Summary: Max wanted Liz's advice on something and she was only too happy to give it
Rating: Max and Liz rated YTEEN and it's from her pov.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, the characters belong to Jason Katims not that he knew what to do with them!
The amazing banner was made by the wonderful Ria
Part 1
Looking back, we were a very good crowd right from the very beginning, we always were - always had been and we thought nothing would ever change that. But times do change mores the pity. We had such a giggle through the good and the bad.
There was Isabel Evans and Alex Whitman (as thick as thieves) and Michael Guerin and Maria Deluca (at each other’s throats all the time) and then ...there was Maxwell Evans.
Oh and there's me too, and I'm Liz Parker but only Max calls me that. My name's Elizabeth to anyone else; and that's us, all good friends, best friends who hang out together whenever we could. We all worked in very different jobs and come from very different backgrounds. We fitted together you know, like peas in a pod. We found each other one by one by pure chance then stuck together through choice and I couldn’t imagine it being any other way.
However our lives together were all about to change because Maria suddenly handed in her notice at work. There were no signs, no prior warnings she just up and did it one day. The club she worked at, ‘A night on the town’ was going to miss their biggest draw. She was a fantastic waitress, singer and friend.
Apparently she's leaving to join some charity aboard, to go do her bit for the course which took us all by surprise. A steamroller would have had less of an effect. It was a shock to all of us, totally out of the blue because Maria hated to even walk anywhere, let alone rough it out in the middle of no where. It was an impossible concept to picture her out there and doing a job like that. Maria mucking in, she turned her nose up if she had to un block the sink. Bless her, she was a material girl at heart and we'll all miss big - hearted, fun loving Maria very, very much.
Something was up with her; it must be to make her do something of that magnitude. We used to be so close and share everything. We were more like sisters than very best friends. She seemed so distant these days and she's not telling me anything. She's not even calling me any more and I feel so sad. I wish I could figure out what was wrong with her? I hate change, why must things change when life is complicated enough? Why can’t my friends be happy with the comfortable and the safe like I am?
Things are changing for all of us. Isabel and Alex moved in together which wasn't such a shock but none of us thought that soft- hearted Alex would ever melt the ice princess so quickly. Just shows you how wrong people can be huh? And Michael's interested in a girl at his gym, his next conquest (nothing new there, he's our local playboy and heartbreaker. I swear that man was on the prowl 24/7) so we don't see as much of him as we used to. I feel so sad. I miss things being the way that they were. So that just leaves Max and me. I've known Max for years and years, so long now he's feels like part of the furniture to me - my favourite armchair ever since his parents moved in across the road from us when we were little and living in Roswell New mexico. We were the first to meet and get together as friends - then the others came.
So that's us, take it or leave it and there's where the real story begins -
Last week, Max and I found ourselves sitting alone at the café bar where all of us used meet on a Friday night; our little weekly ritual and we always dropped everything going on in our lives with out fail in order to meet. We had the very best of times when the Six dwindled down to two and my heart is heavy.
"Where the hell are they all Max?" I asked, tapping my nails impatiently on the tabletop whilst looked about us wildly. I was angry, this was happening more and more often. I felt like I wasn’t enjoying myself quite as much. No need to be so jumpy. Why so concerned all of a sudden? I am with Max after all.
Max shrugged at me while stuffing another doughnut into his mouth. Did he hear me? Does he even care what’s happening to us? The jam squirts out all over face as I instinctively wipe his chin with my fingers. "Have you learned nothing I've taught you Evans? Bite where the hole is, bite where the hole is!" I say as my thumb innocently brushes back against his sugar coated lips.
"Of course Jedi master but I love how you mother me." And he smiles at me. I smile back, instinctively licking my thumb clean without even thinking, loving that sugar rush feeling it's giving me.
"Watch it or I'll smack you silly Evans." I joke while he continues smiling at me. My tummy feels warm inside obviously I’ve neglected my sweet tooth for too long. Look what it's doing to me.
