Ruins ~M/L~ COMPLETE *new banner added 3/3/04*

Post by **roswellkitkat** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 12:47 pm

<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /frown.gif ALT=":("> Wow...I didn't see that coming at all. This is a wonderful story..I hope it does end happy! <div style="text-align:center">Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.</div> <div style="text-align:center">Rudyard Kipling, English author</div>

vecastone · Post by **vecastone** » Mon Mar 24, 2003 1:26 pm

<img src=http://www.uniquehardware.co.uk/server- ... m/eek2.gif ALT=":jawdrop"> <img src=http://www.uniquehardware.co.uk/server- ... m/eek2.gif ALT=":jawdrop"> <img src=http://www.uniquehardware.co.uk/server- ... m/eek2.gif ALT=":jawdrop"> <img src=http://www.uniquehardware.co.uk/server- ... m/eek2.gif ALT=":jawdrop"> <img src=http://www.uniquehardware.co.uk/server- ... m/eek2.gif ALT=":jawdrop"> <img src=http://www.uniquehardware.co.uk/server- ... m/eek2.gif ALT=":jawdrop"> <img src=http://www.uniquehardware.co.uk/server- ... m/eek2.gif ALT=":jawdrop"> I really didn´t see that comeing <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /frown.gif ALT=":("> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry">

