is now showtime!" Liz rushed from behind her desk to the couch at the other end of her room. She bent over Maria' sleeping figure and began to shake her gently. "Maria. Wake up. He's here. Max is here. It's time." Maria' eyes were still closed as she absently pushed Liz's hand away with a murmur. "Good for you. Maybe you can greet him with a kiss and get started on havin' those twins..." "Maria. This is serious. I need you to go meet him." Liz said a little more loudly with a lot more frustration. ”You go meet him. I have a date with the Sandman." Maria growled as she turned her back on Liz. Liz nudged her again. "Maria, you know I can't. Not after yesterday. Come on. You promised you'd help." Maria sighed and turned over to look at Liz with one eye opened. "You're really determined to test our friendship today aren'tcha?" "Please???" Liz pled not only with her voice but her eyes as well as her hands clasped in front of her in a sign of supplication. Maria threw the multi-colored throw off of her and sat up with a sigh. "Alright. You'd just better remember this moment when you're namin' your first born daughter." Liz jumped up and down then headed toward her desk. "Oh, thank you, Maria. I owe you one big time!" "Yeah, yeah, yeah. I've heard that before." Maria teased as she stood up and checked herself in the mirror. "Alright. Where's the instructions?" Liz came from around her desk and handed Maria a piece of paper. "Here. And remember...I'm too busy to meet with him today. Tell him I'm on the phone or in a meeting or something, but whatever you do, do not...I repeat…do NOT let him come in here." Maria glanced from the list in her hands to Liz's anxious face. "You really that afraid of him?" Liz waved off her comment with a grand hand gesture as she turned back around and headed for her desk. "Oh, please. I'm not afraid of him at all. I just..." "What did he do to you yesterday when you went to find him?" Maria asked as she followed Liz to her desk. Liz stacked some papers nervously and grabbed up a pen becoming totally absorbed in her work. "Kendall?" Maria prompted as her voice took on an edge of concern. From what she'd seen of Max so far, she liked him. And no matter how much she liked to tease Liz about him, she was also very aware of the effect Max had on her best friend and she wanted to be sure he wasn't overstepping his boundaries. Liz sighed and glanced up at her realizing how silly her answer was going to sound. "Oh, it's no big deal, Maria. He just...he just gave me a gift that's all." Maria blinked her eyes as if she hadn't heard properly. "He gave you a gift." Maria repeated incredulously her curiosity at an all-time high now. "What kind of gift?" Liz looked down at her papers and shrugged the importance of Max's gesture away. "Oh, nothing much. Just an extremely beautiful hourglass that Princess Diana gave to him a long time ago." "WHAT?" Maria practically yelled. "He gave you something that Princess Diana gave him?? Well, where is it? I want to see." Liz shook her head as she said quietly. "Probably in his cottage. I...I didn't accept it." "YOU WHAT??" Maria' voice was at an all-time high. Liz quickly shushed her reminding her where she was. Maria watched Liz's face flush slightly and instantly understood the reason for her reluctance to see him today. "Oh, I get it. Aww, man. It's all makin' sense now. You don't want ta see him cuz you don't want him knowing how much his gift meant to you. And you're afraid he'll be able to see it the second he takes one look at you. That's it! Isn't it?" "Don't be ridiculous." Liz stated curtly as she got up from her chair and began to file some cases in her file cabinet. "I simply don't have time to deal with Max and his little...shenanigans today. "Right." Maria crossed her arms in front of her as an air of disbelief wrapped around her. "But you had time to deal with them all last night and most of this morning, didn'tcha?" Maria teased as her eyes began to sparkle. Liz turned on Maria suddenly. "Look, if you really don’t want to help me with this then fine. I'll just do it myself. I'm not afraid to face the man, if that's what you're implying..." She walked over to Maria and held out her hand. When Maria made no move, Liz prompted her. "Well, give me the list. I'll go talk to him. He probably needs to be rescued from V by now anyway." Sensing that Liz was forcing more confidence into her little speech than what she actually felt Maria shook her head. "Oh, just relax. I won't make you face the Big Bad Wolf today. But don't say I didn't warn ya. You can run as much as ya want, but eventually you're gonna have to face him and these feelings he brings out in you." Maria patted her on the arm before turning and leaving the room. "That's what I'm afraid of, Maria." Liz said with a sigh as she heard the clicking of Maria' heels head down the hall. "That's what I'm afraid of." ~~~~~~~~ "Hiya, Max." Maria said as she came up to Max in the lobby stifling a yawn as she did so. She could tell by his posture that V had been desperately trying to keep his attention by rambling on about some incident that had kept her from making it to work on time. Unfortunately for V she was failing miserably. "Hey, Maria. You look as tired as I feel." Max said as he turned to her with a weary yet relieved smile. Maria eyed him carefully. He looked resplendent in a navy blue suite with a goldish-brown tie that set off the amber hues of his eyes. Boy was this guy going to have to learn not to wear suits when he came here. Not a lock of dark hair was out of place and his manner was one of ease and comfort. To the casual observer he was untouched by the cares of the world. But looking in his eyes one would have the impression of a man barely hanging on. "Trouble sleeping? Seems it's becoming an epidemic lately." Maria commented more to herself when she saw Max's slight nod of his head. Trouble sleeping. Boy, was that an understatement. He'd gotten practically no sleep last night. After forcing himself to concentrate on work in the afternoon and finding out from Barbara that the EMG board meeting had been moved back a day, Max had decided he couldn't just sit around anymore. So, he'd taken a drive. A long, hard, fast drive. With the wind blowing through his hair and the radio blasting out a thumping beat, Max took his frustrations out on the unfamiliar road. Each unexpected curve was followed by the sound of his screeching tires and every hill was a ramp to sail over. He ruled the two lanes alone. His mind was numb. His heart pounding so wildly that he could hear the blood rushing in his ears. And he liked it that way. It gave him the sense of recklessness and freedom that he craved with a passion. No rules had been made that he wasn't breaking. No laws he wasn't defying. No danger he wasn't taunting. On that road there was nothing to tie him down. No one to hold him back. No one to hold him. Period. No one…at all. His past rose before his mind and a fresh wave of frenzy took over his driving. His foot pushed the pedal to the floor. The music became deafening. And the tears began to blur his vision. At some point, Max found himself pulled over along a bluff. Standing at the edge, hands tucked in his pockets and his eyes dulled with pain, Max felt the cool wind whip around him. Settling over his shoulders. Wrapping around his body. Making him strangely warm in the midst of its chill. An ironic smile touched his lips as one thought gripped his mind: the cold, harsh wind…my only true friend. Max returned to the cottage with more weight on his shoulders than when he'd left. And when he shifted endlessly in his bed that night, fighting the haunting memories for control, Angel's words and Liz's tears kept coming back to his mind no matter how hard he tried to banish them from his thoughts. She'd cried one too many times for his tastes since his arrival in New Haven. If his presence was only