Chapter Fifty Eight
While Liz slipped into the backroom to retrieve her coat Max pulled Michael aside for a moment. Maria watched Zan slip out of the booth and head toward the back, he turned and flashed a grin at her before walking into the bathroom. Satisfied, she turned her attention back to the stack of magazines.
Zan stealthily slipped out of bathroom and through the swinging doors to the back. Spotting Liz at her locker he strolled closer, cocky smirk in place. Something about her just yanked at him. It was time for critical mass.
“So Max turned himself over to you for his punishment huh?” Zan inquired as he moved closer.
Liz’s eyes narrowed in quick surging anger and she felt herself slipping closer to the edge. She was sick and tired of putting up with this type of shit. Gripping the edge of her locker door she glanced over at him and his expression pushed another one of her buttons. “What are you talking about?”
“Just noticing you seemed awful familiar with his belt,” Zan said with a shrug. “Not that that’s a bad thing. I’m sure he likes taking some punishment.”
“Okay, that’s it,” Liz said slamming her locker shut. She whirled on him and stalked closer jabbing her finger into his chest when she reached him. “Don’t talk to me like that. Ever. I won’t tolerate it.”
“Watch the finger,” Zan said grabbing it.
“Let go of me,” Liz said through gritted teeth. “Now.”
Zan tugged on it instead, using the finger to pull her closer, smirking at her pissy expression. “No need to get all bitchy. Maybe you’s jus need ta find a new man. Clear that right up for ya. Keep you busy doing otha things”
Liz sucked in an angry breath and her eyes flashed with fury. “As if you know the first thing about my problems. You don’t and I don’t want your opinion. If I did, I would ask for it.”
“Funny how you’s was all interested before. Still look a little interested ta me,” Zan said softly, eyes narrowing.
“Then you need glasses. Don’t treat me like I’m stupid. You may look a little like Max but you aren’t him. I am not now nor will I ever be interested in you. So stop the games and all of this crap, alright? Otherwise, you just need to leave,” Liz said clearly. She didn’t really think he was interested in her. Something else was going on with him but whatever it was Max would shit himself if he caught on to this.
“I wonder how the others would feel about giving up any answers I might have because of you’s feelings. You really need to learn ta play nice,” Zan pointed out his smirk widening when she jerked her finger out of his grip and poked him again as she prepared to let him have it. The more worked up she got the better. “Poking ain’t nice. I thought you’s was a nice girl.”
“Yeah?” Liz asked and grabbed his shoulders giving a little hop as she brought her knee up nailing him hard in the groin. “Still think so?” Liz asked as Zan made a wheezing groan and went down cupping his balls. “I’m not playing around. When I say let go and stop all this shit I mean it, asshole.”
Zan curled up fighting the nausea rolling through his gut. Fucking bitch moved fast. Unable to speak he watched her from his spot on the floor as she pushed through the doors, coat in hand. Maybe this worked up wasn’t good. She was a bit of a hair trigger if his balls were anything to go by.
Max looked up as Liz burst into the dining room looking like she wanted to rip someone’s head off. He glanced over at Michael hoping it was him that had pissed her off and not something he had done.
“Don’t look at me, man,” Michael said and stepped away from him quickly. “This is all you.”
“Ready?” Liz asked not stopping on her way to the door.
Max grabbed his coat and chased after her having to jog to catch up. She may be short but she was fast. “Liz? What’s going on?”
“We’re going for a drive right?” Liz asked making an effort to unclench her jaw.
“Right,” Max replied and glanced back at the café. “But we’re not in a hurry….or anything.”
“I’m just really looking forward to it,” Liz replied eyes straight ahead.
“I can totally see that,” Max said confused. He rushed ahead and opened her door then steadied her as she climbed in.
Liz watched him shut the door then run around to his side and took a deep breath. She stayed quiet as Max started the Jeep and pulled away.
“So what happened?” Max asked finally after ten minutes of dead silence.
“I just….had a disagreement with Zan. It’s not a big deal. At all,” Liz replied reluctantly.
“Oh. He followed you back into the backroom?” Max asked his hands tightening on the wheel.
“Umm look. It’s not a big deal okay?” Liz said trying to brush this off.
“What is it with him anyway?” Max asked glancing over at her.
“What do you mean? How should I know? You and Michael are the ones that called him here. Not me,” Liz said getting defensive in reaction to his tone.
“I just didn’t want you to be totally unprotected. It was a bad idea but when Michael suggested Zan I agreed,” Max said turning up the heat trying to combat the draft working it’s way under the Jeep’s top.
“Right. Michael’s ideas are stellar,” Liz mumbled staring out the side window.
“It was clearly not a good idea,” Max admitted tensing and getting a bit defensive himself. “I get that now.”
“Mmm,” Liz replied trying not to head down the path to the argument brewing in the air.
“I just don’t like the way he looks at you and….what do you two talk about anyway? Tattoos? Piercings?” Max asked frowning.
Liz’s eyes narrowed as Max tried to turn this into something she did. “No, those subjects haven’t come up. Mostly, I’m asking if he has any clue as to why you’re acting like this. Anything alien or whatever he can think of to explain any of this. That’s pretty much MY end of the conversation.”
“What’s his end?” Max asked bristling a little.
“Does it matter? You obviously didn’t care before you asked him here,” Liz said crossing her arms over her chest. “Why are you grilling me anyway? I don’t like the guy and you knew that. You knew and YOU still asked him to come here and what? Take your place? Is that what he thinks?”
“No!” Max said getting pissed.
“Really? Because it seems like it to me. Why else ask a virtual stranger to come and “protect” me? A stranger that….upset me the last time he was here. All so you can go out with Michael and gamble take in a few shows…whatever it is you guys did,” Liz said feeling her face start to flush as her anger increased. “Next time don’t bother. I don’t need the hassle!”
“What hassle?” Max asked making the turn onto the old highway. “Looks like you two are really hitting it off!”
“Stop the car,” Liz said softly.
“What?” Max asked slowing.
“I said stop the GODDAMN car!” Liz said as her hands started to ripple with energy. She felt so hot she was actually sweating.
Max had not quite rolled to a stop when Liz jumped out. When he was able to follow he found her bent over by the side of the road her hair shielding her face.
Liz waited as a stabbing pain flashed through her abdomen and she just seemed to get hotter. When she was sure she wasn’t about to get sick she straightened and turned to Max.
“Don’t turn this around, Max. You pushed me away. You chose not to talk to me. You chose to go to Vegas and call Zan here. I didn’t, so don’t even dream about turning this around on me. This is the situation you created remember? So if you’re not happy with it look at your desire to control everything. I’m the helpless, incompetent, mindless twit that you need to control. I don’t have any say over anything including my own sex life. Unless that’s what you brought Zan here for? Is he like the backup guy for that too? Because that I would like a say in,” Liz said ready to go toe to toe over this.
“What? NO!” Max said loudly. “This isn’t going how I thought it would,” Max muttered confused.
“By all means. Control this conversation along with everything else. Or try to anyway. It never really works out how you want it to,” Liz said turning away. She was so upset and frustrated that she couldn’t see straight.
“I just meant…I just..Can you tell me why you’re so upset?” Max asked shifting the conversation to her.
“How can you even ask that? Have you heard anything I’ve said?” Liz asked blinking back tears of frustration. “You’re not talking to me. I can’t FEEL you anymore. I don’t know what’s happening but something’s really wrong….with us. If you didn’t want me why did you do all of this? Now you just shove me off on Zan and leave. To do what? Why do you need that money? What are you going to do with it?”
“I do want you. Shoving you off on Zan was never what I wanted to do. I love you, Liz. I got the money for you. To use for things…that might come up. So you’ll be safe and provided for just in case,” Max said and shook his head. “I don’t know why you think that stuff about Zan but if he touches you he’s dead. I told him that the last time. He was just here in case something happened like the FBI or whatever and you guys needed more power. He was coming down anyway. I assume to see Ava.”
“I think he listens about as well as you do,” Liz mumbled and took a few steps away.
“What do you mean?” Max asked his eyes narrowing.
“He just…he’s been playing games. Saying stuff to me. It’s not a big deal really. Umm let’s just forget it. He won’t do it again I don’t think,” Liz said rubbing her stomach.
“What’s wrong? You’re stomach hurts?” Max asked diverted by the brief flash of pain racing across her face.
Liz nodded slowly as the burning stabbing pain slowly eased. She didn’t protest as Max came over and worked his hand under her coat and shirt until he reached her bare skin. She rested her hand on his shoulder and looked up into his eyes, sighing when she felt the warmth seep out from his hand.
Max frowned as he realized it was her seal pulsing angrily. It didn’t FEEL dormant like his future self claimed it should be. As he sent a stream of energy outward he felt a brief burning stab of pain in his hand then it was fine. “Is that better?”
“Yeah, that feels better. Thank you,” Liz said all her fight gone.
Max nodded still slightly worried. “Let’s go back to the Jeep. I have something I needed to talk to you about but its kind of cold out here,” Max said gently guiding her back toward the car.
Liz let him hover and help her into the Jeep knowing he would be worried about her. Once they were both settled in Max started the Jeep and put it in gear.
Liz leaned back in her seat letting the heater warm her back up, as her own body heat seemed to have disappeared along with her anger, leaving her feeling drained.
She was starting to think this drive wasn’t a very good idea. They were all alone out here with no one around for miles on a deserted stretch of road with plenty of secluded places to pull off the roadway. She turned to study Max’s profile not quite able to shake off the feel of hand on her skin. She was not going to be a clingy bimbo. She did have will power she coached herself.
Max was struggling to quell the rising tide of awareness that was sinking its claws into him. The combination of the fight they had just had, her unique scent wafting over him, and the way he could swear he could still feel her soft satiny skin under his hand was working at him more with every minute that past. He wanted to kiss her, he just wanted.
Liz didn’t say anything as Max pulled off the road and jerked up the emergency brake. She could feel something shimmer in the air and watched Max tense up further before sighing in defeat. What she didn’t expect was Max’s next move. One minute he was on his side of the vehicle and the next his mouth was feathering over hers.
The itching in his hands eased as he cupped the sides of her face and he sighed against her mouth with relief.
Liz’s fingers curled into his shirt as his lips brushed hers settling slowly, working her mouth masterfully. With each brush of his mouth he exerted more pressure, gave her more. His lips were slightly parted and so warm, her fingers tightened and pulled him closer forgetting about stopping points and fear. His mouth sealed itself over hers and sucked lightly, bringing her up out of her seat as she sought more contact.
When he felt the tip of her tongue skimmed along the slick inner curve of his bottom lip where it clung to hers, a rough sound of need escaped him and suddenly he was afraid. He could feel reason slipping as longing welled up in him drowning him in the need to have her. Snapping to full awareness he realized that he was already working her clothes off.
Liz felt him freeze and pushed him away turning away from his eyes glowing with fear and guilt.
Max saw something flicker over her face in the second right before she dissolved into tears. Reaching for her he was startled when she slapped his hands away from her.
“JUST STOP IT!” Liz cried sobbing. “Don’t touch me at all then.”
Max felt his gut twist as her sobs picked up and she huddled over by the door.
“I’m tired of you pushing me away! What’s wrong with me? Why can’t you talk to me? I don’t understand what’s wrong,” Liz sobbed feeling her stomach start to bother her again. She curled up tighter trying to ward off the pain.
“No,” Max said feeling his hand catch fire. “There’s nothing wrong with you. Liz….god I’m sorry. Please let me….explain.”
“I know. You don’t want to….have a baby,” Liz forced out between hitching breaths. “Do you think….I would trick you? Is that what…it is? I wouldn’t do that. I would never force that on you. Is it….that you think….this was a mistake?” Liz asked and started crying harder. “Am I a mistake?”
Max’s face crumpled as he started to see her thoughts. “No, Liz. Nothing with you is a mistake. Come here,” Max said moving over the gearshift and into her seat, easing her onto his lap.
“Then why do you pull away from me? Are you afraid of me? Am I doing something to push you away?” Liz asked softly easing her back into his chest as her tears slowed.
Max rubbed his cheek over her hair and laced the fingers of one hand with hers. “Remember those…..visions?”
“Of course I do,” Liz agreed softly wiping her cheeks with her free hand.
“They scared me. Not….the visions themselves exactly but….,” Max struggled to think of how to explain this to her. “I umm just didn’t care about them.”
Liz tilted her head confused by that statement. “What do you mean?”
“Seeing the possibilities just didn’t seem to make an impact and that scared me. I had just….attacked you and…I have to take care of you. I can’t treat you like that,” Max said carefully. Easing around the topic without just blurting it out.
Liz brow wrinkled as she tried to understand what the hell he was talking about. “I don’t remember you attacking me. Treat me like what? You’ve never hurt me. You’re always good to me I don’t know what you mean.”
“You had bruises. I saw them….on your back and….then those visions. I just wanted to…..have you again. You were so….beautiful. I dreamed of you there in my bed for so long that nothing else made a dent. You were so exhausted, those visions, and I hurt you and still…..I wanted you,” Max said his voice going so low toward the end of his explanation. “I’m a perverted jerk.”
Liz blinked in surprise and just sat there for a long minute before speaking. “I liked it. Max….you’ve never done anything to me that I didn’t want you to,” Liz said and paused trying to think of how to get him to understand. “Is it perverted to want me? What about me?” Liz asked squirming around on his lap to see his face. “If I want to feel you against me is that wrong? Is kissing me wrong?” Liz asked watching his eyes drop to her lips as he shook his head no. “So if I want to feel your bare skin? Is that wrong? Do you want that?”
“Yes, but…” Max started but stopped when he felt her fingers slip under his shirt.
“What about if I bruise you? If I leave teeth marks or…mark you?” Liz asked as her fingernails scraped over his ribs. She leaned forward and brushed her lips over his neck. “Does that feel wrong? Perverted?”
“No,” Max groaned his breathing ragged. His fingers curled around her hip as she sucked lightly on his neck then harder. “Liz!”
“Did I just attack you? Hurt you?” Liz asked then licked his skin lightly.
“No,” Max ground out struggling to control his breathing.
“Do you want me to stop?” Liz asked softly her lips brushing his jaw.
“Nooo,” Max groaned shifting in the seat under her.
“What if I want more?” Liz asked scooting back toward his knees, her fingers working on his belt. “What if I want to taste you? Here?” Liz asked watching his pupils dilate as she slipped her hand into his open fly. “Is that perverted? What if I want to shallow…..you?”
Max was rendered mute at the very thought only able to shake his head.
“Max? Is it wrong for me to want you inside me? To want to feel you so deep inside me that I don’t feel empty or alone anymore? I love that. It doesn’t matter if it’s gentle and slow or if you’re not. It just matters that its you and I need you. Does it make me a pervert to love feeling you come inside me?” Liz asked knowing he wouldn’t see her as wrong. He never did. He was never as hard on her as he was on himself. “Tell me.”
“No,” Max groaned his groin throbbing fiercely. “You’re beautiful and mine.”
“Yes, I am,” Liz agreed and traced his lip with her finger. She paused feeling her insecurities and fear trying to overwhelm her but she ignored her own feelings in favor of his. “And you’re mine. You never do anything to me that I don’t want you to. I love you, Max. I don’t think you’re perverted and if someone else does I don’t care. You’re mine and I like you just as you really are. So don’t leave me alone like this anymore. Don’t hide from me because I think you’re gorgeous and loving and absolutely perfect for me. I love you even when I’m so mad at you that I want to just shake some sense into you. I love you even when you’re being a jerk….like lately. So let me feel how much you love me. Take care of me by loving me and talking to me. Please? I want to feel you. I miss you so much.”
Seeing her tears like tiny diamonds on her lashes as she asked for what he should have been providing all along shamed him and had him seeing how truly lucky he was. She was so amazing. He leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers dropping his defenses and reaching for her.
Leftovers (CC, ML / Adult) (Complete)
Moderators: Itzstacie, Forum Moderators
Chapter Fifty Nine
Liz watched him as he slowly undressed her. Sliding her coat off and letting it fall away an absorbed expression on his face. She felt beautiful when he looked at her like that. But more then the way he looked at her was how he felt. She could feel him again, stronger then before. Or maybe it was just that the absence of him made it seem that way. She didn’t protest as he slowly undid each of the buttons running down the front of her sweater.
Something about watching as each button gave way to reveal smooth warm skin entranced him. It would have been faster to just use his powers but this was better. He liked it that she watched him. He could feel her wonder and joy building as he removed her shirt baring her to the waist.
Liz smiled at the soft groan he released as he looked at her. She didn’t feel inadequate or self-conscience about her body as he trailed his fingers over her chest like he needed to feel her to know this was real. When he took both of her breasts in his hands, shaping them gently, she gasp in pleasure, her eyes closing under the sensation.
“I’ve missed this. Touching you like this,” Max said softly taking in the contrast of her pale flesh and the darker tones of his hands. Her breasts were a wonder. “So responsive and pretty. I’ve had dreams about just this.”
“Mmm, I love it when you touch me,” Liz sighed making an effort to be more vocal. To re enforce her earlier statements.
Max was getting hot in the confines of his coat in the enclosed space that was itself heating up. Urging Liz to lean back he sat up enough to get rid of his coat and shirt smiling when he felt Liz’s fingers trying to work his pants down. Needing more space to work with he pulled the seat’s lever lowering the backrest. Laying back he scooted Liz forward so she was sitting on his abdomen.
“Thanks,” Liz whispered when he lifted his hips allowing her to slide down his offending garments baring him completely.
“Umm,” Max responded distracted by the sway of her breasts as she tugged at his clothes. When she turned back to him he quickly undid her pants and with a carefully planned out position change he laid her out on the relined seat. Moving to kneel in the cramped space of floorboards he tugged off her pants and panties tossing them over onto his seat. With a wave of his hand her seat slid back allowing him more room and he crawled half over her. “Okay. Better?”
Liz nodded slowly. She couldn’t have cared less were they were at this point. Just feeling his bare skin against hers was worth cramped quarters. “Yes, much better,” Liz said softly watching him. “I’m on your shirt though I think.”
“S’okay,” Max said making himself comfortable. He watched her reach out and slide her fingers into his hair enjoying her touch. Relaxing under her gently stroking fingers, he looked to her seal, glowing bright but curving around her navel, which had one side of the V curving over instead of remaining straight. “Something’s going on with this seal. Look at it.”
Liz lifted up onto her elbows and looked down frowning slightly as she saw what he was talking about. “Huh. It’s curving.”
“Yeah,” Max said and ran his hand over it watching it glow brighter. “Does it hurt?”
“Nope,” Liz said shaking her head. “It sort of….heats when you touch it but it doesn’t hurt. Does yours do anything? Zan thought maybe yours was reacting to mine somehow.”
Max frowned and ran his hand directly over her seal noticing the same heating in his hand as before. Looking at his palm he saw his seal for the first time. It matched hers right down to the curve. He held it out for her to see.
“Looks like we’re a matched set,” Liz said smiling into his eyes.
“Just as I always thought,” Max grinned and eased up to nibble at her mouth.
Liz hummed in agreement and wrapped her arms around him almost moaning in pleasure as the light dusting of hair below his navel rubbed against her skin.
Max deepened their kiss slowly, his mouth turning slightly aggressive but not rough. He sucked at her bottom lip, teeth scraping lightly, intent on doing what he knew from experience drove her crazy. He groaned deeply as she moved under him, her legs lifting around him as she placed her feet on the dash. He shifted nudging the ridge of his erection between the folds of her sex. He rocked his hips as his tongue entered her mouth.
She clung to him with hands, arms, and legs, straining closer, her hips rolling to increase the friction between their bodies. She felt muscles deep between her thighs tighten and lost all sense of anything outside her world, which had narrowed down to Max.
Max released her mouth needing to see her. He found himself groaning as he looked down at her hot slumberous eyes, her mouth looked debauched. His dick twitched against her slick folds his testicles pulling tight causing her to give a breathy mewling sound in reply.
Liz lay under him gasping as his hunger swamped her. It raged in him, its fury shaking his very foundation. She felt all that he had denied, had tried so desperately to control, to keep from her.
“Yes, Max,” Liz said meeting his eyes. “It’s okay. I want you too. I want all of that,” Liz said holding his eyes as she guided his hand down between her legs. “Don’t you feel that? Not all of it is you. Some of that need is me too. I’m so wet for you.”
Max could have sworn his eyes crossed as her words impacted on what little was left of his brain. He let his fingers slip through her slick cleft watching her lips part on an in drawn breath.
“Ohhh Max. Come and provide for me,” Liz whispered her lips curving up, gently teasing him.
Max felt a surge of fire travel up his arm from his seal but ignored it. He shifted his body between her legs fumbling to position himself for entry. As he guided the broad head of his dick between her wet folds he watched her eyes unfocus going blind with lust and need. Pushing into her, feeling her close tightly around him, her fingers digging into his back, it didn’t feel wrong. It felt really really right.
“Mmmm Max,” Liz sighed stretching under him. Rubbing against his body trying to get closer. “This feels so nice. Now I’m not alone. I feel so…full.”
Max bent his head and nuzzled her neck feeling her relief and love like a warm blanket enfolding him. He started to move inside her at her encouraging tug on his hips. He felt the barriers of his mind open and seek outside himself, groaning in pleasure as she sheltered him. Rising to meet him as easily as her hips rose to meet his. He felt what she meant. He didn’t feel alone or empty anymore either. She wouldn’t allow it.
Liz felt again the sensation of wearing his skin and reveled in it. Tears gathered in her eyes, he had let her in. Her heart swelled with love and she gave him whatever he needed. Whatever she had.
When she arched her back under him, flattening her breasts against his chest, his breath caught momentarily before he drove into her harder, feeling her need as her slick soft walls enclosing him tightened in an attempt to pull him deeper, hold him inside her. His desire roared out of control, as her soft moans began to escalate and grow higher in pitch. He grunted straining to drive deeper inside her as she tilted her pelvis helping him, needing him deeper inside.
“God Max! Yes!” Liz cried loudly working her hips in perfect rhythm with his. Suddenly she stiffened, an orgasm tearing through her in searing waves.
His hips pistoned faster, feeling her hard deep contractions, clamping and releasing around his dick, milking its length furiously. With one last plunge he seated himself deep inside her releasing his seed in pulsing streams before collapsing over her covering her like a blanket.
Contentment seeped through her as she enjoyed his solid weight, drifting in the aftermath. When he lifted up onto his elbows and looked down into her eyes she smiled.
“What?” Max asked curious.
“I was just thinking,” Liz said her smile growing and a wicked gleam entered her eyes. “You look good on me.”
Max’s lips twitched in amusement. “Feeling smug are you?”
“Me?” Liz asked still smiling. “Why would you say that?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because I can feel it,” Max asked arching his eyebrow.
“Oh. Well. Do I have reason to be smug?” Liz asked easing up to brush her mouth over his.
“Yeah,” Max admitted between kisses.
As soon as Liz left the café Maria slid out of the booth and walked into the back eyebrow arching as she spotted Zan writhing on the floor cupping his brains. “So. What’d you do?”
“Nothing,” Zan ground out trying to get to the point where he could heal himself.
“Right. Liz just….attacked you for no reason,” Maria nodded then tilted her head. “I think that most people would say that I was the more violent of the two of us, and I never liked you but I haven’t kicked you in the nuts yet,” Maria pointed out. “In fact, in all the years I’ve known Liz, she has never kicked anyone in nuts. So would you care to revise that story or do you want another shot to your ego?”
“I jus talked ta her,” Zan moaned as Michael walked in.
“Holy shit! What’d you do?” Michael asked looking at Maria.
“I didn’t do anything. I found him like this,” Maria said and stopped Michael when he went to help Zan. “Hold up there Spaceboy. We’re having a conversation.”
“Maria!” Michael protested but subsided when she shot him a look.
“Now. You were saying?” Maria asked looking down at Zan with disdain.
“Could ya help me up?” Zan asked looking up at her.
“No, I can not. Dogs belong on the floor,” Maria said and pointed him. “Now talk! Or I’ll kick your balls into next week.”
“What’da want me ta say? She got fuck’in pissed and nailed me with her knee. I was jus trying ta help her out. Get her blood up ya know? If she fights wit Max enough the seals will be forced to act. One way or the otha,” Zan said scowling. Fuck, the bitch could at least get some fucking ice. His balls were swelling up like cantaloupes.
“So you played around with her,” Maria stated eyes narrowed. She didn’t trust this piece of street trash. Lying was ingrained in him she could feel it. “Michael, why don’t you get Zan some ice?”
“Right,” Michael agreed but hovered not liking the look on her face. Finally with a shrug he left.
“Okay, I don’t like you and what’s more I don’t trust you. Stay away from Liz. In fact if you decided to leave I’d drive you to the bus station gladly. Fuck with Liz and I’ll kill you,” Maria said staring down at him.
Zan gave her a mocking thumbs up.
Narrowing her eyes she eyed him slowly. “Let me help you out,” Maria said and held out her hand like she was going to help him off the floor. When he reached out she brought her boot to rest on his groin. “Now that I have your brains under my boot do I have your attention?”
“Yeah,” Zan ground out scowling as Maria exerted just enough presser to cause him some discomfort.
“Good. Let’s chat,” Maria said and smiled.
Liz sighed and reassessed her opinion of the Jeep. She was pretty comfortable curled around Max in the backseat. She really didn’t need very much room.
“So what was it about those visions that really freaked you? Just the thought of a baby?” Liz asked looking up at Max.
He continued stroking her bare hip and shook his head. “No. I don’t care about that,” Max said absently.
“What?” Liz asked shifting to see him better. “I’m a little lost….then.”
“Well. I care but…..” Max stumbled looking away.
“No no,” Liz said and tugged his chin back with her finger. “No running. Just tell me.”
“You matter to me. More then anything. Your dreams and future matter. I don’t want to wreck that for you. I can wait,” Max said threading his fingers through her hair.
Liz smiled and hummed at the renewed desire provoked by the look in his eyes. Shaking her head she reminded herself of the question she was prying out the answer for. “Whoa. Wait a minute. We never talked about the future,” Liz pointed out softly.
“You want to go to Harvard. Become a Molecular Biologist and wow everyone with some fantastic discovery,” Max said smiling. “You still don’t understand that I know everything about you. I pay attention.”
“Ummm not quite right there, Max,” Liz said smiling at his arrogance. “That WAS my dream but sometimes dreams need a little adjusting.”
“Really? Like what kind of adjusting?” Max asked warily. He didn’t want her to give up on her dreams because of him.
“Well. Harvard is…just a school. The way things are going it’s not practical to go there. I mean…my grades aren’t what they once were. You can’t just run off to see the sights of Copper Summit and maintain your grade point. Even if I did still get in, I couldn’t keep up the work load and save the universe,” Liz teased wiggling around to face him. “Plus, that’s a lot of school and I sort of…..want a family….with you…at some point. And then there’s your dreams to consider so….I’m sort of in flex mode.”
“I have my dream,” Max said slowly not sure what to make of the rest. Flashes of Liz pregnant with his child washed through him from his own subconscious mind. He wanted that someday too.
“Max. Being a king doesn’t pay very well in the United States,” Liz teased gently. “You are going to have to consider a real job…career…whatever. Unless of course you plan on becoming a professional gambler.”
Max smiled and tapped the tip of her nose. “Nope. I don’t think my girlfriend would like that,” Max replied with an easy tone. “I’ve never really thought about what to go to school for.”
“You should start thinking about it. We’ll need to decide where to go to school soon. So we’ll need to look at the programs we want to take. A good plan doesn’t happen overnight,” Liz said smiling as he rolled his eyes at the last sentence.
“Of course we need a plan. You’re Liz Parker and you always have a plan,” Max recited faithfully smiling.
“That’s right. But it can always be adjusted,” Liz said brushing her mouth over his. “And it’s our plan now.”
“Right,” Max agreed pulling her closer and kissing her slowly. Pulling back he looked in her eyes. “You can still have your original dream. I could go with you….if not to Harvard then close.”
“Max, I made a choice and I’m happy with my choice. I chose to make my life with you. Whatever that means. So if I have to change my plans its okay. There are plenty of jobs I can do that will be in the realm of science. There’s only one you. Now we’re a team and we’ll both have to adjust to make this work. It’s not a chore. It’s just life. Our life,” Liz explained letting him feel her contentment with that decision. “There are a lot of really good schools. We just have to pick the one that’s right for us. Okay?”
“Okay,” Max said stroking her hair.
“So was that the only thing that set you off about those visions? Thinking you might somehow wreck my life,” Liz asked reverting to the original subject.
“That still applies,” Max pointed out. “You don’t seem to understand. I didn’t care if you got pregnant….in fact, I …sort of liked the idea. Even though I know this isn’t the right time. Logically I know that but….deeper then that it still appealed to me. Does that make sense?”
“Uh huh, I think so,” Liz replied slowly. “Instinct. Or something like it. Ummm okay. Well let’s talk about that. I’ve been thinking. If you’re the one who has this encoded mating thing….that has to be adjusted to be able to have children with a full human then the Pill really should work. After all, I’m the one taking it and I’m human so…that’s sort of how it’s designed to work. I don’t see why it wouldn’t. But let’s set that aside and say something happens and I do get pregnant. I just want you to know that I wouldn’t trick you into anything, but if something did happen I wouldn’t be devastated. I know it would make things more difficult….a lot more but…I would always love our baby. Even if it came before I thought it was the right time. So don’t get all weird about it. Okay? Things happen Max. You can’t hope to control everything,” Liz pointed out gently. She studied his eyes hoping he didn’t take what she said wrong.