Post by **Angel13** » Tue Mar 25, 2003 1:07 pm

Part 40 By 5am, Maria is ready to pull her hair out. Max and Liz are gone and everyone is getting on her nerves. This place is too small to hold all these people. Michael and Isabel woke up around 3am, refreshed and feeling better. Michael was trying to get some answers out of Zan but Zan wasn’t up for playing 20 questions. “We need to book. Where’s your boy?” Zan is irritated, he just wants to get out of there. This visit isn’t what he was expecting…these people are way too much work. “I’m sure they’ll be back soon.” Serena says. “They probably needed to get away to talk.” Zan laughs and says, “Boy, do they got shit to talk about. But I ain’t watin’ around forevah.” Michael doesn’t know how much more of this guy he can take. Just when he thinks he can’t take anymore, the door opens and Max and Liz walk in. “Finally!” Zan says, agitated. Max and Liz see everyone looking at them expectantly. “Sorry…we just needed to…talk.” Max says. “See.” Serena says with satisfaction. Maria rushes up to Liz. “Liz, are you ok? You scared us to death earlier.” She hugs Liz and looks back at her face, seeing a sadness there. She gives Liz a questioning look before looking at Max. “I’m fine Maria. I’m sorry for making you worry, but I’m ok now.” “Hey Liz, glad to see you’re feeling better.” Ava offers from the couch. Liz takes her coat off and moves a chair closer into the living room. “I’m glad to see you, Ava. Thank you…thank you both…for what you did.” She looks at Zan and smiles. “No prob, princess.” Zan replies. “So…what happened? Where did you go when you left Roswell? And…I thought you said Zan was dead.” Liz asks Ava. “I thought so, too. I traveled around after I left you…ya know, saw the sights. I came back here to get my shit and guess who I found…just hangin’ out in our crib.” Ava looks at Zan. “Scared the shit outta me.” Zan smirks and says, “Yah, takes more than a truck to kill me. That bastard Rath and his bitch. I’ll kill ‘em when I find ‘em. Can’t believe my bitch sistah’d pull that shit on me.” Zan looks over at Isabel, then at Max. “Ya know, she killed us on our home planet, too. Can’t trust that fuckin’ whore.” Isabel looks at him in shock as Jesse puts his arm around her. “They’re not the same.” Jesse says. “Don’t talk about Isabel like she’s not here…like she’s anything like your sister. She’s not.” “I don’t know what happened with your Isa…Lonny…but Isabel would never do anything to betray me…to betray us.” Max says. Zan throws his hands up. “Whatevah. I’m just sayin’.” “Well just say it somewhere else.” Max says angrily. “I have questions.” He says, changing the subject. Zan quirks up an eyebrow. “Do ya? Ask away, then.” “Have you heard anything from anyone from our planet? Or from the other planets in our system?” Max wants to find out how much he knows…if they have enemies still after them besides the government. “Nah. Not since the summit few years back. Lonny and Rath was all hot an’ bothered to get me to go. I didn’t, they tried to kill me. Haven’t heard anything since.” Zan looks at Max. “You?” “We ran into some skins…we think they’re dead. But I saw Nicholas at the summit.” Max tells him. “That little shit. Husk’s probably rotted by now.” Zan says. “We’re hoping so. We also had a visit from Khivar.” Max says carefully, not revealing that Khivar came to get Isabel. “Ah. Khivar. He the one that killed your mate?” Zan asks. Both Liz and Max cringe at Tess being called Max’s mate. “No. She died before he came…she blew herself and an airforce base up several months before.” “How noble.” Zan says, looking at Ava. “You do that for me?” “In your dreams.” Ava rolls her eyes. Maria can’t stand it anymore and says, “There was nothing noble about it. She killed our friend trying to get them off the planet only to deliver them all to Khivar to be killed. When she was the only one who went back, Khivar sent her sorry ass back here. We were gonna turn her over to the feds, but she did it herself instead. If I’d had my way, I’d have killed her.” “Oooh. You a feisty one.” Zan grins at Maria. “So, she wasn’t all sweetness and honey like my Ava here, huh?” Max actually feels his skin crawl as he watches Zan turn and lick the side of Ava’s face. Liz watches, fascinated by their relationship. They’re so completely different that her mind is having a hard time processing the fact that they look exactly like Max and Tess. Max and Tess, sitting in front of her practically making out. She shudders in revulsion and keeps telling herself it’s not them. “Hello?” Michael says impatiently. “We were talking about Khivar.” “Right. Nah, haven’t heard a peep.” Zan answers. “Haven’t heard from anyone. It’s just me an’ Ava.” He shrugs. When no one says anything, Zan asks Max, “So, ah, where’s your kid?” Max looks at him in shock, then to Liz. “Wha…what kid?” Liz asks. Does he know? Did he see when he was connected to her? “What kid? The one you had with your mate. You stupid or somethin’?” Zan says, confused. “How do you know about him?” Max asks, suspicious. “You forget. We’re the same, you an’ me…made from the same stuff. I knew when he was born…I felt it. I feel him now…so I know he’s alive.” Zan doesn’t understand how these people have stayed alive as long as they have being this dense. “He’s human. He was adopted by human parents and he’s going to have a normal, human life.” Max says defensively. There’s no way he’s gonna let this guy get anywhere near his son. “Human. Huh.” Zan sits back, thinking. “That’s wacked. How do two hybrids…such as ourselves…have a human kid?” “I don’t know. Maybe that’s how we were engineered.” Max says. “Maybe.” Zan says as he looks at Liz. “So how is it that a hybrid and a human can have an alien kid?” Liz’s eyes widen and she looks at Max in panic before looking at Zan. Zan realizes his mistake when Liz looks at him and he sees Max shooting daggers in his direction. Good thing they can’t shoot laser bolts from their eyes. “We wouldn’t know, since as far as we know a hybrid and human haven’t had children.” Max says evenly. “Gotcha. Guess you’s’ll find out someday, though, the way you’s all paired up with humans an’ all.” Zan stands up, pulling Ava with him. “Well, as much as I love the family reunion an’ all, we gotta jet.” “Wait. How do we get a hold of you if we need to?” Michael asks. Zan looks surprised. “You don’t.” Michael glares at him as Ava walks over to Liz. “Here,” she says, writing on a piece of paper. “here’s my pager number. Call me if you wanna get in touch.” Liz takes the paper from her and says, “Thanks. Take care of yourself, Ava.” and gives her quick hug. Ava blushes and pulls away. “You still cornball.” She smiles at Liz and grabs her coat, following Zan to the door. Before he opens the door, Zan turns to Max and says, “Lemme give you a piece of advice. You need to lighten up. We got this second chance at a decent life, you an’ me, so don’t blow it. Somethin’ tells me we won’t be gettin’ anothah shot. Our planet? Forget about it. We ain’t a part o’ that no more. We was sent here for a reason, got mixed up with human DNA for a reason. I figure, I got myself killed up there…what the hell I wanna go back for? Just lay low…stay outta the way. You’s practically wearin’ homin’ signals on your heads tellin’ the government where you are.” Zan looks at Liz before looking back at Max. “An’ for christ’s sake, stop healin’ everyone ya run into. No wonder you’s havin’ trouble.” He hooks his thumb in Liz’s direction. “Princess there got more power than all you combined. I wouldn’t piss her off if I was you.” And with a wink to Liz, he walks out the door, calling out behind him, “Later.” Ava hastily follows him, looking back at Liz and waving. When the door closes, Kyle sits down and says, “Well, isn’t he a font of wisdom.” No one moves until Maria sits next to Kyle. “God, I feel like we live in Bizzaro world or something. Did that just happen?” Isabel is still fuming about what he said about her and she stiffly moves toward the kitchen. Max looks toward her and joins her, putting his hand on her arm. “Isabel, don’t listen to what he said. I know you…you’re not Vilondra. You proved that when Khivar came. You’re nothing like Lonny and I know you wouldn’t ever do anything like that.” “I know…I just…I hate thinking that part of me used to be her. That part of me used to be someone who would kill her own brother.” “It’s ok, Is. It’s no worse than having part of you responsible for the fall of an entire planet, right?” Isabel looks up at Max to see him grinning at her. She laughs and hugs him. “You’re a dork.” She says. “I know.” He answers, releasing her. “No more thinking about Vilondra.” He raises his chin in mock seriousness. “I forbid it.” She grins and says, “Yes, your highness.” “Hey, what was he talking about…a hybrid and a human will have an alien baby?” Max hears Maria say. Max turns around and glances at Liz before looking at Maria and shrugging. “I don’t know.” “Because, I mean, he wasn’t serious, was he?” Maria looks at Michael. “I’m not having alien babies.” Michael looks appalled and says, “Ok.” shrugging his shoulders and walking to the refrigerator. Maria gets up and follows him. “What’s that supposed to mean? You don’t want kids?” Michael rolls his eyes and says, “What do you want from me? You’re the one who just said you don’t want alien babies.” Maria throws her hands up in the air and turns around. “You know what? Fine.” Watching in confusion, Michael doesn’t know how that conversation got turned into something he’s supposed to feel bad about now. “Women.” He mutters as he grabs a bottle of water from the fridge. While Maria and Michael were fighting, Max slipped into the bedroom to start packing some things up. As he’s stuffing his bag, Liz walks in and shuts the door. Looking up, he asks, “You ok?” She nods and sits on the bed. “Yah. I just…thank you for not telling anyone. I don’t want anyone to know…I don’t want…I don’t want their pity. And I think it should just be something between us, you know?” Max puts his bag down and sits next to her. “I know. I didn’t want anyone to know, either.” They both sit for a moment before Liz says, “So, that was weird…wasn’t it? I mean, he looks just like you…and she…it was strange.” “It was revolting.” Max says, his face scrunching in distaste. “Did you see him lick her face?” “Ew. I know.” Liz’s eyes go wide as she grimaces. “I just can’t help but wonder how you could be genetically identical and he ended up…like that. I mean, if you hadn’t have grown up in Roswell, or if you hadn’t have been adopted by the Evans’…you could have turned out like that.” She looks over and sees a look of horror on Max’s face. “I find that hard to believe.” He says, denying there’s any possibility he could ever be like Zan. Liz smiles slightly at his denial. “I also wonder how Ava turned out to be so…nice. When Tess turned out to be so…not.” Max shakes his head. “Who knows. It lends support to the whole nature versus nurture theory, though.” After a few moments, Liz asks, “So…what are we doing?” She looks at the bag Max was packing. “Leaving. As soon as we can get everyone together.” Liz nods her head. “Good idea. Where to?” “I was thinking London for a few days. I want to call Gerard, find out what he knows. And if we have an all clear…I guess we’ll leave it up to everyone else where we go.” Max looks at Liz. “What do you think?” Liz looks at the floor for a moment, nodding her head, and looks up at Max. “I think that’s a good idea.” He sees the pain in her eyes, knowing it mirrors his own and they both look away…toward the door. “I’ll go try to round everyone up.” Liz says as she stands up and moves to the door. Max watches her go and says, “Liz.” She turns around expectantly but he just shakes his head and says, “Nevermind.” She nods and looks at him for a moment, then opens the door and walks out in the living room. Two days later, they find themselves spread between four rooms in a London hotel…exhausted. They quickly make out a duty schedule and scatter, leaving Isabel to the first guard duty. Maria and Serena decide to go shopping and Michael, Jesse and Liz decide to go to a café down the street. As everyone’s going his or her separate ways, Kyle pulls Max aside and says, “You have a few minutes?” Max looks at Kyle uneasily, wondering what he wants to talk to him about. They haven’t spoken much since Max told him about his dad and frankly Max isn’t ready to be the brunt of Kyle’s blame for something else. Max sighs and looks around. “Sure. I think everyone’s leaving, so we can stay here if you want.” He looks around one of the empty, adjoining room…forgetting whom it actually belongs to. Kyle sits on the corner of the bed and Max sits in a chair by the window, bracing himself for whatever Kyle’s going to say to him. After several moments of silence, Max looks up questioningly to Kyle. “Was there an actual conversation you wanted to have, or did you just want the pleasure of my company?” Ouch. Kyle looks at the floor…he guesses he deserved that. “Yah, um…I wanted to apologize.” He looks up to see Max raise his eyebrows. “For a lot of things, I guess.” Max thinks he knows where this is going and says, “Kyle, it’s ok. You were upset…I understand.” “No. Not about that…well, yah, that…and other things. I’m sorry I hit you. It was a pretty stand up thing for you to take the responsibility to tell me about my dad. You could have let Liz tell me. You probably knew I was gonna blame you, and you still decided to tell me yourself. I admire that.” Max shrugs and says, “It was the least I could do.” Kyle takes a deep breath and says, “I’ve been thinking…a lot. I’ve been an ass. That whole thing when I found out Serena was pregnant…that was just…wrong. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions like that. I knew you’d never sleep with Serena…I was scared and I lashed out at the closest person, you. But it’s not just that…I’ve been blaming a lot of stuff in my life on you for the last few years and I shouldn’t have. I should be thanking you instead, and I don’t know why that’s so hard for me.” Before Max has a chance to say anything, Kyle forges ahead. “I mean, I guess I do know why it’s so hard. At first I was jealous…that you had Liz, then you had Tess…and you had my dad. His attention, and respect anyway. He would have done anything for you guys.” He glances up at Max before looking down at the floor again and continuing. “Then I saw the way you treated Liz…and Isabel. There was always this part of me that just…hated you. Hated you for what you are and for what you’ve done to people I care about. Hated that everyone had this blind loyalty to you. Hated you for making me be a part of it.” Kyle clears his throat for a second. “But when I think about it, my dad and Alex were right…I wouldn’t go back to not knowing if I could. And blaming you for that is just…me hanging onto the past. And Buddah says that for a clear journey forward, you must first cleanse your past.” Kyle looks up to see Max quirk up the corner of his mouth. “Buddah, huh?” Max asks. “Well, it could have been from a song I heard…but you know what I mean.” Kyle smiles. “Anyway, I’m telling you that I’m sorry, and that I’d like to move forward from here. And I know I kinda said that back in Paris, but I really mean it. I don’t want to be your enemy, Max. I’d like it if we could…you know…be friends.” Max looks at Kyle, taking in everything he’s said. Jealous of him? What the hell is he talking about? “Kyle, first of all, I have no earthly idea, no pun intended, why you would be jealous of me. You’re the one with the life I always wanted…your normal, human life. You’re the normal, human guy Liz should have been with. But I screwed that up by taking your normal life away from you. Second, you’re an important part of this group. Both you and Serena. I guess we’re kind of like this strange family. We need each other and depend on each other, but we’re not always gonna get along. You’re part of this family, Kyle…and so was your dad…and so was Alex.” Kyle glances away from Max briefly before looking back at him when he laughs briefly. “I mean, look at me and Michael. I consider Michael like a brother…have my whole life. But we hardly ever get along…even tried to kill each other a couple times, I think.” Kyle grins at that and Max says, “Hopefully our friendship won’t be that hard…but I’d really like that…to be friends.” They sit in silence a moment and Kyle slowly nods his head. “Yah…I’d like that, too.” He stands up and so does Max. Kyle holds out his hand, Max taking it as they shake. “Just so you know, though, my loyalty will always be with Liz…in the end…that’s where it’ll be.” Max shakes his hand and claps him on the back with his other hand. “Me too, Kyle…me too.” They both grin at each other before Kyle breaks away and says, “Well, before we start declaring our love for each other, let’s go down to the café and join the others.” Max laughs and says, “Sounds good.” A few minutes later, Liz looks up from their table at the window to see Kyle and Max walking down the street toward them…laughing and talking. She smiles, hoping this means they’re on the road to being friends. When they walk in, Michael clears some room for them to join them at the table. “Thought you two were killing each other.” Michael says. “Nah, we decided to hold off on that for another day.” Kyle smirks at him as he sits down. Max meets Liz’s gaze from across the table and sees something he can’t quite pinpoint in her eyes before Jesse asks, “So, when are you calling Gerard, Max?” Max looks over at Jesse and thinks for a minute. “Today…there’s no reason to wait. He might not even be able tell us anything. But it’ll be good to know one way or another.” “Yah, it will. ” Jesse asks. “Yah.” Is all Max says as he orders a coffee from the waitress. He looks over at Liz and sees her jiggling her legs. Liz stands up quickly and says, “I’m gonna go for a run…I just have too much energy right now to sit still.” “Be careful.” Max tells her with concern as she says goodbye and darts from the café. “What’s up with her?” Kyle asks. “Ever since…you know…Zan did that…thing, she’s been bouncing off the walls.” “Maybe he over-healed her or something. It makes me tired just looking at her.” Michael offers as he watches her jog down the street to their hotel. Max watches her, too, and says absently, “I don’t know. But she’s healthy now…I guess that’s the important thing.” He continues to watch her with concern as she turns up the front steps of their hotel. ~TBC~

Post by **splatty** » Tue Mar 25, 2003 1:58 pm

way to go angel! <img src=http://www.uniquehardware.co.uk/server- ... humpup.gif ALT=":thumbsup"> nice make-up kissy kissy time b/t max and kyle. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/wink.gif ALT=";)"> i wonder what's up with liz? is she healthy, really? i hope so. i hope gerard has good news for them. guess i'll have to wait to find out, eh? hopefully not too long! <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)"> <div style="text-align:center"> I want to be what I was when I wanted to be what I am now.</div>

Post by **roswellkitkat** » Tue Mar 25, 2003 11:02 pm

Way to have Kyle and Max make up. <img src=http://www.uniquehardware.co.uk/server- ... humpup.gif ALT=":thumbsup"> Can't wait to see what happens next! <div style="text-align:center">Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.</div> <div style="text-align:center">Rudyard Kipling, English author</div>