going to cause her pain, then he only had one choice even though his heart cried out to him that he couldn't possibly walk away. The weight of his questions about Liz's past and his impending decisions regarding his immediate future had him tossing and turning with no intention of letting him rest. Right now all he wanted to do was see her smile. No matter what it took...even if it meant his absence...he needed to see the beauty of her happiness. Only then would he know what to do. Only then could he walk away with a clear conscience. "Uh, is Kendall in? I really need to talk to her." Maria nodded her head as she narrowed her eyes. Yep. He'd lost sleep over Kendall. There was no doubt about it. His eyes said too much when he spoke her name for it not to be the case. "She is, but she's on the phone right now. Then after that I think she said she had a meeting. In fact, she asked me to give you your assignment for today." The disappointment that clouded Max's eyes was unmistakable. "Oh, I see." So, that was the plan, huh? Run to the safety of work so she didn't have to face him. He knew that trick all too well. If she wasn't ready to face him right now, so be it. But he wouldn't let her get away with it forever. He covered his disappointment quickly with a winning smile. "Well, then I guess I'll just have to catch up to her later. Lead the way." Maria led Max to a pair of swinging double doors. Pushing them aside she stepped into the kitchen with a grand gesture. "Here's your assignment." Max walked in behind her with a raised eyebrow. "The kitchen? What does she want me to do...wash dishes?" Maria laughed at the expression on Max's face. "Well, kinda. I mean, you don't actually have to wash them yourself. Just turn the knob on the dishwasher to start it. What she really needs you to do is cook breakfast though." Maria glanced at her watch. "In fact, you'd better get a move on if it's going to be ready in time." "In time?" Max turned from the clean, safe kitchen to face her. "For what?" "There's a board meeting and they always have breakfast provided." "But I thought Claire said the board meeting was tomorrow morning..." Max started but was interrupted by the quick shrug of Maria' shoulders. "I don't ask. I just follow orders." She said in response to his quizzitive look. Max's eyes narrowed. "Why do I get the feeling something's not right here?" Maria shrugged her shoulders with an I-can't-imagine-where-you-could-have-picked-that-up look on her face. "Maybe you're just paranoid." "Riiiight. And maybe I'm becoming wise from experience." Max took a few hesitant steps into the kitchen and looked around. Well, everything looked safe. But everything had looked safe the other day too. Turning back to Maria he asked. "Are you sure this isn't another one of her stunts?" Maria brightened with a pretty smile and patted him on the shoulder as she gently led him toward the counter at the far end of the room. "What's this? Have ya lost your sense of adventure all of a sudden?" "In other words...this is another one of her stunts." Max quipped with a wry smile as he thrust his hands in his pockets. "Now what would be the fun in me tellin' ya that? Huh?" Maria asked without answering his question. "Besides...aren't you curious to see what she has planned just for you...if anything at all? Or has all that lost sleep left you unequal to the challenge?" The wariness in Max's eyes didn't diminish with Maria' statement. In fact, it only increased his sense of impending doom. He had absolutely every reason in the world to walk out that door and never encounter Liz's plan. Then again, Maria was right. What would be the fun in that? Besides, he had a point he needed to prove to Liz...if not to himself. "Alright." Max shook his head in unbelief before letting out a sigh. "I can't believe I'm actually doing this..." He took off his suit jacket and tie and handed them to Maria. "Can you please make sure this gets to a safe place just in case anything blows up on me?" Maria chuckled uncomfortably. If he only knew the half of it... She quickly consulted the list Liz gave her. "Alright. They'll need coffee, toast and they'll need freshly squeezed orange juice. The juicer is over there on the counter. If you could make about 14 scrambled eggs that should cover them all. Oh and there's a loaf of bread in the bread maker. That's not for breakfast, but we'll use it at lunch." Maria handed him the instructions Liz had written down. "It's not really that difficult. Kendall even wrote the instructions out for you." Max shook his head in disbelief as he looked at the list. Since when does a corporate raider cook breakfast for the board of directors of a children's home? Since a certain beautiful enchantress put a spell on you, that's when. "Ya set?" Maria asked as she watched him with curiosity as he looked over the list. What an interesting man. He knew Liz had something planned for him, and he probably guessed it wouldn't be a beautiful hourglass. Yet he had willing stepped into the ring to take whatever she was getting ready to dish out. He must really be hooked. Or crazy. There was simply no other explanation for it. Max nodded absently. "Yeah, I've got it." "Great! Oh, here's an apron for you." I'm sure you're gonna need it. Maria tossed an apron to him as she headed for the door. Max caught it mid-air and looked at it with growing anxiety. His voice wavered uncertainly as he called out to her holding up the apron. "Uh, Maria...hey, is this some kind of hint or something?" The echo of Maria' laughter filled the room as she headed down the hall leaving Max alone with one burning question... What in the world was he still doing here? Tbc… |
| posted on 21-Oct-2001 6:04:10 PM |
| ~ chapter 14 ~
"Kyle." Alex's voice was dripping with sarcasm as he spoke into his recently answered phone. "I know I'm the kind of guy everyone loves to converse with 24/7, but two phone calls within two days is a bit on the abnormal side for you. What's up? Another problem with Max?" "No, actually. There are no new developments to report on that front." Kyle sighed into the phone and glanced down at the item in his hand wondering if he should really do what he was about to ask. As silence greeted him, Alex rolled his eyes. "Dude. You gonna talk to me or just keep my phone locked up all day?" Clearing his throat, Kyle finally made a decision. "Uh..yeah. Sorry. Look, there's this person I want you to check out for me. It's a woman. She's very…intriguing." Oh, great. Here we go again. What is it with these Evans boys and these illusively intriguing women… "Uh-huh. And I'm assuming she's beautiful." "Very." "And…what? She's rejected your advances and you want to…" "No. No, it's not really like that." Kyle let out another sigh as he ran a hand through his hair. "Look, she's been helping me out but she won't tell me anything about herself. All I know is her name and that she has a really, really amazing taste in music." Alex started to chuckle. "Music? You're wanting to run a check on someone because you like her choice of music? And you've not got a little crush. Right." "Look, Alex, I'm serious." Kyle held up a cd case in front of him. "I found this cd and went to listen to it. It's unreal. The voice is just…" Kyle swallowed back his gushing praise knowing how damaging it would sound to Alex, who assumed Kyle wanted to do anything in a skirt. "The point is that this cd…it has no name on it. Nothing to identify the singer, producer, record label. Nothing. Not even a title. But there's something familiar about the voice. I think…I think it might be this angel of mine that's been helping me. So, I was wondering if you could…" Alex groaned. "Alright. Send it to me. I swear I should charge finder's fee for this dating service I've suddenly become." "What?" Rolling his eyes, Alex shook his head. "Nothing." Pulling out a piece of paper, Alex readied his pen. "Alright. Give it to