“I never once thought you would try and trick me. You wouldn’t have to for one thing,” Max said tracing her jaw line with his fingers. “I also never doubted that you would love a baby no matter when it happened to be born. I just don’t want to make things hard for you. That’s all.”
“I know. I know you don’t,” Liz agreed her eyes soft and warm. “This is what I’m trying to say. Sometimes things happen for a reason. Even unpleasant things like getting shot. Right? So as long as we do what we can to protect ourselves then the rest we have to take as it comes. Life just happens….even the things you don’t plan out. Our life will never be normal so we may have a few more surprises then some but that’s okay. There are benefits too. I love you and I wouldn’t change a thing. So just relax and we’ll work it out as it comes up. Together, like a team.”
“Don’t worry. I can’t do that again. I won’t do that….hurt you like that again. I promise,” Max said tucking her hair back.
Liz smiled her eyes glowing. “Then I know I don’t have to worry.”
“Nope. You don’t. Besides, you’re scary when you’re angry,” Max said a smile spreading over his face and shining through his eyes.
“Hmmm,” Liz agreed her eyes dancing. “You have no idea. Just ask Zan what happens when you don’t listen.”
Liz watched him as he slowly undressed her. Sliding her coat off and letting it fall away an absorbed expression on his face. She felt beautiful when he looked at her like that. But more then the way he looked at her was how he felt. She could feel him again, stronger then before. Or maybe it was just that the absence of him made it seem that way. She didn’t protest as he slowly undid each of the buttons running down the front of her sweater.
Something about watching as each button gave way to reveal smooth warm skin entranced him. It would have been faster to just use his powers but this was better. He liked it that she watched him. He could feel her wonder and joy building as he removed her shirt baring her to the waist.
Liz smiled at the soft groan he released as he looked at her. She didn’t feel inadequate or self-conscience about her body as he trailed his fingers over her chest like he needed to feel her to know this was real. When he took both of her breasts in his hands, shaping them gently, she gasp in pleasure, her eyes closing under the sensation.
“I’ve missed this. Touching you like this,” Max said softly taking in the contrast of her pale flesh and the darker tones of his hands. Her breasts were a wonder. “So responsive and pretty. I’ve had dreams about just this.”
“Mmm, I love it when you touch me,” Liz sighed making an effort to be more vocal. To re enforce her earlier statements.
Max was getting hot in the confines of his coat in the enclosed space that was itself heating up. Urging Liz to lean back he sat up enough to get rid of his coat and shirt smiling when he felt Liz’s fingers trying to work his pants down. Needing more space to work with he pulled the seat’s lever lowering the backrest. Laying back he scooted Liz forward so she was sitting on his abdomen.
“Thanks,” Liz whispered when he lifted his hips allowing her to slide down his offending garments baring him completely.
“Umm,” Max responded distracted by the sway of her breasts as she tugged at his clothes. When she turned back to him he quickly undid her pants and with a carefully planned out position change he laid her out on the relined seat. Moving to kneel in the cramped space of floorboards he tugged off her pants and panties tossing them over onto his seat. With a wave of his hand her seat slid back allowing him more room and he crawled half over her. “Okay. Better?”
Liz nodded slowly. She couldn’t have cared less were they were at this point. Just feeling his bare skin against hers was worth cramped quarters. “Yes, much better,” Liz said softly watching him. “I’m on your shirt though I think.”
“S’okay,” Max said making himself comfortable. He watched her reach out and slide her fingers into his hair enjoying her touch. Relaxing under her gently stroking fingers, he looked to her seal, glowing bright but curving around her navel, which had one side of the V curving over instead of remaining straight. “Something’s going on with this seal. Look at it.”
Liz lifted up onto her elbows and looked down frowning slightly as she saw what he was talking about. “Huh. It’s curving.”
“Yeah,” Max said and ran his hand over it watching it glow brighter. “Does it hurt?”
“Nope,” Liz said shaking her head. “It sort of….heats when you touch it but it doesn’t hurt. Does yours do anything? Zan thought maybe yours was reacting to mine somehow.”
Max frowned and ran his hand directly over her seal noticing the same heating in his hand as before. Looking at his palm he saw his seal for the first time. It matched hers right down to the curve. He held it out for her to see.
“Looks like we’re a matched set,” Liz said smiling into his eyes.
“Just as I always thought,” Max grinned and eased up to nibble at her mouth.
Liz hummed in agreement and wrapped her arms around him almost moaning in pleasure as the light dusting of hair below his navel rubbed against her skin.
Max deepened their kiss slowly, his mouth turning slightly aggressive but not rough. He sucked at her bottom lip, teeth scraping lightly, intent on doing what he knew from experience drove her crazy. He groaned deeply as she moved under him, her legs lifting around him as she placed her feet on the dash. He shifted nudging the ridge of his erection between the folds of her sex. He rocked his hips as his tongue entered her mouth.
She clung to him with hands, arms, and legs, straining closer, her hips rolling to increase the friction between their bodies. She felt muscles deep between her thighs tighten and lost all sense of anything outside her world, which had narrowed down to Max.
Max released her mouth needing to see her. He found himself groaning as he looked down at her hot slumberous eyes, her mouth looked debauched. His dick twitched against her slick folds his testicles pulling tight causing her to give a breathy mewling sound in reply.
Liz lay under him gasping as his hunger swamped her. It raged in him, its fury shaking his very foundation. She felt all that he had denied, had tried so desperately to control, to keep from her.
“Yes, Max,” Liz said meeting his eyes. “It’s okay. I want you too. I want all of that,” Liz said holding his eyes as she guided his hand down between her legs. “Don’t you feel that? Not all of it is you. Some of that need is me too. I’m so wet for you.”
Max could have sworn his eyes crossed as her words impacted on what little was left of his brain. He let his fingers slip through her slick cleft watching her lips part on an in drawn breath.
“Ohhh Max. Come and provide for me,” Liz whispered her lips curving up, gently teasing him.
Max felt a surge of fire travel up his arm from his seal but ignored it. He shifted his body between her legs fumbling to position himself for entry. As he guided the broad head of his dick between her wet folds he watched her eyes unfocus going blind with lust and need. Pushing into her, feeling her close tightly around him, her fingers digging into his back, it didn’t feel wrong. It felt really really right.
“Mmmm Max,” Liz sighed stretching under him. Rubbing against his body trying to get closer. “This feels so nice. Now I’m not alone. I feel so…full.”
Max bent his head and nuzzled her neck feeling her relief and love like a warm blanket enfolding him. He started to move inside her at her encouraging tug on his hips. He felt the barriers of his mind open and seek outside himself, groaning in pleasure as she sheltered him. Rising to meet him as easily as her hips rose to meet his. He felt what she meant. He didn’t feel alone or empty anymore either. She wouldn’t allow it.
Liz felt again the sensation of wearing his skin and reveled in it. Tears gathered in her eyes, he had let her in. Her heart swelled with love and she gave him whatever he needed. Whatever she had.
When she arched her back under him, flattening her breasts against his chest, his breath caught momentarily before he drove into her harder, feeling her need as her slick soft walls enclosing him tightened in an attempt to pull him deeper, hold him inside her. His desire roared out of control, as her soft moans began to escalate and grow higher in pitch. He grunted straining to drive deeper inside her as she tilted her pelvis helping him, needing him deeper inside.
“God Max! Yes!” Liz cried loudly working her hips in perfect rhythm with his. Suddenly she stiffened, an orgasm tearing through her in searing waves.
His hips pistoned faster, feeling her hard deep contractions, clamping and releasing around his dick, milking its length furiously. With one last plunge he seated himself deep inside her releasing his seed in pulsing streams before collapsing over her covering her like a blanket.
Contentment seeped through her as she enjoyed his solid weight, drifting in the aftermath. When he lifted up onto his elbows and looked down into her eyes she smiled.
“What?” Max asked curious.
“I was just thinking,” Liz said her smile growing and a wicked gleam entered her eyes. “You look good on me.”
Max’s lips twitched in amusement. “Feeling smug are you?”
“Me?” Liz asked still smiling. “Why would you say that?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because I can feel it,” Max asked arching his eyebrow.
“Oh. Well. Do I have reason to be smug?” Liz asked easing up to brush her mouth over his.
“Yeah,” Max admitted between kisses.
As soon as Liz left the café Maria slid out of the booth and walked into the back eyebrow arching as she spotted Zan writhing on the floor cupping his brains. “So. What’d you do?”
“Nothing,” Zan ground out trying to get to the point where he could heal himself.
“Right. Liz just….attacked you for no reason,” Maria nodded then tilted her head. “I think that most people would say that I was the more violent of the two of us, and I never liked you but I haven’t kicked you in the nuts yet,” Maria pointed out. “In fact, in all the years I’ve known Liz, she has never kicked anyone in nuts. So would you care to revise that story or do you want another shot to your ego?”
“I jus talked ta her,” Zan moaned as Michael walked in.
“Holy shit! What’d you do?” Michael asked looking at Maria.
“I didn’t do anything. I found him like this,” Maria said and stopped Michael when he went to help Zan. “Hold up there Spaceboy. We’re having a conversation.”
“Maria!” Michael protested but subsided when she shot him a look.
“Now. You were saying?” Maria asked looking down at Zan with disdain.
“Could ya help me up?” Zan asked looking up at her.
“No, I can not. Dogs belong on the floor,” Maria said and pointed him. “Now talk! Or I’ll kick your balls into next week.”
“What’da want me ta say? She got fuck’in pissed and nailed me with her knee. I was jus trying ta help her out. Get her blood up ya know? If she fights wit Max enough the seals will be forced to act. One way or the otha,” Zan said scowling. Fuck, the bitch could at least get some fucking ice. His balls were swelling up like cantaloupes.
“So you played around with her,” Maria stated eyes narrowed. She didn’t trust this piece of street trash. Lying was ingrained in him she could feel it. “Michael, why don’t you get Zan some ice?”
“Right,” Michael agreed but hovered not liking the look on her face. Finally with a shrug he left.
“Okay, I don’t like you and what’s more I don’t trust you. Stay away from Liz. In fact if you decided to leave I’d drive you to the bus station gladly. Fuck with Liz and I’ll kill you,” Maria said staring down at him.
Zan gave her a mocking thumbs up.
Narrowing her eyes she eyed him slowly. “Let me help you out,” Maria said and held out her hand like she was going to help him off the floor. When he reached out she brought her boot to rest on his groin. “Now that I have your brains under my boot do I have your attention?”
“Yeah,” Zan ground out scowling as Maria exerted just enough presser to cause him some discomfort.
“Good. Let’s chat,” Maria said and smiled.
Liz sighed and reassessed her opinion of the Jeep. She was pretty comfortable curled around Max in the backseat. She really didn’t need very much room.
“So what was it about those visions that really freaked you? Just the thought of a baby?” Liz asked looking up at Max.
He continued stroking her bare hip and shook his head. “No. I don’t care about that,” Max said absently.
“What?” Liz asked shifting to see him better. “I’m a little lost….then.”
“Well. I care but…..” Max stumbled looking away.
“No no,” Liz said and tugged his chin back with her finger. “No running. Just tell me.”
“You matter to me. More then anything. Your dreams and future matter. I don’t want to wreck that for you. I can wait,” Max said threading his fingers through her hair.
Liz smiled and hummed at the renewed desire provoked by the look in his eyes. Shaking her head she reminded herself of the question she was prying out the answer for. “Whoa. Wait a minute. We never talked about the future,” Liz pointed out softly.
“You want to go to Harvard. Become a Molecular Biologist and wow everyone with some fantastic discovery,” Max said smiling. “You still don’t understand that I know everything about you. I pay attention.”
“Ummm not quite right there, Max,” Liz said smiling at his arrogance. “That WAS my dream but sometimes dreams need a little adjusting.”
“Really? Like what kind of adjusting?” Max asked warily. He didn’t want her to give up on her dreams because of him.
“Well. Harvard is…just a school. The way things are going it’s not practical to go there. I mean…my grades aren’t what they once were. You can’t just run off to see the sights of Copper Summit and maintain your grade point. Even if I did still get in, I couldn’t keep up the work load and save the universe,” Liz teased wiggling around to face him. “Plus, that’s a lot of school and I sort of…..want a family….with you…at some point. And then there’s your dreams to consider so….I’m sort of in flex mode.”
“I have my dream,” Max said slowly not sure what to make of the rest. Flashes of Liz pregnant with his child washed through him from his own subconscious mind. He wanted that someday too.
“Max. Being a king doesn’t pay very well in the United States,” Liz teased gently. “You are going to have to consider a real job…career…whatever. Unless of course you plan on becoming a professional gambler.”
Max smiled and tapped the tip of her nose. “Nope. I don’t think my girlfriend would like that,” Max replied with an easy tone. “I’ve never really thought about what to go to school for.”
“You should start thinking about it. We’ll need to decide where to go to school soon. So we’ll need to look at the programs we want to take. A good plan doesn’t happen overnight,” Liz said smiling as he rolled his eyes at the last sentence.
“Of course we need a plan. You’re Liz Parker and you always have a plan,” Max recited faithfully smiling.
“That’s right. But it can always be adjusted,” Liz said brushing her mouth over his. “And it’s our plan now.”
“Right,” Max agreed pulling her closer and kissing her slowly. Pulling back he looked in her eyes. “You can still have your original dream. I could go with you….if not to Harvard then close.”
“Max, I made a choice and I’m happy with my choice. I chose to make my life with you. Whatever that means. So if I have to change my plans its okay. There are plenty of jobs I can do that will be in the realm of science. There’s only one you. Now we’re a team and we’ll both have to adjust to make this work. It’s not a chore. It’s just life. Our life,” Liz explained letting him feel her contentment with that decision. “There are a lot of really good schools. We just have to pick the one that’s right for us. Okay?”
“Okay,” Max said stroking her hair.
“So was that the only thing that set you off about those visions? Thinking you might somehow wreck my life,” Liz asked reverting to the original subject.
“That still applies,” Max pointed out. “You don’t seem to understand. I didn’t care if you got pregnant….in fact, I …sort of liked the idea. Even though I know this isn’t the right time. Logically I know that but….deeper then that it still appealed to me. Does that make sense?”
“Uh huh, I think so,” Liz replied slowly. “Instinct. Or something like it. Ummm okay. Well let’s talk about that. I’ve been thinking. If you’re the one who has this encoded mating thing….that has to be adjusted to be able to have children with a full human then the Pill really should work. After all, I’m the one taking it and I’m human so…that’s sort of how it’s designed to work. I don’t see why it wouldn’t. But let’s set that aside and say something happens and I do get pregnant. I just want you to know that I wouldn’t trick you into anything, but if something did happen I wouldn’t be devastated. I know it would make things more difficult….a lot more but…I would always love our baby. Even if it came before I thought it was the right time. So don’t get all weird about it. Okay? Things happen Max. You can’t hope to control everything,” Liz pointed out gently. She studied his eyes hoping he didn’t take what she said wrong.
“I never once thought you would try and trick me. You wouldn’t have to for one thing,” Max said tracing her jaw line with his fingers. “I also never doubted that you would love a baby no matter when it happened to be born. I just don’t want to make things hard for you. That’s all.”
“I know. I know you don’t,” Liz agreed her eyes soft and warm. “This is what I’m trying to say. Sometimes things happen for a reason. Even unpleasant things like getting shot. Right? So as long as we do what we can to protect ourselves then the rest we have to take as it comes. Life just happens….even the things you don’t plan out. Our life will never be normal so we may have a few more surprises then some but that’s okay. There are benefits too. I love you and I wouldn’t change a thing. So just relax and we’ll work it out as it comes up. Together, like a team.”
“Don’t worry. I can’t do that again. I won’t do that….hurt you like that again. I promise,” Max said tucking her hair back.
Liz smiled her eyes glowing. “Then I know I don’t have to worry.”
“Nope. You don’t. Besides, you’re scary when you’re angry,” Max said a smile spreading over his face and shining through his eyes.
“Hmmm,” Liz agreed her eyes dancing. “You have no idea. Just ask Zan what happens when you don’t listen.”
Chapter Sixty
“You’re kidding?” Liz asked choking off a laugh.
“Not even a little,” Maria said into the phone. “That bastard had to have Michael pick him up and half carry him out.”
Liz started laughing as she pictured that. “Oh my god Maria! That is so funny! I can’t believe you!”
“Me? I just finished what you started,” Maria replied smiling. “His balls were shot when I got to him. What did he say to piss you off?”
“Umm he said that I needed a new man that could keep me busy,” Liz said wrinkling her nose.
“Well, he doesn’t have the working equipment to apply for the job anymore,” Maria observed. “Not until he can heal himself up anyway.”
“There’s no job opening. That positions been…..filled and I’m very happy with the guy who filled it so….,” Liz trailed off with a goofy smile spreading over her face.
Maria smiled hearing the tone and reached for her nail file. “Must be nice. I take it you and Max made up?”
“We weren’t really fighting,” Liz replied then amended that statement slightly. “It was more like a battle of wills.”
“So. Who won?” Maria asked not really needing the answer.
“We both did of course,” Liz answered rolling over onto her stomach.
“Right. So you won,” Maria answered grinning. “That’s what I thought.”
“Maria!” Liz chastised lightly while smiling. “That isn’t what I said. Let’s just say that the battles over and we’re both happy with the result. Okay?”
“Okay,” Maria agreed easily. However Liz wanted to phrase it was fine by her.
“So what did Zan say anyway?” Liz asked curious. She wasn’t quite sure how to peg Zan. Right now she would say he was a free agent.
“A bunch of bullshit that I don’t believe for a second,” Maria answered. “He’s only here to be of service blah blah blah. He isn’t into you blah blah blah. He has no hidden ties to the government or anyone out to get us. In other words, he’s full of shit.”
“Maybe,” Liz mumbled thinking hard.
“No, not maybe. He is full of shit. Trust me on that,” Maria scoffed. “He’s giving off that Tess like vibe, you know?”
“Yeah, I do know,” Liz agreed.
Hearing an odd note to her voice Maria set aside her file and focused. “Liz? What’s with the tone? What are you thinking?”
“I don’t know……yet. He plays games. He likes playing games. He did that from the very start, playing at being Max enough to pass in town without being noticed,” Liz chewed on her lip as her mind whirled. “He’s grey.”
“What’s that mean?” Maria asked.
“It means he makes up his own rules. He does whatever he wants for his own reasons. Like he didn’t have to get in the car and go to that cabin with me. He chose to for whatever reason. But when they were telling him to…..well, when he kissed me he didn’t have to go about it like he did. He chose to. He’s not good or bad….he’s grey,” Liz explained softly. “He made some rules for this game too. We just don’t know what they are.”
“I don’t see what he’s trying to do. I mean….you’re not broadcasting or anything now so what’s his deal?” Maria asked puzzled.
“I’m not, you’re right about that, but maybe I don’t have to be. I have the seal. Max said my seal didn’t feel inactive anymore like it was supposed to be. We don’t know enough about any of this really. The seal, bonds in general, the granilith, all of it. How the power really flows with all this stuff. How easy it would be to take that power,” Liz said slowly. “We don’t know if any of what he said is true. Same with Nesado and Tess. He asked to see the seal. Twice actually.”
“What did you say?” Maria asked.
“Hell no,” Liz replied shortly then smiled. “Max would have a whole heard of cattle if I did that.”
“I’m sure. How exactly was Zan planning on making it light up?” Maria questioned already suspecting the answer.
“I didn’t let him get that far. I mean really. What was he thinking? He knows I’d say no,” Liz said glancing at the clock. It was really late no wonder she was tired.
“What about Ava?” Maria asked wondering what Liz thought.
“She learned everything she knows from Zan. Who’s to say he was anymore honest with her? They all seem to hold information back until it suits them. Bend it around to fit their needs. I think Ava’s okay. I like her and never got that….off feel from her. She never twisted things to her advantage just because she could. Zan has. He does it whenever he thinks he can get away with it,” Liz pointed out. “I’ve talked to Ava a lot and I think she really wants to be a part of something. She did leave Zan and that took courage. He’s all she’s ever had. We were strangers at the time. It was a big leap.”
“Yeah, it was. Do you think she has any sway with him?” Maria asked agreeing with Liz about Ava.
“Who knows? Maybe,” Liz answered then turned to look at the window. Max was coming. She could feel him. “I’ve gotta go. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”
“Sure,” Maria agreed easily. “I’ll see you at work.”
Liz agreed quickly then hung up. Tossing her phone aside she went to the window and climbed out, reaching the railing just as Max started up the ladder.
“I thought you were told to use the front door mister,” Liz teased leaning on her elbows as she looked down to him.
“I don’t think your Mom meant to use the door this late,” Max pointed out smiling.
“True,” Liz agreed smiling. She was just bursting with happiness. It would be sickening but she could feel the same thing flowing from Max in waves. “But I don’t think this is what she had in mind either.”
“I won’t stay long,” Max said as his feet landed on her balcony. “I just….needed to see you.”
“You saw me quite a bit today already,” Liz pointed out as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
“I still missed you,” Max said softly kissing her forehead.
“Come inside it’s cold out here. My parents went to bed so no one is likely to hear us talking,” Liz said tugging him toward the window. She climbed in and rubbed her arms to warm up.
Max climbed in and froze. “When did you change your room around?” Max asked stunned. This was the way her room had been in some of the visions he had seen.
“Earlier. I had to hide that money so I had to move the dresser and it just snow balled. Why?” Liz asked feeling his surprise and was that pleasure?
“This was how your room was in a couple of those vision things,” Max said going to look at the pictures beside her bed. The one he remembered wasn’t there. “The picture isn’t here though. It should be right here,” Max said tapping her nightstand.
“Oh,” Liz said faintly still watching him. When he turned to her and smiled she relaxed and smiled back. “What do you think?”
“I like it,” Max replied and sat down on her bed. He had stopped fighting himself and her. He couldn’t win against his own nature. Whatever came of it he would just have to deal with it.
Liz smiled and straddled his lap. “You are the best,” Liz said and kissed him softly as his arms wrapped around her waist.
Max smiled holding her close. “I’m glad you think so.”
“I do think so,” Liz agreed softly her fingers running over his face. “So what brought you here besides a burning need to see me?”
Max smiled and quickly nipped the end of her finger as it traced his lip. “I talked to Michael.”
“Ohhh, now the truth comes out,” Liz said tracing the bottom edge of his teeth. “What did Michael have to say?”
“That you and Maria worked Zan over,” Max said his eyes serious and concerned.
“We did not,” Liz protested. When Max continued to look at her she sighed. “Well, maybe a little bit. But he deserved it.”
“What happened?” Max asked as she scooted off of him and lay down.
“It’s not a big deal,” Liz said trying to avoid his question. He wouldn’t like her answers. “I think he learned not to do it again.”
Max could feel her resistance to his questions and that only reaffirmed his desire to know. When he just sat waiting Liz sighed again then told him. She explained what had happened with her and what Maria had said about her end it. As he listened his scowl deepened feeling her flickering emotions as she talked. “So what do you think he’s after?”
“I don’t know. I think we need to pay attention to the seal. He asked to see it so….maybe that’s it. I really don’t know. With him it’s hard to say. I think most of what he says is bullshit used to hide what he’s really thinking,” Liz said thoughtfully while playing with a strand of her own hair. “Maybe the seal is reflecting the stars. Remember what we found out about Aries? When Tess came to town? Maybe the seal is mirroring the movements of your solar system. You guys haven’t been having any odd dreams like you did before have you?”
“No. Not really….no dreams,” Max said thinking hard. “Just an increased pull to you but….that could be due to other things. My seal has never shown like this before either.”
“Maybe because there’s never been another seal before,” Liz reasoned. “I wish we had someone that we could believe to ask about this stuff.”
“That would be nice,” Max agreed scooting up to lay next to her. Their hands intertwined naturally, resting on the bed between them.
The silence stretched out between them, each thinking their own thoughts comfortable in the silence.
“So this whole thing with us was about those visions, your need for control, and fear. Would that be about right?” Liz asked following her train of thought.
“I guess,” Max agreed.
“What’s your instinct pulling for you to do? Like….what was it saying?” Liz asked turning her head to look at him.
“Umm different things. Mostly it was pulling me to you but then sometimes….it was saying to stay away. It depends on how I was looking at things I guess,” Max said slowly.
“Okay, what if this seal….keys to that conflict? What would happen if we were at cross-purposes? Like we were for the last month for instance?” Liz asked turning on her side to face him. “I’m thinking and feeling one thing and you another? We both have seals that boost our powers but we aren’t open to each other and have different priorities so….the seals aren’t….in contact or whatever. They’re acting like two separate seals and really they aren’t, since they both came from you.”
“I never really thought about it like that,” Max mused. “It does….respond to my powers. We know that from when I’ve healed you.”
“It also responds to….you being …close,” Liz pointed out smiling.
“It does,” Max agreed tucking her hair back. “So what were your instincts telling you for the last month?”
“To protect myself,” Liz answered rolling onto her back to stare at the ceiling. “To not put myself out on a limb. To wait for you to….figure out what you wanted but keep my distance.”
Max sucked in his breath slowly as he felt a glimmer of remembered hurt and confusion from her. “I’m so sorry, Liz,” Max said shifting onto his side so he could see her eyes.
“I know,” Liz said softly meeting his eyes. “I know we’re both going to mess up sometimes. Everybody does. I also know that…I didn’t say the right thing or…do the right thing to work this out sooner. I just…umm I don’t deal with that very well. I woke up and you….it was like you were almost a different person, you know? It took me by surprise but I didn’t worry too much at first. I’ve seen that from you before. Several times actually,” Liz said and glanced away before looking back at him. “I just thought we were past that. Then when over a month went by and you still wouldn’t talk to me after I kept asking you what was going on….I was angry and hurt. I started thinking all kinds of things to explain it, filling in what I didn’t understand. You wouldn’t even believe the stuff that I thought up. Just don’t do it again okay? Don’t leave me to try and figure it out without any idea of what’s happening. In one month there was just so much distance there and I had no idea how to cross it and reach you. You’re the most important person to me. I love you so much and I don’t want to feel like I can’t reach you. That you can’t hear me calling you. Talking shouldn’t be a big event like a special occasion.”
Max nodded slowly and worked his hand under her pajama top to rest on her stomach. “I was stupid to pull away like I did. The power of all that feeling and…everything just overwhelmed me I think. I know better now.”
“Max, it’s not just me that I’m worried about. It upset me that I knew you were afraid to talk to me. You were all alone and…..building your very own monsters. I’m supposed to be the person that you’re most comfortable with and I failed to be that for you. You were actually afraid of ME and I didn’t know what to do to make that right. I don’t want you to feel alone or that I’m one of your responsibilities. I want to help you and be there when you need me. I don’t want you to feel like you have to protect yourself from me,” Liz tried to explain her worries for him. That she was failing to be what he needed or provide him with a feeling of security.
“No, Liz. No, I wasn’t afraid of you. I was afraid of me more then anything. I’m not used to…not being able to control myself. To feel….things that might not be right for you and still have it be so damn hard to gain control of was scary. I just…had to take steps to minimize the damage. Get the money in case….and think it all out. Examine the possibilities and take steps to care for you. I just got so set on that. It was like…..I had to do that before I could open up because if I let you in I knew what would happen and I wasn’t ready. It wasn’t anything you did or didn’t do. It was me. I was just going about things totally wrong,” Max explained then smiled. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I honestly don’t. I just didn’t see. I didn’t see what I was doing to both of us.”
Liz sighed ready to move past it. Past ready actually. “We both learned something so its time to just let it go. Just know that I don’t need big gestures from you. I just need you. Everyday…right here talking to me and just being here.”
“Got it,” Max agreed and kissed her softly heightening the flow of communication between them. His lips lingered over hers, prolonging their contact, before easing away. “I better go. I should get home. Isabel is probably spitting nails after covering for me so much lately.”
“Okay,” Liz whispered pushing a strand of hair out of his eyes. “Don’t get all obsessive about Zan okay? It’s not a big thing.”
“I know,” Max said giving her a careful answer. He did know it wasn’t a big thing to her. When she narrowed her eyes at him he smiled and brushed a quick kiss over her mouth. “No worries.”
“Right,” Liz said skeptically. “Be careful Max. It’s not good to get into something when you don’t know who you’re dealing with.”
“You’re kidding?” Liz asked choking off a laugh.
“Not even a little,” Maria said into the phone. “That bastard had to have Michael pick him up and half carry him out.”
Liz started laughing as she pictured that. “Oh my god Maria! That is so funny! I can’t believe you!”
“Me? I just finished what you started,” Maria replied smiling. “His balls were shot when I got to him. What did he say to piss you off?”
“Umm he said that I needed a new man that could keep me busy,” Liz said wrinkling her nose.
“Well, he doesn’t have the working equipment to apply for the job anymore,” Maria observed. “Not until he can heal himself up anyway.”
“There’s no job opening. That positions been…..filled and I’m very happy with the guy who filled it so….,” Liz trailed off with a goofy smile spreading over her face.
Maria smiled hearing the tone and reached for her nail file. “Must be nice. I take it you and Max made up?”
“We weren’t really fighting,” Liz replied then amended that statement slightly. “It was more like a battle of wills.”
“So. Who won?” Maria asked not really needing the answer.
“We both did of course,” Liz answered rolling over onto her stomach.
“Right. So you won,” Maria answered grinning. “That’s what I thought.”