Post by **Angel13** » Wed Mar 26, 2003 1:54 pm

Part 41 After leaving the café, Max heads down to a shopping area and picks up a prepaid cell phone to call Gerard with. As he’s walking back to the hotel, he goes over in his head the questions he wants to ask. He’s almost to the hotel when he sees Liz jogging back toward him. “Hey…enjoy your run?” He asks her. “Yah, I needed that.” She tells him, barely breathing heavy. “I could have run longer, but I don’t wanna over do it.” He studies her for a moment, noting that she’s barely broken a sweat. “I’m worried…about all this excess energy you have. Do you feel ok besides that?” Liz brushes him off. “Yah, I feel great.” “Ok.” He takes her word for it. “I’m a little concerned, though, about what this will do to you.” “Well, like I said, I’m not gonna over do it.” Liz reassures him as they climb the stairs into the hotel. “You getting ready to call Gerard?” “Yah, just thinking about what I’m gonna ask him.” He tells her, pushing the button for the elevator. When the doors open, they both step in and watch the doors close behind them. Liz turns to face Max. “Max, I’ve been thinking about something…something Zan said.” Max waits for her to continue as he watches the number start climbing to their floor. “Remember when he said he thought it was strange that two hybrids would have a human child, when a hybrid and a human would have an alien child?” She whispers the word alien out of habit…even though they’re the only ones in the elevator. When he nods, she continues. “He was obviously talking about us…about what he saw when he healed me. I guess I’m just wondering if that will be true all the time…in case Michael and Maria or Isabel and Jesse or…you know…in case they ever want to have children.” Max notices she was about to say, “us” when she hesitated. “I wish I knew, Liz. I don’t know what the dominant and recessive genes are or what the odds are with those combinations. Zan seemed surprised about it, too.” Liz is silent for a moment before the doors open on their floor. “I was thinking about it on the plane and I think maybe the human genes are dominant. For you and…and Tess…the odds of having a human baby had to be pretty slim if the alien genes were dominant, don’t you think? But then that theory gets thrown off if a child we would have had was alien because I’m human. But then maybe that got thrown off because you healed me and now I have powers…maybe giving me some kind of alien encoding on my DNA.” They stop at the door to their room and Max turns to her. “You’ve thought a lot about this.” He can almost see the little wheels in her mind spinning and loves her more for it. He always loved how she got so excited about anything scientific…how she could get so caught up in it. But he’s worried at how clinical she’s being about this. She suddenly becomes aware of him looking at her and she blushes, looking at the floor. “Ummm…yah…I guess. I’m such a dork.” She smiles up at him. “It’s just…what he said…kind of blew my theory and I’ve been trying to come up with one that makes sense.” “I wish I could help you. But you’ve always been better at me with this stuff. I wish I had more information about it.” He looks at her, then down to the key in his hand. “We don’t even know if Zan was telling the truth. When I talk to Gerard, I’d planned on asking him if he has any information about…us…about whatever they took from us…from you.” Still looking at the floor, she nods and looks up at him…small tears in her eyes. “Yah…that’s…that’s a good idea.” He reaches up to brush a stray piece of hair off her forehead before turning to unlock the door. They walk in to find Michael, Jesse and Kyle watching sports…soccer, Max thinks…on TV. “Are Maria and Serena still shopping?” Liz asks, but no one looks up so she walks in front of the TV and asks again. Instead, three heads move to the side to try and see behind her. She rolls her eyes and walks toward the adjoining room, saying to Max, “I’m taking a shower, but I’d like to be there when you talk to Gerard.” Max nods and says, “I’ll wait.” before sitting down next to Michael and watching TV. Liz laughs to herself and shakes her head. Men. A half hour later, Liz goes into the next room to find the four of them still on the couch…unmoving. “Good game?” She asks. Max looks over and stands up. “Yah…um…you ready?” She nods and Max walk into the next room with her, shutting the door. He fishes the phone number out of his pocket that Michael had given him and sits down at a small table near the windows…Liz sitting across from him. “Ok, here goes.” He takes a deep breath and dials. Max dials what Michael told him was the home number Gerard gave him and holds his breath until a woman answers. “Hello?” “Um, can I speak to Matt Gerard, please?” He asks. “Can I tell him who’s calling?” She asks. “Max…tell him it’s Max.” She says, “Ok, hold on.” before he hears her put the phone down. Max hears another extension pick up and Gerard say, “Ok, I got it…you can hang up now.” Then Max hears the other extension hang up. “Hello?” Gerard says, sounding out of breath. “Mr. Gerard, is this line safe to talk on?” “Yes, it is.” “This is Max Evans.” Max says evenly. “I’ve been expecting your call, Max. I trust you and your friends are safe?” “Yes, thanks to you.” Gerard takes a deep breath. “My daughter…you…she’s better now. I don’t know how to thank you…for what you did.” “We had a deal. There are things you should know, but first I’m hoping you can give us some answers.” Max says. “Of course. I’ll do my best.” Gerard says. “Is the unit still active?” Max asks his first, and most important question. “Technically, yes. I destroyed what I could before you were discovered missing, but there are people…higher up than I was…people who will still try to continue the work.” “Do you think there was enough evidence left to lead anyone to us?” Max asks him. “I can’t say for sure. But I do know that field ops on the case were called in and they don’t have any current orders. As far as any evidence, I destroyed the reports I found on you, Miss Parker and Isabel Evans. They were quite extensive, and I can’t guarantee that copies weren’t made somewhere along the way.” “What about Kyle and Jim Valenti? Did you find anything about them?” Max is surprised he didn’t mention their reports. “Kyle Valenti’s report had nothing to say other than he was completely human, so I left it. I confiscated some handwritten notes from Weston’s office on Jim Valenti, but couldn’t find any official reports on him.” “What can you tell me about samples they took from us…do they still exist?” Gerard is silent for a moment, then says, “I went to the lab, intending to destroy what I could find, but there were simply too many samples to take with me. Then there’s the body…Jim Valenti’s…I couldn’t get him out without someone seeing. So as far as physical evidence, yes, they have all of that. There was nothing I could do at that point.” Max nods and looks at Liz quickly before looking down at the table. “Can you tell me anything…anything about what they found from their research?” This catches Gerard off guard, he wasn’t expecting him to ask that. “You mean…what they found out about you?” “Yes.” Max answers simply. Gerard wipes his face with his hand. Do they not know anything about themselves? Why would he ask him what they found out about them? He always assumed they knew all there was to know. “Well, Max…you do know that you’re not…not human, don’t you?” “Yes, we know that. What else can you tell me?” “Ok, well…I’ve read through your report the most…only because we’ve had it for years. Your physiology is completely human. Bone structure, muscle formation, things like that…all completely human. But your blood, bodily fluids…they look human to the eye, but are microscopically different…very unhuman.” Gerard tells him what he’s memorized over the years. “I knew that. What about the others?” “Well, Isabel Evans…she’s um…very similar to you physically. Her brain patterns are slightly off…different from yours, though. Both of you have very active EKG readings…off the charts, really. Hers more so than yours. Liz Parker…she’s the enigma.” Max looks up at Liz at the mention of her name. She looks back at him…concentrating…and he realizes that she’s reading his thoughts as he’s listening to Gerard. Gerard continues, “Liz Parker, for all appearances, seems to be completely human. Her EKG is the only abnormal thing about her. It’s different from yours and Isabel’s…all over the place, really. We could never figure it out. When she displayed her…abilities, I’ll call them…her readings spiked all over the place. They were completely different from yours or Ms. Evans’. Frankly, we were at a loss as to how she could survive with readings like that.” Max tries to keep his anger under control as he listens. “Max, are you there?” Gerard asks when he doesn’t here anything. “Yes.” He says, clenching his jaw. “I’m sorry…but you…you did ask.” Gerard says sadly. “One other thing. According to our tests, you…the four that displayed abilities, anyway…your cell regeneration is…different.” “Four?” Max asks. “Yes. You, Liz Parker, Isabel Evans, and Jim Valenti.” “Valenti…what were his abilities?” “Very similar to Liz Parker’s.” “What about cell regeneration?” Max asks. “Normal cell regeneration and degeneration is the basis for human aging. We can look at the cell structure of a human and easily tell how old they are and predict how long they will live…barring any unforeseen disease or accident…based on the rate of degeneration and regeneration. You…it seems to be different for you. Your cells don’t degenerate.” “What does that mean?” Max looks to Liz to see if she’s getting any of this. She seems to be processing what she’s reading from him. “It means you don’t have cellular break down. They regenerate if you’re injured, but other than that…we can’t predict the rate of degeneration…or aging. Basically, we don’t know your lifespan because in essence, you’re not aging like we do…or you’re not aging at all.” Max is thrown for a loop at that and says, “But…we were kids. I used to be a child…of course I’m aging. We’ve aged right along with humans our age.” “No…you were growing…maturing. Humans reach their peak in their early 20s…then cells start to degenerate faster than they regenerate. We get wrinkles, our muscles are weaker, our bones become more brittle. It’s more complicated than that, but you get the idea. You’ve reached maturity, but we can’t find any sign of body degeneration.” Gerard tries to explain. “Are you saying we’re gonna live forever?” Max asks…horrified at the prospect. “No, that’s not what I’m saying at all. I’m just saying we don’t know your lifespan…it’s not predictable the way ours is.” After a moment, Max asks, “They performed surgery on Liz…when we were first brought in the last time. We think…she thinks they took…something. That they took something from her. Do you have any information about that?” Gerard takes his glasses off and massages the bridge of his nose. “They discovered from a blood test they took right after you arrived that Miss Parker was…that she was pregnant. A developing embryo was taken from her for…study. I’m…I’m sorry.” When Liz’s suspicions are confirmed, Max runs a hand through his hair and looks over at Liz. She’s looking absently out the window and he reaches over to grab her hand across the table…which she accepts without turning her head away from the view outside. Max hears Gerard clear his throat and continue. “Tests determined that there were abnormalities…nonhuman. There wasn’t sufficient development to determine how extensive those abnormalities might have been, though.” He leaves out what he read of Weston’s plan to get Liz impregnated again so he could get a further developed fetus. There’s silence for several moments as Gerard waits and Max stares at Liz’s hand in his. So small, so fragile. Finally, Max asks, “You’re no longer working for them?” “No. I retired yesterday…officially. Unofficially, I retired the day you escaped.” “In your opinion, should we be preparing for more surveillance…for more investigation?” Max asks. “If you’re asking me if I think you’re safe…no. I don’t think you’ll ever be completely safe. But I don’t believe you’re in any immediate danger. If you’re smart, you’ll stay out of the news, out of trouble, and off the radar.” “Right.” Max was expecting as much. “You said earlier that you had something to tell me? Is it about my daughter?” Gerard asks. “Umm…yah. There’s a price to pay for having us heal her…you’ll need to be prepared, and able to prepare her.” Max says. “She’s going to develop…powers. Isn’t she. That’s what happened to Liz Parker.” Gerard guesses, having thought that might be a possibility. “Yes. I don’t know what they’ll be. It’s different for everyone. But you should start looking for them in a year or two.” “Can you tell me…what…what they might possibly be?” Gerard asks. Max thinks about it for a moment. He doesn’t know if he should be telling Gerard about all the possible powers his daughter might end up with. Then he’d be telling him everything he knows about their powers. He looks up at Liz and she nods slightly at him. Gerard interrupts his thoughts before he can say anything. “Please…Max. I give you my word that what you tell me won’t go any further. Please, I need to know…my daughter…she won’t have anyone else to help her.” Taking a deep breath, Max says, “We can’t all do the same things…but I can tell you what we know about. We can change molecular structure, that’s the most common. Healing, obviously. We can go into other people’s dreams…watching or participating. Mind reading. Power bursts…we can direct energy at something to destroy it…or to create a protective shield. Memory replacement. Mindwarping…making people see things or events that aren’t happening.” Max takes a deep breath and continues. “That’s about it. She won’t be able to do everything, and may not be able to do any of it.” Gerard is in shock. He didn’t know about half of those things. “If…if you can do all of that…you could have easily escaped yourselves.” “Like I said, our abilities are limited…especially when we’re being cut into on a routine basis.” Max spits out at him. “Right. I…thank you…for telling me. I know you have no reason to believe me, but you can trust me.” “You’re right. I don’t trust you. Thank you for the information, Mr. Gerard.” Max says…wanting to end this call as soon as possible. “Good luck, Max. You’re welcome to contact me…if you…if you need anything.” “Right…good bye then.” Max says. “Good bye, Max.” Gerard hangs up the phone and Max turns his off, setting it down on the table. He looks at it for a minute before turning it to dust. Max turns to Liz and says, “You heard?” She nods her head. “Most of it…filtered through you, though. So it might not be exactly what he said. I got the gist. That’s weird about the aging thing, isn’t it?” Max nods his head and looks out the window. The last thing he expected was that. He’s known they were different his entire life, but at least they looked human…they appeared as human in every way…even grew up just like a human. Now…what…they’re gonna look 21 forever? Like they need something else that makes them stick out. There goes the hope that one day they’ll be able to settle down somewhere and stay. Of course, Isabel will probably love the idea. Liz listens to the thoughts shoot through Max’s head at lightening speed and a small smile comes to her face when he thinks about Isabel liking the idea of looking 21 for the rest of her life. “Max…” She reaches over for his hand to get his attention. “It’ll be ok. We don’t even know if that’s what will happen. Besides, I saw you…at 31. Remember? You had aged…you didn’t look like you do now. You even had some gray hair.” “Gray hair? Really?” He unconsciously reaches up to touch his own hair. Liz grins, remembering that Max’s same reaction. “You’re right. I’m just…jumping to conclusions.” Max squeezes her hand. “We should probably be concentrating on what we’re doing next.” Liz nods and lets go of his hand quickly, much to his disappointment. “We need to wait for Maria and Serena to get back, then we’ll all talk.” She stands up and starts to leave the room but pauses before she can turn the knob on the door. “Max…I think…maybe we should tell them. They need to know for themselves…about our…about the baby. They should know the risks…that if they want children, they might not be human.” Max stands up and looks over at Liz. She’s staring at the doorknob, her hand still gripping it…waiting for him to answer. He knows she wanted to keep it private, but as usual, she’s thinking of everyone else. “Do you want me to tell them?” He asks her softly. “We’ll both do it. Ok?” She glances back at him briefly, sees the grief in his eyes and a slight nod of his head before she opens the door and walks out. Max sits down on the bed behind him and covers his face with his hands. He wishes he could make it better for her…that he knew what to say…that she would talk to him about what she’s feeling. Hell, he’d be happy if he knew how he was feeling. A child…with Liz. It’s a dream come true. He didn’t even know it would be possible. To find out they’d lost it before he even knew it existed…he doesn’t know how to feel about it. Sad, angry, empty, disappointed…would it have even been something she wanted? Does she feel a little relieved? They’re so young…not ready to be parents. Especially now. They don’t even really have a relationship beyond friendship. He loves her beyond anything in the universe…and he wants nothing more than to have future with her. But does she? Does she want children with him? God, what is he even thinking? Exhausted, he falls back on the bed and drifts off to sleep…imagining a life with Liz. Maria and Serena get back an hour later, loaded down with bags. They walk in and see the three guys sitting on the couch watching TV…not even looking to see who walked in. “Wow. You guys are great guards.” Maria says as she rolls her eyes and carries her bags across the room. “Isabel and Liz are on duty.” Michael responds, not looking away from the TV. Maria grabs Serena’s bags and starts unloading things they bought. “Don’t strain yourselves you guys…we can handle this.” She doesn’t get a response and rolls her eyes at Serena, who grins at her in sympathy. Maria winks at Serena with a look that says, “Watch this.” She clears her throat and says, “Hey Serena, take a look at this. Do you think this boob is bigger than the other?” Following Maria’s lead, Serena says, “Hmmm. I’m not sure, you’ll have to take off your shirt and bra I think.” After a second, Maria says, “Ok. Now what do you think? Maybe you should feel them…see if you can tell a difference.” All at once, three heads whip around from the couch and Maria and Serena burst out laughing. Realizing what’s going on, Michael turns to Jesse and Kyle and says, offended, “Hey! Those are my girlfriend’s boobs!” “Well, my girlfriend was gonna be doing the fondling!” Kyle argues. Then both Kyle and Michael turn to Jesse, who throws his hands up in the air. “I’m a guy…what do you expect?” Maria and Serena laugh even harder and Maria says, “I think I’m gonna pee my pants! You guys should have seen your faces!” Just then, Liz and Isabel walk in and Liz asks, “What’s so funny?” Serena calms down and says, “Nothing…these three are just a bunch of perverts…that’s all.” Isabel sees the guilty look on Jesse’s face and rolls her eyes. “What’s new?” Liz looks around and, not seeing Max, she walks into the next room to see him asleep in bed. She moves to sit next to him and watches his chest rise and fall as she sweeps some hair off his forehead. He looks so peaceful and she hates to wake him up. She lays her head down on his chest, just to hear his heartbeat for a second. She closes her eyes to the rhythmic thump thump as she breathes him in. She always loved the way he smells. Enjoying this stolen moment, she where they’ll go from here. Right now, she doesn’t really know how she feels. Disappointment…in herself is way up the list. That she let this happen, that she did nothing to protect her child. And she keeps replaying the conversation she and Max had in Mexico City that night. “No…I…it’s not just that I want everyone to be safe, or that I think I won’t be able to protect everyone. I  that if I get…close…to you again, that I’ll let you take over my life. I’ll let you consume me until there’s nothing left…and it scares me. How is that love, Max? How can I be scared of the power you have over me and…and love you at the same time?” Max visibly flinches…feeling as though he’s been slapped. “Is that really what you think?” He asks, horrified. “You make me sound like some kind of…monster.” He takes a step away from her. “I left you alone, Liz…I did what you wanted because you said you wanted to be friends. But you’ve been shutting yourself off from me, from your friends, and now you’re trying to blame me for that, too. I love you, and I know I’ve made mistakes in the past, but you either forgive me or you don’t. Make up your mind, Liz, because this…I can’t do this anymore.”[/i] “Liz?” She bolts up and smoothes her hair. “Max. I…I’m sorry…um…everyone’s here now. If you wanna meet.” She stands up and takes a step back. She sees him lying there with a confused look on his face, his hand hovering over his chest…as if he was about to put it on her head. God, how embarrassing. He caught her smelling him. Max watches her face flush with embarrassment as she tucks her hair behind her ear. He sits up and rubs the sleep from his eyes. He could have sworn she was smelling him. What’s that about? “Ok. Give me a minute.” She nods and turns to leave the room…mentally kicking herself for acting so weird. She walks over to the TV and turns it off, receiving groans of protest from the couch potato crowd. “We have things to discuss. Sorry guys, but TV will have to wait for later.” “Where’s Max?” Michael looks around, suddenly realizing he hasn’t seen him for a while. “He’ll be out in a minute.” Liz tells him as she grabs a bottle of water from the mini fridge. Max walks out and catches Liz’s eye across the room. Maria watches them, wondering what the heck is going on with those two. Liz has been tight lipped lately and Maria senses some kind of overwhelming sadness when they’re together. She wonders if it has to do with that whole web thing. They never got a great explanation for that other than Liz was sick. Sick from what? Something happened in Mexico, she just wishes Liz would talk to her. Everyone knows this meeting is about Max’s conversation with Gerard. They brace themselves to hear the worst, but can’t help but hope for some kind of good news…they could use it. ~TBC~