me. Where did you find this angel?" "Where I am now. Near New Haven." Hmmm. What a coincidence. That's where Max's angel is from… "Ok. And your angel's name is…" "I only know her first name." Another impossible sigh. God, this is starting to sound way too familiar. "O.K. Give me the first name." "Liz." Alex dropped his pen and squeezed his eyes shut. Liz? As in…Max's Liz? Damn. No. Make that triple damn. "Got it." Alex choked out. "Look, I'll get back to you. Right now, I've got to go. So…over." "…and out." Alex replaced the handset and stared at it for the longest time in contemplation of the ironies of life. That both Max and Kyle were asking him to find out who this Liz woman was…well, it was…unnerving. Dropping his head, he banged it a few harmless times against the top of his desk. "Why me???" He groaned out loud then took a deep breath, picked up the phone and dialed a number. "Yeah. It's me. Alex. I need the phone number for Sheila Cobb…again..." As the operator searched for the number, Alex let out another sigh and mumbled under his breath. "Ok, guys. I'll find her for you, but I’m not responsible for any broken bones...or hearts..afterward…" ~~~~~~~~~ In no time, Max had things cooking…literally. Well...almost literally. He'd pulled out the dishes and silverwear for all 7 board members. He had the eggs cracked and waiting to sizzle in the frying pan. The bread was ready to be placed in the toaster and oranges were sitting on the counter peeled and waiting to be squeezed. Before starting his meal preparations, Max warily moved to the dishwasher his hand pausing hesitantly over the knob before he took a deep breath, closed his eyes and turned it. He then breathlessly waited a moment to make sure it wasn't going to explode on him. Hearing it safely humming away, Max let out a relieved sigh and a wide grin before nodding with satisfaction and moving on to his next assignment. Good. One potential disaster avoided. Several to go. He reached for the coffee strainer and placed a filter inside then tore open a packet of coffee grinds and poured them into the middle. Replacing the holder, Max turned the coffee machine on and ran water from the sink into an empty coffeepot. After pouring the water into the machine he turned with a satisfied smile to his next order of business. The toast. He grabbed up 4 pieces of toast and plopped them down into the toaster, checked the settings and pushed the button. So far, so good. Maybe he really was being paranoid. Maybe her revenge would be making him fear her next move. Yeah. That was probably it. After all, what could she really do to him? She really wasn't that good. Max shook his head and chuckled at the anxiety he'd felt over his own overly-active imagination. Yeah, there wasn't much she could do him here. He was safe. He was sure of it. Maria had been too...obvious…about it all. This was just Liz's way of faking him out. And it almost worked. Good plan if he didn't say so himself. He next headed to the juicer sitting ready to make orange juice. He grabbed up his first orange, sliced it in half and laid both sections in the juicer. Then he took up his second and third continuing the same procedure. When the appliance was full, Max replaced the top and nonchalantly pushed the 'on' button with a cocky grin. Suddenly, there was a momentary flicker of lights. Smile fading, Max warily glanced up at the ceiling light fixtures with an instant sense of foreboding. As he was contemplating whether to turn the juicer off, a horrendous knocking sound came from the direction of the dishwasher to his right. Max stepped back from the counter and eyed the machine suspiciously. Within two seconds, the washer began shaking violently causing its movements to appear as if it were walking it's way out of its' resting place against the wall. Max jumped back and grabbed the first thing he could lay his hand on, which in this case was a spatula. Holding it up in front of him as if it were a sword, Don Quixote fighting that infamous windmill suddenly came alive in Max's person. "Uh-huh. Don’t you even dare come closer." Max warned the now animate piece of metal. "I don't know what she did to you, but you are not going to win! Not this time!" Max inched his way around the advancing foe and was just within arms reach of turning the off knob when a popping sound caused him to jerk his head to the left. Having instantaneously located the source of the sound, Max saw that the juicer was dangerously close to losing its lid. Max started to dive for it just as the lid blew off the top spewing orange juice and pulp upwards and into Max's face. "AAAAAA!" Max yelled as he jumped back and immediate grabbed his apron wiping the juices from his face and eyes. He shook his head in anger. "I'm going to kill her." Max said with every ounce of frustration he had in his body to spare. He quickly turned the juicer off and headed back toward the dishwasher, which was now beginning to foam at the mouth like a rabid dog, just as the smell of smoke reached his nostrils. He glanced around to see where the source of the foul smell was when he saw smoke curling up from the toaster. Torn between the animated dishwasher and the smoking toaster, Max quickly made it to the toaster figuring it was the path of least resistance and one that wouldn't have the desire to run him over. Max hit the lever to make the bread pop up, but it didn't budge. He pulled on it hoping the opposite motion would supply the desired response. It still didn't budge. In frustration Max slammed his hand against the side at which time the blackened bread popped out of the top, flew through the air and landed with a dull thud on the floor. Max breathed a sigh of relief. A feeling that lasted only a split second. Just when he thought things couldn't get worse, Murphy's Law was enforced and arrested his immediate attention as a sizzling sound alerted Max to the fact that the coffee was done. Not only was it done, it was shooting out like a fountain in several directions from the plastic filter he'd poured the grinds into. Max lunged toward the sprouting machine and flipped the switch off grabbing a few coffee cups and holding them in front of the streaming black liquid hoping to catch as much as he could before it all flowed to join the growing puddle on the floor. As soon as the flow of coffee eased, Max dumped the coffee cups and turned once more to the dishwasher, which by this time had moved as far from the wall as its cord would allow. Soft bubbly suds had not only surrounded it by this time but were threatening to engulf the lower half of the beastly machine. Max eased his way toward the wall and carefully reached over to unplug the cord effectively ending the dishwasher's short rebellious life. Max leaned against the counter and closed his eyes breathing a deep sigh of relief as near silence filled the room. His mind was whirling with everything that had just happened and he wondered just how in the world she'd managed to pull everything off. Oh, she was good. That's one thing he'd never question or take for granted again. And how he'd allowed himself to get sucked in…once again. It had to be the memory of those eyes. And furthermore, how he was going to top this one in paybacks? This was going to be a tough one... A bubbling sound suddenly reached his ears and broke through his thoughts. Max groaned out loud as his eyes popped open in disbelief. The bread maker was oozing a yellowish substance that Max could only guess was the dough he was sure Liz had rigged to explode somehow. At this point, Max just threw his hands up in frustration, letting out a frustrated yell to no one in particular. "Ok! OK! I give up! You win!" He reached over and quickly unplugged the bread maker just barely diverting another disaster before turning to look at the damage Liz's machinations had caused. There was coffee on the floor that had been joined by soggy burnt