“Maria!” Liz chastised lightly while smiling. “That isn’t what I said. Let’s just say that the battles over and we’re both happy with the result. Okay?”
“Okay,” Maria agreed easily. However Liz wanted to phrase it was fine by her.
“So what did Zan say anyway?” Liz asked curious. She wasn’t quite sure how to peg Zan. Right now she would say he was a free agent.
“A bunch of bullshit that I don’t believe for a second,” Maria answered. “He’s only here to be of service blah blah blah. He isn’t into you blah blah blah. He has no hidden ties to the government or anyone out to get us. In other words, he’s full of shit.”
“Maybe,” Liz mumbled thinking hard.
“No, not maybe. He is full of shit. Trust me on that,” Maria scoffed. “He’s giving off that Tess like vibe, you know?”
“Yeah, I do know,” Liz agreed.
Hearing an odd note to her voice Maria set aside her file and focused. “Liz? What’s with the tone? What are you thinking?”
“I don’t know……yet. He plays games. He likes playing games. He did that from the very start, playing at being Max enough to pass in town without being noticed,” Liz chewed on her lip as her mind whirled. “He’s grey.”
“What’s that mean?” Maria asked.
“It means he makes up his own rules. He does whatever he wants for his own reasons. Like he didn’t have to get in the car and go to that cabin with me. He chose to for whatever reason. But when they were telling him to…..well, when he kissed me he didn’t have to go about it like he did. He chose to. He’s not good or bad….he’s grey,” Liz explained softly. “He made some rules for this game too. We just don’t know what they are.”
“I don’t see what he’s trying to do. I mean….you’re not broadcasting or anything now so what’s his deal?” Maria asked puzzled.
“I’m not, you’re right about that, but maybe I don’t have to be. I have the seal. Max said my seal didn’t feel inactive anymore like it was supposed to be. We don’t know enough about any of this really. The seal, bonds in general, the granilith, all of it. How the power really flows with all this stuff. How easy it would be to take that power,” Liz said slowly. “We don’t know if any of what he said is true. Same with Nesado and Tess. He asked to see the seal. Twice actually.”
“What did you say?” Maria asked.
“Hell no,” Liz replied shortly then smiled. “Max would have a whole heard of cattle if I did that.”
“I’m sure. How exactly was Zan planning on making it light up?” Maria questioned already suspecting the answer.
“I didn’t let him get that far. I mean really. What was he thinking? He knows I’d say no,” Liz said glancing at the clock. It was really late no wonder she was tired.
“What about Ava?” Maria asked wondering what Liz thought.
“She learned everything she knows from Zan. Who’s to say he was anymore honest with her? They all seem to hold information back until it suits them. Bend it around to fit their needs. I think Ava’s okay. I like her and never got that….off feel from her. She never twisted things to her advantage just because she could. Zan has. He does it whenever he thinks he can get away with it,” Liz pointed out. “I’ve talked to Ava a lot and I think she really wants to be a part of something. She did leave Zan and that took courage. He’s all she’s ever had. We were strangers at the time. It was a big leap.”
“Yeah, it was. Do you think she has any sway with him?” Maria asked agreeing with Liz about Ava.
“Who knows? Maybe,” Liz answered then turned to look at the window. Max was coming. She could feel him. “I’ve gotta go. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”
“Sure,” Maria agreed easily. “I’ll see you at work.”
Liz agreed quickly then hung up. Tossing her phone aside she went to the window and climbed out, reaching the railing just as Max started up the ladder.
“I thought you were told to use the front door mister,” Liz teased leaning on her elbows as she looked down to him.
“I don’t think your Mom meant to use the door this late,” Max pointed out smiling.
“True,” Liz agreed smiling. She was just bursting with happiness. It would be sickening but she could feel the same thing flowing from Max in waves. “But I don’t think this is what she had in mind either.”
“I won’t stay long,” Max said as his feet landed on her balcony. “I just….needed to see you.”
“You saw me quite a bit today already,” Liz pointed out as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
“I still missed you,” Max said softly kissing her forehead.
“Come inside it’s cold out here. My parents went to bed so no one is likely to hear us talking,” Liz said tugging him toward the window. She climbed in and rubbed her arms to warm up.
Max climbed in and froze. “When did you change your room around?” Max asked stunned. This was the way her room had been in some of the visions he had seen.
“Earlier. I had to hide that money so I had to move the dresser and it just snow balled. Why?” Liz asked feeling his surprise and was that pleasure?
“This was how your room was in a couple of those vision things,” Max said going to look at the pictures beside her bed. The one he remembered wasn’t there. “The picture isn’t here though. It should be right here,” Max said tapping her nightstand.
“Oh,” Liz said faintly still watching him. When he turned to her and smiled she relaxed and smiled back. “What do you think?”
“I like it,” Max replied and sat down on her bed. He had stopped fighting himself and her. He couldn’t win against his own nature. Whatever came of it he would just have to deal with it.
Liz smiled and straddled his lap. “You are the best,” Liz said and kissed him softly as his arms wrapped around her waist.
Max smiled holding her close. “I’m glad you think so.”
“I do think so,” Liz agreed softly her fingers running over his face. “So what brought you here besides a burning need to see me?”
Max smiled and quickly nipped the end of her finger as it traced his lip. “I talked to Michael.”
“Ohhh, now the truth comes out,” Liz said tracing the bottom edge of his teeth. “What did Michael have to say?”
“That you and Maria worked Zan over,” Max said his eyes serious and concerned.
“We did not,” Liz protested. When Max continued to look at her she sighed. “Well, maybe a little bit. But he deserved it.”
“What happened?” Max asked as she scooted off of him and lay down.
“It’s not a big deal,” Liz said trying to avoid his question. He wouldn’t like her answers. “I think he learned not to do it again.”
Max could feel her resistance to his questions and that only reaffirmed his desire to know. When he just sat waiting Liz sighed again then told him. She explained what had happened with her and what Maria had said about her end it. As he listened his scowl deepened feeling her flickering emotions as she talked. “So what do you think he’s after?”
“I don’t know. I think we need to pay attention to the seal. He asked to see it so….maybe that’s it. I really don’t know. With him it’s hard to say. I think most of what he says is bullshit used to hide what he’s really thinking,” Liz said thoughtfully while playing with a strand of her own hair. “Maybe the seal is reflecting the stars. Remember what we found out about Aries? When Tess came to town? Maybe the seal is mirroring the movements of your solar system. You guys haven’t been having any odd dreams like you did before have you?”
“No. Not really….no dreams,” Max said thinking hard. “Just an increased pull to you but….that could be due to other things. My seal has never shown like this before either.”
“Maybe because there’s never been another seal before,” Liz reasoned. “I wish we had someone that we could believe to ask about this stuff.”
“That would be nice,” Max agreed scooting up to lay next to her. Their hands intertwined naturally, resting on the bed between them.
The silence stretched out between them, each thinking their own thoughts comfortable in the silence.
“So this whole thing with us was about those visions, your need for control, and fear. Would that be about right?” Liz asked following her train of thought.
“I guess,” Max agreed.
“What’s your instinct pulling for you to do? Like….what was it saying?” Liz asked turning her head to look at him.
“Umm different things. Mostly it was pulling me to you but then sometimes….it was saying to stay away. It depends on how I was looking at things I guess,” Max said slowly.
“Okay, what if this seal….keys to that conflict? What would happen if we were at cross-purposes? Like we were for the last month for instance?” Liz asked turning on her side to face him. “I’m thinking and feeling one thing and you another? We both have seals that boost our powers but we aren’t open to each other and have different priorities so….the seals aren’t….in contact or whatever. They’re acting like two separate seals and really they aren’t, since they both came from you.”
“I never really thought about it like that,” Max mused. “It does….respond to my powers. We know that from when I’ve healed you.”
“It also responds to….you being …close,” Liz pointed out smiling.
“It does,” Max agreed tucking her hair back. “So what were your instincts telling you for the last month?”
“To protect myself,” Liz answered rolling onto her back to stare at the ceiling. “To not put myself out on a limb. To wait for you to….figure out what you wanted but keep my distance.”
Max sucked in his breath slowly as he felt a glimmer of remembered hurt and confusion from her. “I’m so sorry, Liz,” Max said shifting onto his side so he could see her eyes.
“I know,” Liz said softly meeting his eyes. “I know we’re both going to mess up sometimes. Everybody does. I also know that…I didn’t say the right thing or…do the right thing to work this out sooner. I just…umm I don’t deal with that very well. I woke up and you….it was like you were almost a different person, you know? It took me by surprise but I didn’t worry too much at first. I’ve seen that from you before. Several times actually,” Liz said and glanced away before looking back at him. “I just thought we were past that. Then when over a month went by and you still wouldn’t talk to me after I kept asking you what was going on….I was angry and hurt. I started thinking all kinds of things to explain it, filling in what I didn’t understand. You wouldn’t even believe the stuff that I thought up. Just don’t do it again okay? Don’t leave me to try and figure it out without any idea of what’s happening. In one month there was just so much distance there and I had no idea how to cross it and reach you. You’re the most important person to me. I love you so much and I don’t want to feel like I can’t reach you. That you can’t hear me calling you. Talking shouldn’t be a big event like a special occasion.”
Max nodded slowly and worked his hand under her pajama top to rest on her stomach. “I was stupid to pull away like I did. The power of all that feeling and…everything just overwhelmed me I think. I know better now.”
“Max, it’s not just me that I’m worried about. It upset me that I knew you were afraid to talk to me. You were all alone and…..building your very own monsters. I’m supposed to be the person that you’re most comfortable with and I failed to be that for you. You were actually afraid of ME and I didn’t know what to do to make that right. I don’t want you to feel alone or that I’m one of your responsibilities. I want to help you and be there when you need me. I don’t want you to feel like you have to protect yourself from me,” Liz tried to explain her worries for him. That she was failing to be what he needed or provide him with a feeling of security.
“No, Liz. No, I wasn’t afraid of you. I was afraid of me more then anything. I’m not used to…not being able to control myself. To feel….things that might not be right for you and still have it be so damn hard to gain control of was scary. I just…had to take steps to minimize the damage. Get the money in case….and think it all out. Examine the possibilities and take steps to care for you. I just got so set on that. It was like…..I had to do that before I could open up because if I let you in I knew what would happen and I wasn’t ready. It wasn’t anything you did or didn’t do. It was me. I was just going about things totally wrong,” Max explained then smiled. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I honestly don’t. I just didn’t see. I didn’t see what I was doing to both of us.”
Liz sighed ready to move past it. Past ready actually. “We both learned something so its time to just let it go. Just know that I don’t need big gestures from you. I just need you. Everyday…right here talking to me and just being here.”
“Got it,” Max agreed and kissed her softly heightening the flow of communication between them. His lips lingered over hers, prolonging their contact, before easing away. “I better go. I should get home. Isabel is probably spitting nails after covering for me so much lately.”
“Okay,” Liz whispered pushing a strand of hair out of his eyes. “Don’t get all obsessive about Zan okay? It’s not a big thing.”
“I know,” Max said giving her a careful answer. He did know it wasn’t a big thing to her. When she narrowed her eyes at him he smiled and brushed a quick kiss over her mouth. “No worries.”
“Right,” Liz said skeptically. “Be careful Max. It’s not good to get into something when you don’t know who you’re dealing with.”
Chapter Sixty One
Max sighed as he looked in his window to see Isabel sitting cross-legged on his bed. Isabel watched him climb in and shut the window silently.
“I thought I was going to be here all night,” Isabel said when Max turned to face her. “What did Liz say about Zan?”
“She told me what happened,” Max said softly his brows drawing together slightly. “She’s not sure what he’s after.”
“So Michael was right?” Isabel asked watching Max closely. She could usually read his reaction by his expression.
“Yeah, he was right. What he failed to mention was that Zan was mouthing off to Liz before hand,” Max said a scowl darkening his expression.
Isabel clearly read the warning signs in both his expression and tone. “Oh. Was Liz still upset?” Isabel asked trying to find out what was happening without seeming to criticize Liz.
“She says it wasn’t a big deal,” Max said easing into his desk chair. “She’s lying though.”
“Why do you say that?” Isabel asked wondering if she was going to have pull the entire story out of him one question at a time.
“I can feel her. She never shuts me out. All I have to do is pay attention. When she talks about it she was still upset and a little afraid. Angry that she was still afraid of him,” Max tried to explain getting even more pissed off as he talked. “She doesn’t just attack people for no reason. He was talking shit to her and moving in on her. He asked to see her seal before too. She just doesn’t want to make a big deal of it by involving me. She thought if she just stopped him before I found out it would blow over.”
“I take it that she was very wrong about that,” Isabel replied, a sinking feeling in her stomach. When Max just looked at her, not saying anything, she sighed. “Max. Maybe you should just….let it rest. You know? She made her point to him so….maybe it’s over.”
“So I should wait until he catches her alone?” Max asked a fierce scowl on his face. “Wait until he does hurt her? I don’t think so.”
“We don’t know that he will. What did Liz think? I’m sure she’s got a guess about what’s going on,” Isabel asked using any argument she could think of to prevent an incident.
Max was prevented from answering by a light tapping on his window. Isabel unfolded her legs and let Ava in closing the window after her.
“I heard what happened,” Ava said softly looking at the carpet and shifting nervously. “I came by to find out what the deal was.”
Isabel filled her in on what Max had said so far, watching her for a reaction. Ava listened with increasing distress. Zan had promised not to pull any shit and mess things up for her. What was he thinking? Where was she going to go now? Max was clearly not happy and might very well ask her to leave. History tied her to Zan in everyone’s mind, even her own.
“I’m sorry, Max. I’ll talk to him if you want,” Ava offered. “I can’t say it will help but I can try.”
“Do you know why he would want to see Liz’s seal?” Max asked watching her.
“No,” Ava replied puzzled. Zan had never wanted anything to do with that stuff. He had refused to even get involved with the Summit or any of Lonnie’s plans for gaining power. “Maybe that wasn’t what he really wanted to see. I don’t know. He’s never really made an effort to find out more about the past. Everything we know we just stumbled over or…remembered. He did have one tape but he got rid of it. When Lonnie went ape shit over that he told her that we didn’t have to worry about it. That we weren’t the ones that had to fill the assigned roles, he said that it was better for us to just forget all that. Stay off the radar and live our lives.”
“He’s up to something,” Max insisted scowling. “This is the second time he’s started shit with Liz.”
“Zan likes to play around but I told him Liz was off limits. I don’t know what he’s doing,” Ava said then a small smile crept over her face. “I think Liz showed him the error in his thinking. I’ll talk to him and see if I can find out what he’s doing. Sometimes I can get in….peek at what he’s thinking. I gotta bounce….Kyle’s waiting for me but tomorrow I’ll drop by Michael’s then give you a call okay?”
“Okay,” Max agreed nodding. “Thanks.”
“No prob,” Ava replied relieved he hadn’t told her to hit the road or to stay away from Liz. She had expected at least one of those.
Isabel waited for Ava to leave then turned back to Max. “So? What’s your plan?”
“I think I’ll give Ava a crack at him before I do anything,” Max said looking over to Isabel. “See if she can get some clue as to what’s going on here. I don’t like it. There’s too much going on right now. I’m really starting to wish I had tied up a few more of our loose ends.”
“Like Tess?” Isabel asked.
“Like Tess and Nicholas. There are just too many threads left hanging around. Liz’s seal isn’t inactive and mines showing now too. Zan’s asking to see hers……What’s his sudden interest? If he was never interested before, why is he now? I feel like there’s this whole game playing out around us and we can’t see it. You know?” Max asked feeling uneasy and twitchy. “We just don’t know enough to protect ourselves. Liz is an easy target….a tempting target with that seal. We don’t even know if anyone can sense that seal somehow.”
“I guess we should hang around the café more. I was also thinking that maybe we should all get together like once a week. Talk about what’s going on and just….hang out. It would be a good way to catch up with each other,” Isabel said looking down and picking at a non-existent thread on Max’s bedspread. She suggested it to provide a safe reason to talk to the others. Mend a few fences over the course of time.
“That’s a good idea. I’ll talk to Liz and arrange it. We can pick a day and stick with it. It might help us get some homework done too. Michael could use the push in that area,” Max said latching on to her idea. Now was an excellent time to stay close.
“What about the UFO Center? Am I still supposed to start there on Monday?” Isabel asked.
“Yeah, I think so. I haven’t heard from Brody so we’ll just go with what was set up I guess,” Max relied.
“Great. I so want to work there,” Isabel said with an eye roll.
“You could have worked where ever you wanted,” Max pointed out. “It’s only the information booth and organizing. Who knows more about aliens then you?”
“You’re so funny,” Isabel said arching her eyebrow. “I don’t do public service type of things. The masses aren’t my thing.”
“That’s not true. Who volunteers more then you? I’ve lost track of all your projects. Besides, the masses are rarely in the Center. Have you seen more then ten people in there at a time since the UFO convention? I haven’t,” Max said smiling in amusement. If Isabel didn’t want to work there she wouldn’t. She just didn’t want to appear too eager. “At least you’ll be getting paid.”
“Right,” Isabel drawled. “And what a great healthy environment for me to work in.”
Ava walked into Michael’s apartment without knocking. She had called Michael earlier and knew he wasn’t going to be there. She found Zan watching TV on the couch.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Ava asked plopping down next to him.
“Watching TV,” Zan said shortly. He was still smarting from yesterday and wasn’t about to take another ball busting.
“Don’t fuck around. You know what I’m talking about,” Ava snapped back. “You really fucked up. You said you wouldn’t mess things up for me and that’s exactly what you’re doing. Max is pissed that you’re messing with Liz.”
“Maybe he should be taking care of business then,” Zan replied his tone slightly amused. “I can’t help it if he ain’t doing his thing.”
“You’re not funny. I told you not to mess with Liz. You seem to think you’re so charming. Well, let me assure you that you aren’t. “Hey baby wanna fuck” ain’t going to work on her,” Ava said getting pissed off.
“It wouldn’t if he was hitting it like he should,” Zan agreed.
“Are you out of your fucking mind? She kneed you in the nuts. I think she made her opinion pretty clear. Back the fuck off,” Ava warned. “I’m serious, Zan. Max won’t put up with your shit. He loves her. I don’t mean that he loves her for now. He really loves her. The only times he takes serious risks are for her.”
“Really? I’s not seeing it like that. I see him leaving her unprotected and alone. Maybe he changed his mind,” Zan said turning his head to meet her eyes. “Why else isn’t he up in her?”
“Zan. You are making a big fucking mistake here. He isn’t you. He don’t think like you, okay? I’ve watched them, I’ve listened to their history, I’ve talked to Liz. He is nuts about her. He’s always looked out for her since they was kids. Since he first saw her, before they ever dated or really talked. None of that even matters though because Liz will never stray. She’s made up her mind and that’s it. She loves him, how can you not see that? You aren’t blind,” Ava said frustrated and hurt. What the fuck was wrong with him?
“I know. Relax Baby Girl, I ain’t afta her,” Zan said smiling. “Good ta know you care.”
“You prick!” Ava said and punched him. “Just get out of here. Leave! I don’t want you here! I can’t trust you won’t fuck this up for me. You’re acting all weird and I don’t know what you’re doing but you’re up to something. I’ve known you all my life and I ain’t never seen you act like this.”
“Ouch! Fuck Ava! That fucking hurt!” Zan protested loudly.
“Fuck you! You deserved it. I ain’t caring about your stupid ass. So just forget it,” Ava said glaring at him.
Zan smiled and popped his feet up on the table in front of him. She might know him but he knew her just as well. She was freaked. Thinking he was after Liz freaked her. She fucking cared alright. “Chill. Forgotten,” Zan said and winked at her.
“You’re a bastard, Zan,” Ava sighed and crossed her arms over her chest. She was crazy for coming here. He always managed to twist things around and mess her up. Not this time. “You’re on your own with Max. I’m not helping you. When he beats you down I hope you can heal your stupid self.”
“I can take him,” Zan assured her.
“Yeah. I’m so sure,” Ava mocked rolling her eyes.
“What’s wit you talking like one them anyways?” Zan asked looking over at her. “Next you’ll be kicking me in the nads.”
“I just might,” Ava replied with a sweet smile.
“Is it som’en in the water here? You’s chicks are fucking crazy ass mean,” Zan asked eyeing her.
“Maybe it’s you. Have ya thought about that?” Ava asked moving to sit in the corner of the couch with her legs drawn up under her.
“Nah. I’s real sweet,” Zan teased sending her his best smile.
“Cut the shit. What are you up to?” Ava asked.
“Something ain’t right with them,” Zan said seriously. “I just feel it. She show you her seal lately?”
“No,” Ava said carefully.
“Something ain’t right. He’s off doing what eva and she’s….upset. She feels….dark,” Zan said and shrugged.
“You’re still feeling her?” Ava asked surprised.
“Not like before. Just…peeks. Like I said….something ain’t right. I think she’s always going to be able ta send things. She always has from what Michael says. The closer I get ta her and the more…..out of control she is the more I get,” Zan said rubbing his lower lip thinking. “She’s got strong instincts. Something’s trying ta get through ta her I think. She’s trying ta strengthen her bonds. He better start paying attention or they’s gonna be in a world a hurt. Can’t you feel the air shimmer wit trouble? It just hangs here. I don’t like it. You should come wit me, just leave here.”
Ava shook her head slowly. “No. I’m staying. I like it here, Zan. I want a real home and more then one person who gives a shit about me. I want friends and a real life. If they do get in trouble I want to help. I made up my mind. You’re the one who just fucking took off and left me. At least here I’ll have people around when you leave again.”
Zan looked at her for a few minutes before speaking. “What makes ya think I’ll ditch you?”
“You aren’t exactly stable, Zan. You’re always looking for something better. Maybe I want to find better too,” Ava answered slowly.
“Kay. I’ll stay. Fuck it,” Zan said giving up. “They can jus wipe us all out at the same fucking time.”
Max sighed as he looked in his window to see Isabel sitting cross-legged on his bed. Isabel watched him climb in and shut the window silently.
“I thought I was going to be here all night,” Isabel said when Max turned to face her. “What did Liz say about Zan?”
“She told me what happened,” Max said softly his brows drawing together slightly. “She’s not sure what he’s after.”
“So Michael was right?” Isabel asked watching Max closely. She could usually read his reaction by his expression.
“Yeah, he was right. What he failed to mention was that Zan was mouthing off to Liz before hand,” Max said a scowl darkening his expression.
Isabel clearly read the warning signs in both his expression and tone. “Oh. Was Liz still upset?” Isabel asked trying to find out what was happening without seeming to criticize Liz.
“She says it wasn’t a big deal,” Max said easing into his desk chair. “She’s lying though.”
“Why do you say that?” Isabel asked wondering if she was going to have pull the entire story out of him one question at a time.
“I can feel her. She never shuts me out. All I have to do is pay attention. When she talks about it she was still upset and a little afraid. Angry that she was still afraid of him,” Max tried to explain getting even more pissed off as he talked. “She doesn’t just attack people for no reason. He was talking shit to her and moving in on her. He asked to see her seal before too. She just doesn’t want to make a big deal of it by involving me. She thought if she just stopped him before I found out it would blow over.”
“I take it that she was very wrong about that,” Isabel replied, a sinking feeling in her stomach. When Max just looked at her, not saying anything, she sighed. “Max. Maybe you should just….let it rest. You know? She made her point to him so….maybe it’s over.”
“So I should wait until he catches her alone?” Max asked a fierce scowl on his face. “Wait until he does hurt her? I don’t think so.”
“We don’t know that he will. What did Liz think? I’m sure she’s got a guess about what’s going on,” Isabel asked using any argument she could think of to prevent an incident.
Max was prevented from answering by a light tapping on his window. Isabel unfolded her legs and let Ava in closing the window after her.
“I heard what happened,” Ava said softly looking at the carpet and shifting nervously. “I came by to find out what the deal was.”
Isabel filled her in on what Max had said so far, watching her for a reaction. Ava listened with increasing distress. Zan had promised not to pull any shit and mess things up for her. What was he thinking? Where was she going to go now? Max was clearly not happy and might very well ask her to leave. History tied her to Zan in everyone’s mind, even her own.
“I’m sorry, Max. I’ll talk to him if you want,” Ava offered. “I can’t say it will help but I can try.”
“Do you know why he would want to see Liz’s seal?” Max asked watching her.
“No,” Ava replied puzzled. Zan had never wanted anything to do with that stuff. He had refused to even get involved with the Summit or any of Lonnie’s plans for gaining power. “Maybe that wasn’t what he really wanted to see. I don’t know. He’s never really made an effort to find out more about the past. Everything we know we just stumbled over or…remembered. He did have one tape but he got rid of it. When Lonnie went ape shit over that he told her that we didn’t have to worry about it. That we weren’t the ones that had to fill the assigned roles, he said that it was better for us to just forget all that. Stay off the radar and live our lives.”
“He’s up to something,” Max insisted scowling. “This is the second time he’s started shit with Liz.”
“Zan likes to play around but I told him Liz was off limits. I don’t know what he’s doing,” Ava said then a small smile crept over her face. “I think Liz showed him the error in his thinking. I’ll talk to him and see if I can find out what he’s doing. Sometimes I can get in….peek at what he’s thinking. I gotta bounce….Kyle’s waiting for me but tomorrow I’ll drop by Michael’s then give you a call okay?”
“Okay,” Max agreed nodding. “Thanks.”
“No prob,” Ava replied relieved he hadn’t told her to hit the road or to stay away from Liz. She had expected at least one of those.
Isabel waited for Ava to leave then turned back to Max. “So? What’s your plan?”
“I think I’ll give Ava a crack at him before I do anything,” Max said looking over to Isabel. “See if she can get some clue as to what’s going on here. I don’t like it. There’s too much going on right now. I’m really starting to wish I had tied up a few more of our loose ends.”
“Like Tess?” Isabel asked.
“Like Tess and Nicholas. There are just too many threads left hanging around. Liz’s seal isn’t inactive and mines showing now too. Zan’s asking to see hers……What’s his sudden interest? If he was never interested before, why is he now? I feel like there’s this whole game playing out around us and we can’t see it. You know?” Max asked feeling uneasy and twitchy. “We just don’t know enough to protect ourselves. Liz is an easy target….a tempting target with that seal. We don’t even know if anyone can sense that seal somehow.”
“I guess we should hang around the café more. I was also thinking that maybe we should all get together like once a week. Talk about what’s going on and just….hang out. It would be a good way to catch up with each other,” Isabel said looking down and picking at a non-existent thread on Max’s bedspread. She suggested it to provide a safe reason to talk to the others. Mend a few fences over the course of time.
“That’s a good idea. I’ll talk to Liz and arrange it. We can pick a day and stick with it. It might help us get some homework done too. Michael could use the push in that area,” Max said latching on to her idea. Now was an excellent time to stay close.
“What about the UFO Center? Am I still supposed to start there on Monday?” Isabel asked.
“Yeah, I think so. I haven’t heard from Brody so we’ll just go with what was set up I guess,” Max relied.
“Great. I so want to work there,” Isabel said with an eye roll.
“You could have worked where ever you wanted,” Max pointed out. “It’s only the information booth and organizing. Who knows more about aliens then you?”
“You’re so funny,” Isabel said arching her eyebrow. “I don’t do public service type of things. The masses aren’t my thing.”
“That’s not true. Who volunteers more then you? I’ve lost track of all your projects. Besides, the masses are rarely in the Center. Have you seen more then ten people in there at a time since the UFO convention? I haven’t,” Max said smiling in amusement. If Isabel didn’t want to work there she wouldn’t. She just didn’t want to appear too eager. “At least you’ll be getting paid.”
“Right,” Isabel drawled. “And what a great healthy environment for me to work in.”
Ava walked into Michael’s apartment without knocking. She had called Michael earlier and knew he wasn’t going to be there. She found Zan watching TV on the couch.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Ava asked plopping down next to him.
“Watching TV,” Zan said shortly. He was still smarting from yesterday and wasn’t about to take another ball busting.
“Don’t fuck around. You know what I’m talking about,” Ava snapped back. “You really fucked up. You said you wouldn’t mess things up for me and that’s exactly what you’re doing. Max is pissed that you’re messing with Liz.”
“Maybe he should be taking care of business then,” Zan replied his tone slightly amused. “I can’t help it if he ain’t doing his thing.”
“You’re not funny. I told you not to mess with Liz. You seem to think you’re so charming. Well, let me assure you that you aren’t. “Hey baby wanna fuck” ain’t going to work on her,” Ava said getting pissed off.
“It wouldn’t if he was hitting it like he should,” Zan agreed.
“Are you out of your fucking mind? She kneed you in the nuts. I think she made her opinion pretty clear. Back the fuck off,” Ava warned. “I’m serious, Zan. Max won’t put up with your shit. He loves her. I don’t mean that he loves her for now. He really loves her. The only times he takes serious risks are for her.”
“Really? I’s not seeing it like that. I see him leaving her unprotected and alone. Maybe he changed his mind,” Zan said turning his head to meet her eyes. “Why else isn’t he up in her?”
“Zan. You are making a big fucking mistake here. He isn’t you. He don’t think like you, okay? I’ve watched them, I’ve listened to their history, I’ve talked to Liz. He is nuts about her. He’s always looked out for her since they was kids. Since he first saw her, before they ever dated or really talked. None of that even matters though because Liz will never stray. She’s made up her mind and that’s it. She loves him, how can you not see that? You aren’t blind,” Ava said frustrated and hurt. What the fuck was wrong with him?