vecastone · Post by **vecastone** » Wed Mar 26, 2003 6:05 pm

<img src=http://www.uniquehardware.co.uk/server- ... kliam3.gif ALT=":hotgreen"> <img src=http://www.uniquehardware.co.uk/server- ... kliam3.gif ALT=":hotgreen"> <img src=http://www.uniquehardware.co.uk/server- ... kliam3.gif ALT=":hotgreen"> WOW !!!! That was great. IÂ´ve read the last two parts. From the first one I loved Max and Kyle conversation and the latest telling Max that heÂ´d hated his behavior sometimes. I believe is good to hear your own mistakes, Max needed that <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)"> jeje !! From the last part, wow !! I see a NC17 part coming jeje !! I would like Liz to cry , to face his anger and his pain for having lost a child. I believe she needs that. With Max at her side of course. Being there both of them for the other. *sigh* Loved MarÃa and Serena talking and the three men watching jejeje !! Great !! I do not want Max to be forever young , please !!! I want them to be happy , they will be worried already if Liz gets pregnant again. Poor people. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /frown.gif ALT=":("> Should I say I canÂ´t wait for the next update ????? <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/boldblue.gif ALT=":blue"> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... tongue.gif ALT=":b"> lue<img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/boldblue.gif ALT=":blue"> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... tongue.gif ALT=":b"> lue

Post by **splatty** » Thu Mar 27, 2003 1:53 am

another great part as always. i certainly hope some good news will come for them. they definitely deserve it. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)"> <div style="text-align:center"> I want to be what I was when I wanted to be what I am now.</div>