"Yum, can’t wait for that day Lizzie" was does he mind by that? "And in answer to your question, I was listening to you because surprisingly enough I do care,” I give him a side wards look. Did I say those things out loud? Or does he know what I’m thinking? Boy I’m spending too much time with Max. “There’s no need to try and lay a quick comeback on me Parker, I *know* you,” Shit, does he? Of course he does. God this is freaking me out; maybe I should cut down on my Max time? “Maria's filling in her application form to god knows where? Michael's pounding the treadmill tongiht - or is that his new ‘girlfriend’ I forget, and Isabel and Alex have an appointment somewhere or another from the garbled phone message she left me,"
I sigh and my smile fades. "God! It's all falling apart. What's happened to us Max? I thought we'd stay close forever. All be friends together forever." I stare away from him and into the passing crowd.
I saw a group sitting in the corner. They looked so fresh faced and happy in each other's company. They remind me of the six of us. My heart is heavy for those days are obviously gone.
I feel Max lightly brush his hand on mine. I awaken from my sad thoughts instantly as a bolt shocks through me. What the hell was that? Must be the sugar rush, I gotta stop eating junk.
"Aw don't feel bad old Mom I'm sure they won't forget to write.” My eyes narrow. He's trying to cheer me up but his wonderful way with words and sarcasm are not helping, “I'll make it all better and get you a drink, how about that?" Max offered as he smiled back at me. He patted my hand a few times. He was making it all better. Damn the boy was good. I taught him well.
He called me ‘old mom’ because I was always clucking round all of them like old mother hen, right from the beginning and they'd always came to me with their problems. I loved that so much. It made me feel honoured they felt they could come to me with their problems. I felt so needed so special... but now ‘my babies’ have all but gone. Flying the coup. Who's left to make me feel special and needed? "Don't worry Liz. I'll always be here to mother, no need to worry about that."
Shit he can read my mind? We are definitely spending too much time together that can’t be healthly can it? I smiled back at him unable to resist. He's so infectious, and that smile of his always makes me happy.
“You’re beyond help Evans,” I shout back playfully, raising my eyebrows to the roof while watching his tall figure move towards the bar. Dear old Maxwell. He'd stay around come what may, probably because he didn't have anybody else to hang out with just like me.
Moments later he came back with the drinks and sat down facing me. "I have got a bit of a problem as it goes, Liz," he said bluntly. Suddenly.
'He needs me, someone actually still needs me thank god.!’ I can’t believe it. I want to jump up and down. I’m making noises. I'm squealing I think? At 24 I am three years younger than Max. I felt like his older sister at times and for some reason ‘old mom’ didn't fit when talking about Max and me. The reason to why escapes me. I lean in pulling him closer to me, "Oh really?" I perk up immediately, "So what's up Girlfriend?"
His eyes twinkle, while his face remained serious. He's frowning; even then he's so sweet. What am I talking about? "I want you to tell me what attracts a woman to a man?"
I blink, almost coughing my drink all over him. "What? Where the hell is that coming from Max?," I'm all hot and flustered, "What? Why? God you sure know how to drop a whammy on me don’t you Max." It was a daft question, and I was a bit taken aback by it that's all. I'd never heard him talk like that before. Max was- well, Max. Nice, sweet, comfortable and reliable Max. Just plain old Max. Oh and not forgetting kind, thoughtful, selfless, funny, understanding... god am I the 'Maxwell Evans fan club founder or what?' What the hell am I waffling on about? I’m shocked beyond words. I hadn't ever considered him a helpless romantic in desperate need. Of a man in need of help to get a date. I never really considered Max on anything at all.
"Funny question huh? I...I...just want to settle down with someone special. Life’s passing me by that’s all and I think I should consider my future which includes getting married," he said boldly, simply. Like it was the most natural thing in the world. "It's about time I started to look and really settle down with someone,”
“Oh!” Oh what kind of an answer is that?
“Yeah, oh, is that such a shocking thing?"
“Oh no!”
“We’re getting a no now, must be a good thing huh?” he joked.