“I know. Relax Baby Girl, I ain’t afta her,” Zan said smiling. “Good ta know you care.”
“You prick!” Ava said and punched him. “Just get out of here. Leave! I don’t want you here! I can’t trust you won’t fuck this up for me. You’re acting all weird and I don’t know what you’re doing but you’re up to something. I’ve known you all my life and I ain’t never seen you act like this.”
“Ouch! Fuck Ava! That fucking hurt!” Zan protested loudly.
“Fuck you! You deserved it. I ain’t caring about your stupid ass. So just forget it,” Ava said glaring at him.
Zan smiled and popped his feet up on the table in front of him. She might know him but he knew her just as well. She was freaked. Thinking he was after Liz freaked her. She fucking cared alright. “Chill. Forgotten,” Zan said and winked at her.
“You’re a bastard, Zan,” Ava sighed and crossed her arms over her chest. She was crazy for coming here. He always managed to twist things around and mess her up. Not this time. “You’re on your own with Max. I’m not helping you. When he beats you down I hope you can heal your stupid self.”
“I can take him,” Zan assured her.
“Yeah. I’m so sure,” Ava mocked rolling her eyes.
“What’s wit you talking like one them anyways?” Zan asked looking over at her. “Next you’ll be kicking me in the nads.”
“I just might,” Ava replied with a sweet smile.
“Is it som’en in the water here? You’s chicks are fucking crazy ass mean,” Zan asked eyeing her.
“Maybe it’s you. Have ya thought about that?” Ava asked moving to sit in the corner of the couch with her legs drawn up under her.
“Nah. I’s real sweet,” Zan teased sending her his best smile.
“Cut the shit. What are you up to?” Ava asked.
“Something ain’t right with them,” Zan said seriously. “I just feel it. She show you her seal lately?”
“No,” Ava said carefully.
“Something ain’t right. He’s off doing what eva and she’s….upset. She feels….dark,” Zan said and shrugged.
“You’re still feeling her?” Ava asked surprised.
“Not like before. Just…peeks. Like I said….something ain’t right. I think she’s always going to be able ta send things. She always has from what Michael says. The closer I get ta her and the more…..out of control she is the more I get,” Zan said rubbing his lower lip thinking. “She’s got strong instincts. Something’s trying ta get through ta her I think. She’s trying ta strengthen her bonds. He better start paying attention or they’s gonna be in a world a hurt. Can’t you feel the air shimmer wit trouble? It just hangs here. I don’t like it. You should come wit me, just leave here.”
Ava shook her head slowly. “No. I’m staying. I like it here, Zan. I want a real home and more then one person who gives a shit about me. I want friends and a real life. If they do get in trouble I want to help. I made up my mind. You’re the one who just fucking took off and left me. At least here I’ll have people around when you leave again.”
Zan looked at her for a few minutes before speaking. “What makes ya think I’ll ditch you?”
“You aren’t exactly stable, Zan. You’re always looking for something better. Maybe I want to find better too,” Ava answered slowly.
“Kay. I’ll stay. Fuck it,” Zan said giving up. “They can jus wipe us all out at the same fucking time.”
Chapter Sixty Two
After talking to Ava Max headed over to the CrashDown still mulling over how to handle Zan. He couldn’t say he was all that happy he was staying. He didn’t need anymore problems and frankly the guy set his teeth on edge. He didn’t want him anywhere near Liz he didn’t care what Zan said.
His bad mood disappeared as he pushed through the doors to the café and watched Liz’s face light up. Watching the smile spread across her face he forgot all about Zan. He didn’t even try and stop his own goofy grin as he closed the distance between them.
“Hey,” Liz greeted softly and raised her lips for his kiss.
Max brushed a soft gentle kiss over her mouth noting the sparkle in her eyes. “Hi,” Max greeted belatedly trailing his fingers over her arm.
“So, I don’t see any bruises or cuts,” Liz replied looking him over relieved that he hadn’t gotten into a serious tussle with Zan. “You didn’t get rid of them did you?”
“I don’t fight. You know that,” Max said lightly, watching her for a reaction.
“Good,” Liz said her smile growing. “Then I don’t have to worry about any incidents.”
“Nope. You have nothing to worry about,” Max agreed moving closer so with every deep breathe his chest brushed her arm.
Liz smiled wider and reached over to play with the bottom edge of his shirt turning into him. “That’s what I like to hear. We’ll see if it’s true.”
Max ran his hand down the soft fall of her hair enjoying the warm light in her eyes. His stomach did a slow roll as the rest of the room dropped away.
Liz tilted her head, her eyes holding his, as she let her fingers brush his bare skin. Her awareness of him was total. The clatter of plates and silverware, the murmur of voices, the bell over the door….none of it made past the rapt attention with which she watched him. Max’s eyes were all she saw and suddenly it was like being submerged in him. She fell without fear.
Max watched her pupils expand until only a thin ring of dark heated color remained. Then with a quick intake of air he felt her as if she was living inside him. His blood caught fire and rushed through his veins faster as the weight of her settled deep inside, in the place she owned. Instinct had him moving even closer sheltering her under the width of his shoulders, his head tilting to maintain eye contact.
She lost all sense of her body but that didn’t really bother her. She focused on Max and telling him all the things she always wanted to, showing him.
Max heard her speak to him without words and his heartbeat sped up in response. Pictures flashed through his mind’s eye and emotions filled him. She was more then he could describe. If he lived ten thousand lifetimes he could never find anyone that so completely accepted him, loved him like she did. He relaxed feeling a sense of contentment that he tried to share. Opening up further, he let her see his commitment, wonder, and love tagging onto her lilting stream of communication. Never had he felt so in harmony with another person.
“Umm hello?” Maria broke in glancing at the pick up window where Mr. Parker was filling in for Jose’s break. No sense in borrowing trouble. “This isn’t the place for soul searching. Parental units have radar for that sort of thing.”
Liz blinked, momentarily disorientated, and was glad for Max’s solid presence against her. She took a slow deep breath, feeling her seal throb in time with her heartbeat.
“You okay?” Max murmured close to her ear.
“Yeah,” Liz answered wonder tingeing her voice.
“Maybe you guys should split,” Maria suggested taking in Liz’s muddled expression.
Max nodded and guided Liz toward the door slipping off his own coat and dropping it over her shoulders. “Here’s the keys. Wait in the car and I’ll get your coat okay?”
“Okay,” Liz agreed softly her fingers brushing his as she took the keys. She struggled to control her immediate response, curling her fingers tightly around his keys and quickly walking to the door. Exiting the café she collided with a hard unforgiving body. “Oh! God, I’m sorry,” Liz apologized quickly as Max’s coat hit the ground.
“No harm done.”
Liz looked up following the sound of the deep smooth voice. Up and up, to eyes an impossible color of blue, fringed with thick dark lashes. “Umm I wasn’t watching where I was going. I’m sorry about…..running you down like that,” Liz stumbled as the man bent to retrieve her coat.
The man smiled and held out it out to her. “It’s okay. It’s always nice to get run down by a beautiful girl.”
Liz blushed slightly as she slipped on Max’s coat feeling the weight of his intense stare. “Umm well, I apologize again for my clumsiness. I better……go,” Liz said as she freed her trapped hair. Looking up and meeting his eyes she paused, feeling something similar to recognition flash through her. Studying him quickly, she guessed him to be at least four inches over six feet, he topped her by more then a foot easy. His hair was dark, almost black, making his eyes stand out all the more. She was sure she had never met him before. With a brief smile she stepped around him and made her way to the Jeep. By the time she was settled in the passenger side he was gone.
Liz watched Max exit the café and walk toward her his strides eating up the pavement. She wondered idly where all this heat and need was coming from. Before dating Max she had always considered herself fairly restrained. That was the last thing she was felt around him.
Max climbed in and handed Liz her coat watching her start to slide out of his. “That’s okay. Keep it for now,” He said liking the idea of her wrapped in something of his.
Liz leaned back in the seat seeing the possessive flash in his eyes. “Did you see a tall guy? Dark hair with really blue eyes?”
“No. Why?” Max asked as he started up the Jeep.
“I umm ran into him as I was leaving and….nevermind. It’s silly,” Liz said shaking her head. “I was just wondering if he went into the café or…just forget it.”
“He bother you?” Max asked pulling out into traffic.
“No, he was really polite actually. I just….felt like I’d seen him before or….something. You know that feeling?” Liz asked turning in her seat to look at Max’s profile.
“Uh huh, I guess so. How old was this guy?” Max asked trying to remember if he had seen him and not paid attention.
“Ummm I’d say like mid twenties maybe? I’m not sure. You would have noticed him, I think, because he was pretty big. Where are we going?” Liz asked suddenly realizing she had no idea what they were doing.
“I thought we could go out to the pod chamber for awhile. I didn’t really have a plan but…..since we’ve got some time,” Max trailed off.
Liz smiled scooting closer to his side. “What exactly do you have in mind Max Evans?”
Max smiled and shot her a look. “Nothing really. I just don’t feel like sharing you right now. That’s all.”
Liz curled into his side resting her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes, content to just be. Even in the chilly air he radiated warmth, his scent was clean and masculine….familiar. Comforted by the hum of tires on pavement and his solid presence at her side she drifted. She had a much clearer sense of him after the solid connection in the café, fewer doubts. She could almost feel the intangible bonds connecting them.
Max stroked her thigh absently as he drove enjoying the contact with her. He felt a profound sense of wonder at her growing abilities. She was so amazing…..his sanctuary. She was unwavering in her resolve to shelter his soul and share his life. He cherished her more then reason deemed safe, more then he could possibly express. A ruthful smile flickered over his face as he admitted that he hadn’t been very good at expressing that to her at all lately. He wouldn’t make that mistake again. He never wanted her to feel unwanted when the exact opposite was true.
Growing up a smile from her had made his month. He looked for her daily just to know she was still there and real. Looking for her and looking out for her had become a constant in his life. The choices he had made had often been influenced by Liz without her knowledge. He had chosen what courses to take and striven harder to achieve good grades knowing that Liz valued education. He had wanted to appeal to her or at least not be unappealing to her. He had always wanted to be in her company, listen to her speak, just be around her. So to mess it up now by neglecting her and her feelings wasn’t an option.
Pulling up to the chamber he cut the engine and turned to Liz wanting to see the moment when her eyes opened. That moment was always incredibly arousing.
Liz opened her eyes, slowly easing out of her inner world and hazy daydreams. A smile graced her face as she found Max intently scrutinizing her. “Hi,” Liz whispered.
“Hi,” Max whispered back entranced by the shifting color in her eyes so alive with emotion and life. He brushed his lips over her ear pulling her onto his lap.
Liz’s eyebrow arched in surprise, but she settled onto his lap without complaint, placing her hands on the seat on either side of his head to steady herself. She shifted her legs into a more comfortable position easing closer. “Missed me huh?” Liz teased her eyes laughing.
Max nodded seriously then nuzzled her neck softly as his hands crept beneath his coat to span her rib cage. “I didn’t tell you that I love you today,” Max said by her ear.
“Yes, you did,” Liz replied smiling with happiness. There was no one luckier then she was. “I felt it.”
Max kissed her then, so softly, almost reverent in its sweetness. Their lips met and clung as the world stopped, the air stilled, and two hearts beat in unison.
After spending a long night thinking and the decisions he had made with Ava’s visit Zan set out on foot to make his own place in Roswell. He wandered around for several hours to get a feel for the place and gather ideas. Stopping in front of a run down shop he studied it closely before walking in. The dank interior and rows of fluorescent lighting had him nodding in agreement. This was the perfect place to work.
“Hey,” Zan said walking up to the huge bald man etching a complicated design into the lower back of a customer. “You’s hiring?”
“You got experience?” Cyrus asked without looking up from his work.
“Yeah, I do tat’s piercings whateva,” Zan replied with a shrug. “I worked in Detroit and the Apple. Neva had a complaint or complications.”
Cyrus looked up and studied Zan for a moment. “When I’m done here you can show me. I need some art finished.”
“Done,” Zan agreed. He strolled around looking at the art covering the walls confident the job was his. Healing had its uses, none of his customers ever had any major complications.
Once his decision had been made he didn’t see the point in stalling. He was staying, at least for awhile, so he better get on with it. The months away had given him a little perspective on the events leading up to now. Ava was never far from his thoughts as he wondered how she was doing. He had never been far from her for very long and was used to looking after her in his own way. It was an adjustment not having her there.
In talking to Michael he had kept track of what was going on enough to know that something wasn’t right. He would have come back whether Michael had asked him to or not just to make sure Ava was okay. Staying was a surprise. He had been surprised even as the words were coming out of his mouth but closer reflection had him agreeing with the impulse. Someone had to look after Ava and she would certainly do the same for him. He shrugged off any lingering doubts about motives and went with it. Worked for him.
“Are we ever getting out of the Jeep?” Liz asked breathlessly as Max nibbled his way down her neck.
“Maybe,” Max answered against her skin. “You want to?”
“More room would be….good,” Liz said her breath hitching at the scrape of his teeth. Her fingers tunneled into his hair holding him to her.
Max pulled her hips closer as he leaned in draping her back over the steering wheel. Pulling his mouth away from her, his eyes drifted over the mark he had left on her neck his breath coming in short pants. Lacing the fingers of both hands with hers he brought their hands between their bodies swinging them lightly. “What time do have to be back?”
“Not for a couple of hours,” Liz responded looking at their hands. His fingers were long and slender, he had strong hands but beautiful.
He followed her gaze down to their hands and frowned. “Where’s your bracelet?” Max asked looking at her bare wrist. His coat was now a pile on the floorboards and her ¾ inch sleeves allowed him to notice the absence of the bracelet for the first time.
Liz’s brow wrinkled as she tried to remember where she could have left it. “Ummm Kyle’s maybe? I’m not sure,” Liz admitted. “I showed it to Zan but I don’t remember wearing it after that. He probably set it down somewhere, I’ll ask Ava if she’s seen it.”
Max’s frown cleared and he nodded. “You want to go inside?”
Liz smiled bracelet forgotten. “So you’re not going to just drag me in there?” Liz teased looking at him from under lowered lashes.
Max grinned and shook his head. “I thought I’d just ask. More modern that way and I wouldn’t want to remind you of Michael at all sooo,” Max broke off as Liz’s fingers skated over his ribs.
“In that case….sure,” Liz agreed scooting up a twinkle in her eye. “Just don’t think I’m going to roll around in the dirt.”
“I’ve got an air mattress,” Max supplied with a grin. “Even a blanket if you want one. I think Izzy left some lawn chairs too.”
“An alien boy scout? Wow. I am a lucky girl,” Liz replied laughing softly.
Max smiled looking at the happy glow on her face pleased he was getting it right. “Planning is important.”
“Uh huh,” Liz agreed softly interest in conversation waning.
After talking to Ava Max headed over to the CrashDown still mulling over how to handle Zan. He couldn’t say he was all that happy he was staying. He didn’t need anymore problems and frankly the guy set his teeth on edge. He didn’t want him anywhere near Liz he didn’t care what Zan said.
His bad mood disappeared as he pushed through the doors to the café and watched Liz’s face light up. Watching the smile spread across her face he forgot all about Zan. He didn’t even try and stop his own goofy grin as he closed the distance between them.
“Hey,” Liz greeted softly and raised her lips for his kiss.
Max brushed a soft gentle kiss over her mouth noting the sparkle in her eyes. “Hi,” Max greeted belatedly trailing his fingers over her arm.
“So, I don’t see any bruises or cuts,” Liz replied looking him over relieved that he hadn’t gotten into a serious tussle with Zan. “You didn’t get rid of them did you?”
“I don’t fight. You know that,” Max said lightly, watching her for a reaction.
“Good,” Liz said her smile growing. “Then I don’t have to worry about any incidents.”
“Nope. You have nothing to worry about,” Max agreed moving closer so with every deep breathe his chest brushed her arm.
Liz smiled wider and reached over to play with the bottom edge of his shirt turning into him. “That’s what I like to hear. We’ll see if it’s true.”
Max ran his hand down the soft fall of her hair enjoying the warm light in her eyes. His stomach did a slow roll as the rest of the room dropped away.
Liz tilted her head, her eyes holding his, as she let her fingers brush his bare skin. Her awareness of him was total. The clatter of plates and silverware, the murmur of voices, the bell over the door….none of it made past the rapt attention with which she watched him. Max’s eyes were all she saw and suddenly it was like being submerged in him. She fell without fear.
Max watched her pupils expand until only a thin ring of dark heated color remained. Then with a quick intake of air he felt her as if she was living inside him. His blood caught fire and rushed through his veins faster as the weight of her settled deep inside, in the place she owned. Instinct had him moving even closer sheltering her under the width of his shoulders, his head tilting to maintain eye contact.
She lost all sense of her body but that didn’t really bother her. She focused on Max and telling him all the things she always wanted to, showing him.
Max heard her speak to him without words and his heartbeat sped up in response. Pictures flashed through his mind’s eye and emotions filled him. She was more then he could describe. If he lived ten thousand lifetimes he could never find anyone that so completely accepted him, loved him like she did. He relaxed feeling a sense of contentment that he tried to share. Opening up further, he let her see his commitment, wonder, and love tagging onto her lilting stream of communication. Never had he felt so in harmony with another person.
“Umm hello?” Maria broke in glancing at the pick up window where Mr. Parker was filling in for Jose’s break. No sense in borrowing trouble. “This isn’t the place for soul searching. Parental units have radar for that sort of thing.”
Liz blinked, momentarily disorientated, and was glad for Max’s solid presence against her. She took a slow deep breath, feeling her seal throb in time with her heartbeat.
“You okay?” Max murmured close to her ear.
“Yeah,” Liz answered wonder tingeing her voice.
“Maybe you guys should split,” Maria suggested taking in Liz’s muddled expression.
Max nodded and guided Liz toward the door slipping off his own coat and dropping it over her shoulders. “Here’s the keys. Wait in the car and I’ll get your coat okay?”
“Okay,” Liz agreed softly her fingers brushing his as she took the keys. She struggled to control her immediate response, curling her fingers tightly around his keys and quickly walking to the door. Exiting the café she collided with a hard unforgiving body. “Oh! God, I’m sorry,” Liz apologized quickly as Max’s coat hit the ground.
“No harm done.”
Liz looked up following the sound of the deep smooth voice. Up and up, to eyes an impossible color of blue, fringed with thick dark lashes. “Umm I wasn’t watching where I was going. I’m sorry about…..running you down like that,” Liz stumbled as the man bent to retrieve her coat.
The man smiled and held out it out to her. “It’s okay. It’s always nice to get run down by a beautiful girl.”
Liz blushed slightly as she slipped on Max’s coat feeling the weight of his intense stare. “Umm well, I apologize again for my clumsiness. I better……go,” Liz said as she freed her trapped hair. Looking up and meeting his eyes she paused, feeling something similar to recognition flash through her. Studying him quickly, she guessed him to be at least four inches over six feet, he topped her by more then a foot easy. His hair was dark, almost black, making his eyes stand out all the more. She was sure she had never met him before. With a brief smile she stepped around him and made her way to the Jeep. By the time she was settled in the passenger side he was gone.
Liz watched Max exit the café and walk toward her his strides eating up the pavement. She wondered idly where all this heat and need was coming from. Before dating Max she had always considered herself fairly restrained. That was the last thing she was felt around him.
Max climbed in and handed Liz her coat watching her start to slide out of his. “That’s okay. Keep it for now,” He said liking the idea of her wrapped in something of his.
Liz leaned back in the seat seeing the possessive flash in his eyes. “Did you see a tall guy? Dark hair with really blue eyes?”
“No. Why?” Max asked as he started up the Jeep.
“I umm ran into him as I was leaving and….nevermind. It’s silly,” Liz said shaking her head. “I was just wondering if he went into the café or…just forget it.”
“He bother you?” Max asked pulling out into traffic.
“No, he was really polite actually. I just….felt like I’d seen him before or….something. You know that feeling?” Liz asked turning in her seat to look at Max’s profile.
“Uh huh, I guess so. How old was this guy?” Max asked trying to remember if he had seen him and not paid attention.
“Ummm I’d say like mid twenties maybe? I’m not sure. You would have noticed him, I think, because he was pretty big. Where are we going?” Liz asked suddenly realizing she had no idea what they were doing.
“I thought we could go out to the pod chamber for awhile. I didn’t really have a plan but…..since we’ve got some time,” Max trailed off.
Liz smiled scooting closer to his side. “What exactly do you have in mind Max Evans?”
Max smiled and shot her a look. “Nothing really. I just don’t feel like sharing you right now. That’s all.”
Liz curled into his side resting her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes, content to just be. Even in the chilly air he radiated warmth, his scent was clean and masculine….familiar. Comforted by the hum of tires on pavement and his solid presence at her side she drifted. She had a much clearer sense of him after the solid connection in the café, fewer doubts. She could almost feel the intangible bonds connecting them.
Max stroked her thigh absently as he drove enjoying the contact with her. He felt a profound sense of wonder at her growing abilities. She was so amazing…..his sanctuary. She was unwavering in her resolve to shelter his soul and share his life. He cherished her more then reason deemed safe, more then he could possibly express. A ruthful smile flickered over his face as he admitted that he hadn’t been very good at expressing that to her at all lately. He wouldn’t make that mistake again. He never wanted her to feel unwanted when the exact opposite was true.
Growing up a smile from her had made his month. He looked for her daily just to know she was still there and real. Looking for her and looking out for her had become a constant in his life. The choices he had made had often been influenced by Liz without her knowledge. He had chosen what courses to take and striven harder to achieve good grades knowing that Liz valued education. He had wanted to appeal to her or at least not be unappealing to her. He had always wanted to be in her company, listen to her speak, just be around her. So to mess it up now by neglecting her and her feelings wasn’t an option.
Pulling up to the chamber he cut the engine and turned to Liz wanting to see the moment when her eyes opened. That moment was always incredibly arousing.
Liz opened her eyes, slowly easing out of her inner world and hazy daydreams. A smile graced her face as she found Max intently scrutinizing her. “Hi,” Liz whispered.
“Hi,” Max whispered back entranced by the shifting color in her eyes so alive with emotion and life. He brushed his lips over her ear pulling her onto his lap.
Liz’s eyebrow arched in surprise, but she settled onto his lap without complaint, placing her hands on the seat on either side of his head to steady herself. She shifted her legs into a more comfortable position easing closer. “Missed me huh?” Liz teased her eyes laughing.
Max nodded seriously then nuzzled her neck softly as his hands crept beneath his coat to span her rib cage. “I didn’t tell you that I love you today,” Max said by her ear.
“Yes, you did,” Liz replied smiling with happiness. There was no one luckier then she was. “I felt it.”
Max kissed her then, so softly, almost reverent in its sweetness. Their lips met and clung as the world stopped, the air stilled, and two hearts beat in unison.
After spending a long night thinking and the decisions he had made with Ava’s visit Zan set out on foot to make his own place in Roswell. He wandered around for several hours to get a feel for the place and gather ideas. Stopping in front of a run down shop he studied it closely before walking in. The dank interior and rows of fluorescent lighting had him nodding in agreement. This was the perfect place to work.
“Hey,” Zan said walking up to the huge bald man etching a complicated design into the lower back of a customer. “You’s hiring?”
“You got experience?” Cyrus asked without looking up from his work.
“Yeah, I do tat’s piercings whateva,” Zan replied with a shrug. “I worked in Detroit and the Apple. Neva had a complaint or complications.”
Cyrus looked up and studied Zan for a moment. “When I’m done here you can show me. I need some art finished.”
“Done,” Zan agreed. He strolled around looking at the art covering the walls confident the job was his. Healing had its uses, none of his customers ever had any major complications.
Once his decision had been made he didn’t see the point in stalling. He was staying, at least for awhile, so he better get on with it. The months away had given him a little perspective on the events leading up to now. Ava was never far from his thoughts as he wondered how she was doing. He had never been far from her for very long and was used to looking after her in his own way. It was an adjustment not having her there.
In talking to Michael he had kept track of what was going on enough to know that something wasn’t right. He would have come back whether Michael had asked him to or not just to make sure Ava was okay. Staying was a surprise. He had been surprised even as the words were coming out of his mouth but closer reflection had him agreeing with the impulse. Someone had to look after Ava and she would certainly do the same for him. He shrugged off any lingering doubts about motives and went with it. Worked for him.
“Are we ever getting out of the Jeep?” Liz asked breathlessly as Max nibbled his way down her neck.
“Maybe,” Max answered against her skin. “You want to?”
“More room would be….good,” Liz said her breath hitching at the scrape of his teeth. Her fingers tunneled into his hair holding him to her.
Max pulled her hips closer as he leaned in draping her back over the steering wheel. Pulling his mouth away from her, his eyes drifted over the mark he had left on her neck his breath coming in short pants. Lacing the fingers of both hands with hers he brought their hands between their bodies swinging them lightly. “What time do have to be back?”
“Not for a couple of hours,” Liz responded looking at their hands. His fingers were long and slender, he had strong hands but beautiful.
He followed her gaze down to their hands and frowned. “Where’s your bracelet?” Max asked looking at her bare wrist. His coat was now a pile on the floorboards and her ¾ inch sleeves allowed him to notice the absence of the bracelet for the first time.
Liz’s brow wrinkled as she tried to remember where she could have left it. “Ummm Kyle’s maybe? I’m not sure,” Liz admitted. “I showed it to Zan but I don’t remember wearing it after that. He probably set it down somewhere, I’ll ask Ava if she’s seen it.”
Max’s frown cleared and he nodded. “You want to go inside?”
Liz smiled bracelet forgotten. “So you’re not going to just drag me in there?” Liz teased looking at him from under lowered lashes.
Max grinned and shook his head. “I thought I’d just ask. More modern that way and I wouldn’t want to remind you of Michael at all sooo,” Max broke off as Liz’s fingers skated over his ribs.
“In that case….sure,” Liz agreed scooting up a twinkle in her eye. “Just don’t think I’m going to roll around in the dirt.”
“I’ve got an air mattress,” Max supplied with a grin. “Even a blanket if you want one. I think Izzy left some lawn chairs too.”
“An alien boy scout? Wow. I am a lucky girl,” Liz replied laughing softly.
Max smiled looking at the happy glow on her face pleased he was getting it right. “Planning is important.”
“Uh huh,” Liz agreed softly interest in conversation waning.
Chapter Sixty Three
“Wow, this place looks different,” Liz said taking in the chamber. It had furniture, candles, and the air mattress.
“Yeah, Isabel said that since we’ve been out here so much practicing we needed a place to sit,” Max explained over the rumble of the door shutting.
“The mattress?” Liz asked shooting him an amused glance.
“That isn’t for what you think it is,” Max replied smiling. “Ava had us practice moving each other. Like….lifting someone and shoving someone with our mind kind of thing. So we needed a safe place to fall. Michael isn’t really focused and he tends to drop his victim or REALLY shove them. I would prefer to prevent the injury instead of heal it.”
Liz nodded in agreement. “Sounds reasonable.”
“Yeah, it’s been interesting. My shield can catch someone for like a second. We’ve been playing around with that a little,” Max said tossing the blanket on one of the lawn chairs.
“Sounds like you guys are really making progress,” Liz said then turned to him when he chuckled.
“Umm yeah, I guess. I’ve been a little…..off though,” Max admitted sheepishly. “Ava’s been pointing out that it’s not healthy to try to block the natural flow of energy. I sort of got it though when I had my shield smack me in the face when it snapped back on me.”
Liz bit her lip to keep from laughing and just nodded instead. She strolled over to the air mattress feeling Max’s eyes following her. Kicking off her shoes she sat down and drew her legs underneath her, watching him go still. “So….Do you want to try something new?”
“Wh-what?” Max stuttered eyes going wide at her causal comment. What was she thinking exactly?
Liz shrugged lightly wondering why he was surprised. “Practice is good right?” Liz asked even more puzzled by his slack jawed expression. She waited for a response and when one wasn’t forthcoming she continued. “If you don’t want to it’s fine.”
“NO! I want to,” Max burst out before she could get up.
“Okay, what do you want to do? I’m not very good at much but I’ll try,” Liz said willing to go with his suggestion. It sounded like his shield was a little iffy so maybe he wanted to work on that.
Max struggled to think enough to say something. Anything at this point, but nothing was coming out.
Liz watched with confusion as his ears turned a bright shade of red and his mouth opened and shut a few times. “Are you okay? Maybe you should just lay down,” Liz suggested, then concerned she reached for him to figure out what was going on. Her eyes rounded then her lips twitched right before she started to giggle. “Max! That is sooo not what I meant,” Liz said between giggles. “We were talking about your powers right? I thought we were but…”
Max watched her flop back on the mattress laughing too hard to continue talking and felt his face flame brighter. He groaned in embarrassment and scratched his ear before going to sit next to her. He attacked her ribs without mercy, not swayed by her shrieks.
“Stop!” Liz begged trying to twist away. “It’s not my fault. You! Max! You’re the one…”
“It’s not nice to have giggling fits at the expense of others,” Max pointed out his long fingers finding her weak points with deadly accuracy. He grinned wickedly at down at her, amused by her struggles.
“Max! I give,” Liz shrieked loudly, squirming in her efforts to get away from him. “Uncle!”
“Admit it’s your fault,” Max urged, following her up the mattress. It wouldn’t do to let your prey escape.
“But…” Liz started breaking off when his fingers wiggled in warning. “It’s totally my fault you just hear what you want to hear.”