Post by **Angel13** » Thu Mar 27, 2003 11:25 am

Part 42 Max drags a chair over from in front of the windows and waits until he has everyone’s attention. “I talked to Gerard. And for what it’s worth…I believe everything he told me.” He looks around and continues. “I know you guys are waiting for good news or bad news…but it’s not really either. It’s…complicated.” “Just tell us, Maxwell, and stop trying to soften the blow.” Michael says, impatient. “He destroyed a lot of the files they had on us and he said that all of their field ops assigned to us were called in…that they don’t have any current orders.” “Well, that’s good news, right?” Kyle asks. “So what’s the bad?” “The bad news is he couldn’t get rid of all the evidence. The unit is still functioning, just not at the level they were. They still know about us…still have evidence of our existence.” Max explains. Everyone becomes silent, knowing that some of that evidence includes Jim Valenti’s body. Serena walks up to the back of the couch and puts her hand on Kyle’s shoulder. He grabs her hand and waits for Max to continue. “He said we weren’t in immediate danger, but that we shouldn’t ever consider ourselves completely safe.” Max sees all the crestfallen faces, knowing this wasn’t what they were hoping to hear. “I asked them how much they knew about us, and there wasn’t really anything we didn’t know already…just one thing we didn’t…about our cells or something. It’s not clear what it means…something about our cell regeneration and not being able to tell how we’ll age.” “What does that mean?” Isabel asks. “He said they couldn’t get a prediction of our lifespan…that we age differently than humans. Apparently, our cells don’t break down like human cells.” “Meaning what? We’re not gonna get old? Or that we’ll get older faster?” Michael asks. “Our cells don’t break down at all as far as they can tell. He made it sound like once we reach maturity…our early 20s…we won’t age like humans.” He looks at Liz, then back at the others. “But I…we…don’t think that means we won’t age. We probably just age differently…I don’t know. When I…came back…to Liz from the future, she said that he…I…had aged. That I looked older.” “Is that just you guys, or does that apply to us, too?” Kyle asks him. “He said that it applied to us and…humans that I had healed.” Max tells him. “Your powers hadn’t begun to show themselves yet when they had you, so they didn’t have any information on you other than you were completely human. I have to assume that that’s changed because he said your dad and Liz’s cells did the same thing as ours.” Serena looks over at Max and asks, “Did Jim have powers when they brought him in?” “Yes…apparently, similar to Liz’s.” Max says. “So what’s this mean, Max? We spend the rest of our lives like we have been? On the run?” Isabel sounds defeated. Max shakes his head. “It means we don’t draw attention to ourselves. Gerard said we should be ok if we stay out of the news and out of trouble. I don’t think we should ever let our guard down, though. We need to always be aware of what’s going on around us.” “That’s good, right? Am I the only one thinking that this is good news?” Maria asks. “No, it is good.” Liz tells her. “So why do you two look like you have more to tell us that’s not so good?” Maria wonders…looking between Max and Liz. Liz looks over at Max and starts before he has a chance to. “There is something else. It kind of has to do with genetics and compatibility between hybrids and humans.” Liz rubs her forehead before continuing. “I um…when they took me and Max…they um…” She looks up at Max, at a sudden loss as to what to say. “Liz was pregnant.” Max says. “They took it from her…before either of us knew. Gerard said the tests they performed showed that it was alien…the cell structure wasn’t human.” “We thought you should know…you know, because this could affect anyone here thinking of having children some day.” Liz says…avoiding everyone’s gaze. No one says anything for several moments until Serena says…almost whispers, “I’m so sorry, Liz.” Her hand over her own stomach in subconscious protection. No one knows what to say. Isabel grabs Jesse’s hand as she looks from Max to Liz…she can’t even imagine how they’re feeling right now. “I don’t understand.” Jesse says, squeezing Isabel’s hand. “Are you saying we won’t be able to have children?” “I don’t know.” Max tells him honestly. “The…uh, embryo was only 2-3 weeks developed. Who knows what would have happened. Maybe it would have looked human and hand alien traits…like us. But it wasn’t completely human…that’s all we know.” “There’s also the possibility that because Max healed me, my DNA was altered in such a way that I pass along those traits to any children I would have.” Liz adds. “We have to remember that Max and Tess had a completely human child…I think that means something…that you guys…” she looks from Isabel to Michael. “were…engineered to have human children.” She shakes her head and shrugs, “We just thought you should know.” Kyle looks up at Serena and down to her stomach. If Liz is right, he’s passed along his alien traits to their child. That’s the only thing that explains why Serena is showing powers. Will the baby even look human? How ironic that the alien who healed him is engineered to have human children, while he…the human…might have alien children. Kyle gives a half laugh, then leans forward with his hands on his knees and runs his hands through his hair. “Is that what caused the webbing stuff to appear? Is that why Zan said she was sick?” Maria asks with such sorrow that Liz can’t look up from the floor. “We think so.” Max answers for her. He stands up and rubs the back of his neck. “I think the best thing to do right now is to get out of London within the next day or so. We need to decide on our next location…and we need to decide if we’re going to all stay together.” “What do you mean, Max? Of course we’ll all stay together.” Isabel says looking around at everyone. “I think what he’s saying is now that we’re not really in serious danger anymore that we’re not tied together anymore. Right Max?” Jesse offers. “Right. I trust you all to stay low…to not draw attention to yourselves. If you wanna go on your own, I don’t see any reason to make anyone stay.” “So you’re saying you don’t wanna be tied to us anymore.” Michael sneers. “That’s not what I’m saying at all. But the reality is, you all have a right to live your own lives. That’s all.” Max says. “All I ask is that we have a system in place to contact each other in case of emergencies.” Liz looks up at Max along with everyone else. She hadn’t discussed this with him, and she didn’t know he had been thinking about splitting up. She just assumed everyone would stick together…she hadn’t even considered the possibility of anyone wanting to go off on their own. Does this mean he wants to break away from the group? From her? Jesse breaks the silence by saying, “Maybe we should all think about it and get back together tomorrow morning.” As everyone stands up, Maria turns to Liz and puts an arm around her. “Oh Liz…I’m so sorry.” She pulls her into a hug and asks, “Can we go talk somewhere for a minute?” Liz looks over to see Max watching her and nods her head. “Sure, Maria.” The two girls make their way out of the room and down the hall to another room for some privacy. Kyle pulls Serena around the couch to sit next to him. He gives her a small smile and looks down toward her still flat stomach. “So. How do you feel?” Serena’s face crumples and she says, “Incredibly sad. For you…for Liz. What are we gonna do, Kyle? I’m scared. How are we gonna deliver this baby? What if something goes wrong? What if it’s not…human?” Kyle pulls her close and whispers in her ear, “Shhh. It’ll be ok. We’re gonna be fine.” He runs his hand down her back…hoping he’s right. Max watches them from across the room as Michael, Isabel and Jesse corner him by the bed. “Max, I’m not leaving you.” Isabel tells him defiantly. “And I don’t think Michael should be going off on his own, either. We need to stick together.” “Who said I was going off on my own? And even if I did, you can’t tell me no.” Michael looks over at her. “Michael, I’m not telling you no. I just…I think the three of us shouldn’t be too far apart. You know? What if something happens?” Isabel tells him. “Aren’t you gonna say anything?” Michael glares at Max. “You’re the one who brought this whole thing up.” But Max isn’t paying attention. He’s still watching Kyle and Serena on the couch…Kyle comforting Serena…Serena letting him. He can see that they love each other…it shows in every move they make. He looks at Isabel and Michael and says, “I’m going for a walk. You two work this out on your own.” And he walks out of the room, grabbing his coat as he goes. Isabel throws her hands in the air in exasperation and walks away. Meanwhile, Maria and Liz are still talking in another room. “I don’t know Maria…there’s just been so much…pain.” Liz looks up at her friend sadly. “Maybe Max sees that and that’s why he wants to separate.” “I so don’t think his motivation for suggesting a split was because he wants to get away from you. If anyone can work through it, you two can. I really don’t think running away from him is gonna solve your problems. It didn’t last time, remember?” Maria tells her. “I just keep pushing him away…and I think…I think I’ve finally pushed too hard. I don’t even know why. I mean, I do know why, but…God, we just keep hurting each other.” Liz looks out the window at the gray, overcast day. “It’s like this cycle that we can’t break out of…and I don’t know if we ever can.” “Yes you can. You love each other. I know you love him. And I also know that you can’t keep doing this to him…or yourself.” Maria takes Liz’s hand and says, “You know what I see in his eyes lately? I see acceptance. I see him accepting that you two won’t be together. I’ve never seen that before…he’s always had this…hope…this fire in his eyes. I would bet you everything I have that if you walked in there right now and told him you were leaving without him, he would just say, “Ok”. Like he’d just accept it, no questions. Just like that.” She snaps her fingers for effect. “Don’t you think that that might be what he wants, Maria? Maybe the best thing to do would be to set him free…to set us both free. Before the past, and all our pain, and all our grief kills us both.” Liz swipes at her eyes, clearing away the unwanted tears. “I think it’s a mistake, Liz. But I won’t argue with you anymore.” Maria brushes Liz’s hair behind her ear and softens her tone. “I wanted to let you know that I’m going with Michael…wherever he decides to go.” Liz nods her head, expecting that. “Good.” She gives Maria a small smile. “Maybe Michael will agree to go with you. I’ll talk to him, but just in case, I wanted to let you know.” “Thanks, Maria. Whatever you guys decide, I’m happy for you.” Liz hugs her friend and they hold on to each other until they hear a knock on the door. Liz gets up to open the door and sees Michael on the other side. “Hey, Michael. I was just leaving.” She looks back at Maria and smiles. “I’m gonna go get something to eat.” She leaves, shutting the door behind her to give Michael and Maria some privacy. When she goes back in the other room to get her coat, Kyle and Serena are waiting for her. “Hey, Liz. Do you think we could talk for a minute?” Serena asks. Liz puts her coat on…searching the room for Max and seeing that he’s gone, and so is his coat. “Sure. I’m gonna go find something to eat. You wanna come with?” They both agree and 20 minutes later they find themselves in a small pub a few streets over from their hotel. They sit by the front window of the cozy bar…a fireplace behind them keeping them warm. Kyle orders a beer and a huge sandwich that he shares with Serena. Liz decides to order herself a beer as well and bowl of soup with a steak sandwich. After their food arrives, Serena speaks up. “Kyle and I are kind of in a bind here, Liz. We need to know what you plan on doing.” “I know. You’re worried about the baby…the delivery.” Liz says, taking a sip of her beer. “If we’re all not going to stay together, we need to make sure that we’re close to either you or Max…in case something goes wrong.” Serena agrees. “We can’t really go to a hospital…what if something starts…glowing or something…or something doesn’t look normal?” “It’s ok, Serena. I was gonna suggest you guys come with me.” Liz says. Kyle looks at Serena, then to Liz. “So…you’ve already decided? You’re not going with Max?” Liz nods her head and sees Serena about to say something. “Serena, I already got the third degree from Maria and I really don’t wanna talk about it