toast, suds that were beginning to melt into water puddles, orange juice plastered to the walls and counter and the remains of bubbling bread dough. He shook his head furiously. "Alright, Liz, if you think I'm going to clean this up..." Max had had enough. He angrily undid the apron he'd been wearing and tossed it on the counter. Then he abruptly turned and headed toward the door. Just as he reached the swinging door and raised his hand to push it forward another force caused it to fly back and hit him square in the shoulder knocking him back and sending him to the floor. That cause was no other than a little urchin about seven years old. A little urchin that Max instantly became acquainted with...up close and personal. The force of the door flying open was due to the child running into it with no intention of stopping. Which made his mad dash all that more difficult when his feet encountered Max's prostrate body. The little boy tripped over Max's feet and landed with a thud on his legs sending the hot bowl of oatmeal he'd been carrying flying through the air to land on Max's pants, front and center. "Aaahhhh!! Owww!" "Dylan! Dylan where are you?" Liz's voice sounded at the door just as Max and Dylan collided. She threw open the door and stood in shock at the scene before her. Max scrambled to his feet and was quickly wiping the hot oatmeal from the front of his pants, appearing to do a little jig, all the while trying not to step on the little boy who was trying his best to get untangled from Max's legs. "Damn!" Max exploded as he tossed the towel to the side, his sudden movement causing his foot to slip on the oatmeal that had fallen on the floor and sent him to greet the tile once more...this time face down. "Oh my God! Max! Max. Are you ok?" Momentarily forgetting their little war, Liz rushed to his side as instant concern mixed with a hint of laughter in her voice. Max tightly closed his eyes and lay still for a moment mentally taking inventory of his body parts. Man, it’s a good thing I work out regularly. If I didn't, this little fiasco would have probably put me in the grave… Besides the bruise he knew he'd have on his knee and probably his shoulder, Max figured this was one Liz-induced catastrophe he'd manage to live through...so far. Didn't mean he couldn't milk the situation a little. In fact, he was entitled to do just that. After all, she had sounded genuinely concerned... "Kendall?" Max asked in a weakened voice as if he were in a lot of pain. He reached his hand out to her slowly. "I'm right here, honey. What is it? Where does it hurt?" Liz absently commented without thinking what she was saying as she grabbed his outstretched hand with one of hers and leaned forward. Liz's concern overshadowed her amusement as her other hand absently, repeatedly feathered comfortingly through his tousled hair. Max's eyes took on a wicked sparkle as he noted the tender endearment that had flowed so easily from her lips. His chestnut eyes fluttered closed as he momentarily took comfort in Liz's instinctive, gentle touch and released a shaky sigh of contentment. Her soft caress sent tingles through his body just like her absently uttered word jolted a heart that had been asleep for too long, wide awake. Ah. Heaven. He was tempted to stay this way forever. But even with her electric touch and the warmth his body was suddenly experiencing, Max knew lying on the floor face down would never accomplish his goal. Not to mention, it would get painfully uncomfortable after a while. Especially considering the bodily reactions just the light scraping of her nails against sensitive skin as her fingers raked through the hair that curled adorably right behind his ear. Rolling onto his side, Max winced as he looked up into her eyes so full of concern for his pain, finally answering her question. "Where? Well...let's just say it looks like we're going to have to start later than expected on that family of 10 I have planned, Honey." Seeing the unmistakable twinkle of mischief in his eyes, Liz blinked her eyes in response and her brows furrowed in brief confusion as her mind quickly scanning her comments for damaging evidence. 'Honey.' Damn. Damn. Damn. Liz, girl, you are so going to have to watch that mouth of yours… Quickly dropping Max's hand in embarrassment and disgust at her own slip, Liz pushed him in the shoulder causing Max to cringe with pain despite his bubbly laughter at the expression on her face. He'd caught her red-handed...and they both knew it. "Aaaarrrggghh! You're...you're impossible! You know it?" She said in frustration as she got up from his side and quickly took in the scene around her trying to divert her attention to anything but the past few moments and the way her heart had lurched unexpectedly in her chest when she thought he'd been hurt. "Would you just look at the mess you've made!" Liz said in exasperation now that she was aware Max was perfectly fine. Max moved to a sitting position, his eyes wide when his gaze snapped up to meet hers. "Me? You blame me for all of this?" Max asked with instant surprise as his hand made a wide sweep of the room. "I most certainly do." Liz said as her hands came to rest on her hips and her cheeks burned with embarrassment and annoyance at his previous good humor. She reached for anything within her emotional grasp to fight the raging desire to let all of her guards down and join him in merriment. There was certainly a lot to laugh at. Starting with Max's appearance. He was sitting in the middle of a soapy sticky floor with orange juice stains splattered all over his white shirt. His pants were smeared with the remains of Dylan's breakfast of oatmeal and his hair was slightly damp from the exploding juicer. And to top it all off, on the very top of his head was a small pile of white, foamy bubbles that had clung in contrast to his dark hair when he fell. Liz looked away quickly as forced the breath in her chest to stop the bubble of laughter that was building inside, cold at the sight. Laughing with this man would definitely be the death of her. Not that laughter was bad. Or that she never had fun. But here, now, with this amazingly irresistible man, it would be the first step in letting go…and letting go with Max Evans was just simply not a possibility. She instinctively knew letting go with Max would take her higher than she'd ever dreamed…and bring her crashing down lower than she'd ever been when it ended. She simply couldn't allow that. It would destroy her to lose so much this time… Liz's voice hardened with determination as she forced her gaze to take in the rest of the kitchen. "Just what is the meaning of all this?" Remembering his earlier anger, instant fire flashed in Max's eyes when he literally watched the walls of stubbornness go back up in her eyes. "Unbelievable." Shaking his head, Max muttered under his breath as he carefully rose to his feet and pointed an irritated finger at Liz. "Now, you just wait a damn minute here. The only reason there is such a mess is because of you. And don't you dare try to deny it." Max added as Liz's mouth opened to voice a protest. Liz crossed her arms in front of her and quickly bit down on her lower lip again trying to hold back her rising desire to laugh when she allowed her eyes to meet his. Max looked absolutely adorable with the way his hair was all tousled from running his hands through it. The frustration that he'd been through in the last half hour alone was shooting directly from his eyes and for some reason his annoyance made him appear downright sexy to Liz. Maybe it was all of those strong raw emotions she saw flitting through those expressively, chestnut eyes of his. Whatever it was it sent a sudden shocking currents of desire rushing through her. Which was a pretty dangerous thing to be feeling at this point. She needed to put distance between them even if she had to play on his rising irritation and anger