Max’s eyebrow quirked at her satisfied smirk and laughing eyes. “I don’t think that’s what I asked for,” Max mused then attacked her again smiling as she tried to curl up into a little ball. “Now. Say it’s your fault and I’ll stop.”
Liz’s eyes narrowed as he moved in closer trying to uncurl her legs. Twisting her body as she uncurled, she rolled them over swiftly smirking as she pinned his arms. “What was that you were saying?”
“Umm I forget?” Max asked hopefully.
“Max. Max. When are you going to learn? Short doesn’t mean helpless,” Liz chastised him with a smile. “I’ve got skills.”
Max smiled at her teasing. “Yup, I noticed that. But…” Max focused and reached for her sending a flash of her shower fantasy. Watching her eyes go unfocused and her grip loosen he flipped them over. “So do I.”
“That is so cheating,” Liz grumbled half-heartedly.
“Says who?” Max asked nibbling on her ear, smiling as she moaned.
“What?” Liz breathed loosing the thread of the conversation as Max moved, stretching to follow the curve of her ear. It just wasn’t fair how easy he could do that. Distract…..her….Liz moaned low in her throat, her fingers curling into his sides, as his mouth pulled at the tender skin just south of her ear, his breath fanning over her damp skin. The unrelenting pressure built swiftly into longing so intense even the tips of her fingers ached to feel his bare skin.
He inhaled sharply, startled that teasing play had shifted so swiftly into something else. He went up on his knees frantically tugging at his clothing, jacket and shirt landing in a pile in seconds. Her approving sigh had him pausing to lean in and kiss her deeply, seeking her approval in a more tangible form.
Liz nipped at his bottom lip softly before soothing him with the lazy brush of her tongue, fingers skating over exposed skin. Feeling his muscles flex under her touch she slowed down enjoying his reaction as her fingers circled his navel. Her lips wandered down his strong neck rubbing over his skin in a teasing brush of sensation that wrung a harsh noise from him in response. As she worked open his pants she softly kissed his shoulder, nuzzling him gently before allowing her mouth to open over him.
Max hardly noticed as she pushed aside his clothing before rolling him onto his back her legs tangling with his. The pull of her mouth had his whole body sitting up and paying attention to the exclusion of all else.
Liz traced a lazy path down his chest with her mouth intent on tasting the changing textures and flavors of him. She learned the places that had him shifting under her restlessly or gasping in pleasure. Her fingers massaged his taunt flesh absently as her hair slithered over his chest, lips kissing him softly once before nipping at his jumping abdominal muscles.
The cool touch of her fingers brushing over his throbbing erection left him without the ability to breathe. When her tongue lapped gently at his navel as her hand wrapped around him, he thought he was going bite off his own tongue. He wouldn’t have noticed the pain if he had, her hand cradled him so perfectly, any amount of pain would be worth it.
Liz looked up as she worked her hand over him, feeling intense pleasure at his expression of stark need and helpless passion. Dipping her head she sucked lightly at the broad head of his hard length running her tongue along the underside in soft swipes.
“Liz,” Max groaned in tortured tones. “Oh god!”
She slowly took more of him, listening carefully for what pleased him most, seeking an uninhibited response from him. Letting him slide almost completely free, she circled the tip of his cock with her tongue once, before sucking hard pulling him back inside to his long low groan as her tongue moved along his entire length.
Max’s fingers sank into the rubber of the air mattress making it squeal loudly in protest. His neck arched as the intense sensation slowly built and condensed with each stroke of her velvety tongue.
“Liz stop,” Max groaned unable to stand it.
Liz raised her head enough to look at his face. “Why would I do that?”
“I can’t…it’s too,” Max stumbled when she sucked lightly at the head of his cock.
“Much?” Liz asked smiling. She squeaked in surprise as he lifted her, slamming his mouth down on hers.
Max growled in frustration finding her still fully clothed. One wave of his hand removed that obstacle and he quickly settled her over his straining flesh. He pulled her hips down as he pushed up and groaned in relief.
“Oh Max!” Liz cried in surprised pleasure. This wasn’t what she had in mind, Liz thought, slightly muddled at the swift change in position. She looked down into his eyes and caught her breath at the seething heat reflected back at her.
“Go,” Max urged unable to be clearer. His hands curled around her hips trying to guide her into movement. “Ahh yeah,” He groaned as she complied with his desires.
She pushed herself up to sit astride him, moving her hips over his rigid sex smoothly, loosing herself in the motion. Rising and falling over the thick length of him wedged deeply inside her, she moaned in pleasure, her eyes closing as she raised her arms languorously over head.
Max watched with hooded eyes as she folded her arms and rested her cheek against one bicep. When she gave a mewling moan then licked her lips he heard a rumbling sound emerge from his chest, his hand moving up under the fall of her hair to steady her as her back arched sharply, his seal leaving a glowing trail in its wake. His eyes dropped to her blazing seal possessively, finding satisfaction in how brightly it burned.
His hips lifted as she slapped down on him faster rolling her hips gently as she lifted up almost sobbing as she felt his hand drift over her breasts plucking gently at her nipples.
When her moan spiraled higher gaining in volume, he shook his head to clear it, his hand traveling lower. Down over her seal over, her downy mound, to find the hard pearl of her clitoris. He circled it with his thumb in a smooth continuous motion and watched her splinter apart.
Liz gasp reaching behind her to brace herself on his thighs as all of that burning throbbing sensation coalesced inside her screaming up until it burst lighting her up inside blocking out everything.
With a loud groan, forced from between gritted teeth, his hips jerked up into her convulsively as he came with bone melting force. He collapsed back onto the mattress chest heaving and held her when she slumped over him limply. He rubbed his chin on the top of her head as he waited for her to speak.
Long minutes later Liz stirred enough to speak softly satisfaction lacing her voice. “I do hope you know how to remake my clothes, otherwise we have a problem.”
Max’s hand froze on her back, his eyes going wide as she shifted up to look at him.
“You do know how. Right?” Liz asked suspicious of his silence.
“Ummm. I’m sure…..I can,” Max said not sure at all. He really wasn’t sure what he had done to them. Did he change them into sand? He couldn’t remember. He didn’t even really remember what she had been wearing.
“If I have to leave here naked you are in soooo much trouble,” Liz warned sternly.
Max knocked on Michael’s door his ears still ringing from the lecture he had just received about destroying Liz’s favorite pair of jeans. He couldn’t help the smile that crept over his face at the memory of Liz sneaking up to her own balcony wearing only his shirt and her shoes. She hadn’t been so amused, he admitted to himself, and had refused to return the shirt. He also had to take her shopping tomorrow to replace the lost articles but it was still worth it.
“Hey Michael,” Max greeted jerking himself to the present.
“Hey. Where’s Liz?” Michael asked gruffly stepping aside to let Max pass by.
“Ummm home getting ready for her shift,” Max answered looking around the apartment. “Where’s Zan?”
“Out,” Michael answered. “He wasn’t here when I got back.”
“What do you think of him?” Max asked following Michael to the couch and sitting down. Both of them automatically turning their eyes to the game.
“He doesn’t bother me,” Michael said with a shrug. “I know Maria hates him but she hates me too so.”
Max glanced over at him and sighed. “Michael. You know what I’m asking.”
“I don’t think you gotta worry about him,” Michael replied. “If he wanted to mess with Liz he would have last time. Oh. Yeah. He sort of did. Well…Huh,” Michael said and scratched his eyebrow. “I wouldn’t worry about it. Liz put him down pretty easy. It took him about two hours till he could heal himself.”
Max scowled at Michael’s lack of helpful advice. “Just try to back me up here okay?”
“Yup,” Michael agreed then smiled. “If you get in trouble I’ll call Liz and she can kick his ass for you.”
“Funny,” Max said then smiled.
Zan walked into the apartment to find Max and Michael both glued to the TV. Shaking his head he walked into the kitchen and grabbed a drink before going back out there. Might as well get this over with.
“Zan,” Max greeted.
“Max,” Zan said smirking. “Yo Mickey.”
“Yup,” Michael replied a smile flickering over his face. This should prove to be interesting.
“Where’s Liz?” Zan asked plopping into a chair.
“Home,” Max said shortly. “About that. I don’t want you around her.”
“Yeah? What a surprise,” Zan said then yawned. “She’s a big girl. I think she can make up her own mind. You’s ain’t her keeper and I ain’t gonna hurt her.”
“I don’t trust you,” Max said plainly eyeing him.
“So? I ain’t exactly about to put my life in you’s hands eitha so we’s even,” Zan replied unruffled. “Look. I ain’t interested in joining this club. I’s here for Ava ta look out for her see? I gotta job and I’ll be getting my own place. I ain’t saying I won’t help out but I ain’t in okay?”
“Fine. As long as you don’t bother Liz we’re cool,” Max said relieved.
“Bout that. You betta get you’s head out of you’s ass,” Zan said then took a drink. “I ain’t the only wit eyes. You wanna keep her you’s better stick round. It ain’t like bonds can’t be warped. A powerful dude could do it. You can’t leave her on her’s own right now. She ain’t strong enough yet. She’s……You’s both a little outta whack ya know? She’s mad crazy and you’s all stupid,” Zan rolled his eyes smirk in place. “Just saying,” Zan shrugged and left. The bathroom door slammed a moment later.
“Well. Maxwell. That went well. You have a real future in politics,” Michael said and turned up the volume on the game.
“Wow, this place looks different,” Liz said taking in the chamber. It had furniture, candles, and the air mattress.
“Yeah, Isabel said that since we’ve been out here so much practicing we needed a place to sit,” Max explained over the rumble of the door shutting.
“The mattress?” Liz asked shooting him an amused glance.
“That isn’t for what you think it is,” Max replied smiling. “Ava had us practice moving each other. Like….lifting someone and shoving someone with our mind kind of thing. So we needed a safe place to fall. Michael isn’t really focused and he tends to drop his victim or REALLY shove them. I would prefer to prevent the injury instead of heal it.”
Liz nodded in agreement. “Sounds reasonable.”
“Yeah, it’s been interesting. My shield can catch someone for like a second. We’ve been playing around with that a little,” Max said tossing the blanket on one of the lawn chairs.
“Sounds like you guys are really making progress,” Liz said then turned to him when he chuckled.
“Umm yeah, I guess. I’ve been a little…..off though,” Max admitted sheepishly. “Ava’s been pointing out that it’s not healthy to try to block the natural flow of energy. I sort of got it though when I had my shield smack me in the face when it snapped back on me.”
Liz bit her lip to keep from laughing and just nodded instead. She strolled over to the air mattress feeling Max’s eyes following her. Kicking off her shoes she sat down and drew her legs underneath her, watching him go still. “So….Do you want to try something new?”
“Wh-what?” Max stuttered eyes going wide at her causal comment. What was she thinking exactly?
Liz shrugged lightly wondering why he was surprised. “Practice is good right?” Liz asked even more puzzled by his slack jawed expression. She waited for a response and when one wasn’t forthcoming she continued. “If you don’t want to it’s fine.”
“NO! I want to,” Max burst out before she could get up.
“Okay, what do you want to do? I’m not very good at much but I’ll try,” Liz said willing to go with his suggestion. It sounded like his shield was a little iffy so maybe he wanted to work on that.
Max struggled to think enough to say something. Anything at this point, but nothing was coming out.
Liz watched with confusion as his ears turned a bright shade of red and his mouth opened and shut a few times. “Are you okay? Maybe you should just lay down,” Liz suggested, then concerned she reached for him to figure out what was going on. Her eyes rounded then her lips twitched right before she started to giggle. “Max! That is sooo not what I meant,” Liz said between giggles. “We were talking about your powers right? I thought we were but…”
Max watched her flop back on the mattress laughing too hard to continue talking and felt his face flame brighter. He groaned in embarrassment and scratched his ear before going to sit next to her. He attacked her ribs without mercy, not swayed by her shrieks.
“Stop!” Liz begged trying to twist away. “It’s not my fault. You! Max! You’re the one…”
“It’s not nice to have giggling fits at the expense of others,” Max pointed out his long fingers finding her weak points with deadly accuracy. He grinned wickedly at down at her, amused by her struggles.
“Max! I give,” Liz shrieked loudly, squirming in her efforts to get away from him. “Uncle!”
“Admit it’s your fault,” Max urged, following her up the mattress. It wouldn’t do to let your prey escape.
“But…” Liz started breaking off when his fingers wiggled in warning. “It’s totally my fault you just hear what you want to hear.”
Max’s eyebrow quirked at her satisfied smirk and laughing eyes. “I don’t think that’s what I asked for,” Max mused then attacked her again smiling as she tried to curl up into a little ball. “Now. Say it’s your fault and I’ll stop.”
Liz’s eyes narrowed as he moved in closer trying to uncurl her legs. Twisting her body as she uncurled, she rolled them over swiftly smirking as she pinned his arms. “What was that you were saying?”
“Umm I forget?” Max asked hopefully.
“Max. Max. When are you going to learn? Short doesn’t mean helpless,” Liz chastised him with a smile. “I’ve got skills.”
Max smiled at her teasing. “Yup, I noticed that. But…” Max focused and reached for her sending a flash of her shower fantasy. Watching her eyes go unfocused and her grip loosen he flipped them over. “So do I.”
“That is so cheating,” Liz grumbled half-heartedly.
“Says who?” Max asked nibbling on her ear, smiling as she moaned.
“What?” Liz breathed loosing the thread of the conversation as Max moved, stretching to follow the curve of her ear. It just wasn’t fair how easy he could do that. Distract…..her….Liz moaned low in her throat, her fingers curling into his sides, as his mouth pulled at the tender skin just south of her ear, his breath fanning over her damp skin. The unrelenting pressure built swiftly into longing so intense even the tips of her fingers ached to feel his bare skin.
He inhaled sharply, startled that teasing play had shifted so swiftly into something else. He went up on his knees frantically tugging at his clothing, jacket and shirt landing in a pile in seconds. Her approving sigh had him pausing to lean in and kiss her deeply, seeking her approval in a more tangible form.
Liz nipped at his bottom lip softly before soothing him with the lazy brush of her tongue, fingers skating over exposed skin. Feeling his muscles flex under her touch she slowed down enjoying his reaction as her fingers circled his navel. Her lips wandered down his strong neck rubbing over his skin in a teasing brush of sensation that wrung a harsh noise from him in response. As she worked open his pants she softly kissed his shoulder, nuzzling him gently before allowing her mouth to open over him.
Max hardly noticed as she pushed aside his clothing before rolling him onto his back her legs tangling with his. The pull of her mouth had his whole body sitting up and paying attention to the exclusion of all else.
Liz traced a lazy path down his chest with her mouth intent on tasting the changing textures and flavors of him. She learned the places that had him shifting under her restlessly or gasping in pleasure. Her fingers massaged his taunt flesh absently as her hair slithered over his chest, lips kissing him softly once before nipping at his jumping abdominal muscles.
The cool touch of her fingers brushing over his throbbing erection left him without the ability to breathe. When her tongue lapped gently at his navel as her hand wrapped around him, he thought he was going bite off his own tongue. He wouldn’t have noticed the pain if he had, her hand cradled him so perfectly, any amount of pain would be worth it.
Liz looked up as she worked her hand over him, feeling intense pleasure at his expression of stark need and helpless passion. Dipping her head she sucked lightly at the broad head of his hard length running her tongue along the underside in soft swipes.
“Liz,” Max groaned in tortured tones. “Oh god!”
She slowly took more of him, listening carefully for what pleased him most, seeking an uninhibited response from him. Letting him slide almost completely free, she circled the tip of his cock with her tongue once, before sucking hard pulling him back inside to his long low groan as her tongue moved along his entire length.
Max’s fingers sank into the rubber of the air mattress making it squeal loudly in protest. His neck arched as the intense sensation slowly built and condensed with each stroke of her velvety tongue.
“Liz stop,” Max groaned unable to stand it.
Liz raised her head enough to look at his face. “Why would I do that?”
“I can’t…it’s too,” Max stumbled when she sucked lightly at the head of his cock.
“Much?” Liz asked smiling. She squeaked in surprise as he lifted her, slamming his mouth down on hers.
Max growled in frustration finding her still fully clothed. One wave of his hand removed that obstacle and he quickly settled her over his straining flesh. He pulled her hips down as he pushed up and groaned in relief.
“Oh Max!” Liz cried in surprised pleasure. This wasn’t what she had in mind, Liz thought, slightly muddled at the swift change in position. She looked down into his eyes and caught her breath at the seething heat reflected back at her.
“Go,” Max urged unable to be clearer. His hands curled around her hips trying to guide her into movement. “Ahh yeah,” He groaned as she complied with his desires.
She pushed herself up to sit astride him, moving her hips over his rigid sex smoothly, loosing herself in the motion. Rising and falling over the thick length of him wedged deeply inside her, she moaned in pleasure, her eyes closing as she raised her arms languorously over head.
Max watched with hooded eyes as she folded her arms and rested her cheek against one bicep. When she gave a mewling moan then licked her lips he heard a rumbling sound emerge from his chest, his hand moving up under the fall of her hair to steady her as her back arched sharply, his seal leaving a glowing trail in its wake. His eyes dropped to her blazing seal possessively, finding satisfaction in how brightly it burned.
His hips lifted as she slapped down on him faster rolling her hips gently as she lifted up almost sobbing as she felt his hand drift over her breasts plucking gently at her nipples.
When her moan spiraled higher gaining in volume, he shook his head to clear it, his hand traveling lower. Down over her seal over, her downy mound, to find the hard pearl of her clitoris. He circled it with his thumb in a smooth continuous motion and watched her splinter apart.
Liz gasp reaching behind her to brace herself on his thighs as all of that burning throbbing sensation coalesced inside her screaming up until it burst lighting her up inside blocking out everything.
With a loud groan, forced from between gritted teeth, his hips jerked up into her convulsively as he came with bone melting force. He collapsed back onto the mattress chest heaving and held her when she slumped over him limply. He rubbed his chin on the top of her head as he waited for her to speak.
Long minutes later Liz stirred enough to speak softly satisfaction lacing her voice. “I do hope you know how to remake my clothes, otherwise we have a problem.”
Max’s hand froze on her back, his eyes going wide as she shifted up to look at him.
“You do know how. Right?” Liz asked suspicious of his silence.
“Ummm. I’m sure…..I can,” Max said not sure at all. He really wasn’t sure what he had done to them. Did he change them into sand? He couldn’t remember. He didn’t even really remember what she had been wearing.
“If I have to leave here naked you are in soooo much trouble,” Liz warned sternly.
Max knocked on Michael’s door his ears still ringing from the lecture he had just received about destroying Liz’s favorite pair of jeans. He couldn’t help the smile that crept over his face at the memory of Liz sneaking up to her own balcony wearing only his shirt and her shoes. She hadn’t been so amused, he admitted to himself, and had refused to return the shirt. He also had to take her shopping tomorrow to replace the lost articles but it was still worth it.
“Hey Michael,” Max greeted jerking himself to the present.
“Hey. Where’s Liz?” Michael asked gruffly stepping aside to let Max pass by.
“Ummm home getting ready for her shift,” Max answered looking around the apartment. “Where’s Zan?”
“Out,” Michael answered. “He wasn’t here when I got back.”
“What do you think of him?” Max asked following Michael to the couch and sitting down. Both of them automatically turning their eyes to the game.
“He doesn’t bother me,” Michael said with a shrug. “I know Maria hates him but she hates me too so.”
Max glanced over at him and sighed. “Michael. You know what I’m asking.”
“I don’t think you gotta worry about him,” Michael replied. “If he wanted to mess with Liz he would have last time. Oh. Yeah. He sort of did. Well…Huh,” Michael said and scratched his eyebrow. “I wouldn’t worry about it. Liz put him down pretty easy. It took him about two hours till he could heal himself.”
Max scowled at Michael’s lack of helpful advice. “Just try to back me up here okay?”
“Yup,” Michael agreed then smiled. “If you get in trouble I’ll call Liz and she can kick his ass for you.”
“Funny,” Max said then smiled.
Zan walked into the apartment to find Max and Michael both glued to the TV. Shaking his head he walked into the kitchen and grabbed a drink before going back out there. Might as well get this over with.
“Zan,” Max greeted.
“Max,” Zan said smirking. “Yo Mickey.”
“Yup,” Michael replied a smile flickering over his face. This should prove to be interesting.
“Where’s Liz?” Zan asked plopping into a chair.
“Home,” Max said shortly. “About that. I don’t want you around her.”
“Yeah? What a surprise,” Zan said then yawned. “She’s a big girl. I think she can make up her own mind. You’s ain’t her keeper and I ain’t gonna hurt her.”
“I don’t trust you,” Max said plainly eyeing him.
“So? I ain’t exactly about to put my life in you’s hands eitha so we’s even,” Zan replied unruffled. “Look. I ain’t interested in joining this club. I’s here for Ava ta look out for her see? I gotta job and I’ll be getting my own place. I ain’t saying I won’t help out but I ain’t in okay?”
“Fine. As long as you don’t bother Liz we’re cool,” Max said relieved.
“Bout that. You betta get you’s head out of you’s ass,” Zan said then took a drink. “I ain’t the only wit eyes. You wanna keep her you’s better stick round. It ain’t like bonds can’t be warped. A powerful dude could do it. You can’t leave her on her’s own right now. She ain’t strong enough yet. She’s……You’s both a little outta whack ya know? She’s mad crazy and you’s all stupid,” Zan rolled his eyes smirk in place. “Just saying,” Zan shrugged and left. The bathroom door slammed a moment later.
“Well. Maxwell. That went well. You have a real future in politics,” Michael said and turned up the volume on the game.
Chapter Sixty Four
“Come on,” Liz said with a smile, tugging on Max’s hand.
Max followed her into the mall ready to give his wallet a work out. He knew what shopping was all about. Isabel was his sister after all. He expected her to inflict some punishment for yesterday and was willing to go through this without complaint. What he didn’t expect was to enjoy himself.
Like with many other things in her life, Liz had a list. One pair of jeans, a sweater or shirt of some sort, and under garments. That’s what she was there for. She wanted one outfit that Max was involved in the choosing of. So every time she wore it there would be a back-story to it, memories in a tangible form.
Punishment was the furthest thing from her mind. Now that some time had passed the humor of the situation was coming into focus. Thank god no one had seen her climbing bare assed up her ladder, except Max of course, but he had seen a lot more then that so he didn’t count. She would never have lived that down if anyone else had witnessed it. Besides, the rest of the experience had been so worth loosing her favorite pair of jeans. A smile curved her mouth at the look of panic on Max’s face when he couldn’t reproduce her clothes. He was so cute it had been difficult to stay mad.
Max gapped at the selection of jeans as Liz strolled around picking up one pair after another and wondered how she was ever going to pick. The sheer numbers were astounding. Blue, black, stone washed, distressed, hip huggers, boot cut, it just went on and on.
Seeing the dazed expression on his face she smiled and circled up behind him wrapping her arms around his waist. She stretched up so when she spoke it was a whisper in his ear. “I think I need a little help.”
“What kind of help?” Max asked moving to hold her hands flat against his abdomen.
“I’m not a very good shopper. Maria usually helps me out by screening my choices before I buy them but she’s not here,” Liz said casually. “Sometimes what looks good on the rack doesn’t look as good on my body.”
Max’s fingers stilled on the back of her hand and he turned his head to see her face. “I can help with that. I’m just the guy for that job,” Max volunteered in a rush.
Liz smiled against his shoulder and nodded. “Okay, thanks. I’ll just….pick some stuff out and try it on. You tell me if you like it.”
When she stepped out of the dressing room in bare feet and a body hugging tank top sporting a new pair of jeans for his inspection he realized this was going to be a great day.
“I think these aren’t right,” Liz said frowning as she looked in the full-length mirror.
“Why?” Max asked watching her turn this way and that.
“They make my ass look huge,” Liz said scowling.
Max tilted his head and carefully looked at the body part in question. Scratching his ear he squirmed in his seat a bit before answering. “They’re too…..big. It’s not your ass it’s the jeans.”
Liz met his eyes in the mirror and raised her eyebrow at him. “Nice answer.”
“I like to think I have a passing familiarity with your ass. Next pair please,” Max said with a wide smile.
Biting her lip to control her smile Liz went to change.
Four pair of jeans later Max had discovered his passion. This shopping thing wasn’t so bad. “Those are the ones.”
Liz looked over to see his eyes. “What’s so special about these?”
“They look amazing. Are they comfortable?” Max asked, eyes on way the jeans hugged her curves.
Liz pulled her knee up toward her chest one after the other then nodded. “Yeah, I guess so. They’re ummm a little…low. Don’t you think?”
“Nope,” Max said getting up and moving closer. He wrapped his arms around her waist. “They look perfect to me.”
Leaning back against his chest she looked at them both in the mirror. Perfect. “Okay,” Liz agreed then smiled. “You’ll be happy to know you have expensive taste. Isabel taught you well. You just picked the priciest pair in the pile.”
Max shrugged a smile curving the edges of his mouth. “When its right it’s right.”
“Glad to hear it. Now turn over your wallet,” Liz said grinning from ear to ear.
Max slapped it into her outstretched hand and kissed her ear.
“You’re pretty good at that,” Liz observed with a twinkle in her eye. “Isabel?”
“Uh huh,” Max muttered and nibbled on her ear.
“Hmm then I have one thing to thank her for,” Liz said and danced away to change back into her old clothes.
Max smiled and watched her walk away. Those jeans were worth every penny.
Liz emerged from the dressing room and paid for the jeans giving Max a smile when he took the bag. “Here’s your wallet,” Liz said and slid it into his back pocket. With a wicked grin she added. “And your change.”
Max jumped as her hand slid into his front pocket to deposit several coins. Seeing her amusement at his reaction he smiled and nuzzled her nose with his. “Think you’re cute don’t you?”
“I think you think I’m cute,” Liz replied softly. The relaxed feel of him combined with the easy mood of the day perfectly.
“I can’t argue with that,” Max replied just as softly then kissed her forehead. “What’s next?”
“A shirt,” Liz replied absently, reluctant to move away from him. She smiled as he stroked her lower back the same reluctance evident in his touch. She slowly eased away and moved to his side lacing her fingers through his.
Max followed her not paying attention to where they were going. Wherever it was it was exactly where he wanted to be.
“So what’s your opinion?” Cal asked interested. He trusted Peck to have a grasp of the situation.
“She seems volatile. More so then when we started,” Peck replied thoughtfully. “From what you’ve told me and what I’ve come up with she’s normally pretty even keeled. It’s hard to say how much is from recent events and how much may be from something else.”
“What about Max?” Cal asked switching the phone from one ear to the other.
“He came home when she told him to,” Peck answered. “He seems better. Zan is staying though so we’ll see if that lasts. There’s some tension there but he seems to be working things out with Liz.”
Cal scowled and remained silent for several minutes. “Watch Zan. I want to know if he makes a play on Liz. I can’t have him interfering too much.”
“Understood,” Peck agreed. “I don’t think that’s a major worry. She’s spending a lot of time with Max and appears to be happy.”
“Okay,” Cal said pinching the bridge of his nose. “Keep me informed.”
After hanging up he looked over the last several reports from Peck trying to find the source of his disquiet. Despite Pecks good report he wasn’t relaxed. Things just weren’t going according to what he had been told to expect. Some erratic behavior from Max was to be expected. Mood swings, possessiveness, a drive to protect his mate….all that was expected. Not leaving for Vegas, not Liz’s behavior changes, and certainly not over a month of celibacy. Something was just not going as he had been told it would. Just like the rest of this damned trip. Nothing but a problem from the very start of it.
Max ground to a halt in the center of the mall. “I’m not going in there.”
“I know,” Liz replied smirking. “You’re going to sit on the bench and wait for me. I won’t be long.”
Max stared at the store in question. Bare Essentials.
“Max? Hello?” Liz asked waving a hand in front of his face after trying to get his attention three times. “Wait for me?”
“Umm yeah,” Max nodded focusing on her face. “I’ll just….sit over there and wait.”
“Great,” Liz agreed and quirked her eyebrow at him. “Wallet please.”
Max sighed and reached for his wallet. Liz plucked the wallet out of his hands and opened it peering inside.
“What’s your favorite color?” Liz asked pulling out all of the bills left in Max’s wallet.
“Grey why?” Max asked taking back his empty wallet.
“So I know what color to buy of course,” Liz answered with an innocent expression. “See you in a few.”
“I changed my mind!” Max burst out before she got more then five feet away.
Liz smiled and turned, looking at him with amusement. “Okay?”
“Umm,” Max stumbled to think of a color.
“Tell you what. I’ll just surprise you,” Liz said seeing he was having a tough time.
“Okay,” Max agreed and watched her walk away. Sitting down he prepared to wait. Looking in the window of the store he could see Liz walk by stopping to look at something for a moment before moving on. Visions of all the things she could be looking at skittered through his mind. Shaking his head he tried to think about something else. Two minutes later he gave up.
“Taken?”
“Wh-,” Max started looking up to see Pam Troy pointing at the spot next to him. Shit. “Umm I’m waiting for Liz.”
“I’ll just wait with you,” Pam said and dropped her bags and sat down.
Max sighed moving Liz’s bags over, scrambling to think of a way out of this.
Pam looked over the bags at Max’s feet then followed his eyes over to the store he was staring at. “Always leaving you unattended isn’t she? You’d think she’d learn,” Pam said idly. “Can’t be much fun waiting around.”