anymore. I really think this is what Max wants…it’s for the best.” Liz clamps her mouth shut and sits back in her chair, her typical way of showing that a topic of conversation is over. Serena closes her mouth and nods at Liz…letting it go…for now. “So…where are we going?” She asks instead, hoping Liz says Paris. That’s her favorite place. “Paris.” Liz tells her with a smile. Serena smiles suspiciously at her and says, “You read my mind.” “Yah…but that’s where I wanted to go anyway.” Liz smiles. Kyle sits back and sets his beer on the table after taking a long drink. “Paris…with my two favorite girls in the world.” He puts his hands behind his head with a big grin on his face. Liz looks up and says, “Kyle! I know what you’re thinking…and stop it!” before laughing with Serena. Kyle laughs and puts his hands up, “What? I’m a guy.” Just then, Max turns the corner across the street and stops…looking into the window of the cozy looking pub at the three friends laughing together. Liz’s face is bathed in firelight and at that moment…he knows. She’s leaving…leaving him. Somehow he knew she would, that’s why he didn’t talk to her before the meeting about it. He watches Liz throw a piece of food at Kyle as she rolls her eyes and smiles. He’s standing in the dark across the street, hands in his pockets trying to keep warm…50 feet away. But he might as well be on another planet. The distance between him and Liz is too great to travel now. He turns and continues walking. There’s a wall around Liz so thick now that he can’t ever get through. They both worked together to put it there…only he ended up on the outside, instead of inside where he wanted to be. Tomorrow she’ll leave…and it’ll be the last time he sees her. He feels it at the core of his heart. He’s gonna let her go this time…let her be free of him without guilt. No scenes, no arguing, no begging. He’ll nod his head and give her the permission that she doesn’t need from him, but will ask for anyway. And then she’ll leave. Inside the pub, Liz feels a tug inside of her and she looks out the window into the night. She searches the people on the street, but only sees a dark figure turning the corner…walking away. Late that night as she lies in bed, Liz can’t sleep. She lays on her back staring at the ceiling, listening to the sound of Max breathing in the other bed. She takes comfort in the feeling of their connection swirling around her. The ever-present feeling of Max. It’s always there…she’s gotten used to it…feeling it most clearly when she’s in bed…still. If she concentrates enough, she can feel his heartbeat…beating in time with her own…in synchronicity. She closes her eyes and a lonely tear falls from the corner of her eye. Max wakes up when he hears the first sniffle. He turns over just as Liz looks over at him. They look at each other a moment, then Max lifts up the side of the covers closest to Liz…inviting her over. She wipes her face and quickly switches beds…Max pulling the covers over her and spooning her. He gently wipes the hair back from her face and puts his arm around her…entwining their fingers. Liz absently strokes his fingers as her tears subside…neither of them says a word. Neither one able to get past their pride…their guilt…their pain to just ask the other to stay. Both thinking the other will be better off without them. Max listens and waits until her breath evens out in sleep and he quickly falls off, too. Early the next morning, Liz wakes up alone…missing the warmth of Max sleeping beside her. When she hears voices coming from the other room, she takes a quick shower. She can hear bits and pieces of the conversation they’re all having in her head. But she learned a while ago that she can’t trust what she picks up from people this way…rarely does someone say what they think. She’s also realized in the past few months that that rule applies especially to Max. Once dressed, Liz walks into the other room and the conversation sputters to a stop. She notices that Isabel, Michael and Max aren’t there and she grabs a bottle of water before settling down next to Maria on the couch. “So what are we talking about?” “Nothing much.” Maria says, grabbing her hand. Liz looks at her closely and notices her red, puffy eyes. She gives Maria a small smile and squeezes her hand for support. Knowing how hard of a decision this is for Maria…choosing between her and Michael, Liz feels a sharp stab of guilt for putting her in the position to have to make that choice. She’ll miss Maria terribly, but if those three years apart taught her anything it’s that Maria and Michael belong together and she’ll do anything to make sure that happens. Liz looks up when the door opens and Michael, Isabel and Max walk in. Isabel is carrying a large bag that Liz can smell immediately is full of fresh pastries. “Isabel, I love you! I’m starving.” Maria pops up from the couch and rushes to help Isabel with the food. Liz looks up at Max and meets his gaze for moment…giving him a small smile, which he returns hesitantly before taking his coat off and sitting next to the TV. “So, um…we need to talk about where we go next.” He says this to the group as he looks everywhere but at Liz. “I think we need to stay together…as a group.” Isabel says, glancing over at Liz quickly. Liz is picking up a lot of stress from everyone in the room. They’re all worried about what will happen next…worried about their safety…worried about going into the unknown. Curiously, though, she isn’t picking anything up from Max. He’s blank. What does that mean? He didn’t once try to talk to her last night or early this morning about where to go next. She knew he wasn’t going to…she picked up at least that much from him. But then, she didn’t try talking to him about it either. Shouldn’t they talk before she makes this decision? Or is talking pointless? She looks at Kyle for…what…for support? But she quickly looks away, not wanting to put this on him. She sees Maria out of the corner of her eye, silently pleading with her to stay…to stay with her…with him. “Max, umm…” Liz tries to get Max to look at her. “can I talk to you for a minute.” He doesn’t move and she looks around at everyone before looking back at him. “Alone?” He nods his head and gets up. This is it. This is where she’s gonna tell him. Just move…one foot in front of the other. He looks at the carpet as he walks and all he can think is, “Carpet…carpet…carpet…carpet…” Liz follows him to the other room, a confused look on her face. Carpet. All he’s thinking about is carpet? She shuts the door behind them and watches Max turn around to face her, his gaze steady on the floor. “So ummm…Max, I feel kind of like you really want the group to split. I thought we were going to make decisions together.” Liz says as she tucks her hair behind her ear. Max looks up to see her hair fall back out. It’s much too short now to stay where she wants it. “I just think everyone should have a choice since there’s not really any reason for us to all stay together anymore.” Not a reason to stay together? Liz furrows her brow and looks away. “Right. Well, then, I wanted to let you know that I’m going to Paris…with Kyle and Serena. They need at least one of us to help with the baby.” She looks up at him, hoping for some kind of reaction…some kind of protest. She feels like she’s 17 again and at the junior prom…telling Max they need to let go and waiting for him to say something…anything. But he never did. Clearing her head, she brings it back to the present. Max nods his head and says, “Ok.” Liz looks at him for a moment…willing him to say something more than just “Ok”. She’s not picking anything up from him anymore…nothing. What is he thinking? Why doesn’t he want to go with her to Paris? Why doesn’t he ask her to go with him? She takes a step forward and reaches her hand out to him. “Max.” But he takes a step back and shakes his head. “It’s ok, Liz.” He forces a smile on his face and says, “I’m glad you’re going to Paris. You’ll be happy there.” Liz stops and puts her arm down. This is what he wants…she was right before. “Where…where will you go?” “I don’t know yet. But we’ll keep a system in place for contact.” Liz is frustrated by his apparent lack of emotion and throws her hands up in the air. “What’s wrong with you Max? Don’t you even care? It doesn’t seem like you do…it doesn’t seem like you care at all that I’m planning on leaving.” Max clenches his teeth and takes a deep breath. “Don’t make this harder than it has to be, Liz.” His hands are in hard fists at his side and he hopes she leaves soon before he falls on his knees and begs her to stay with him. He’s determined not do that to her…or himself…again. She wants to leave, and he’s not going to stand in her way this time. Liz raises her chin and nods, turning toward the door and turning back quickly. “Ok, Max. I just…I…” She quickly takes the couple steps it takes to reach him and she reaches around to hug him tightly…pressing her lips to his cheek and then in his neck. She takes a deep breath, taking in the scent of him, and says, “I’m sorry, Max.” Putting both hands on the sides of his face, her tear filled eyes meet ones that match hers and she kisses him softly on the lips. She hovers there for a moment, not ready to pull away and feels his hands tentatively touch her hair. Her thumbs stroke his cheeks and she whispers, “I love you, Max.” She feels his hands tighten in her hair and hears him take in a shuddering breath before he says, “I love you, Liz.” Closing her eyes, their foreheads touch for a moment before she backs away quickly and turns…fleeing the room. Standing in shock as he watches Liz run out of the room, Max backs up until his knees hit the bed and he drops onto it. He feels heat rise to his face and he breaks out in a sweat as he leans forward, elbows on his knees, head hanging down. There’s no sound in the room and he breathes in and out, watching tears drop from his face and silently hit the carpet. Seven months later… A warm breeze brushes gently across her face moments after she sees the leaves on the trees rustle with the wind. She closes her eyes and smiles at the feeling. It’s so peaceful out here…she’ll hate to leave, but the city beckons her. The simple activity of everyday life…people busy around her…the energy. She can’t live without that for very long. Her excessive energy has subsided a bit, but she still gets jittery from time to time, still only sleeps a couple hours a night. She needs to go back to the city soon. She’ll need to contact Maria and the others and tell them the baby was born. Maria, Michael, Isabel and Jesse all moved back to Sydney but she stays in contact with them fairly often. Max…she has no idea where Max is. She knows he didn’t go with the others and she hasn’t tried to contact him since she left. Max. She hates the way things were left between them…that she didn’t try harder…that he didn’t try harder. It’s probably for the best, though. She doesn’t know how they could have moved past everything if they’d stayed together. The old weathered boards creaking beneath her bare feet interrupt her thoughts. “How is she?” She asks. “Sleeping, finally.” Kyle answers. He takes a step forward to join her…both looking out at the French countryside from the front porch of a small farmhouse they’ve been renting for the last two months. “It’s great here, isn’t it?” Liz hears the tinge of sadness in his tone. Serena loves it here, and Liz knows that Kyle does too. “You should stay.” Kyle turns to look at her profile a moment. “But you prefer the city.” Liz shakes her head. “Without me. You should stay here without me, Kyle.” “But…” Kyle starts to protest, but Liz grabs his hand. She turns to look at him with a small smile. “You don’t need me anymore. You have a family now, Kyle…your own family.” She shakes her head sadly. “I don’t belong here.” Kyle swallows hard and looks back out at all the trees surrounding them. “Where will you go?” Liz follows his gaze and says, “The city. I won’t be far.” They’re both silent for a moment before Kyle says, “This will be the first time we’ve ever been apart.” She nods and says, “I know.” “We’re gonna miss you…I’m gonna miss you.” Kyle turns to pull her into a hug. “I’ll miss you too, Kyle.” Liz hugs him back tightly and looks inside to see Serena sleeping in the bed, holding her and Kyle’s two-hour-old little girl in her arms. *Don’t stone me yet! An epilogue is coming.* <div style="text-align:center">...knowledge is hollow. And pride is hard to swallow. So come and sit on my box, enjoy the view of this water, where my lifeboat is sinking.</div><a href="http://www.roswell-orbs.com/home.html"><img src="http://www.roswell-orbs.com/images/titl ... </a>

