Author: Behrystrwbry@yahoo.com
Rating: Adult
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Max or Liz they are the creation of Melinda Metz, Jason Katims, & owned by 20th century Fox.
Author’s Note: This is a repost of a story from about a year ago. It was a bit longer then. But I’ve gone back and revised it to get at the crux of what I intended from the beginning. It was bugging me so I fixed it.
Summary: What else happened between Max and Liz the summer between season 2 or 3?
Only 3 parts all of which are written so no wait.
One
The soft rays of the television cast their luminance about foyer of the living room, a stark contrast to the rest of the room, bathed in darkness. Max came to the gradual realization that he had been sitting there for the last hour simply watching as the measured rays slowly shadowed and crested, sculpting the delicate features of her face. It was one of his favorite pastimes, studying Liz, on even the most relaxed occasions. In that quiet time of evening he felt closest to her, closer than any other moment of forced intimacy their somewhat estranged relationship might provide.
This had become their nightly ritual; watching television cuddled underneath a blanket on the couch at either of their houses. After Tess' departure, and Alex's death at her hand Max and Liz had been inching their way back together. Hurt feelings on both parts made relations between them strained at best. Corny jokes and awkward silence filled the time they did spend together.
Liz suggested Max join her in watching one of her favorite television shows, simply to break the ice. Since then it became a common practice initially with them meeting only on the weekends as they were still in classes. Now that they were on break for summer, they found themselves together nearly every night. This particular Wednesday Max and Liz were at his house. Watching TV was a common activity and Max relished this time with her because it helped them maintain the same level of normalcy most couples had. The angst-filled problems that plagued them during the day rarely bothered them here.
"...I think he still loves her," Max cautioned as the program broke for commercial. "He just has some issues of his own he needs to work through and can't really be concerned with her feelings right now." This was also part of the ritual - comments and questions on the show of choice.
Their discussions usually remained relatively neutral, almost as if there was an unspoken agreement not to disturb the peace. However, the slightly annoyed puff of air she expelled demonstrated that perhaps this conversation would be different.
Her eyes once expectant now turned back to the screen with seeming rapt attention "I think the whole thing is crap," Liz said, without so much as glance in his direction.
"What, the fact that he loves her?"
"No, the whole 'I love you, but...' idea. Why must it be I love you, but something?" The scant light from the tube prevented Max from truly seeing her but the steely edge of Liz's voice spoke volumes. "True love is unconditional; there shouldn't be all this extra baggage involved."
"Sometimes that's just the way it is, the circumstances can't be helped. And personally I agree with him." Max assumed that wasn't the response she was hoping for, but it was the truth, he did agree. Max never got why everyone was always so down on this character. In many ways, they were the same. It was hard enough being a teenager slowly having to face the responsibilities of an adult, even without the added complication of love and soul mates. His status as an alien king certainly didn't help matters. All this guy wanted was a partner and someone to love as his equal and have those feelings reciprocated. Max just did not see what the big deal was.
"You would," Liz mumbled under her breath before turning her attention back to the TV. Her posture resembled that of a little girl who hadn't gotten her way. She was huddled under the blanket, her pouting mouth set in disappointment as she ignored the source of the problem.
Girls. Would Max ever understand them? More importantly, would he ever understand this girl? Liz was the love of his life. At one point, he had been relatively sure of that, but things had changed drastically since their innocent days of yore. She was different now - they both were - and Max was utterly baffled as to why a seemingly harmless discussion over a television show was upsetting her so. Liz was ignoring him, that much he knew and he could not allow it to persist. Max shut off the TV in order to get her attention.
"Hey I was watching that!" Liz protested
"This is more important," Max began "Somehow I get the feeling that this stopped being about Dawson and Joey a while ago?" It was the only thing that made any sense. When he gently took her hands in his and she looked away, it confirmed his suspicions. "Talk to me...Liz it's the only way we'll ever be able to get past this." Whatever "this" was. When they were together, it was as if a chasm had formed between them and he had a good idea of the reasons for that.