to get it. "Well. This is certainly rich. All I did was asked you to do one simple thing. Make breakfast and turn one little knob on the dishwasher and instead you've created absolute chaos. Guess I'll just have to show you where the cleaning supplies are and hope you don't make a mess of that too." Liz turned toward the door but was stopped by Max's outburst. "Absolutely not!" Max's voice echoed through the room with determination. "I will not clean up a mess that you created. Yes. You." Max confirmed when he saw Liz spin toward him, her eyebrow raised in mock-surprise. "Let's get one thing straight. I have no problem with this little game we're playing. It's actually been quite challenging and…fun…on some level, although I'm not quite sure what that says about me. But I will not clean up your messes. Just like I won't let you clean up mine." Max let out a frustrated sigh as he turned his back on her trying to get control of his anger that had made its way to his voice. This wasn't right. The last thing he wanted to do was fight with her today. Even though his hands were on his hips when he turned back to her, his eyes softened as they cut to her face before he launched into a subject he was sure she would resist discussing. The subject that had brought back haunting images to his own mind. The one that had kept him up most of the night. "For instance, I won't let you clean up the mess I made of things yesterday…" Liz had been watching him carefully and her stomach tied in knots instantly when she saw the look on his face. She knew he was going to bring up his gift to her and that was one thing she knew she wouldn't be able to discuss without showing him too much of the heart she was trying to hide from him. And just how much he'd touched it yesterday. "Oh, please, Max. You didn’t create a mess." She quipped sarcastically trying to cut him off. "Don't you know? You became the Center's hero yesterday. You should feel quite proud of the work you did. You managed to raise money for us all the while sticking it to me." She tilted her head to the side and raised an eyebrow. "Then again, I guess it's just all in a day's work for you isn't it?" A momentary flash of pain entered Max's eyes as he looked away then back at her again. Liz wanted to sink right into the floor. Why did she have to say something so mean to him? Why couldn't she just thank him and be on her way? Why? Because no matter what she didn't want to walk away. But she couldn't bear to allow his kindness to touch her heart either so she put up the protective wall of insults and jabs so that he'd be the one to walk away first. That way the leaving would be his choice and not hers. That way, he just might walk away before she began to feel too much, too soon. "Is that really what you think all of this is to me?" Max asked suddenly, his voice marked by injured annoyance. As much as he hated to admit it, maybe the answer he'd been searching for all night was staring him right in the face. And what he saw was certainly not what he'd been hoping for. "I know this is all this is to you. Oh, sure you're having fun, but it's all at our expense." She pursed her lips and cast her glance upward in thought. "No, let me rephrase that." Eyes snapping back to meet his, Liz crossed her arms in front of her. "It's all at my expense. And I have no doubt the second you get what you want, you'll walk out that door and never look back." Liz challenged hoping in her heart of hearts that she was wrong even though she couldn't admit it to herself.. "Is that what you want? For me to walk away and never look back?" The question was asked so softly Liz almost didn't hear it. Even if she hadn't heard the actual words with her ears, she would have heard them with her heart. The sudden, little-boy vulnerability in Max's eyes caused her eyes to flicker with emotions she couldn't…wouldn't…acknowledge. And that hard shell that encased her heart felt the tiniest rumble when Max's gaze faltered uncertainly. "No." Liz didn't even recognize her own whisper. Even when she felt her own mouth open and saw a gentle glow of relief lighting Max's eyes as his eyes slowly raised to meet hers. Stiffening her back, she cocked an eyebrow at him and donned an air of nonchalance in an effort to ward off any conflicting signals she knew she had to be tossing Max's. "At least not until you clean up your mess." Max dropped his head in momentary silence and Liz wasn't quite sure what his reaction would be when his gaze finally returned to hers. For that matter, neither did Max. A battle being waged within his heart. A battle to take offence. Or take up the slack she'd just offered him. With this woman, it looked like Max was going to take every little give every little bit she willingly tossed him and load up on a ton of patience as he coaxed the rest out of her till his goal was finally reached. A sudden chuckle escaped him and his head began to shake as his eyes raised to meet hers once more, completely devoid of any pain or haunting emotions that struck an ancient chord deep in Liz's heart. He was back to having fun. Back to pursuing his goal. Back to playing the game. "You are some piece of work, Kendall Blake." Liz swallowed hard and braced herself. She'd seen the light of desire flash in Max's eyes and recognized the ready-for-anything stance his body had taken as he flashed her a quick grin. He was back on his game now. Back to being flirty and mesmerizing and enchantingly aloof as he tucked his heart safely away from Liz's view. Just the way Liz wanted it… Taking a careful step forward, a slow smile claimed his lips and his eyes roamed her face greedily. "You rig the kitchen to literally explode on me then you actually have the guts to stand there and act like you had nothing to do with it." Max stopped just in front of her and leaned dangerously close pulling her gaze upward to meet his as his voice lowered meaningfully. "The more I get to know you the more I think I have definitely met my equal." Taking a slight step back, Liz crossed her arms in front of her and defiantly raised her chin struggling to ignore the comedic presence in front of her and address only the adversary underneath the mess she'd created. "Make that your better." An amused smile brought a quick light to Max's eyes. "Perhaps." He agreed as he eyed her carefully. "See, today's stunt shows just how devious your mind can work. I like that because I can be devious at times myself. In fact, I probably would have thought of something like this if I had the necessary skills to follow through. You, on the other hand, not only thought of it, you executed it with amazing talent and finesse. Like an orchestra, not a single appliance failed to follow your command." Liz blinked a couple of times not sure what to make of Max's words. This was certainly not the reaction she'd been going for. In fact, his earlier anger was what she'd been prepared for. What she could handle. She wasn't quite sure what to do with…this…though. He almost sounded…impressed. "So, let me get this straight..." Liz started uncertainly. "...you're not...you're not mad that it happened?" Max shook his head and chuckled as he saw his unexpected reaction beginning to work on her. "Why should I be mad? I knew something was up when I walked in here. I entered the war zone willingly. In all honesty, I'm rather...awed...by your skills. I mean, first the copier, now kitchen appliances." "It makes me wonder what other..." Max stepped closer still and ran a finger lightly down her cheek to her chin tilting her face slightly upward and sending a shiver through her. A shiver that didn't go unnoticed by Max. Especially since it was so strong he thought he could feel the ground shake beneath his feet with the force of it. He continued as an acknowledging twinkle entered his eyes and his voice lowered seductively, his gaze lowering to Liz's slowly parting lips and scorching them