vecastone · Post by **vecastone** » Thu Mar 27, 2003 4:44 pm

<img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /frown.gif ALT=":("> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /frown.gif ALT=":("> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /frown.gif ALT=":("> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.contrabandent.com/cwm/s/cont ... m/sad2.gif ALT=":pout"> <img src=http://www.contrabandent.com/cwm/s/cont ... m/sad2.gif ALT=":pout"> <img src=http://www.contrabandent.com/cwm/s/cont ... m/sad2.gif ALT=":pout"> snif snif !!! Please come back soon !!!!!!!

Post by **splatty** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 3:01 am

<img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> you mean this is the end??? <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <div style="text-align:center"> I want to be what I was when I wanted to be what I am now.</div>

Post by **roswellkitkat** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 9:55 am

What? This can't be the end? <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/nono.gif ALT=":nono"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/nono.gif ALT=":nono"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/nono.gif ALT=":nono"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/nono.gif ALT=":nono"> I won't allow it!! I won't let Tracie allow it! You better turn that epilogue into like another 10 chapters! <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/wink.gif ALT=";)"> Great job Angel...this story had a lot of emotion throughout! You did a great job of developing the characters! <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <div style="text-align:center">Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.</div> <div style="text-align:center">Rudyard Kipling, English author</div>

Post by **Angel13** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 12:57 pm

Well guys, this is it...the story is finished. I want to thank you all for being so patient during my long delays in updating...and for all your feedback and encouragement. This story left me for a while and I didn't think I was ever going to be able to finish it. Tracie, thank your for letting me post this here and for having this great board! Tamara, thank you for the Sugar Babies...they definitely worked in giving me inspiration...that or the sugar just kept me up late enough to write. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/wink.gif ALT=";)"> Vecastone, Patty, Melisa, bookwork, buffyrosfan, lovinmaxnliz, LadyBold1979, isndbreeze, Zoe, Col, and ironysucs, thank you, thank you, thank you for all your great feedback and your persistence and patience. Now, without further ado...here's the epilogue. I hope you like it! Oh, and be sure and check out my new story, Happenstance, in the Conventional Couple forum. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)"> Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub129.ezboard.com/bmajiklmoonsr ... Angel13</A> <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://66.68.132.234/silver_hand.gif" BORDER=0> at: 3/28/03 2:20:39 pm

Post by **Angel13** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 12:58 pm