“You’re right. I think I’ll just…..go find Liz. Excuse me,” Max said scooping up his bags and striding toward the store. Taking a deep breath he stepped over the threshold and glanced around. A glance over his shoulder showed Pam watching him with a smirk worthy of Michael on her face. Damn it.
Liz tossed her clothes onto the chair in the dressing room then turned to the items that she had chosen to try on. Slipping on the lilac colored lacy bustier she turned to the mirror. The good thing about not having large breasts was that she didn’t need much in the way of support. She could go strictly for fashion.
“Liz?”
Liz’s eyes widened hearing Max’s whispered call. “Max? What are you doing here?” Liz asked poking her head out of the dressing room.
“Pam Troy’s following me,” Max answered glancing over his shoulder to see Pam fingering a red lace something or other. Shuddering at that picture he looked around and crept over to Liz’s dressing room.
Liz took in Max’s flustered appearance then looked past his shoulder. “You can’t come in here. Go out into the mall and I’ll be right there,” Liz promised hiding behind the door.
“I tried to get away from her. That’s how I got in here,” Max said frustration coating his voice. “I told her I was here with you and she still followed me in here. She’s….asking for my opinion on panties! She keeps brushing up against me and….She’s talking to me!”
Liz’s eyes widened seeing a sales clerk move into sight. She reached out and grabbed a hold of Max’s shirt yanking him into her dressing room then quickly shutting the door. “You are such a baby. Just tell her to get the hell away from you. Honestly Max!” Liz griped pushing him to the back of the dressing room so she could peek out the door.
Max just stared.
“Shit!” Liz swore seeing Pam talking to the clerk and pointing toward the dressing area. “Get up on the chair. I can’t believe that bitch!”
Max just stood there transfixed by sight of her in lilac lace and not much else.
Liz glanced over her shoulder and saw him still standing there holding her bags. “Max! Up on the chair…hurry! The clerk will see your feet,” Liz said and took the bags from him tossing them aside to start pushing at him, guiding him to the chair.
Max climbed up on the chair, sitting on his heels his eyes wide, as Liz spun toward the door moving to hold it shut. She was so gorgeous. Her legs looked long and graceful, her bottom firm but rounded, her hair slid over her back in smooth wave baring the thin straps holding up her little top thingy. He had a new favorite color.
Liz pressed her hand to the door as the clerk knocked.
“Everything alright in there?”
“Yes, everything’s fine,” Liz answered in a cheerful voice. Pam Troy was dead pulling this kind of crap. What was her problem?
“Your friend said that you were having a problem?” The clerk’s tentative voice responded.
Liz looked around and spotted the peach colored bra and panty set she had selected and snagged it. “Umm I was wondering if this came in another color? Like maybe…” Liz heard Max whisper a color and waved him silent. “Lilac or a light green?” Liz finished opening the door just enough to show the clerk the articles and smile at her.
“I’ll check for you,” The older women smiled and took the offered articles.
“Thank you so much. I’m sorry she troubled you. I was going to look myself after I was done in here,” Liz said guilelessly.
“No trouble,” The clerk assured her and smiled before walking away.
Liz sighed then spotted Pam watching her with a nasty smile on her face. Narrowing her eyes Liz flipped her the finger and slammed the door. Bitch! Turning to Max she leaned against the door. “How are we going to get out of here without you being seen? Pam’s right outside,” Liz said looking over at him.
Max shifted on the chair almost groaning at the sight of her. “You finish trying on your stuff and leave and I’ll sneak out afterwards,” Max suggested lifting his eyes up to hers.
Liz chewed on her bottom lip thoughtfully then nodded. “Okay, but I have one condition.”
“What’s that?” Max asked softly.
“We’re going to one up Pam,” Liz said firmly. “She wants to chase you in here? She might as well get her troubles worth.”
Max watched Liz walk toward him with a determined gleam in her eyes. God he loved her. Liz smiled and kissed him softly.
“Willing to play along?” Liz asked her lips brushing his ear.
Max nodded slowly careful not to dislodge her mouth. “What do you want me to do?”
“Nothing,” Liz replied. “I’ll do all the work.”
Liz strolled out of the dressing room with her choices in hand and a small smile curving her mouth. She paid feeling Pam’s eyes boring a hole in her back. She thanked the clerk for all her help and strolled toward the door.
“Pam,” Liz greeted stopping a few feet from the other girl. In a carefully casual gesture she tucked her hair back exposing a nice patch of whisker burn with accompanying hickey. “Thanks for sending Max in. He has very good taste. He was a big help. See ya.” There was no way she would let this small-minded cow get the best of her. She was not ashamed.
Pam stood astounded as Liz breezed by. She was still there when Max crept out of the dressing room looking a bit more disheveled then when he went in. Pam watched him glance around as he shifted his bags around before walking toward the door. Looking relaxed and happy he strode by sporting two hickeys of his own without sparing her a glance. Turning she watched him meet up with Liz take her bag, adding it to his own load, while listening to her talk. After a brief kiss to her forehead and a soft caress of her hair, he linked their fingers and led her away. Neither one had looked the least bit embarrassed.
“Come on,” Liz said with a smile, tugging on Max’s hand.
Max followed her into the mall ready to give his wallet a work out. He knew what shopping was all about. Isabel was his sister after all. He expected her to inflict some punishment for yesterday and was willing to go through this without complaint. What he didn’t expect was to enjoy himself.
Like with many other things in her life, Liz had a list. One pair of jeans, a sweater or shirt of some sort, and under garments. That’s what she was there for. She wanted one outfit that Max was involved in the choosing of. So every time she wore it there would be a back-story to it, memories in a tangible form.
Punishment was the furthest thing from her mind. Now that some time had passed the humor of the situation was coming into focus. Thank god no one had seen her climbing bare assed up her ladder, except Max of course, but he had seen a lot more then that so he didn’t count. She would never have lived that down if anyone else had witnessed it. Besides, the rest of the experience had been so worth loosing her favorite pair of jeans. A smile curved her mouth at the look of panic on Max’s face when he couldn’t reproduce her clothes. He was so cute it had been difficult to stay mad.
Max gapped at the selection of jeans as Liz strolled around picking up one pair after another and wondered how she was ever going to pick. The sheer numbers were astounding. Blue, black, stone washed, distressed, hip huggers, boot cut, it just went on and on.
Seeing the dazed expression on his face she smiled and circled up behind him wrapping her arms around his waist. She stretched up so when she spoke it was a whisper in his ear. “I think I need a little help.”
“What kind of help?” Max asked moving to hold her hands flat against his abdomen.
“I’m not a very good shopper. Maria usually helps me out by screening my choices before I buy them but she’s not here,” Liz said casually. “Sometimes what looks good on the rack doesn’t look as good on my body.”
Max’s fingers stilled on the back of her hand and he turned his head to see her face. “I can help with that. I’m just the guy for that job,” Max volunteered in a rush.
Liz smiled against his shoulder and nodded. “Okay, thanks. I’ll just….pick some stuff out and try it on. You tell me if you like it.”
When she stepped out of the dressing room in bare feet and a body hugging tank top sporting a new pair of jeans for his inspection he realized this was going to be a great day.
“I think these aren’t right,” Liz said frowning as she looked in the full-length mirror.
“Why?” Max asked watching her turn this way and that.
“They make my ass look huge,” Liz said scowling.
Max tilted his head and carefully looked at the body part in question. Scratching his ear he squirmed in his seat a bit before answering. “They’re too…..big. It’s not your ass it’s the jeans.”
Liz met his eyes in the mirror and raised her eyebrow at him. “Nice answer.”
“I like to think I have a passing familiarity with your ass. Next pair please,” Max said with a wide smile.
Biting her lip to control her smile Liz went to change.
Four pair of jeans later Max had discovered his passion. This shopping thing wasn’t so bad. “Those are the ones.”
Liz looked over to see his eyes. “What’s so special about these?”
“They look amazing. Are they comfortable?” Max asked, eyes on way the jeans hugged her curves.
Liz pulled her knee up toward her chest one after the other then nodded. “Yeah, I guess so. They’re ummm a little…low. Don’t you think?”
“Nope,” Max said getting up and moving closer. He wrapped his arms around her waist. “They look perfect to me.”
Leaning back against his chest she looked at them both in the mirror. Perfect. “Okay,” Liz agreed then smiled. “You’ll be happy to know you have expensive taste. Isabel taught you well. You just picked the priciest pair in the pile.”
Max shrugged a smile curving the edges of his mouth. “When its right it’s right.”
“Glad to hear it. Now turn over your wallet,” Liz said grinning from ear to ear.
Max slapped it into her outstretched hand and kissed her ear.
“You’re pretty good at that,” Liz observed with a twinkle in her eye. “Isabel?”
“Uh huh,” Max muttered and nibbled on her ear.
“Hmm then I have one thing to thank her for,” Liz said and danced away to change back into her old clothes.
Max smiled and watched her walk away. Those jeans were worth every penny.
Liz emerged from the dressing room and paid for the jeans giving Max a smile when he took the bag. “Here’s your wallet,” Liz said and slid it into his back pocket. With a wicked grin she added. “And your change.”
Max jumped as her hand slid into his front pocket to deposit several coins. Seeing her amusement at his reaction he smiled and nuzzled her nose with his. “Think you’re cute don’t you?”
“I think you think I’m cute,” Liz replied softly. The relaxed feel of him combined with the easy mood of the day perfectly.
“I can’t argue with that,” Max replied just as softly then kissed her forehead. “What’s next?”
“A shirt,” Liz replied absently, reluctant to move away from him. She smiled as he stroked her lower back the same reluctance evident in his touch. She slowly eased away and moved to his side lacing her fingers through his.
Max followed her not paying attention to where they were going. Wherever it was it was exactly where he wanted to be.
“So what’s your opinion?” Cal asked interested. He trusted Peck to have a grasp of the situation.
“She seems volatile. More so then when we started,” Peck replied thoughtfully. “From what you’ve told me and what I’ve come up with she’s normally pretty even keeled. It’s hard to say how much is from recent events and how much may be from something else.”
“What about Max?” Cal asked switching the phone from one ear to the other.
“He came home when she told him to,” Peck answered. “He seems better. Zan is staying though so we’ll see if that lasts. There’s some tension there but he seems to be working things out with Liz.”
Cal scowled and remained silent for several minutes. “Watch Zan. I want to know if he makes a play on Liz. I can’t have him interfering too much.”
“Understood,” Peck agreed. “I don’t think that’s a major worry. She’s spending a lot of time with Max and appears to be happy.”
“Okay,” Cal said pinching the bridge of his nose. “Keep me informed.”
After hanging up he looked over the last several reports from Peck trying to find the source of his disquiet. Despite Pecks good report he wasn’t relaxed. Things just weren’t going according to what he had been told to expect. Some erratic behavior from Max was to be expected. Mood swings, possessiveness, a drive to protect his mate….all that was expected. Not leaving for Vegas, not Liz’s behavior changes, and certainly not over a month of celibacy. Something was just not going as he had been told it would. Just like the rest of this damned trip. Nothing but a problem from the very start of it.
Max ground to a halt in the center of the mall. “I’m not going in there.”
“I know,” Liz replied smirking. “You’re going to sit on the bench and wait for me. I won’t be long.”
Max stared at the store in question. Bare Essentials.
“Max? Hello?” Liz asked waving a hand in front of his face after trying to get his attention three times. “Wait for me?”
“Umm yeah,” Max nodded focusing on her face. “I’ll just….sit over there and wait.”
“Great,” Liz agreed and quirked her eyebrow at him. “Wallet please.”
Max sighed and reached for his wallet. Liz plucked the wallet out of his hands and opened it peering inside.
“What’s your favorite color?” Liz asked pulling out all of the bills left in Max’s wallet.
“Grey why?” Max asked taking back his empty wallet.
“So I know what color to buy of course,” Liz answered with an innocent expression. “See you in a few.”
“I changed my mind!” Max burst out before she got more then five feet away.
Liz smiled and turned, looking at him with amusement. “Okay?”
“Umm,” Max stumbled to think of a color.
“Tell you what. I’ll just surprise you,” Liz said seeing he was having a tough time.
“Okay,” Max agreed and watched her walk away. Sitting down he prepared to wait. Looking in the window of the store he could see Liz walk by stopping to look at something for a moment before moving on. Visions of all the things she could be looking at skittered through his mind. Shaking his head he tried to think about something else. Two minutes later he gave up.
“Taken?”
“Wh-,” Max started looking up to see Pam Troy pointing at the spot next to him. Shit. “Umm I’m waiting for Liz.”
“I’ll just wait with you,” Pam said and dropped her bags and sat down.
Max sighed moving Liz’s bags over, scrambling to think of a way out of this.
Pam looked over the bags at Max’s feet then followed his eyes over to the store he was staring at. “Always leaving you unattended isn’t she? You’d think she’d learn,” Pam said idly. “Can’t be much fun waiting around.”
“You’re right. I think I’ll just…..go find Liz. Excuse me,” Max said scooping up his bags and striding toward the store. Taking a deep breath he stepped over the threshold and glanced around. A glance over his shoulder showed Pam watching him with a smirk worthy of Michael on her face. Damn it.
Liz tossed her clothes onto the chair in the dressing room then turned to the items that she had chosen to try on. Slipping on the lilac colored lacy bustier she turned to the mirror. The good thing about not having large breasts was that she didn’t need much in the way of support. She could go strictly for fashion.
“Liz?”
Liz’s eyes widened hearing Max’s whispered call. “Max? What are you doing here?” Liz asked poking her head out of the dressing room.
“Pam Troy’s following me,” Max answered glancing over his shoulder to see Pam fingering a red lace something or other. Shuddering at that picture he looked around and crept over to Liz’s dressing room.
Liz took in Max’s flustered appearance then looked past his shoulder. “You can’t come in here. Go out into the mall and I’ll be right there,” Liz promised hiding behind the door.
“I tried to get away from her. That’s how I got in here,” Max said frustration coating his voice. “I told her I was here with you and she still followed me in here. She’s….asking for my opinion on panties! She keeps brushing up against me and….She’s talking to me!”
Liz’s eyes widened seeing a sales clerk move into sight. She reached out and grabbed a hold of Max’s shirt yanking him into her dressing room then quickly shutting the door. “You are such a baby. Just tell her to get the hell away from you. Honestly Max!” Liz griped pushing him to the back of the dressing room so she could peek out the door.
Max just stared.
“Shit!” Liz swore seeing Pam talking to the clerk and pointing toward the dressing area. “Get up on the chair. I can’t believe that bitch!”
Max just stood there transfixed by sight of her in lilac lace and not much else.
Liz glanced over her shoulder and saw him still standing there holding her bags. “Max! Up on the chair…hurry! The clerk will see your feet,” Liz said and took the bags from him tossing them aside to start pushing at him, guiding him to the chair.
Max climbed up on the chair, sitting on his heels his eyes wide, as Liz spun toward the door moving to hold it shut. She was so gorgeous. Her legs looked long and graceful, her bottom firm but rounded, her hair slid over her back in smooth wave baring the thin straps holding up her little top thingy. He had a new favorite color.
Liz pressed her hand to the door as the clerk knocked.
“Everything alright in there?”
“Yes, everything’s fine,” Liz answered in a cheerful voice. Pam Troy was dead pulling this kind of crap. What was her problem?
“Your friend said that you were having a problem?” The clerk’s tentative voice responded.
Liz looked around and spotted the peach colored bra and panty set she had selected and snagged it. “Umm I was wondering if this came in another color? Like maybe…” Liz heard Max whisper a color and waved him silent. “Lilac or a light green?” Liz finished opening the door just enough to show the clerk the articles and smile at her.
“I’ll check for you,” The older women smiled and took the offered articles.
“Thank you so much. I’m sorry she troubled you. I was going to look myself after I was done in here,” Liz said guilelessly.
“No trouble,” The clerk assured her and smiled before walking away.
Liz sighed then spotted Pam watching her with a nasty smile on her face. Narrowing her eyes Liz flipped her the finger and slammed the door. Bitch! Turning to Max she leaned against the door. “How are we going to get out of here without you being seen? Pam’s right outside,” Liz said looking over at him.
Max shifted on the chair almost groaning at the sight of her. “You finish trying on your stuff and leave and I’ll sneak out afterwards,” Max suggested lifting his eyes up to hers.
Liz chewed on her bottom lip thoughtfully then nodded. “Okay, but I have one condition.”
“What’s that?” Max asked softly.
“We’re going to one up Pam,” Liz said firmly. “She wants to chase you in here? She might as well get her troubles worth.”
Max watched Liz walk toward him with a determined gleam in her eyes. God he loved her. Liz smiled and kissed him softly.
“Willing to play along?” Liz asked her lips brushing his ear.
Max nodded slowly careful not to dislodge her mouth. “What do you want me to do?”
“Nothing,” Liz replied. “I’ll do all the work.”
Liz strolled out of the dressing room with her choices in hand and a small smile curving her mouth. She paid feeling Pam’s eyes boring a hole in her back. She thanked the clerk for all her help and strolled toward the door.
“Pam,” Liz greeted stopping a few feet from the other girl. In a carefully casual gesture she tucked her hair back exposing a nice patch of whisker burn with accompanying hickey. “Thanks for sending Max in. He has very good taste. He was a big help. See ya.” There was no way she would let this small-minded cow get the best of her. She was not ashamed.
Pam stood astounded as Liz breezed by. She was still there when Max crept out of the dressing room looking a bit more disheveled then when he went in. Pam watched him glance around as he shifted his bags around before walking toward the door. Looking relaxed and happy he strode by sporting two hickeys of his own without sparing her a glance. Turning she watched him meet up with Liz take her bag, adding it to his own load, while listening to her talk. After a brief kiss to her forehead and a soft caress of her hair, he linked their fingers and led her away. Neither one had looked the least bit embarrassed.
Chapter Sixty Five
The rest of winter break flew by in a rush and before anyone was ready it was time to start school again. They were all supposed to get together that night at the CrashDown for the first catch up session but before that there was school to get through.
Liz barely made it to her first class, sliding into her seat with a yawn as the late bell rang. She had been on the phone late with Maria who was venting about her latest argument with Michael.
Michael and Maria weren’t the only ones arguing. Ava had gone several rounds with Zan in the café and was still sending him the stink eye. Zan was eating at the café almost everyday and made no effort to keep to himself. No one could say he was a shy boy. Now that he had his own place and a job he was putting himself out there. He hung out with Michael quite a bit and managed to be underfoot enough to stay in the loop.
Max met her after fist hour at her locker since they shared second hour together.
“You okay?” Max asked watching her yawn.
“Just tired. Maria called last night and kept me up,” Liz said slamming her locker shut. “Michael was running his line and not the grill quote unquote.”
“Michael has a line?” Max asked unable to envision that.
“According to Maria? Yes,” Liz answered nodding. “He was trying to lure an unsuspecting freshman into his web of lies and sick manipulations.”
“Which freshman are we talking about?” Max asked curious. Michael hadn’t said a word about being interested in anyone….except Maria.
“Julia Purefoy,” Liz said arching her eyebrow. “You know, the hot one with the assets.”
“Don’t look at me,” Max said hugging her. “I have no idea who that is.”
“Yeah,” Liz said disbelief plain in her tone. “Anyway, Maria was so pissed at Michael, who she has no interest in by the way, that she set his head band thing on fire. She’s lost her mind.”
Max started laughing. “What did Michael do?”
“Maria said he calmly put out the fire and said that if she didn’t like the head band thing she could have just told him and he wouldn’t wear it anymore that there was no need for arson,” Liz said smiling a giggle breaking through.
“I almost would have liked to see that,” Max said guiding her down the hall. “Poor bastard.”
“Yeah, I swear he needs help,” Liz admitted. “He has no clue. Maria totally won’t listen to me or Alex. We’ve tried talking to her but she’s got this mental block. She says that Michael is just like mad cow disease. He shuts down normal brain function. Her feelings about him have nothing to with it. She was just afraid for the poor girl. That someone has to look out for the poor girls that have no idea the evil depths that Michael hides. She’s delusional.”
“Mad cow disease?” Max asked.
“Ummm yeah something about eating…nevermind. You don’t really want to know,” Liz said as they reached their class. “If they get paired up in here you know that we’re all in for it right?”
“Yeah,” Max admitted. “No mechanical baby will survive those two as parents.”
“Bet me ten bucks they get paired up?” Liz asked her eyes dancing.
“With our luck? I agree with you. I think I’ll keep my money,” Max said with a shake of his head. “Who else is in this class with us?”
“Kyle,” Liz answered walking in ahead of him. “And it looks like Pam Troy.”
“Fuck,” Max muttered his eyes rounding. “I can’t get stuck with her. I can’t do it.”
Liz muffled her laughter with her hand and chose a seat as far from Pam as possible. “You are such a baby. I know you don’t like to be rude but Max, seriously, with her you have to be. Otherwise she’ll just keep chasing you. She can smell fear.”
“That’s encouraging,” Max mumbled sliding into the seat directly behind her.
“Well, if your going to have a baby with her you’re going to have to work it out,” Liz said then started laughing.
“That isn’t even funny,” Max said scowling. “You’re going to curse me. Don’t say that out loud or it might actually happen.”
Liz bit her lip to attempt to muffle her laughter. He looked so scared. “Okay, I won’t say anything.”
“Greetings from Earth,” Kyle said sliding into the seat in front of Liz.
“Hey Kyle,” Liz greeted while wiping the tears out of her eyes. “You ready for fatherhood?”
“Totally ready. I’m going to kick some ass then diaper some,” Kyle said with a grin. “Evans, you should take notes. You’re most likely to succeed in this category.”
Max just glared at him while Liz pinched him.
“Hey now. Tender meat there Liz,” Kyle said then seeing Michael he grinned even wider. “Here’s mostly likely to smother their offspring in their sleep. Hey Guerin.”
Michael just grunted and took the seat next to Max. He was so not looking forward to this class.
“So Julia Purefoy?” Max asked Michael.
“Who?” Michael asked.
“The girl Maria had a fit about? Julia Purefoy?” Max explained waiting to see what Michael would say.
“Totally hot but has four older brothers,” Kyle supplied always trying to be helpful. “Long dark hair….sorta like Liz’s. Ass that could stop traffic….also sorta like Liz’s,” Kyle teased, smiling at Liz’s narrowed eyes.
“Kyle, I will hurt you,” Liz warned softly.
“Hey! I have eyes,” Kyle defended. Seeing Max’s ears turning red he smiled wider. “No one ever said I was blind. Anyway Guerin, she’s a little tame after Maria.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Michael said scowl set in place. “I have enough problems already. Shit Maria almost killed me last night. I had to wrestle the lighter away from her. She was going to burn my clothes. While I was in them.”
Liz covered her mouth and shot Max a look.
“Did you even wonder why?” Max asked picking up on Liz’s pointed look.
“Hell I don’t know. She’s crazy?” Michael asked. “She didn’t like the drawing I left for her? Who knows? I couldn’t understand a word that she said. I didn’t know anyone could talk that fast while waving a lighter.”
Kyle chuckled at the disgruntled look on Michael’s face. “I think Julia might have had something to do with it?”
“Who the hell is Julia?” Michael demanded.
“I believe she was in the café last night?” Liz supplied and continued when Michael still looked confused. “You might have spoken to her at some point?”
“Huh. I did help Maria when Agnes was on break by cashing out a couple of people,” Michael shrugged. “Is she tall? Sort of shy?”
“Yup,” Kyle nodded.
“Okay. I know who she is then. So what?” Michael shrugged.
They all fell silent as Maria walked in and took the seat next to Liz, which was right in front of Michael, who she ignored. “Let’s get this nightmare over with,” Maria grumbled. “Where is Mrs. Dubrowski?”
“Late I guess,” Liz offered with a shrug.
“So I saw Alex,” Maria said to Liz.
“What’s up with him?” Liz asked going along and doing her part to prevent bloodshed.
“He’s got Ava in his first class. Some computer class,” Maria waved her hand and rolled her eyes. “They were walking to second hour together and little Miss Thing….Isabel Evans wasn’t looking happy.”
“Really?” Liz asked interested. “Why?”
“Ava was gushing over Alex. Saying how smart he was and how happy she was that he was in her class. Isabel was frosty,” Maria smirked. “I thought I actually saw icicles shooting from her eyes. Of course the fact that Alex didn’t even see her might have had something to do with that. He was grinning like loon at Ava.”
“Hmm,” Liz said as Mrs. Dubrowski walked in.
“Sorry I’m late. There’s been a little confusion in regards to the mechanical babies that I had to take care of,” Mrs. Dubrowski explained as she opened her lesson plan. “We are sharing them with the other class and we’ve been elected to go first. So tomorrow you will all become parents for three weeks. This project is one third of your grade in this class so please….take it seriously.”
“Fuck me,” Michael grumbled slouching down in his seat. Playing with some damn doll was a third of his grade? Shit.
“At the end of the three weeks you will be turning in a paper explaining the division of labor between you and your partner. Everything is to be covered. How you split up babysitting and worked around your schedules, what disagreements you had, what decisions you made about how to raise your child, the works. I have an outline laying out the final paper that will give you a clear idea of what is expected. However….don’t think you can get away with lying. Each baby will tell me how you cared for it. Whether you didn’t support the neck correctly, dropped it, didn’t feed or change it. I will know if you left your child alone. The paper is one aspect but the baby will tell the tale,” Mrs. Dubrowski covered sternly.
“Now, I have already paired you up and will read off the couples. Your grade and that of your partner depend on each other. So you better find a way to work it out.”
Liz glanced over her shoulder at Max and snickered at his worried expression as the teacher started reading off the couples.
“DeLuca Guerin.”
Maria’s hand shot up like a rocket. “Umm excuse me? I can’t work with him. I would never mate with him so this just won’t work for me.”
Kyle couldn’t even stop his laughter at that point. Liz coughed to cover her own amusement and saw Max’s mouth turn up at the corners.
“I beg to differ,” Michael growled leaning up to speak into Maria’s ear. He glared back as she shot him a venomous glare.
“Deal with it Ms. DeLuca,” Mrs. Dubrowski said unsympathetically.
Maria huffed in outrage her face flushed with anger. Goddamn it! God just kept pissing on her and laughing.
“Evans Rodriguez.”
Liz glanced back at Max with a smile. “At least you didn’t get Pam,” Liz offered as the teacher kept reading off names.
“True,” Max nodded still slightly disappointed. He glanced over at Sophia Rodriguez and smiled. He didn’t know her at all but she seemed nice enough. She gave him a shy smile in return, glancing at Liz quickly, before looking down at her desk.
“Parker Valenti.”
Kyle turned to Liz and wiggled his eyebrows. “Hey there partner.”
Liz smiled and shook her head. “If you screw up my GPA I will kill you.”
“Chill,” Kyle assured her. “I’m going to be an involved father. Now about religion….”
Liz sighed and rolled her eyes, tapping her pen on the desk.
The rest of winter break flew by in a rush and before anyone was ready it was time to start school again. They were all supposed to get together that night at the CrashDown for the first catch up session but before that there was school to get through.
Liz barely made it to her first class, sliding into her seat with a yawn as the late bell rang. She had been on the phone late with Maria who was venting about her latest argument with Michael.
Michael and Maria weren’t the only ones arguing. Ava had gone several rounds with Zan in the café and was still sending him the stink eye. Zan was eating at the café almost everyday and made no effort to keep to himself. No one could say he was a shy boy. Now that he had his own place and a job he was putting himself out there. He hung out with Michael quite a bit and managed to be underfoot enough to stay in the loop.
Max met her after fist hour at her locker since they shared second hour together.
“You okay?” Max asked watching her yawn.
“Just tired. Maria called last night and kept me up,” Liz said slamming her locker shut. “Michael was running his line and not the grill quote unquote.”
“Michael has a line?” Max asked unable to envision that.
“According to Maria? Yes,” Liz answered nodding. “He was trying to lure an unsuspecting freshman into his web of lies and sick manipulations.”
“Which freshman are we talking about?” Max asked curious. Michael hadn’t said a word about being interested in anyone….except Maria.
“Julia Purefoy,” Liz said arching her eyebrow. “You know, the hot one with the assets.”
“Don’t look at me,” Max said hugging her. “I have no idea who that is.”
“Yeah,” Liz said disbelief plain in her tone. “Anyway, Maria was so pissed at Michael, who she has no interest in by the way, that she set his head band thing on fire. She’s lost her mind.”
Max started laughing. “What did Michael do?”
“Maria said he calmly put out the fire and said that if she didn’t like the head band thing she could have just told him and he wouldn’t wear it anymore that there was no need for arson,” Liz said smiling a giggle breaking through.
“I almost would have liked to see that,” Max said guiding her down the hall. “Poor bastard.”
“Yeah, I swear he needs help,” Liz admitted. “He has no clue. Maria totally won’t listen to me or Alex. We’ve tried talking to her but she’s got this mental block. She says that Michael is just like mad cow disease. He shuts down normal brain function. Her feelings about him have nothing to with it. She was just afraid for the poor girl. That someone has to look out for the poor girls that have no idea the evil depths that Michael hides. She’s delusional.”
“Mad cow disease?” Max asked.
“Ummm yeah something about eating…nevermind. You don’t really want to know,” Liz said as they reached their class. “If they get paired up in here you know that we’re all in for it right?”
“Yeah,” Max admitted. “No mechanical baby will survive those two as parents.”
“Bet me ten bucks they get paired up?” Liz asked her eyes dancing.