with the intensity of his gaze. "...talents you might be hiding." Liz slowly let out a shaky breath that she didn't know she'd been holding since Max had stepped closer to her and her eyes fluttered shut briefly. Her senses were in full overload. He was so close to her, in fact, that she could smell the mixture of the soap he'd used that morning to shower and the breakfast surrounding him. And she could feel him. The heat radiating from his body. The powerful presence that engulfed her like a storm just waiting to rage with all its magnificent wonder. And seeing him. His broad shoulders were just inches away and she had a sudden urge to let her hands attack him, running up his well-toned chest to wrap around his neck and pull his perfectly bowed lips against hers. It would be explosive. Wild. Reckless. A kiss full of all the fire he'd created in her with one simple touch of his finger against her skin. Or one look in her eyes… As if desperately trying to catch herself from falling too far into the sea of his warm chocolate eyes, Liz took a deep breath and backed away again placing more distance between them this time and instantly pushing her hair nervously behind her ears. Her mind raced feverishly for something to say then stopped abruptly when she heard her mouth utter words that shocked her with the pure suggestiveness of her tone. "Not all of my talents are hidden, Max. I'm sure you've figured that out by now." Max's smile deepened as his eyes began shining even more brightly, if that were at all possible. "Oh, believe me, they haven't gone unnoticed. In fact, I'd go through all of this again..." Max gestured toward the kitchen behind him. "...just to experience the talent you displayed by uttering that one word earlier." Liz cleared her throat uncomfortably before venturing into a realm she knew with all of her heart was dangerous, but completely unable to resist. "What...uh, what word?" "Honey." Max answered softly as he gazed at her intently. "The way it shot from your lips to land with a sweet pang in my heart would have put one of Cupid's arrows to shame." Liz colored visibly and Max was amused to see her biting her lower lip as the wheels began turning in her head searching for a reasonable explanation why she would have called her 'enemy' such an endearing term. Oh, this one was definitely going to be good. Liz pushed her hair back and began to stutter through her explanation. "I...I hate to...um...disappoint you. But..." She crossed her arms in front of her in an effort to give her words some visible support and cleared her throat. "...but I often...say that word when I'm...when I'm working with the children..." "Really." Max said clearly not believing her. "Yes, really." She said defensively. "And since you've been acting like one since the second you stepped foot in the door…I'm thinking that it's rather an appropriate term for you..." Liz's expression changed suddenly as her mouth dropped open and her eyes widened in surprise when her own words hit her brain. She glanced around quickly before exclaiming, "Oh, my God. Children." Max grinned suddenly unable to let this one go. "Yes, I did mention them. I believe 10 was the chosen number, but if you'd like more..." Liz rolled her eyes a clear sign that she was regaining control of her own faculties and that Max's power over her was waning fast. "No, Max. Dylan." Max shrugged unwilling to let the game go that easily. "Dylan. I like it. Especially for a first born son. It's certainly better than Maxwell Jr..." Liz's eyes shot to his face as she weighed the possibility that Maria had indeed spilled the beans about her early slip. Not seeing anything in his eyes but pure mischief born of his own teasing nature, Liz dismissed the thought immediately. No, Maria wouldn't have mentioned it to him. Strange that he should bring it up though... Her initial concern being extinguished, Liz rolled her eyes again her irritation beginning to mount. "Max. I'm not talking about our children. I'm talking about Dylan. The little boy that..." "Our children? So you admit that we will have them." Max pressed with a grin as he stuck his hands in his pockets. This was getting better by the second. She clearly wasn't thinking about the words so easily popping out of her mouth. He could really have fun with this... "Oh, for Pete's sake, Max! Would you just listen to me? Dylan's gone." Liz said as her irritation and sudden concern began to cloud her eyes. Max's demeanor changed immediately when he saw a genuine worried line crease her forehead. "Gone. What do you mean gone? Surely, he couldn't have gone too far..." "Dylan could. He's been trying to run away since the day he stepped foot in here. We've already had several incidents..." Liz said as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she began talking to herself. "Ok. Just calm down. We can find him. I know we can. Let's start with where we've found him before." "Where's that?" Max asked his own concern growing by her apparent anxiety. "Well, we found him hiding in the bushes behind the parking lot once. Then he hid behind the podium in the conference room. He's even tried Claire's office when she was gone for the day." "Alright. I'll check Claire's office and the conference room. You check the parking lot then we'll meet back up to see if where to look next if he's not in any of those places." Max commanded gently. "Don't worry. He's not been gone that long. We'll find him." He reached out and gently touched her arm to get her attention. "Kendall, are you listening to me? We'll find him. Alright?" "Alright." Liz nodded taking courage from the confidence in Max's eyes as they turned toward the door together to search for the little seven year old runaway. ~~~~~~~ Twenty minutes later Liz's panic was evident. She'd not only lost Dylan she'd apparently lost Max too. After going to the parking lot and searching every conceivable place, Liz headed for the hallway in search of Max to see if he'd found him. But Max never showed. Liz next went to the conference room then Claire's office. There was no sign of either of them. She passed by V's desk and asked if she'd seen either Dylan or Max and received an answer in the negative. Next she headed for the small room they used as a cafeteria. A quick survey of the room revealed no tiny body hidden under tables or raven-haired Adonises in search of the same. She next headed toward the playroom and almost passed it by when a familiar male voice stopped her dead in her tracks. Liz's first instinct was to rush into the room, but something in Max's tone stopped her from doing anything more than peeking her head in the door to observe the unexpected scene before her. Max was sitting with his back against the far wall next to a toy box full of toys talking to it as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "You know, I used to hide too when I was your age." Max quiet voice filled the room. "My family didn't have a lot of money when I was little. In fact, we were so dirt poor that there was a time my mom and brother and I lived out of a car while my dad went to get a job far far away." Max eyes took on a pained faraway look. "Let me tell you...it wasn't the most fun I've ever had in my life. Waking up with my brother's knee in my face or having to beg for food from random people in the neighborhood. In fact, there were times I ran away just so I could get some space and forget..." Max shook his head clear of the sad memories and smiled to himself. "Then, of course, there was the time I ran away for pretty much the same reason you ran away today. I thought my mom was mad at me. See, I'd caught this snake. It was a beaut. About a foot long. Completely harmless. And I put it in my brother's roll away as a joke. The only problem was my mom was the one who ran into it first when she decided to wash our gear. I could hear her screaming all the way down by the pond." Max