They were in complete darkness now, not even the soft light from the television to aid in his appraisal of her features, but he heard the pain in Liz's voice as she spoke. "The truth is you really hurt me when you slept with Tess. And every time you mention your son it reminds me how you were unfaithful to us."
There it was.
That same angst filled problem had managed to hemorrhage into their sacred evening like the bloody plague it was. Max knew this was a subject of tension between them. This was the "chasm" so to speak and he had no idea how to help bridge the gap. He loved Liz. There was no doubt about that, but he also loved his son and he was beginning to wonder if he could have both of them in his life without someone feeling neglected.
He moved closer to her on the couch placing his hand on her cheek. He needed to feel where he could not see. The softness of her skin was a balm to his soul "Liz..." Max drew her small frame against his own hoping that she would gain the same comfort in the small intimate gesture that he did. When he felt her muscles relax and the tension leave her body he knew that she did.
He had come so close to losing her when he nearly left the planet. Now the simple pleasures of being able to hold and be near her gave him hope. He placed a tender kiss in her hair, drinking in the strawberry scent of her shampoo that was so... Liz. He recalled the very first time he'd caught the scent of strawberries and Liz, the night of their first kiss. If Max had known then what a sloppy mess of things he would make of her life, he would have never allowed himself to carry things this far. He told her that whatever they went through "it would be worth it because they had each other..." Could he honestly say he believed that now? They were so naive then, but the reaction was still the same.
Fingers threading through silky strands.
Hands gently cradling one another.
All things familiar, and before Max could think about it their lips had come together in a tender kiss, just as they had that night. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew there was something they needed to discuss but it was lost on him as his hand caressed the satin skin just above the waistband of her jeans. They may not be speaking but their bodies were communicating in a way that was much more primal than mere words.
Then the flashes came. Liz did not see anything so much as felt his emotions. Impressions of what must have been going through his mind at the time of the incident. He had been so alone, confused about what he was feeling but he had no one to talk about it with. At the time, he was not speaking to his sister or any of his friends. Except for Tess, and despite what they shared there was always reservation and doubt looming in the background.
"You never trusted her did you?" Liz had broken the kiss but never the contact; she needed to be close to him.
Max nodded though he diverted his eyes.
Liz continued "That's why you have to find your son, you're afraid for him?"
Once again, Max nodded his eyes drifted closed at the warming sensation of her breath on his cheek and he leaned his forehead against hers.
Sometimes Liz wanted to believe that Tess had mind-warped Max into loving her. It made the heartache easier to bear. However, she never had the courage to ask him. Afraid of the answer would kill her. Now that she understood what was behind Max's assertion to find his son, truly felt it, she wanted to help him.
"Show me." the request was barely audible, Liz's voice sounded strange even to her ears. She could tell by the nonplused expression creasing his brow that he didn't understand what she was asking, "What it was like to be with her." She clarified
"Liz I can't." He protested on instinct
"You can, I know you want to." She could feel evidence of that pressed firmly against her thigh "You've already shared your self with... someone in the most intimate way; I want to share that with you too."
"Liz this isn't some kind of...competition." the statement came out a little more abrasive then intended but Max needed Liz to understand that there was never any comparison between her and Tess, not in his mind, and especially not in his heart.
Liz didn't respond right away, somewhat cowed in the face of his declaration. "No," she began quietly "but it's what I need." She didn't meet his eyes, simply fiddled with the errant thread on his collar. He knew things about love, about intimacy that Liz did not. She wanted him to show her, and to learn from him. Perhaps this is the way it was supposed to be all along.
"When we make love I want it to be for the right reasons." He told her.
"It will be... It is?"
How could Max refuse her? The girl he'd been dreaming about for the better part of the last year was asking him to help her become a woman. He knew it was too soon for them. They had barely discussed Tess, his son or any of the things that would be an issue for them. From experience, he knew that rushing into a sexual relationship too quickly would only make a bad situation worse. However, Max didn't want Liz to think that he didn't desire her because he did... so much. Likely he'd have a difficult time explaining all that to her. Looking at the silent beseech in her eyes he could not say no. He had already made his decision, in a way she made it for him.