“With our luck? I agree with you. I think I’ll keep my money,” Max said with a shake of his head. “Who else is in this class with us?”
“Kyle,” Liz answered walking in ahead of him. “And it looks like Pam Troy.”
“Fuck,” Max muttered his eyes rounding. “I can’t get stuck with her. I can’t do it.”
Liz muffled her laughter with her hand and chose a seat as far from Pam as possible. “You are such a baby. I know you don’t like to be rude but Max, seriously, with her you have to be. Otherwise she’ll just keep chasing you. She can smell fear.”
“That’s encouraging,” Max mumbled sliding into the seat directly behind her.
“Well, if your going to have a baby with her you’re going to have to work it out,” Liz said then started laughing.
“That isn’t even funny,” Max said scowling. “You’re going to curse me. Don’t say that out loud or it might actually happen.”
Liz bit her lip to attempt to muffle her laughter. He looked so scared. “Okay, I won’t say anything.”
“Greetings from Earth,” Kyle said sliding into the seat in front of Liz.
“Hey Kyle,” Liz greeted while wiping the tears out of her eyes. “You ready for fatherhood?”
“Totally ready. I’m going to kick some ass then diaper some,” Kyle said with a grin. “Evans, you should take notes. You’re most likely to succeed in this category.”
Max just glared at him while Liz pinched him.
“Hey now. Tender meat there Liz,” Kyle said then seeing Michael he grinned even wider. “Here’s mostly likely to smother their offspring in their sleep. Hey Guerin.”
Michael just grunted and took the seat next to Max. He was so not looking forward to this class.
“So Julia Purefoy?” Max asked Michael.
“Who?” Michael asked.
“The girl Maria had a fit about? Julia Purefoy?” Max explained waiting to see what Michael would say.
“Totally hot but has four older brothers,” Kyle supplied always trying to be helpful. “Long dark hair….sorta like Liz’s. Ass that could stop traffic….also sorta like Liz’s,” Kyle teased, smiling at Liz’s narrowed eyes.
“Kyle, I will hurt you,” Liz warned softly.
“Hey! I have eyes,” Kyle defended. Seeing Max’s ears turning red he smiled wider. “No one ever said I was blind. Anyway Guerin, she’s a little tame after Maria.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Michael said scowl set in place. “I have enough problems already. Shit Maria almost killed me last night. I had to wrestle the lighter away from her. She was going to burn my clothes. While I was in them.”
Liz covered her mouth and shot Max a look.
“Did you even wonder why?” Max asked picking up on Liz’s pointed look.
“Hell I don’t know. She’s crazy?” Michael asked. “She didn’t like the drawing I left for her? Who knows? I couldn’t understand a word that she said. I didn’t know anyone could talk that fast while waving a lighter.”
Kyle chuckled at the disgruntled look on Michael’s face. “I think Julia might have had something to do with it?”
“Who the hell is Julia?” Michael demanded.
“I believe she was in the café last night?” Liz supplied and continued when Michael still looked confused. “You might have spoken to her at some point?”
“Huh. I did help Maria when Agnes was on break by cashing out a couple of people,” Michael shrugged. “Is she tall? Sort of shy?”
“Yup,” Kyle nodded.
“Okay. I know who she is then. So what?” Michael shrugged.
They all fell silent as Maria walked in and took the seat next to Liz, which was right in front of Michael, who she ignored. “Let’s get this nightmare over with,” Maria grumbled. “Where is Mrs. Dubrowski?”
“Late I guess,” Liz offered with a shrug.
“So I saw Alex,” Maria said to Liz.
“What’s up with him?” Liz asked going along and doing her part to prevent bloodshed.
“He’s got Ava in his first class. Some computer class,” Maria waved her hand and rolled her eyes. “They were walking to second hour together and little Miss Thing….Isabel Evans wasn’t looking happy.”
“Really?” Liz asked interested. “Why?”
“Ava was gushing over Alex. Saying how smart he was and how happy she was that he was in her class. Isabel was frosty,” Maria smirked. “I thought I actually saw icicles shooting from her eyes. Of course the fact that Alex didn’t even see her might have had something to do with that. He was grinning like loon at Ava.”
“Hmm,” Liz said as Mrs. Dubrowski walked in.
“Sorry I’m late. There’s been a little confusion in regards to the mechanical babies that I had to take care of,” Mrs. Dubrowski explained as she opened her lesson plan. “We are sharing them with the other class and we’ve been elected to go first. So tomorrow you will all become parents for three weeks. This project is one third of your grade in this class so please….take it seriously.”
“Fuck me,” Michael grumbled slouching down in his seat. Playing with some damn doll was a third of his grade? Shit.
“At the end of the three weeks you will be turning in a paper explaining the division of labor between you and your partner. Everything is to be covered. How you split up babysitting and worked around your schedules, what disagreements you had, what decisions you made about how to raise your child, the works. I have an outline laying out the final paper that will give you a clear idea of what is expected. However….don’t think you can get away with lying. Each baby will tell me how you cared for it. Whether you didn’t support the neck correctly, dropped it, didn’t feed or change it. I will know if you left your child alone. The paper is one aspect but the baby will tell the tale,” Mrs. Dubrowski covered sternly.
“Now, I have already paired you up and will read off the couples. Your grade and that of your partner depend on each other. So you better find a way to work it out.”
Liz glanced over her shoulder at Max and snickered at his worried expression as the teacher started reading off the couples.
“DeLuca Guerin.”
Maria’s hand shot up like a rocket. “Umm excuse me? I can’t work with him. I would never mate with him so this just won’t work for me.”
Kyle couldn’t even stop his laughter at that point. Liz coughed to cover her own amusement and saw Max’s mouth turn up at the corners.
“I beg to differ,” Michael growled leaning up to speak into Maria’s ear. He glared back as she shot him a venomous glare.
“Deal with it Ms. DeLuca,” Mrs. Dubrowski said unsympathetically.
Maria huffed in outrage her face flushed with anger. Goddamn it! God just kept pissing on her and laughing.
“Evans Rodriguez.”
Liz glanced back at Max with a smile. “At least you didn’t get Pam,” Liz offered as the teacher kept reading off names.
“True,” Max nodded still slightly disappointed. He glanced over at Sophia Rodriguez and smiled. He didn’t know her at all but she seemed nice enough. She gave him a shy smile in return, glancing at Liz quickly, before looking down at her desk.
“Parker Valenti.”
Kyle turned to Liz and wiggled his eyebrows. “Hey there partner.”
Liz smiled and shook her head. “If you screw up my GPA I will kill you.”
“Chill,” Kyle assured her. “I’m going to be an involved father. Now about religion….”
Liz sighed and rolled her eyes, tapping her pen on the desk.
Chapter Sixty Six
The bell rang and Liz grabbed her stuff and headed toward the door giving Max a chance to catch Sophia before she took off.
“What do you need from me?” Kyle asked her holding the door for her to pass through.
“Hmm?” Liz asked focusing on him.
“For your chart thing or whatever you’re going to make up tonight. What do you need from me?” Kyle asked smiling. He knew Liz was going to rush right to her computer and crank out something.
“I need your schedule. What classes you have, when practice is, any time you can’t watch a baby, that kind of thing,” Liz said then snapped her fingers. “A name. We have to name this….baby too. You can pick. Whatever you want is fine. Just have one boy name and one girl name just in case.”
“Okay, I’ll write down my schedule and give it to at lunch,” Kyle agreed glancing over at Max who was having to bend closer to Sophia to hear what she was saying. He paused thinking how strange all this was then shook it off.
“Great. Just….you know, keep in mind that it’s a baby not a football. I really need this grade so no playing catch with the baby or anything,” Liz warned smiling slightly. She was trying to pull up her slipping grade point in time to meet the next alien crisis.
“No prob,” Kyle said grinning at the worry he could see on her face. “This is our child Liz. I’m on it.”
Somehow Liz didn’t feel reassured.
“Liz!” Max called trying to hurry Sophia up before Liz disappeared. “Sorry, I just need to….” Max said to Sophia but trailed off as Liz turned smiling at him.
Liz waited for Max to catch up, studying Sophia as they approached. Sophia looked rattled and nervous, clutching her notebook to her chest eyes on the floor. “Hello Sophia,” Liz greeted her keeping her tone light and non-threatening.
“Hi,” Sophia answered her eyes flickering up to Liz’s then over to Kyle then back to the floor.
“What’s up Max?” Liz asked letting Kyle block the flow of traffic so she wasn’t trampled.
“Just needed to remind you about lunch and introduce Sophia,” Max said his eyes on Kyle. He was not jealous. It was a school project and they were friends. He KNEW that.
“I remember,” Liz agreed then turned her focus to Sophia. “I’ve met Sophia before. It was…track last year right? And I think we had Algebra together too.”
“Yes,” Sophia nodded surprised Liz remembered. She smiled at Liz feeling her nerves abate slightly.
“I thought so. I was lucky to escape track intact,” Liz replied with a grin.
“You should be used to getting chased Liz,” Kyle teased lightly, eyes on the new arrival.
Max stiffened slightly glaring at Kyle.
Liz rolled her eyes and elbowed Kyle quickly. “That wasn’t the problem.”
Sophia smiled and nodded. “Pam.”
“That was the problem,” Liz agreed laughing.
“We gotta go Liz. See ya Max,” Kyle said and wrapped his arm around Liz’s waist lifting her from the floor and walking off with her.
“Kyle!” Liz yelped feeling like a sack of cement hanging from his arm. “Put me down!”
“No time for love. We’re going to be late,” Kyle said ignoring her struggles. “We all have our partners so leave Max to his.”
“See you at lunch,” Liz called to Max just before Kyle turned the corner.
Sophia glanced up in shock at Max, noting his scowl. She was surprised when he just sighed and rolled his shoulders before smiling.
“It’s Kyle,” Max explained looking down at Sophia. “You just have to get used to him. I’m still trying.”
“Oh,” Sophia said and nodded. Suddenly nervous again she didn’t know what to say.
“So here’s my cell number just in case and if you want just stop by the CrashDown later we can work out a schedule or whatever. I’m usually there, if not I’ll talk to you tomorrow in class. We should sit together though so I hope Michael doesn’t scare you,” Max said making it clear that he expected her to move. There was no way he was giving up a seat right behind Liz.
Sophia’s free hand fluttered up to clutch at her books as she heard Maria and Michael shouting at each other from inside the classroom. She gave Max a weak smile and nodded. “Okay. Umm I’ll….I’ll just umm talk with you….later.”
Max watched her bolt and sighed deeply. This sucked. Turning to the classroom he poked his head in. “The bell signals the end of the round guys. Let’s go!”
Liz sat down at the group’s regular table and popped the top on her Diet Coke. “Hey Alex.”
“Liz. I hear you and Kyle are expecting?” Alex asked laughter in his eyes.
“Yup,” Liz agreed grinning. “Who’d of thought?”
“Not Max I bet,” Alex answered smiling.
Liz hummed in response taking a sip of her drink. “He’s fine with it.”
Alex rolled his eyes. “Right. Why wouldn’t he be? Kyle’s a great guy and your ex so you’re already close. So working long hard hours with him planning out a family is no biggie.”
“Exactly,” Liz agreed quirking her eyebrow at him. “I saw that eye roll.”
“I’m just saying…” Alex shrugged.
“It’s not a family. It’s a project for school and Max has his own partner to worry about. It’s not a big deal. Everything’s fine,” Liz stressed her hands fisting under the table.
“What’s she like? This Sophia….do I know her?” Alex asked munching on a pickle.
“I’m sure you do. She’s umm shy, really quiet. Keeps to herself. I heard her father is really strict but I couldn’t say for sure, I don’t really know her that well,” Liz said thinking about the Hispanic girl and struggling to remember any information she had about her.
“Pretty?” Alex asked watching Liz carefully. He was no dummy. He knew what “fine” meant in girl-speak. She had already used that word twice so far.
“Yeah, she is,” Liz agreed looking down at her pop and moving to wrap one hand around the cold can. “She’s got waist length really dark hair…about my height, maybe an inch or two taller.”
“Who’s she built like?” Alex asked pressing the issue.
“Ummm probably most like Ava, I guess,” Liz admitted not looking up. “Maybe a little…..more…look it doesn’t matter. It’s a project not real life so it’s not a problem. It’s fine. Really.”
That’s three. “Okay,” Alex agreed mildly. “Speaking of Ava. That girl has hidden depths. The things she can do to a keyboard should be illegal,” Alex said moving along quickly. “In fact I think they are. She’s amazing.”
“Really?” Liz asked grabbing onto that like a life preserver. “That’s….great Alex. I’m glad you two are….finding common ground. She is really great.”
“Yeah, she’s coming over to see my new laptop. Give it a workout,” Alex said spotting Maria. “I have no idea where she picked up all the stuff she can do but color me impressed.”
Liz smiled at his rapturous tone and expression. Leave it to Alex to get so worked up about her computer skills.
“Okay, so Sophia Rodriguez,” Maria said plopping down next to Liz and opening her lunch. “Seventeen, has one sister and two brothers, all younger then she is. Mother’s dead, father works at the cheese factory, very strict Catholic family. She’s not allowed to date and has like two friends that I could find. She was born here at Roswell General, so human I would think, unless they have a great cover. She’s a solid B student, no after school activities, I didn’t hear of any rumors of secret slutty behavior so that’s cool,” Maria shrugged. “But you never can tell.”
Alex burst out laughing. “Jeez, Maria! How did you find all that out so fast?”
“I have connections,” Maria said seriously. “I looked at her school records and talked to some people okay? It’s what best friends do…..provide information.”
“This isn’t a big deal. It’s a project not an alien invasion you guys,” Liz pointed out but smiled at Maria. “Everything’s going to be….”
“Fine,” Maria interrupted. “I know.”
“Right,” Liz agreed then turned to look at the doors as Max walked in with Michael.
Sophia sat quietly eating her lunch her eyes drawn to the table where her new project partner and his friends were sitting. Chewing her bite of apple she admitted that she was seriously nervous about this project. She didn’t know Max Evans or any of his friends personally, but she wasn’t deaf. She had heard the rumors going around school about Max, Liz, and Kyle. Rumors that grew wilder every time she overheard something. How was she supposed to work with him for three weeks? Talking to attractive boys made her nervous at the best of times.
“Thinking about that project?”
Glancing over at her friend Lana she nodded. “Yeah. Three weeks can you believe that?”
“That’s rough. Partners with a hot guy for a whole three weeks,” Lana said with a smile then as she remembered one possible reason for Sophia’s nervousness her smile faded. “Does your dad know?”
“Are you kidding?” Sophia asked. “No, and I’m not going to tell him either. Can you imagine? Paired with a boy discussing babies? He’d hit the roof.”
Lana nodded seriously very familiar with Sophia’s strict smothering father. “I swear he’s living in different century. Doesn’t he ever watch TV?”
Sophia just shrugged not wanting to talk about her father. That wasn’t the problem she was concerned about at the moment.
Noticing her lack of attention Lana glanced back over at the table where the stated hot guy was sitting. “Do you buy those rumors?” Lana asked curious.
“No, not really,” Sophia answered slowly. “It’s too wild to be true.”
“Liz Parker did date Kyle and Max. They still seem….close,” Lana pointed out. “She was attacked twice and from what I hear they never caught the guy.”
“So? What does that have to with anything? I’m sure she wasn’t thrilled with that situation either. She was attacked by some nut case that’s not her fault,” Sophia said not seeing the connection. “You’re just jealous that she’s dated two of your top ten.”
“I am,” Lana nodded smiling. “That’s just not right. Who do you think she’s actually with now.”
Sophia smiled amused at her friends gossiping tendencies. “Max. Just look at them,” Sophia said nodding toward the couple. They didn’t even seem to notice the rest of the world.
“Are you worried Liz will give you a hard time?” Lana asked.
“Not really. It’s just…uncomfortable being paired with some one that clearly wants to be partnered with some else. I don’t really know him and…..” Sophia trailed off.
“And you’re a nervous wreck talking to the opposite sex,” Lana finished for her and watched her nod. “Gotcha. But I have to say……I’d trade places with you in second. Liz who?”
Sophia shook her head and changed the subject. She would just have to deal with this. It was only three weeks. Hide this whole thing from her father and finish the project. Who cared what they thought of her anyway?
Zan made it a point to show up at the CrashDown knowing the others would be there. Michael had told him about Isabel’s idea and he wanted to see what was what.
He let himself in the front door then re locked it behind him before taking a seat at the counter. It was close to the tables that the others had pushed together but wasn’t a part of that group. Exactly the image he wanted to portray.
“Yo,” Zan greeted casually ignoring Ava’s glare.
The others gave him a fast greeting then turned back to their conversations. He settled back and observed noting Michael’s absence.
“I’m so totally screwed,” Maria moaned. “I’m gonna fail.”
“Maria. You just have to find a way to make it work that’s all. It’s a project not the rest of your life,” Liz pointed out.
“Easy for you to say. You aren’t having a baby with Michael,” Maria replied scowling. “He’s the most impossible person ever.”
“Please. Kyle remember?” Liz returned raising her eyebrow. “Neither one is a safe bet for this project.”
“Hey! I resent that,” Kyle protested. “I’ve been nothing but helpful.”
“True, but have you ever handled a baby Kyle? Not a child….an infant. I just have this nightmare of you accidentally pulling its arms off or something. Dropping it on its head….something,” Liz said smiled over at an indignant Kyle.
“Just because I haven’t done it before doesn’t mean I can’t now. How hard can it be? Feed it, change it, pick it up when it cries,” Kyle shrugged. “I think I can handle it. I need this grade too ya know.”
“Okay, I’m sorry. Truly,” Liz said soothing Kyle’s hurt feelings. “I’m just being paranoid.”
“Okay,” Kyle grumbled. “I know I’m not Evans but I’m not a total loser either.”
“I don’t think that!” Liz protested. “I never thought you were a loser. I’m glad I have you as a partner. At least we know each other. It could be way worse. For you too Maria. You could have Todd Hicks.”
Maria’s face scrunched up as she pictured him. “You’re right. If I had him I’d just commit ritual suicide.”
“There. Just keep that in mind when dealing with Michael,” Liz suggested as Max moved to take the seat beside her. She left Maria and Kyle to themselves focusing on Max. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m good,” Max answered taking her hand and resting it on his thigh. “Just tired I guess.”
Liz leaned over and kissed him softly. “Too tired to meet me on my balcony after this?”
“Did I say tired? I meant relaxed,” Max said lips curving into happy smile. He was never too tired to be alone with her.
Liz nodded seriously. “I can see how you made that mistake,” She teased her eyes sparkling. “So you can spare me some time?”
“As much time as you need,” Max agreed rubbing her knuckles with his thumb.
“Good,” Liz glanced at her watch. “One more hour then let’s hit the balcony.”
“Deal,” Max agreed as Michael came out from the back carrying the nachos he had cooked.
As they ate they relaxed as a group, talking and laughing. Zan and Michael discussed bikes at length arguing the merits of their favorites. Isabel listened to a description of the baby project laughing with them as they discussed worst case scenarios. It was comfortable and put them all at ease reminding them that they were friends and that they could drop their differences enough to have some fun. The teasing ensued however when Max announced that he and Liz were taking off.
“Like you don’t see her enough,” Maria stated slanting Max a look.
“We haven’t gone out in days,” Liz protested. “This project is bound to cut back on dating too.”
“Riiiight,” Kyle drawled with disbelief.
“Yeah, I don’t see that happening,” Alex agreed.
“You guys are all over each other. It’s pretty bad,” Isabel pointed out joining the teasing. “PDA has a whole new meaning with you two.”
“What?” Max protested.
“The dressing room at the mall ring any bells?” Isabel asked. “I heard about that by third hour.”
“That was totally not our fault,” Liz protested strongly.
“Uh huh,” Maria said skepticism lacing her voice.
Zan smirked following the debate with interest. Even Michael gave them his full attention.
“It wasn’t,” Liz stated firmly. “You’re just trying to act like something happened that just didn’t. Really. You’re mistaking me for someone else. I’m not some sex fiend,” Liz reminded them then took a drink of her soda.
“You are too,” Kyle said smirking.
Liz’s soda sprayed out of her mouth as she started choking. Max’s eyes rounded as he started pounding her on the back. “WHAT?” Liz yelped between gasps for air. “That’s not true!”
“Sure it is,” Kyle disputed grinning wide. “No need to pretend. We all like you just the way you are.”
“Kyle!” Liz warned her eyes narrowing. “You’re clearly delusional because I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Okay,” Kyle agreed mildly his eyes dancing. “I won’t remind you that in a crowded café you were the next best thing to topless.”
“I was not!” Liz denied fiercely. “Beige tank top Kyle! Hello? You can’t re write history!”
“You say tomato…I say tomauto,” Kyle shrugged leaning back in his chair and lacing his hands behind his head grinning like the devil. “It’s all the same thing really.”
“It is NOT!” Liz said slapping her hand down on the table. “You’re brain damaged. I can’t believe this. I’m going to kill you!”
“Now now. You can’t kill your babies daddy,” Kyle admonished her his unholy grin firmly in place. So focused on his teasing that he didn’t notice the others total silence and wide eyes.
“WHAT!?!” Roared Jeff Parker from directly behind him.
Kyle jumped and his chair slid out from under him, his breath whooshing out as his back hit the floor. “Hi Mr. Parker. How are you on this very fine evening?” Kyle wheezed staring up into Jeff Parker’s murderous glare.
The bell rang and Liz grabbed her stuff and headed toward the door giving Max a chance to catch Sophia before she took off.
“What do you need from me?” Kyle asked her holding the door for her to pass through.
“Hmm?” Liz asked focusing on him.
“For your chart thing or whatever you’re going to make up tonight. What do you need from me?” Kyle asked smiling. He knew Liz was going to rush right to her computer and crank out something.
“I need your schedule. What classes you have, when practice is, any time you can’t watch a baby, that kind of thing,” Liz said then snapped her fingers. “A name. We have to name this….baby too. You can pick. Whatever you want is fine. Just have one boy name and one girl name just in case.”
“Okay, I’ll write down my schedule and give it to at lunch,” Kyle agreed glancing over at Max who was having to bend closer to Sophia to hear what she was saying. He paused thinking how strange all this was then shook it off.
“Great. Just….you know, keep in mind that it’s a baby not a football. I really need this grade so no playing catch with the baby or anything,” Liz warned smiling slightly. She was trying to pull up her slipping grade point in time to meet the next alien crisis.
“No prob,” Kyle said grinning at the worry he could see on her face. “This is our child Liz. I’m on it.”
Somehow Liz didn’t feel reassured.
“Liz!” Max called trying to hurry Sophia up before Liz disappeared. “Sorry, I just need to….” Max said to Sophia but trailed off as Liz turned smiling at him.
Liz waited for Max to catch up, studying Sophia as they approached. Sophia looked rattled and nervous, clutching her notebook to her chest eyes on the floor. “Hello Sophia,” Liz greeted her keeping her tone light and non-threatening.
“Hi,” Sophia answered her eyes flickering up to Liz’s then over to Kyle then back to the floor.
“What’s up Max?” Liz asked letting Kyle block the flow of traffic so she wasn’t trampled.
“Just needed to remind you about lunch and introduce Sophia,” Max said his eyes on Kyle. He was not jealous. It was a school project and they were friends. He KNEW that.
“I remember,” Liz agreed then turned her focus to Sophia. “I’ve met Sophia before. It was…track last year right? And I think we had Algebra together too.”
“Yes,” Sophia nodded surprised Liz remembered. She smiled at Liz feeling her nerves abate slightly.
“I thought so. I was lucky to escape track intact,” Liz replied with a grin.
“You should be used to getting chased Liz,” Kyle teased lightly, eyes on the new arrival.
Max stiffened slightly glaring at Kyle.
Liz rolled her eyes and elbowed Kyle quickly. “That wasn’t the problem.”
Sophia smiled and nodded. “Pam.”
“That was the problem,” Liz agreed laughing.
“We gotta go Liz. See ya Max,” Kyle said and wrapped his arm around Liz’s waist lifting her from the floor and walking off with her.
“Kyle!” Liz yelped feeling like a sack of cement hanging from his arm. “Put me down!”
“No time for love. We’re going to be late,” Kyle said ignoring her struggles. “We all have our partners so leave Max to his.”
“See you at lunch,” Liz called to Max just before Kyle turned the corner.
Sophia glanced up in shock at Max, noting his scowl. She was surprised when he just sighed and rolled his shoulders before smiling.
“It’s Kyle,” Max explained looking down at Sophia. “You just have to get used to him. I’m still trying.”
“Oh,” Sophia said and nodded. Suddenly nervous again she didn’t know what to say.
“So here’s my cell number just in case and if you want just stop by the CrashDown later we can work out a schedule or whatever. I’m usually there, if not I’ll talk to you tomorrow in class. We should sit together though so I hope Michael doesn’t scare you,” Max said making it clear that he expected her to move. There was no way he was giving up a seat right behind Liz.
Sophia’s free hand fluttered up to clutch at her books as she heard Maria and Michael shouting at each other from inside the classroom. She gave Max a weak smile and nodded. “Okay. Umm I’ll….I’ll just umm talk with you….later.”
Max watched her bolt and sighed deeply. This sucked. Turning to the classroom he poked his head in. “The bell signals the end of the round guys. Let’s go!”
Liz sat down at the group’s regular table and popped the top on her Diet Coke. “Hey Alex.”
“Liz. I hear you and Kyle are expecting?” Alex asked laughter in his eyes.
“Yup,” Liz agreed grinning. “Who’d of thought?”
“Not Max I bet,” Alex answered smiling.
Liz hummed in response taking a sip of her drink. “He’s fine with it.”
Alex rolled his eyes. “Right. Why wouldn’t he be? Kyle’s a great guy and your ex so you’re already close. So working long hard hours with him planning out a family is no biggie.”
“Exactly,” Liz agreed quirking her eyebrow at him. “I saw that eye roll.”
“I’m just saying…” Alex shrugged.
“It’s not a family. It’s a project for school and Max has his own partner to worry about. It’s not a big deal. Everything’s fine,” Liz stressed her hands fisting under the table.
“What’s she like? This Sophia….do I know her?” Alex asked munching on a pickle.
“I’m sure you do. She’s umm shy, really quiet. Keeps to herself. I heard her father is really strict but I couldn’t say for sure, I don’t really know her that well,” Liz said thinking about the Hispanic girl and struggling to remember any information she had about her.
“Pretty?” Alex asked watching Liz carefully. He was no dummy. He knew what “fine” meant in girl-speak. She had already used that word twice so far.
“Yeah, she is,” Liz agreed looking down at her pop and moving to wrap one hand around the cold can. “She’s got waist length really dark hair…about my height, maybe an inch or two taller.”
“Who’s she built like?” Alex asked pressing the issue.
“Ummm probably most like Ava, I guess,” Liz admitted not looking up. “Maybe a little…..more…look it doesn’t matter. It’s a project not real life so it’s not a problem. It’s fine. Really.”
That’s three. “Okay,” Alex agreed mildly. “Speaking of Ava. That girl has hidden depths. The things she can do to a keyboard should be illegal,” Alex said moving along quickly. “In fact I think they are. She’s amazing.”
“Really?” Liz asked grabbing onto that like a life preserver. “That’s….great Alex. I’m glad you two are….finding common ground. She is really great.”
“Yeah, she’s coming over to see my new laptop. Give it a workout,” Alex said spotting Maria. “I have no idea where she picked up all the stuff she can do but color me impressed.”
Liz smiled at his rapturous tone and expression. Leave it to Alex to get so worked up about her computer skills.
“Okay, so Sophia Rodriguez,” Maria said plopping down next to Liz and opening her lunch. “Seventeen, has one sister and two brothers, all younger then she is. Mother’s dead, father works at the cheese factory, very strict Catholic family. She’s not allowed to date and has like two friends that I could find. She was born here at Roswell General, so human I would think, unless they have a great cover. She’s a solid B student, no after school activities, I didn’t hear of any rumors of secret slutty behavior so that’s cool,” Maria shrugged. “But you never can tell.”
Alex burst out laughing. “Jeez, Maria! How did you find all that out so fast?”
“I have connections,” Maria said seriously. “I looked at her school records and talked to some people okay? It’s what best friends do…..provide information.”
“This isn’t a big deal. It’s a project not an alien invasion you guys,” Liz pointed out but smiled at Maria. “Everything’s going to be….”
“Fine,” Maria interrupted. “I know.”
“Right,” Liz agreed then turned to look at the doors as Max walked in with Michael.
Sophia sat quietly eating her lunch her eyes drawn to the table where her new project partner and his friends were sitting. Chewing her bite of apple she admitted that she was seriously nervous about this project. She didn’t know Max Evans or any of his friends personally, but she wasn’t deaf. She had heard the rumors going around school about Max, Liz, and Kyle. Rumors that grew wilder every time she overheard something. How was she supposed to work with him for three weeks? Talking to attractive boys made her nervous at the best of times.
“Thinking about that project?”
Glancing over at her friend Lana she nodded. “Yeah. Three weeks can you believe that?”
“That’s rough. Partners with a hot guy for a whole three weeks,” Lana said with a smile then as she remembered one possible reason for Sophia’s nervousness her smile faded. “Does your dad know?”
“Are you kidding?” Sophia asked. “No, and I’m not going to tell him either. Can you imagine? Paired with a boy discussing babies? He’d hit the roof.”