I suddenly think of that film 'My best friends wedding' and wonder what's coming next? Where the hell is this all coming from? I never would have expecting this from Max. Just like his first step, his first word, his first shave, his first kiss - Pam Troy yuck, I want to barf. How could he? I hate that trollop with a vengeance. She was his first date, his first everything. Now I really do want to vomit. He could have do so much better than her. Not that he ever told me what happened between them, guess we aren’t that close after all. Not that I really need to know about anything he does with girl’s. I can’t seem to breathe. Best leave that alone; I have a vivid imagination plus it's so weird thinking of Max in his boyfriend mode. To me he’ll only ever be Max. Then he comes straight out with something like that. I’m getting goose bumps, is it cold in here? He'd always been straight and to the point, no messing but you can be too direct and give out too much information sometimes. I choke on my coke again. My tummy suddenly feels funny, fluttery "Okay, I hear what you’re saying but I don’t understand why you’re asking me? You've had girlfriends;" I ignore it, reminding him of the obvious. "You don’t need my help. I’m sure you’re quite capable in all departments' Max,“ I feel my cheeks glowing, “Why didn't you ask one of those girls?" I feel a chill from the way he’s continuing to look at me. It's like 80 degrees of something. Why’s he looking at me like at?
"The time wasn’t right then. It wasn’t what I wanted or needed then. It is now what more can I say? Besides they were all great, they all had something about them or else I wouldn't have asked them out. I'm not a tart like G-man," His name for Michael. Max had pet names for everyone except me. Funny that.
"Thank god, the women of this world wouldn't stand a chance with two tarts like Mickael around would we." We both laugh. ‘We?’ What am I saying? I don't get flustered and gooey eyed around Max.
"You know it," and his smiles beamed at me. I’m shaking just. I’m sure it’s getting colder in here, why else would I be shaking? "But there was nothing *really* special about them and I never felt ‘that’ moment with any of them,"
“What moment?”
“You know that moment when you know in an instant you're with that special someone,” I’m stuck dumb, I’ve never heard him talk like this before. I’m a little scared by it. His smile fades, “Guess you don’t, anyway I got bored in the end," he confessed unashamedly. “And you know the rest. They dumped me in the end because I wasn't interested in anything more permanent with any of them." He shrugged.
I did know that as I now looked at him with a practised eye. I’m looking at him differently. I tilt my head slightly to the right. I’m beginning to see him a little differently.
He was likable in a strong- jawed sort of way. I'd never thought of him in the ‘do I fancy this man’ kind of way before. It was so weird, not normal even, I mean he was just Max after all.
I look again. His eyes' were a dark trusty brown with flecks of gold in them I think. Strange I've never noticed the gold before, my tummy is fluttering again - now they look amber to me. He has incredible eyes. I’ve never noticed that before. And thinking about it he always dressed pretty cool even if it drifted towards conservative at times. He’d wear a lot of suits and ties being a lawyer and I have to admit he did look like a honey in them or so all my girlfriends said, with his shirt open at the neck, tie hanging askew...I’m feeling all hot and very strange. Actually, come to think of it, I loved him in anything or out of anything- God what the hell are you talking about Parker? Get a grip girl, what do you care what he dresses like? God is it hot in here or is that me?
Those eyes hit me again. I look down into my drink. What am I doing? I'm changing the subject that's what I'm doing as those eyes begin to burn me. Funny that.
I’m thinking about Max in depth more now. His voice was deep and rich; that had to be a plus if he wanted to find himself a mate for life? Then it hits me, oh dear this was Max, my Max. Trouble was, he was the silent type and very shy, with a laugh that melts you and a body to die for - 'Yum, now stop thinking like that right now missy'. Never shy and silent with me though, never with me. Funny that.
"Okay Max if you really want to know," I question.
"Yes, I do," he’s sitting so close to me now.
“You've got to put all the goods on display Max," I suddenly say, urged to look back up at him. His eyes no longer seem to burn me. He leans away from me.
"Oh," he’s now gulping down his drink. "When what?" I feel sad, god knows why?
"Get a few chat - up lines like, 'Pass me the shades your beauty's dazzling me', or ' Get your coat you've pulled' stuff like that and you’re made." He looks at me funny, eyebrows raised.