started to chuckle at the memory as a slight movement in the toy box caught his attention. Max glanced at it with a sly grin as he continued his story. "Yeah, I didn't make it back to the car until nightfall I was so afraid I'd be in trouble. When I finally did make it home, I found out that, sure enough, mom was angry with me. But it wasn’t because of the snake. It was because I'd scared her so much by running away. She was afraid I'd gotten lost...or worse...when she couldn't find me." "You know, it made me realize something. There was nothing I could do that would ever make my mom stop loving me. Oh, she'd get upset with me at times, but when it came right down to it, she'd never want me to really run away. Because she loved me. And because she cared about what happened to me. At home, I would always be safe." "Just like you're safe here. I mean, I know it's not home...at least not the home you're used to. But there are people here who love you and want to take care of you...if you'll just let them." Silence filled the room as Max waited patiently by the toy box. Liz leaned against the doorjam, holding her breath waiting to see what would happen. She'd never dreamed that Max's childhood had been so difficult as it apparently was. He seemed to wear his wealth and style as if he'd been born with it. As if it had always been a part of him. Bit by bit she was discovering that there was so much more to this man than the cold, calculating, heartless beast she'd heard and read so much about. Despite her head's best intentions, Liz's heart suddenly wanted to discover and know all the hidden treasures within the man sitting on the floor talking to a toy box for the sake of a little boy. Max's patience was finally rewarded when about a minute later a little curly blonde head popped out of the box sending the top layer of toys tumbling to the ground. Dylan turned his little chubby cheeked face toward Max, his big hazel eyes were full of questions and uncertainty. "Like who?" Dylan finally ventured. Max nodded his head understanding the boy's delayed question. "That's a good question. And there are too many people to name, but I guess I'd have to start with Kendall. She was really worried about you when you disappeared and we couldn't find you. In fact, she probably still is." Max turned fully toward the box and asked a question of his own as he leaned his arms on the edge and propped his face on his hand. "So, can you tell me why you were running from her earlier?" Dylan looked down at a toy he'd been holding in his hand an ashamed blush coming over his little face. "Because she said I had to eat my oatmeal." "Oh. I see." Max said as if he completely understood. "So, you decided to run away from her and dump it all over me instead, huh?" Dylan leaned forward anxious for Max to believe his innocence. "I...I didn't know you were there. I didn't mean..." Max started to laugh as he patted Dylan's head. "It's ok, Dylan. I know you didn't mean to do it. I'm not mad." A dimpled smile broke out over Dylan's face as he looked at Max suddenly not wanting to have this nice man leave his life so soon after meeting him. In his young life he'd rarely received kindness from the people he called family yet here was a complete stranger he'd knocked down and spilled oatmeal all over and...he wasn't even mad. He was even being warm and friendly. It was a concept very foreign to him. So was the next idea that popped into his little head. "Can I...will you..." "What? What is it, Dylan?" Max prompted gently. "Well, I...don't have any...I just wondered if maybe..." Dylan asked as his eyes dropped uncertainly. "...can I be your friend?" A brilliant smile broke over Max's face. "I was just going to ask you the same thing." He leaned forward and whispered in a conspiratorial tone. "We can be friends on one condition...you help me clean up that mess in the kitchen." Max held out his hand to Dylan. "Deal?" Dylan put his small hand in Max's and shook it with a big smile plastered on his face. "Deal." Liz's heart took a giant leap in her chest. She really wasn't sure if she could believe what she'd just seen. Who could have ever believed Max would be able to get through to a boy they'd had difficulties with since his arrival? In fact, that one smile was the first she'd seen on Dylan's face. And what a beautiful smile it was. Her gaze shifted to Max. What an amazing man. What she'd just witnessed--this little boy actually reaching out for friendship--was nothing less than a McKennacle. Max was so full of surprises. Perhaps that's what frightened her so much about him. She never quite knew what to expect from him...or her heart when she was in his vicinity. She instinctively knew underneath that ruthless image of his beat a heart of gold. A heart that was stealing a piece of hers with each moment he remained in her life. Liz took a deep breath pushing those thoughts aside and chose that moment to enter the room. "Well, I see you've finally found our little runaway." Max and Dylan turned to her, Max with a smile and Dylan with a look of guilt. "Yep. Sure did. He seems to enjoy the company of Pooh Bear and Tigger." Max said with a grin as he held up the stuffed animals that had fallen out of the toy box. "I see." Liz said as she knelt down in front of the box. "Dylan, sweetie, I'm glad you got a chance to spend time with Tigger and Pooh Bear, but how about the next time you decide to disappear you let me know where you're going, ok? You really had me worried." Dylan looked down and nodded his head before mumbling. "I'm sorry I scared you." "That's ok, sweetie. Let's just not have it happen again, ok?" Liz said as she lifted his chin with her hand. "Ok?" She repeated with a smile. A slow smile showed on Dylan's face. "Ok." "And hey. Next time you don't want to eat your oatmeal..." Liz said as she glanced at Max out of the corner of her eye. "...give it to me. I'd love the chance to give it to him really good." She teased as she pointed to Max. "Hey!" Max responded with a grin as he tossed Tigger at her. "You'd better watch what you ask for...you just might get it." His eyebrows raised suggestively although he kept his voice light. Turning to Dylan he got up from his sitting position to kneel in front of the box. Reaching out to him he said, "Ok, pal. You ready to go clean up Kendall's mess?" "My mess?" Liz asked in mock surprise her eyes beginning to twinkle as she watched him pull Dylan out of the toy box. "You heard me." Max answered as he tousled Dylan's hair once more. "I hope you realize that this is only the first half of Round 3. Half-time, in fact. If I were you, I'd buckle up because the second half is going to blow you away." Liz shrugged nonchalantly. "Bring it on, baby." She shot back with a playful grin. Max leaned close to her and locked eyes intently. He didn't touch her. He didn't have to. Just that one provocative look as his eyes scanned her face from her large dark eyes, over her flushed cheeks to her full lips then back to her suddenly dazed struck eyes said it all. "Don't worry. I intend to." He whispered suggestively sending a blaze of anticipation and desire shooting through her whole body. Boldly leaning forward, his cheek brushed lightly against hers and his heated whisper in her ear sent a shudder of delight straight to her knees. Liz swallowed hard and closed her eyes, focusing all of her energy on keeping her knees from giving out on her or to keep from reaching out to flush her body against his for support. "You were wrong yesterday. A worthy princess like you…I think you're definitely what I'm looking for." Hearing her intake of breath and seeing her eyes ignite with instant passion when he pulled back and locked eyes with her, Max grinned suddenly and tweaked her nose playfully. Then turning his full attention to Dylan as if completely unaffected by the fire he'd just seen flare in her eyes or the way the ground was trembling under their feet, Max reached his hand out to the boy. "So, what kind of oatmeal was it..." Liz heard Max say as he and Dylan walked out of the room hand in hand. Liz fanned herself quickly and let out an unsteady breath as she absently sank down onto the edge of the toybox. "Whoa." She mouthed as she shook her head briefly trying to overcome the thoughts that had flooded her mind the moment Max had looked at her. What was it he had said earlier? Something about Cupid's arrows being put to shame. Liz let out a sigh. If they kept going the way they were, Cupid would be out of business by the time Round 4 had begun... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Max?" McKenna asked in a strangely distant voice. "He's…he's the man I need to contact for the next job?" "Yes." Duke replied. "By the tone of your voice I can tell you've heard of him…" He let his sentence dangle hoping to gain more insight into McKenna's sudden hesitancy. McKenna cleared her throat and tried to calm her breathing as she forced her mind to come up with necessary lies. Anything to not let on just how well she knew Max. She laughed uncomfortably. "Well, of course, I've heard of Max. He's a world-renowned businessman. I've heard he can be pretty ruthless and quite the playboy. Hence, the Gentleman Rouge title, I assume." McKenna asked as she shut her eyes wishing that this whole conversation was just a dream. "I guess I'm just wondering what he would have to do with me and the line of work we're in." "Well, let's just say that he has certain talents that are needed by our prospective clients." "Talents?" McKenna asked beginning to already dread the answer. "What talents?" Getting the sense that somehow it may not be best to reveal all the details of this future adventure, Duke answered as vaguely as he could. "All in good time, my dear. First, I need to know if you're on board with me on this or not." McKenna let out a sigh unable to resist the thought of seeing him in person just one more time. "Alright, Duke. What is it you want me to do?" Duke smiled into the phone. "Max seems to have dropped into New Haven for a visit. Seems to be business related but we aren't really sure. Here's where you come in…he seems to be concentrating his time with a certain beautiful Kendall Blake. Name ring a bell for you?" McKenna's mouth went dry. "Of course it does. She's my current 'victim' as you put it earlier." She paused a moment trying to concentrate on Duke's words instead of the instant jealousy that twisted her stomach into knots. "I notice you used the word 'seems' a lot. Is that my job? To determine their relationship and just what his purpose in New Haven is?" "Among other things. See, I knew I could count on you to understand." Duke stated answering her question his voice turning businesslike as he ran down the description of her job. "No visual or physical contact. Just surveillance and reporting at this point. I'll tell you when to take the next step." "What about Kendall?" McKenna questioned. "Do I inquire about their relationship when we talk? You know I could easily make something up to see where she stands with him. You know this could be beneficial to finding out where her weaknesses are…" "Not yet. Not until we determine what he's doing here and how best to extract his services for our purposes. Any questions?" "No, I think I've got it." "Good." Duke smiled again as his voice lowered seductively. "Now, earlier you'd mentioned something about this call being personal…" McKenna shuddered unexpectedly. "You know, Duke, as much as I'd love that…all this talking has worn me out. Plus I have a big day tomorrow if I'm going to start on this new job of yours…" "McKenna." Duke interrupted. "Are you sure you're alright with this?" McKenna smiled into the phone. "I'm perfect with it. Don't worry. You've picked the best person to tail Max's every move…" to be continued.... |
| posted on 21-Oct-2001 6:06:49 PM |
| ~ chapter 15~
About an hour and a half later, Max was standing in the middle of the kitchen smiling satisfactorily at his handiwork. Since leaving Liz, he'd made a quick stop to clean himself up as much as he could, then he and Dylan had been cleaning the mess Liz's 'Round 3' had caused and chatting away like there was no tomorrow. Actually, Max had been doing most of the cleaning and Dylan had been the one divulging every detail of his sad short little life. Max glanced at the little boy perched on the counter swinging his feet back and forth eating a muffin. He shook his head in amazement that he'd been able to stand being in the same room with a child for longer than 10 minutes together. Dylan had actually made his time cleaning the kitchen endurable and eye opening. The sadness and pain he'd already had to endure in his short 7 years astounded Max and made him understand Liz a little more. Especially her fierce protectiveness of these children in her care. Dylan suddenly stopped swinging his feet and looked up at Max with a shy expression on his face. "Max?" "Yeah, pal." "Do you think Miss Kendall's pretty?" Max smiled as he leaned against the mop handle he held in his hand. A dreamy look came into his eyes and his voice softened as he quietly answered Dylan's innocent question. "Yeah. Yeah, I do, Dylan. She's..." Max let out an absent sigh. "...the most beautiful woman I've ever seen." His eyes swept to Dylan's face and narrowed slightly as he tilted his head to the side when he realized just how much he'd divulged to the little boy. He straightened and cleared his throat quickly as he glanced away uncomfortably. "Uh, why do you ask?" Dylan shrugged. "Cuz I think she's pretty too." Silence filled the room as Dylan's feet began to swing once more and he went back to chewing on his muffin. Thinking that was the end of the questions, Max shrugged his shoulders and began to swing the mop once more. "Does that mean you're gonna marry her?" A choking chuckle escaped Max when his mouth dropped open and his eyes widened in surprise. Marriage? Him? To Liz? Max almost started to laugh out loud at the thought. She barely let him within 5 feet of her now. The thought of her actually agreeing to be bound to him for life and all the privileges that would entail was truly...tempting... Whoa. Where had THAT come from. Ok. Max. Turn on the blinker and head down a different road. Marital bondage is NOT what you're here for… Max shook his head. Marriage. Him. Liz. Utterly ridiculous. No. Making Liz his wife...well, that was...impossible. Wasn't it? Yes. Definitely impossible...no matter how interesting the temporary thought seemed at the moment. Max quickly squelched those intriguing suggestions as he turned back to Dylan. "Uh, I...I...um...why would you think I'm going to marry Kendall?" Dylan tilted his curly blonde head to the side. "Cuz that's what happens on tv. When the boy thinks the girl is pretty, they end up doing all that yucky kissin' and then they get married." "Oh, I see." Max said as relief washed over him. Good. The boy was merely echoing what he'd seen on tv and not the actual sparks he'd seen flying between him and Liz earlier. Max's mind drifted back to the way she'd looked at him when she told him to bring it on. The way her eyes sparkled with confidence and challenge had sent his heart racing at a speed he hadn't known existed. It had taken all of his control to act unaffected by her nearness. To ignore his own desire to pull her into his arms and finally know what it was like to kiss those full lips of hers. Max came and leaned on the counter next to Dylan. "Well, Dylan, the things you see on tv aren't always real. I mean, sometimes falling in love happens to people that way, but for the most part love, *true* love, the kind that lasts forever...the kind that makes a really good marriage...well, that takes a little bit longer to grow. Sure you can have instant attraction and even...magic…but it also has to be based |