Lana nodded seriously very familiar with Sophia’s strict smothering father. “I swear he’s living in different century. Doesn’t he ever watch TV?”
Sophia just shrugged not wanting to talk about her father. That wasn’t the problem she was concerned about at the moment.
Noticing her lack of attention Lana glanced back over at the table where the stated hot guy was sitting. “Do you buy those rumors?” Lana asked curious.
“No, not really,” Sophia answered slowly. “It’s too wild to be true.”
“Liz Parker did date Kyle and Max. They still seem….close,” Lana pointed out. “She was attacked twice and from what I hear they never caught the guy.”
“So? What does that have to with anything? I’m sure she wasn’t thrilled with that situation either. She was attacked by some nut case that’s not her fault,” Sophia said not seeing the connection. “You’re just jealous that she’s dated two of your top ten.”
“I am,” Lana nodded smiling. “That’s just not right. Who do you think she’s actually with now.”
Sophia smiled amused at her friends gossiping tendencies. “Max. Just look at them,” Sophia said nodding toward the couple. They didn’t even seem to notice the rest of the world.
“Are you worried Liz will give you a hard time?” Lana asked.
“Not really. It’s just…uncomfortable being paired with some one that clearly wants to be partnered with some else. I don’t really know him and…..” Sophia trailed off.
“And you’re a nervous wreck talking to the opposite sex,” Lana finished for her and watched her nod. “Gotcha. But I have to say……I’d trade places with you in second. Liz who?”
Sophia shook her head and changed the subject. She would just have to deal with this. It was only three weeks. Hide this whole thing from her father and finish the project. Who cared what they thought of her anyway?
Zan made it a point to show up at the CrashDown knowing the others would be there. Michael had told him about Isabel’s idea and he wanted to see what was what.
He let himself in the front door then re locked it behind him before taking a seat at the counter. It was close to the tables that the others had pushed together but wasn’t a part of that group. Exactly the image he wanted to portray.
“Yo,” Zan greeted casually ignoring Ava’s glare.
The others gave him a fast greeting then turned back to their conversations. He settled back and observed noting Michael’s absence.
“I’m so totally screwed,” Maria moaned. “I’m gonna fail.”
“Maria. You just have to find a way to make it work that’s all. It’s a project not the rest of your life,” Liz pointed out.
“Easy for you to say. You aren’t having a baby with Michael,” Maria replied scowling. “He’s the most impossible person ever.”
“Please. Kyle remember?” Liz returned raising her eyebrow. “Neither one is a safe bet for this project.”
“Hey! I resent that,” Kyle protested. “I’ve been nothing but helpful.”
“True, but have you ever handled a baby Kyle? Not a child….an infant. I just have this nightmare of you accidentally pulling its arms off or something. Dropping it on its head….something,” Liz said smiled over at an indignant Kyle.
“Just because I haven’t done it before doesn’t mean I can’t now. How hard can it be? Feed it, change it, pick it up when it cries,” Kyle shrugged. “I think I can handle it. I need this grade too ya know.”
“Okay, I’m sorry. Truly,” Liz said soothing Kyle’s hurt feelings. “I’m just being paranoid.”
“Okay,” Kyle grumbled. “I know I’m not Evans but I’m not a total loser either.”
“I don’t think that!” Liz protested. “I never thought you were a loser. I’m glad I have you as a partner. At least we know each other. It could be way worse. For you too Maria. You could have Todd Hicks.”
Maria’s face scrunched up as she pictured him. “You’re right. If I had him I’d just commit ritual suicide.”
“There. Just keep that in mind when dealing with Michael,” Liz suggested as Max moved to take the seat beside her. She left Maria and Kyle to themselves focusing on Max. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m good,” Max answered taking her hand and resting it on his thigh. “Just tired I guess.”
Liz leaned over and kissed him softly. “Too tired to meet me on my balcony after this?”
“Did I say tired? I meant relaxed,” Max said lips curving into happy smile. He was never too tired to be alone with her.
Liz nodded seriously. “I can see how you made that mistake,” She teased her eyes sparkling. “So you can spare me some time?”
“As much time as you need,” Max agreed rubbing her knuckles with his thumb.
“Good,” Liz glanced at her watch. “One more hour then let’s hit the balcony.”
“Deal,” Max agreed as Michael came out from the back carrying the nachos he had cooked.
As they ate they relaxed as a group, talking and laughing. Zan and Michael discussed bikes at length arguing the merits of their favorites. Isabel listened to a description of the baby project laughing with them as they discussed worst case scenarios. It was comfortable and put them all at ease reminding them that they were friends and that they could drop their differences enough to have some fun. The teasing ensued however when Max announced that he and Liz were taking off.
“Like you don’t see her enough,” Maria stated slanting Max a look.
“We haven’t gone out in days,” Liz protested. “This project is bound to cut back on dating too.”
“Riiiight,” Kyle drawled with disbelief.
“Yeah, I don’t see that happening,” Alex agreed.
“You guys are all over each other. It’s pretty bad,” Isabel pointed out joining the teasing. “PDA has a whole new meaning with you two.”
“What?” Max protested.
“The dressing room at the mall ring any bells?” Isabel asked. “I heard about that by third hour.”
“That was totally not our fault,” Liz protested strongly.
“Uh huh,” Maria said skepticism lacing her voice.
Zan smirked following the debate with interest. Even Michael gave them his full attention.
“It wasn’t,” Liz stated firmly. “You’re just trying to act like something happened that just didn’t. Really. You’re mistaking me for someone else. I’m not some sex fiend,” Liz reminded them then took a drink of her soda.
“You are too,” Kyle said smirking.
Liz’s soda sprayed out of her mouth as she started choking. Max’s eyes rounded as he started pounding her on the back. “WHAT?” Liz yelped between gasps for air. “That’s not true!”
“Sure it is,” Kyle disputed grinning wide. “No need to pretend. We all like you just the way you are.”
“Kyle!” Liz warned her eyes narrowing. “You’re clearly delusional because I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Okay,” Kyle agreed mildly his eyes dancing. “I won’t remind you that in a crowded café you were the next best thing to topless.”
“I was not!” Liz denied fiercely. “Beige tank top Kyle! Hello? You can’t re write history!”
“You say tomato…I say tomauto,” Kyle shrugged leaning back in his chair and lacing his hands behind his head grinning like the devil. “It’s all the same thing really.”
“It is NOT!” Liz said slapping her hand down on the table. “You’re brain damaged. I can’t believe this. I’m going to kill you!”
“Now now. You can’t kill your babies daddy,” Kyle admonished her his unholy grin firmly in place. So focused on his teasing that he didn’t notice the others total silence and wide eyes.
“WHAT!?!” Roared Jeff Parker from directly behind him.
Kyle jumped and his chair slid out from under him, his breath whooshing out as his back hit the floor. “Hi Mr. Parker. How are you on this very fine evening?” Kyle wheezed staring up into Jeff Parker’s murderous glare.
Chapter Sixty Seven
Scowling fiercely, Liz printed off the stinking baby schedule, cursing Kyle and his big mouth. Since her dad was freaking out Max had gone home so she could smooth over Kyle’s remarks. Kyle had split, like the coward he was, and left her to explain it all.
When her phone rang she answered it before the first ring died. “Hello.”
“Liz? How’d it go with your dad?” Max asked softly hearing the irritation in her voice.
“Fine. I mean….I took care of it,” Liz grumbled feeling out of sorts. “I just explained about the project and everything but then I had to sit through an hour of lectures about responsibility and waiting to have sex. Because of course he heard Kyle’s deranged ramblings prior to the baby comment.”
“Oh,” Max said wincing. “How much did he hear?”
“I don’t know, he wouldn’t tell me. Enough I would say,” Liz answered shutting down her computer. “Do you even know how horrible it was listening to my DAD….not my mom, but my dad talk to me about sex? GOD! It was terrible. He totally wouldn’t listen to me either. I tried to remind him that Kyle’s insane and I haven’t dated him in almost two years now…but no! He didn’t hear a word of that. His eyes were like…..all glazed over. It was awful.”
“So what did you do?” Max asked feeling bad for her. He shuddered at the thought of talking to his mom about that subject. Or his dad.
“I told him he was a little too late with that advice and he should go and talk you. He should be pulling up in your driveway in couple of minutes,” Liz said seriously.
“WHAT?” Max yelped.
“Kidding. I just sat there. What was I supposed to do?” Liz asked smiling. He was too easy. “But I’m holding a grudge about this. Kyle’s toast.”
“Hmm,” Max mumbled trying to calm his racing heart. The look of red faced fury on Mr. Parker’s face had scared the crap out of him and he wasn’t even on the receiving end of that look. He experienced difficulty swallowing just thinking about it. “So what was Kyle talking about?”
“Huh?” Liz asked delaying her answer.
“You know….the topless thing,” Max asked curious.
“Oh. Umm he was just….basically lying his ass off. I have no clue what he was doing,” Liz replied in a breezy tone. She waited for his response chewing on the inside of her cheek.
“Uh huh,” Max said then paused. “He got it from somewhere.”
“It wasn’t like he said. It wasn’t anything really,” Liz protested then sighed. “Okay. Fine. But don’t get all….weird okay?”
“Okay,” Max agreed smiling at her evasions.
“It was over the summer and we used to go to the pool at the Y then he’d walk me back to the café and we’d have something to eat and talk. Well….umm I changed at the pool into a beige tank top and cut offs and then we went to the café. So we’re sitting in one of the booths talking and Maria was walking by with a pitcher of water and this little kid ran by and bumped into her and she sort of….dumped the water on me by accident. That’s sort of it,” Liz said heavily editing that story…..at least dropping off the end of it.
“Sort of it?” Max asked.
“Yeah,” Liz agreed her lips twitching slightly.
“Uh huh,” Max replied nodding. “So what’s the sort of rest of it?”
“Max. Can’t we just….let this go? It’s history. The distant past that I don’t even really remember any more,” Liz wheedled. “That was like seven girls ago for Kyle and two of you ago for me soooo.”
Max smiled stretching out on his bed and tucking one hand behind his head. “Apparently it was enough for Kyle to remember it seven girls later.”
Liz groaned cursing Kyle to hell. “He’s just….he’s Kyle! I mean…he probably could tell you the date of every….umm nevermind. Bad example,” Liz stopped cutting herself off. “Didn’t he tell you all about it when you were drunk? I’m sure he did.”
“Not that I recall,” Max denied.
“See? It wasn’t even memorable,” Liz declared with relish.
“Liz. I don’t remember anything about that night. Not even kissing you and I know that must have been memorable,” Max pointed out.
“You know nothing happened. Nothing important anyway, so why do you care about this so much?” Liz asked twirling a lock of her hair around her finger.
“Why does Maria say that you said Kyle was loyal and appreciated you?” Max asked avoiding her question.
“What?” Liz asked surprised. “You’re upset about that?”
“No. Not upset, curious,” Max replied.
“Okay, well Kyle is loyal. He could have bailed on me when Lori Hendrics threw herself at him at Tommy’s party but he didn’t. He could have bailed on all of us after he found out what the deal was but he didn’t,” Liz pointed out trying to explain her reasoning. She still didn’t get why this was an issue. “He did appreciate me in that he treated me really well considering. He really tried to make things work out….build it into a relationship. He didn’t lie to me or cheat or anything like that. However, I never said he was the one for me. You know that, so I don’t understand why you’d be upset about it. He has plenty of positive traits because he’s a good person. So is Alex.”
“What do you mean considering?” Max asked softly.
“Considering the fact that I wasn’t in his….social circle. Come on Max! I’m like….a science geek and he’s captain of the football team. I’m not built like a Playboy bunny or anything. I’m just saying he could have chosen someone else. He’s a good person. He was always really considerate and just….nice. That’s all. Look at some of the other jocks and tell me they’d be the same. I don’t think so,” Liz explained. “I’m the one that didn’t treat him with the same regard.”
“Why do you say stuff like that? Like you have anything to be ashamed of. So you don’t have implants and collagen injected god knows where. So what? And you’re not a geek. I resent that,” Max quibbled.
Liz rolled her eyes at his remarks. “I’m not saying that I’m hideous or anything. I’m just not…his usual body type that’s all. Which is perfectly fine with me. I’m just saying that Kyle is more then he appears. He’s not into stereo types and labels so much that he can’t see the person underneath. He’s an actual honestly good person. Now that we have that cleared up I’ll point out that it only matters to me that I’m your type. So to hell with the rest of it.”
Max grinned at her querulous grumble. “Okay.”
“Okay,” Liz agreed breathing a sigh of relief. She didn’t want to discuss Kyle anymore. “Now talk to me about something else.”
“Okay. How about the eraser room?” Max asked his tone light and teasing.
“Now that’s an interesting topic. Let’s go with that,” Liz agreed smiling.
The next day Liz walked to second hour with Maria having been cornered directly after first hour.
“So you never told him?” Maria asked.
“Nope. There’s nothing to tell,” Liz said firmly. “I swear Maria, it was no big deal. You know that.”
“Right,” Maria agreed a little less certainly.
Frustrated Liz scowled. “It wasn’t. If you recall I didn’t even think we were still dating when school started. So it couldn’t have been that important. You got way more action then I did back then.”
“What? I did not!” Maria denied hotly.
“Oh yes. Yes, you did,” Liz said sticking to her guns. “You try and act like that’s not true but it is. I don’t understand why it’s different for me. I mean, you were all rolling around on the floor of the café with Michael for god’s sake, but yet you freaked when you walked in on me with Max and we were in a private place not a public building.”
“Okay, you win that point,” Maria agreed.
“I know,” Liz said grinning.
Maria rolled her eyes and smiled. “It’s just that it’s you. You’re so….you’re Liz.”
“That makes perfect sense Maria,” Liz remarked blandly.
“It does. Ask Kyle, he’ll tell you. Why do you think he DID think you were an item when school started? If it were someone else he wouldn’t have,” Maria argued.
“Whatever. You totally don’t know what you’re even talking about,” Liz dismissed. “That doesn’t even make sense. I’m not a holy relic. I’m a person.”
“Point taken but that doesn’t change the perception,” Maria stated as they reached the door to hell. She stopped unwilling to enter and face her fate.
“What perception? He called me a sex fiend,” Liz countered stopping next to her.
“That was just Kyle,” Maria waved that off. “He exaggerates.”
“For which I have to thank him. My dad really appreciated that exaggeration let me tell you. An all girls boarding school was mentioned more then once last night,” Liz replied frowning. “Plus, he wreaked my night.”
“Max sure did get wings on his feet didn’t he?” Maria asked a smile playing across her face.
Liz groaned. “You just have no idea. Now come on. We have to start this…..twisted insane hell that will cover the next three weeks of our lives.”
Maria’s eyebrow arched in surprised amusement. “What happened to it’s not that bad. It’s a project not the rest of our lives?”
“Let’s just say this is rapidly loosing it’s appeal for me,” Liz replied as she walked into class.
Maria laughed and followed her.
“Okay, these are the babies. I’ll hand them all out and you can have some time to practice with them for those of you that haven’t had exposure to infants before this,” Mrs. Dubrowski started as she made her way around the room handing off babies as she went.
Michael eyed the thing placed in his hands like it was a venomous snake. He knew he had to kick ass on this thing or Maria would go ballistic. He just had no idea what to do now.
“Congratulations. It’s a boy,” Mrs. Dubrowski stated amused by the look on Michael’s face. Moving on she delivered one to Sophia then handed one to Kyle.
Kyle looked it over carefully then turned in his seat to face Liz. “Liz? Why does our baby have Evans ears? I think you have some explaining to do,” Kyle said with an innocent expression and light tone. Holding it even as Michael snickered and dropped his baby. He was trying to lighten the mood to cover for his blunder the night before.
“Michael! You’ve had it less then two minutes and you already caused brain damage! Give it to me,” Maria demanded.
“Kyle. One more word and you’re a dead man,” Liz warned her eyes searing into his. “I’m still trying to get over last night so don’t push your luck. Understand?”
“Gotcha,” Kyle agreed quickly. “I’m sorry about that. Really.”
“Let’s just not talk about it okay? I’ll just relive it in my nightmares. That’s enough,” Liz stated then focused on the project by handing him a copy of the schedule for the care of one mechanical baby.
Sophia’s eyes flickered between Maria still fussing at Michael and Liz’s stiff posture and words to Kyle. She took a deep breath and tried to take the first step in making this work. “We should probably talk about….who’s doing what huh?”
“Yeah. I guess,” Max agreed scratching his ear in discomfort. It was hard to concentrate on the project or Sophia when he could feel Liz’s pique as a steady hum deep inside him. As Sophia talked, his focus wavered, drawn to the discord he knew Liz was feeling. Her back was tense and ramrod straight as she exerted all her control to keep her emotions in check. Nodding to keep the pretext that he was listening to what Sophia was saying, he struggled to remain in his seat. He wanted to whisk Liz out of there and away from all the tension. Soothe away the wrinkle between her brows that he just knew was there.
Sophia looked at the detailed schedule Max had written laying out his schedule and commitments matching it to hers. “I can watch the baby every night but Wednesday and Thursday’s. Weekends…I don’t know. We’ll have to trade off or something. I’ll take Saturday if you can take Sunday’s. I have Mass so I can’t do it then. Is that okay?”
“Yeah,” Max agreed nodding. He took a deep breath and deliberately searched out Liz, following her signature trail sending a feeling of gentle warmth and love. The same feeling he got when she hugged him.
Liz closed her eyes as she absorbed his gift and slowly relaxed. She was okay if he was okay. What she wouldn’t tolerate was Kyle constantly upsetting Max and causing problems. Last night was the last time she wanted to get a hint of insecurity from Max on that issue. This project was disruptive enough without adding to it. As long as he was fine she wasn’t upset.
Max smiled as Liz turned slightly, glancing over her shoulder at him and sending him a look that had him grinning broadly. The slow smile she shared with him had him wishing they were anywhere but in class.
Sophia looked up in time to catch that shared communication and found herself staring. She’d never seen anything quite that blatant but unique. It was more then other couples she was used to seeing in the halls.
Maria saw Sophia’s startled look and kicked Liz’s chair sending her a warning look when Liz finally landed back on Earth with the rest of them. In three weeks Sophia was dangerously likely to realize there was something odd going on here.
Scowling fiercely, Liz printed off the stinking baby schedule, cursing Kyle and his big mouth. Since her dad was freaking out Max had gone home so she could smooth over Kyle’s remarks. Kyle had split, like the coward he was, and left her to explain it all.
When her phone rang she answered it before the first ring died. “Hello.”
“Liz? How’d it go with your dad?” Max asked softly hearing the irritation in her voice.
“Fine. I mean….I took care of it,” Liz grumbled feeling out of sorts. “I just explained about the project and everything but then I had to sit through an hour of lectures about responsibility and waiting to have sex. Because of course he heard Kyle’s deranged ramblings prior to the baby comment.”
“Oh,” Max said wincing. “How much did he hear?”
“I don’t know, he wouldn’t tell me. Enough I would say,” Liz answered shutting down her computer. “Do you even know how horrible it was listening to my DAD….not my mom, but my dad talk to me about sex? GOD! It was terrible. He totally wouldn’t listen to me either. I tried to remind him that Kyle’s insane and I haven’t dated him in almost two years now…but no! He didn’t hear a word of that. His eyes were like…..all glazed over. It was awful.”
“So what did you do?” Max asked feeling bad for her. He shuddered at the thought of talking to his mom about that subject. Or his dad.
“I told him he was a little too late with that advice and he should go and talk you. He should be pulling up in your driveway in couple of minutes,” Liz said seriously.
“WHAT?” Max yelped.
“Kidding. I just sat there. What was I supposed to do?” Liz asked smiling. He was too easy. “But I’m holding a grudge about this. Kyle’s toast.”
“Hmm,” Max mumbled trying to calm his racing heart. The look of red faced fury on Mr. Parker’s face had scared the crap out of him and he wasn’t even on the receiving end of that look. He experienced difficulty swallowing just thinking about it. “So what was Kyle talking about?”
“Huh?” Liz asked delaying her answer.
“You know….the topless thing,” Max asked curious.
“Oh. Umm he was just….basically lying his ass off. I have no clue what he was doing,” Liz replied in a breezy tone. She waited for his response chewing on the inside of her cheek.
“Uh huh,” Max said then paused. “He got it from somewhere.”
“It wasn’t like he said. It wasn’t anything really,” Liz protested then sighed. “Okay. Fine. But don’t get all….weird okay?”
“Okay,” Max agreed smiling at her evasions.
“It was over the summer and we used to go to the pool at the Y then he’d walk me back to the café and we’d have something to eat and talk. Well….umm I changed at the pool into a beige tank top and cut offs and then we went to the café. So we’re sitting in one of the booths talking and Maria was walking by with a pitcher of water and this little kid ran by and bumped into her and she sort of….dumped the water on me by accident. That’s sort of it,” Liz said heavily editing that story…..at least dropping off the end of it.
“Sort of it?” Max asked.
“Yeah,” Liz agreed her lips twitching slightly.
“Uh huh,” Max replied nodding. “So what’s the sort of rest of it?”
“Max. Can’t we just….let this go? It’s history. The distant past that I don’t even really remember any more,” Liz wheedled. “That was like seven girls ago for Kyle and two of you ago for me soooo.”
Max smiled stretching out on his bed and tucking one hand behind his head. “Apparently it was enough for Kyle to remember it seven girls later.”
Liz groaned cursing Kyle to hell. “He’s just….he’s Kyle! I mean…he probably could tell you the date of every….umm nevermind. Bad example,” Liz stopped cutting herself off. “Didn’t he tell you all about it when you were drunk? I’m sure he did.”
“Not that I recall,” Max denied.
“See? It wasn’t even memorable,” Liz declared with relish.
“Liz. I don’t remember anything about that night. Not even kissing you and I know that must have been memorable,” Max pointed out.
“You know nothing happened. Nothing important anyway, so why do you care about this so much?” Liz asked twirling a lock of her hair around her finger.
“Why does Maria say that you said Kyle was loyal and appreciated you?” Max asked avoiding her question.
“What?” Liz asked surprised. “You’re upset about that?”
“No. Not upset, curious,” Max replied.
“Okay, well Kyle is loyal. He could have bailed on me when Lori Hendrics threw herself at him at Tommy’s party but he didn’t. He could have bailed on all of us after he found out what the deal was but he didn’t,” Liz pointed out trying to explain her reasoning. She still didn’t get why this was an issue. “He did appreciate me in that he treated me really well considering. He really tried to make things work out….build it into a relationship. He didn’t lie to me or cheat or anything like that. However, I never said he was the one for me. You know that, so I don’t understand why you’d be upset about it. He has plenty of positive traits because he’s a good person. So is Alex.”
“What do you mean considering?” Max asked softly.
“Considering the fact that I wasn’t in his….social circle. Come on Max! I’m like….a science geek and he’s captain of the football team. I’m not built like a Playboy bunny or anything. I’m just saying he could have chosen someone else. He’s a good person. He was always really considerate and just….nice. That’s all. Look at some of the other jocks and tell me they’d be the same. I don’t think so,” Liz explained. “I’m the one that didn’t treat him with the same regard.”
“Why do you say stuff like that? Like you have anything to be ashamed of. So you don’t have implants and collagen injected god knows where. So what? And you’re not a geek. I resent that,” Max quibbled.
Liz rolled her eyes at his remarks. “I’m not saying that I’m hideous or anything. I’m just not…his usual body type that’s all. Which is perfectly fine with me. I’m just saying that Kyle is more then he appears. He’s not into stereo types and labels so much that he can’t see the person underneath. He’s an actual honestly good person. Now that we have that cleared up I’ll point out that it only matters to me that I’m your type. So to hell with the rest of it.”
Max grinned at her querulous grumble. “Okay.”
“Okay,” Liz agreed breathing a sigh of relief. She didn’t want to discuss Kyle anymore. “Now talk to me about something else.”
“Okay. How about the eraser room?” Max asked his tone light and teasing.
“Now that’s an interesting topic. Let’s go with that,” Liz agreed smiling.
The next day Liz walked to second hour with Maria having been cornered directly after first hour.
“So you never told him?” Maria asked.
“Nope. There’s nothing to tell,” Liz said firmly. “I swear Maria, it was no big deal. You know that.”
“Right,” Maria agreed a little less certainly.
Frustrated Liz scowled. “It wasn’t. If you recall I didn’t even think we were still dating when school started. So it couldn’t have been that important. You got way more action then I did back then.”
“What? I did not!” Maria denied hotly.
“Oh yes. Yes, you did,” Liz said sticking to her guns. “You try and act like that’s not true but it is. I don’t understand why it’s different for me. I mean, you were all rolling around on the floor of the café with Michael for god’s sake, but yet you freaked when you walked in on me with Max and we were in a private place not a public building.”
“Okay, you win that point,” Maria agreed.
“I know,” Liz said grinning.
Maria rolled her eyes and smiled. “It’s just that it’s you. You’re so….you’re Liz.”
“That makes perfect sense Maria,” Liz remarked blandly.
“It does. Ask Kyle, he’ll tell you. Why do you think he DID think you were an item when school started? If it were someone else he wouldn’t have,” Maria argued.
“Whatever. You totally don’t know what you’re even talking about,” Liz dismissed. “That doesn’t even make sense. I’m not a holy relic. I’m a person.”
“Point taken but that doesn’t change the perception,” Maria stated as they reached the door to hell. She stopped unwilling to enter and face her fate.
“What perception? He called me a sex fiend,” Liz countered stopping next to her.
“That was just Kyle,” Maria waved that off. “He exaggerates.”
“For which I have to thank him. My dad really appreciated that exaggeration let me tell you. An all girls boarding school was mentioned more then once last night,” Liz replied frowning. “Plus, he wreaked my night.”
“Max sure did get wings on his feet didn’t he?” Maria asked a smile playing across her face.
Liz groaned. “You just have no idea. Now come on. We have to start this…..twisted insane hell that will cover the next three weeks of our lives.”
Maria’s eyebrow arched in surprised amusement. “What happened to it’s not that bad. It’s a project not the rest of our lives?”
“Let’s just say this is rapidly loosing it’s appeal for me,” Liz replied as she walked into class.
Maria laughed and followed her.
“Okay, these are the babies. I’ll hand them all out and you can have some time to practice with them for those of you that haven’t had exposure to infants before this,” Mrs. Dubrowski started as she made her way around the room handing off babies as she went.
Michael eyed the thing placed in his hands like it was a venomous snake. He knew he had to kick ass on this thing or Maria would go ballistic. He just had no idea what to do now.
“Congratulations. It’s a boy,” Mrs. Dubrowski stated amused by the look on Michael’s face. Moving on she delivered one to Sophia then handed one to Kyle.
Kyle looked it over carefully then turned in his seat to face Liz. “Liz? Why does our baby have Evans ears? I think you have some explaining to do,” Kyle said with an innocent expression and light tone. Holding it even as Michael snickered and dropped his baby. He was trying to lighten the mood to cover for his blunder the night before.
“Michael! You’ve had it less then two minutes and you already caused brain damage! Give it to me,” Maria demanded.
“Kyle. One more word and you’re a dead man,” Liz warned her eyes searing into his. “I’m still trying to get over last night so don’t push your luck. Understand?”
“Gotcha,” Kyle agreed quickly. “I’m sorry about that. Really.”
“Let’s just not talk about it okay? I’ll just relive it in my nightmares. That’s enough,” Liz stated then focused on the project by handing him a copy of the schedule for the care of one mechanical baby.
Sophia’s eyes flickered between Maria still fussing at Michael and Liz’s stiff posture and words to Kyle. She took a deep breath and tried to take the first step in making this work. “We should probably talk about….who’s doing what huh?”
“Yeah. I guess,” Max agreed scratching his ear in discomfort. It was hard to concentrate on the project or Sophia when he could feel Liz’s pique as a steady hum deep inside him. As Sophia talked, his focus wavered, drawn to the discord he knew Liz was feeling. Her back was tense and ramrod straight as she exerted all her control to keep her emotions in check. Nodding to keep the pretext that he was listening to what Sophia was saying, he struggled to remain in his seat. He wanted to whisk Liz out of there and away from all the tension. Soothe away the wrinkle between her brows that he just knew was there.
Sophia looked at the detailed schedule Max had written laying out his schedule and commitments matching it to hers. “I can watch the baby every night but Wednesday and Thursday’s. Weekends…I don’t know. We’ll have to trade off or something. I’ll take Saturday if you can take Sunday’s. I have Mass so I can’t do it then. Is that okay?”
“Yeah,” Max agreed nodding. He took a deep breath and deliberately searched out Liz, following her signature trail sending a feeling of gentle warmth and love. The same feeling he got when she hugged him.
Liz closed her eyes as she absorbed his gift and slowly relaxed. She was okay if he was okay. What she wouldn’t tolerate was Kyle constantly upsetting Max and causing problems. Last night was the last time she wanted to get a hint of insecurity from Max on that issue. This project was disruptive enough without adding to it. As long as he was fine she wasn’t upset.
Max smiled as Liz turned slightly, glancing over her shoulder at him and sending him a look that had him grinning broadly. The slow smile she shared with him had him wishing they were anywhere but in class.
Sophia looked up in time to catch that shared communication and found herself staring. She’d never seen anything quite that blatant but unique. It was more then other couples she was used to seeing in the halls.
Maria saw Sophia’s startled look and kicked Liz’s chair sending her a warning look when Liz finally landed back on Earth with the rest of them. In three weeks Sophia was dangerously likely to realize there was something odd going on here.