"Oh yeah I can really see those going down a treat with the ladies Lizzie, I’m not Michael you know," My heart dips like it always does when he calls me that. "I say those lines and I end up wearing her drink on my head or her foot wear buried in my crown jewels.” I giggle at his put on pained expression. "No- thank- you, besides that would never work. I mean would those feeble attempts work on you?" He laughs loudly. I join him. Damn why does his laugh have to be so infectious all the time?
"In your dreams." My comeback is as quick as ever. I chose not to answer the posed question properly, chose not to think about it at all, the reason being failing to come to me.
"All the time." He voice is low, sweet coming from behind a wide toothed smile as bright as the stars. He looked unconvinced and I didn't blame him. What a stupid script to say. I bit my lip. He had a lot going for him when I really thought about it. Wait, why am I even thinking about it? So if he needed my help it had to be location. Yes that's it location, oh and props. We need lots and lots of props.
"Okay Max you’ve got my attention and I’d love to help. That goes without saying, how about this? You've got to be in the right place at the right time." I'm inspiration struck. "And you have to have a carrot!" My eyes feel wide and bulging as I lean closer to him. My heart won’t stop pounding.
He looked bemused, cute even. Cute? Where’s that coming from? Anyway I carry on my train of thought, "A carrot? Wait you've lost me." I did that to him a lot, must be the scientist in me.
"Carrot you know, the donkey and the carrot?" He looks so adorable when he's utterly confused. "Wanting a desired reaction from waving something under someone's nose?" He's looking cuter by the second. I lean back. I must be coming down with something? " Never mind Max, you say you need something to attract a woman, something to bring them to you, something to dangle under their noses that will get them going aw I want this man."
'Just dangle yourself Max and you'll do great.' Tell me I didn't just say that what am I like? This is Max for Christ sake he's like a brother to me. What a yummy- I mean yucky thing to even think.
"Ok now you’ve got my attention, what kind of prop?"
"Like a, like a I know a dog- chicks love dogs or what about a baby, yes a cute baby on the knee of a cute guy is such a turn on- or wait, hold the phone, a flash car, women love spanking bright fast cars." I lean back, triumphant not giving him a chance to speak. I'm on a roll! "Sorted. We'll start tomorrow. Look out world there's a new horn dog in town."
We both burst out laughing, suddenly make howling noises. We were getting such filthy looks but I didn't care. I was having too much fun with Max to give a damn. Nothing new there.
Part Two
Our day started early and was all ready planned.
Oh that's right I forgot to mention about Kyle before. Kyle Parker, he's such a sweetheart and he means well. Max is more like a brother to me than Kyle, what with his football life style. He might be a complete jerk, god he displays's that he is enough times but he’s heart in the right place, eventually. Not matter what he's done or not getting his head in gear before his mouth open, he's still my brother and I love the guy to death.
Kyle hated being parted from Tess. She was his life, probably because she never answered him back. I had my ways of getting round him. He told me to be careful with her and with Max what ever that meant? Kyle’s so weird sometimes.
So here we are as I hand Tess over to Max and gave him my instructions. "You got that, now get your butt over to the park and walk Tess around it a few times. Do something, do anything. Pretend to get a thorn out of her paw or something, chicks dig a caring side in a man and it's bound to get sympathy." I added encouragingly.
"Liz that's quite possibly the dumbest thing I've ever heard, I mean would it work for you?" His voice sounds sweeter than ever before while my tummy feels worse.
"Look, do you want my help or not?" I snap at him. Why am I snapping at him? I've never done that before.
"Always." He whispers, his smile filling his face. He's forgiven me. There is goes again my tummy feeling like it’s filled with butterflies and I want to snap at him again for some reason? He won't mind if I did, he never does because he's just Max after all. Why am I taking things out on him? It's not his fault that I woke in a bad mood today. Don’t know why I did though? He'll understand though. He always does even if I don't. Why am I so crappy this morning when I'm doing my two most favourite things in the whole world, friend in need problem solving and being with my best buddy, Max.
I can't help but smile back at him; it's his eyes you see they look different today somehow and they’re amber not gold. There's no denying that fact.
'Stop looking at me like that it's making my tummy feel worse.
No I was wrong, they’re just plain old brown, not spec of amber let alone gold in sight, nothing more special than that. Grandma Claudia always told me you could only see a person’s true eye colour when you’re looking into their soul. So Max’s are just plain brown because why would I want to look into his soul? I mean its Max. I think I feel sick? Yes that's it maybe I'm ill? Maybe that's the reason for me acting this way?
"Are you okay, Liz?"
He's doing it again, reading my mind, looking at me fuuny so I send them both off into the park with a harsh look.
*~*
I decided to keep watch. I can't keep away. You never know what might happen do you and my tummy is suddenly feeling so much better. It was funny how much I hoped Max would find the right girl. He deserved someone really, really special. Was there such a girl who was good enough for Maxwell Evans? Gooenough for me?
It wasn't long before a keen female was stopped in her tracks.
I hovered by the main gate while Max and 'friend' made their way back along the path. The back view made me notice just how portly Tess was getting; Kyle treated that bitch too well. Then I notice how slim his new friend is and how tall and board shouldered Max was. I’ve never noticed that before. Other dog walkers stop to talk to them, all female of course. One with curly blonde hair ruffed Tess' coat. She was there for quite a while. A bit pushy I thought as I crept up for a closer look. Thank god the trollop has had the sense to walk away. He was too good for her anyway.
Max turned and gave me a smile. I wave my hand for him to pay attention. He winks at me, throwing a stick for Tess. Swear that man was only born to wind me up. Tess had to waddle quickly to retrieve it. Poor thing. Then the blonde haired trollop reappeared from somewhere with a packet of something in her hand, which she proceeded to feed to Tess. She should be watching the dog, more to the point watching her fingers but she can’t seem to take her eyes off of Max for some reason? Nice, the plan seemed to be working like a charm. Trollop or not I love it when a plan comes together. At the same time, she kept Max in deep conversation as she then handed him a slip of paper.
It was her phone number, I discovered later. Knew it would be because I told Max to wear blues jeans and his black tee that showed off his body in all the right places. When did he get muscles like that? Not that I told him that part or the part where I thought that he had a fit body. I'd only noticed that recently. Today in fact. Funny that. I need glasses. All those endless hours working out in his garage must have paid off? I stared at a grinning Max. I take the piece of paper from him. "A total babe she might be, but do you want to go out with a girl who's cruel to animals?"
"What?" There was laughter in his voice.
"Well, she could see Tess was a fatso and yet she deliberately fed her treats for Christ sake. No- thank- you." And I threw the piece of paper away. "Okay not a problem. We’ll just move onto plan B."
"Plan B?" He quizzes me not even trying to retrieve the trollop’s number.
"We need to get a baby." I punched out.
"Excuse me?" I don't believe what I seeing is Max Evans' blushing?
"We'll borrow Molly," I say confidently.
"Liz, no, wait I'm not..." he buts in.
I shake my head. "It's okay Max, trust me I have it all figured out. We'll borrow, Molly, the baby next door to me." My smile grows, “Yeah that will work, just walk the buggy down the street and see what happens. Cool!" I say excitably.
"As you wish." Was the answer I got from him as the sudden ache inside. My tummy rages on.
I think I've heard those words from somewhere before, from a film maybe? I can't remember for sure. Damn that Chilli dog last night for making me feel so dreadful.
*~*
We wake early as my good friend Millie, Molly's mother, welcomed us into her home. She’s such a laugh that woman. We stay a while then take Molly out walking. Millie was going to get her hair done, treat herself for change by having the works. My treat. She’d done so much for me over the years, always there to talk to when Max wasn’t there. He lived across town. Millie whispered the strangest thing to me as we left, "Go for it girlfriend!" Go for what? There wasn't time to ask her.
Max and I pushed the sleeping Molly along the street. It felt quite nice. Strange even. "We're like a proper family," I said a loud without thinking. The gang would have had a laugh if they’d had heard that. Max didn't say a word I guessed he was too busy thinking up his next mega mind-blowing chat up line.
"Feeling better today?" He suddenly asked. "You looked a bit peaky after I dropped you off yesterday."
"Feeling much better thanks." I lied, my tummy was getting worse. "I spoke to Frankie and there were no other complaints so I guess it wasn't that chilli dog I ate after all." Funny that. So what was making me feel so ill?
"Oh, not that time of the month again huh?" He winked knowingly. I wanted a fast comeback but nothing would come. I begin to feel giddy. Here we go again what the hells wrong with me today? The sooner this was over the better so I could get home.
"Don’t even go there Evans, now we'll go in the coffee shop over there and see what happens okay?" I ordered, changing the subject yet again. "Then you're on your own,"
"You’ll be there too won’t you?" He looked worried, why so worried? He can handle himself because there are some things that I can’t do.
"Don’t worry I'll be watching you." And with that just I stomp off.
*~*
I watched from the table across from him as Molly suddenly wakes up as Max was about to tuck into his slice of Cherry pie. Cherry pie, cherry coke this guys got a real hard on for Cherries.
I feel myself pinking up as I think of Max with a hard on. I can't breathe. My chest feels so tight because Max doesn't get those does he? Not my big brother Max. Now I can’t stop thinking about Max with a boner. God I just want to go home. I gulp my drink down fast as he picked Molly out of the buggy, sitting her on his lap to give her a bottle. I told him what to do when she cries and there he is doing it. She settled into him quickly as she drank on the bottle. I openly gasp. They did look a picture. A darling and adorable picture. Holding a little baby in his arms suited him really well and he was good at it. A natural. My tummy felt like butterflies were using it as a flight path. Who could resist not coming over to him after seeing a picture like that?
1..
2..
3..
4...
A woman has noticed him. She has very, very red lips and very, very, very white teeth- like a shark. I don't like her. She’s definitely not the one.
Max is fighting to put a forkful of the pie in to his mouth whilst holding the bottle and Molly with his other. God was there nothing this man couldn’t do? I’m resting my elbows in the table across from him, with my face cupped in my palms. I don’t want this bubble to burst. I feel my eyes glazing over. He looks so cute. What the devil is wrong with me?
"Here, let me help." And the woman slowly bends down towards them, thrusting her ample clevage into Max's face. What’s she doing? I'm getting all hot and bothered.
I thought she'd take Molly. Instead she sat down beside them and proceeded to feed Max! I nearly fell off my chair. She'd got a nerve. I was out raged, especially when I heard her tell him that she was here at the same time everyday and that maybe they could meet up tomorrow for a drink or something?
*~*
Or something? I'm fuming. Why am I fuming? "Home wrecker!" I spluttered as we walked back to Millie's.
"Who?"
"Who? Jaws back there. Who else?" I spat out fiercely.
"What are you talking about? You’ve been acting funny ever since you heard me tell her that Molly wasn't mine and that I was single and -," I glared at him, cutting him off mid sentence. Why am I glaring at him? He's done nothing wrong it's just that I wasn't expecting our little plan to take off so quickly.
"You said a lot in such a short time Max. Interested were we?" I didn't let him finish. Am I afraid of what he might say? "Never mind she's no good anyway, too protective. She'll smother you Max." I tapped my heels annoyingly along the road. I feel his eyes burning me again.
"Liz-,"
I cut him off, "Just one thing left to try then Max. It'll have to be the car then!" I know he wants to say something to me. I’m not letting him. “Alex's got that new red sports car he brought to impress Isabel with,"
"It worked,"Max smiled.
"You can use that, I'm sure he wouldn't mind us borrowing it. I bet he'd loan it to you." I say with conviction.
*~*
He did and we drove it out to the beach that weekend.
Max and I had hardly spoken since ‘the shark attack’. I wondered if he did ever go back to meet her the next day? I didn't see him much the rest of the week. I never asked and he never said. Maybe he had found the perfect girl for him all ready?
I shudder. Not her, not if I had anything to do with it. She reminded me too much of Pam Troy and he was not going to end up with her, not on your nelly. This car thingy had to work and if it didn't then we would try something else. Try again, and again, and again until I...I mean till he found his perfect someone.
So here we are at the beach, planning to make a day of it in Michael rented pad over looking the water. Just me and Max.