Epilogue Two years later… “Come ON, Michael!” Maria is pulling Michael’s hand, dragging him through the crowd at the Metro station. “She was expecting us an hour ago!” Michael rolls his eyes and follows, making sure Isabel and Jesse are still behind them. “You’re gonna pull my arm off, Maria. I’m going as fast as I can.” Maria rushes the four friends through the streets of Paris and to a small, familiar, Irish pub. Pushing her way through the doors, Maria scans the room until she sees her friend. Waving her hands frantically, Maria tries to get Liz’s attention through the crowded, Friday night room. The music is loud and it’s standing room only. Finally, Liz sees her and a huge smile lights up her face as she waves them over. “Liz!” Maria hugs her tight. “I’m so sorry we’re late.” Maria looks her friend over and smiles in approval. Liz has softened a little, her hard edges gradually worn away. The last couple of years in Paris have been good to her. The first time Liz came to Sydney, Maria had begged her to stay with them, but Liz just smiled and said she needed some time by herself. As much as she misses her best friend, she can see that she knew what she was talking about. “You look great, Liz.” She whispers in her ear. Liz hugs her back. “Thanks, Maria.” Maria finally accepted Liz’s decision…after one visit to Sydney and one visit by Maria alone to Paris…and Liz was so relieved when she did. Having Maria’s support and acceptance lifted a huge weight of responsibility from her. From what she can tell, Michael and Maria are doing better than ever and she couldn’t be happier for them. After all they’ve been through, the two of them have been the stable ones…as odd a thought as that is…keeping Liz sane. Maria quickly turns to the person sitting next to Liz and says, “Hey Paul. How’ve you been?” She gives Paul a tight hug when he stands up to greet her, ruffling his hair as she does…making him laugh and push her away. Everyone takes their turn greeting each other and when Liz gets to Isabel, she asks, “How are you?” Isabel pulls back and says, “Good…you?” Isabel doesn’t need to ask…she can see that Liz is doing well. She looks happy and there’s something in her eyes that Isabel hasn’t seen for a very long time…peace. But there’s something missing…a spark. Liz shrugs and smiles. “I’m great.” Isabel doesn’t miss the way Liz’s eyes briefly scan around them looking for someone…someone who isn’t there. Isabel nods at Liz’s fake enthusiasm. She had tried to get Max to come, but he declined…as usual. Liz moves to Michael. “Hey you.” She reaches up and hugs him, too. “Hey.” Michael says, hugging her tightly in return. “Maria almost killed us getting here.” Liz laughs and asks, “How long can you stay?” Michael shrugs and looks over at Paul. “If you have room, we can stay for a couple of weeks.” “Of course we have room…don’t you dare stay anywhere else!” Liz playfully slaps him on the arm. “Besides, Paul’s gonna stay with Brian while you guys are here.” Isabel hears this and turns to Paul. “I thought you guys broke up!” Paul shakes his head, smiles smugly, and says, “Nope, turns out he can’t live without me.” Isabel smiles and says, “That’s great! You so need to fill me in on what happened last week.” She settles in next to Paul, leaving Jesse next to Liz…rolling his eyes. “Hey Jesse. I’m glad you guys could come.” Liz laughs. When Liz first met Paul at the bar, she formed a tentative friendship with him…moving in together shortly after to make it easier for both of them financially. Her friends were skeptical and worried at first about the stranger in Liz’s life, but quickly came to like Paul…especially Isabel, who talks to him at least once a week through email. Paul has never been let in on their secret, although Liz sometimes has a hard time lying to him. “I have a feeling I won’t see her the entire time we’re here.” Jesse smiles at Liz. “I think she likes Paul more than me.” Liz laughs with him and says, “Nah…he’s just more fun to shop with.” She looks around at her friends and wishes Kyle and Serena could have come. Two year old Natalie is too young to come to the bar, but they’ll all meet up tomorrow. She sees them often, taking care of Natalie during the day while Kyle and Serena work. Since she works nights at the bar and doesn’t need a lot of sleep, she’s happy to be able to spend time with Natalie and help out her friends. They love their cottage just outside the city…the place their Natalie was born. For all intents, Natalie looks like a beautiful human little girl. She has curly auburn hair that will obviously look like her mother’s some day. But until Natalie is old enough to understand, they have to be careful. Or she’ll change the color of her toys in public. Liz loves her to death, and she calls her Aunt Wiz. She tries to get together with Michael, Maria, Isabel and Jesse at least every six months. It’s harder to get together very often with them so far away. Liz hasn’t heard from Max since that morning in London when she left hurriedly after saying goodbye to him. Maria tells her that he’s been to visit them a few times but they’ve never been to see him…they don’t even know where he’s at, although Isabel talks to him often. Sometimes, Liz swears she can feel him…feel their connection. So she’s always thought that maybe he’s close by…maybe not in Paris, but Brussels, or London. She spent her first year in Paris trying to figure it out, but eventually gave up. She felt it flare up again about a week ago, but over the last two and a half years, she’s pushed it to the back of her mind and learned how to ignore it. She never tried to get in touch with him and she never heard from him. Maybe it’s for the best. She has a good life here and he probably has a good life wherever he’s at. Maria and Isabel tell her that he seems happy whenever they see him or talk to him, so that’s really all that’s important. The group of friends spend the next two hours talking and laughing…none of them aware of the eyes watching them from the corner. Isabel told him they were coming. He prepared himself…steeled himself to finally join them this time. He’s worked hard over the last couple of years to tamp down his connection with Liz. For two reasons. One, he couldn’t bear to feel it and not be near her. And two, he checked in on her every once in a while and didn’t want her to see him…didn’t want her to feel like he was spying on her. Although, technically he was. But he just wanted a glance, just wanted to make sure she was ok. He never stayed very long, usually slipping in the side door of the bar she worked at and sitting in the corner for a few minutes watching her work. He’s never followed her home or anywhere else, he just needs to…reassure himself. He knows it’s wrong…that if she knew about it she would be furious. But those few minutes every once in a while are a balm to his soul…temporary pain relief that gets him through to the next time. Once he memorizes everything about her, he leaves quietly and goes back to London, where he’s stayed ever since they were all there two and a half years ago. So when he talked to Isabel a few weeks ago and she told him they were coming to see Liz, he finally thought that he might be able to meet them there. He thought enough time had passed and he might actually work up the nerve to go. He never asked Isabel about Liz, never asked anyone about her. He knew she was ok, he saw her often enough…and they didn’t need to know that. He’s made it clear to all of them that Liz isn’t a topic he wishes to discuss. But when he arrived at the bar tonight, he wished he had asked them about Liz. Because he was shocked to see her sitting with a strange man, his arm around her as they laughed. Max quickly disappeared into the crowd as he watched them, sitting in the corner. They looked like they’d known each other for a while by the familiar way they behaved together. He wasn’t aware of how much time passed…he was entranced watching Liz. He eventually saw Maria leading Michael, Isabel and Jesse across the crowded room and saw the joyful reunion. Liz looked so happy, hugging everyone…smiling and laughing. Then he saw how everyone crowded around the guy with Liz…like he’d been their friend for years. Had he? Was he Liz’s boyfriend? His sister seems especially close to him, plopping herself down right next to him and hugging him before they spent the next hour gabbing like long lost best friends. Even Michael seems to be on friendly terms with him. At one point, he hears Maria laugh out loud and yell his name…Paul. Paul. Paul is Liz’s new boyfriend. As the night wears on, Max realizes that he needs to get out of there if he doesn’t want to be seen. There’s no way he can go over there…he just can’t face her…he wasn’t expecting this. She looks so happy and the last thing he wants to do is disrupt that. Once he reaches the door, he quickly makes his escape and races out into the summer night…only to bump right into Maria. “Shit! Maria…you…what are you doing?” Max exclaims as he tries to keep both of them from falling. Maria quirks up an eyebrow and says, “You’re asking me what I’m doing? I’m not the one sneaking away after spying on everyone all night.” Max looks down at the ground, not knowing what to say. “Why’d you come if you weren’t going to let anyone know you were here?” Maria asks. Max glances up at her, then the door. “I…I was going to. But I couldn’t…when I saw she brought her boyfriend.” Maria struggles not to laugh and says, “I see. You mean Paul, right?” He’s so clueless, she feels like strangling him. “Right. Paul.” Max says. Maria rolls her eyes at how defeated and lost he sounds. This guy…always with the heartache. “Well, you’re missing out. Paul’s a great guy…everyone loves him.” Maria says with a smile. Max scowls and says, “Yah, I saw.” Maria can’t help it…he’s just too easy. “Yup, he’s been really great for Liz. You know they live together.” He clenches his teeth and stares at the cement sidewalk. “That’s…that’s good. I’m glad he makes her happy.” Maria nods her head and says, “Look, either you go in there and say hello to everyone, or you can leave and I’ll go in there and tell them you’ve been watching us all night and left without coming over.” Max looks up, his eyes wide. “Maria. Please…I just…I can’t. Please don’t tell them I was here.” She shakes her head and grabs his arm. “Enough is enough. Come on buddy, it’s better to just get it all over with. Let’s go.” She pulls him inside, practically dragging him across the floor and over to their table. He notices her stagger a little and wonders how much she’s had to drink. “Look who I found outside!” Maria exclaims as she reaches the table, shoving Max forward. All eyes fall on Max and he feels his face heat up at the scrutiny. He avoids looking at Liz as he gets a closer look at this Paul guy. Isabel jumps up and grabs Max, hugging him. “Max…I’m so glad you decided to come!” Liz watches him as everyone says hello…she sees how uncomfortable he is and realizes it’s because she’s there. He’s avoiding looking at her as everyone suddenly starts talking around her. Finally, there’s no one left and he reluctantly looks at Liz and says, “Hi Liz.” “Hi Max.” She cringes at how small her voice sounds. Looking into his eyes, she sees so much pain and she wonders if it’s ever really gone away…if Maria and Isabel have been lying to her about how he’s doing. He looks so awkward…uncomfortable…like this is the last place he wants to be. Why would he come if he so clearly didn’t want to? There’s an uncomfortable silence as everyone watches them until she hears Paul clear his throat next to her. Shaking out of her thoughts, she says, “Oh…ummm…Max, this is Paul. Paul, this is…Max.” Maria mutters from her side of the table, “Oh, I already told Max about Paul.” Everyone turns to Maria and nods, thinking she’s told Max that Paul is Liz’s gay roommate. Liz watches as Max reaches his hand out to Paul and says, “Nice to meet you, Paul.” “Same here.” Paul answers as Max sits down next to Isabel. “So…how do you know these clowns?” Paul gestures with a grin to everyone else at the table. Max furrows his brow in confusion. He’s never heard of him. No one has ever told Paul about him…Liz has never told Paul about him. “Umm…I…” “Max is my brother.” Isabel tells Paul, noticing the discomfort around the table. “Your brother?! I didn’t know you had a brother.” Paul says to Isabel before turning back to Max. “Man, that must have been something growing up in the same house as Issy here.” Paul smiles and elbows Isabel teasingly. Max cringes when he hears Paul call her Issy and he tries to smile, sure that it looks more like a freakish scowl. “Yah, it was…something.” Max looks at Isabel and sees the guilty look on her face before she looks down at the table. Michael feels the tension all the way around the table as silence falls over it. All eyes look nervously around, or down at the table and he clears his throat. “So, Maxwell, when did you get in town?” Max feels his heart turn to lead and drop in his stomach. All he can think is that he shouldn’t have come here. “Just a few hours ago.” He says quietly and sends Maria a withering look as she smiles at him and looks away. Why would she do this to him? Maria sits back and thinks that this is what he deserves. He’s the one who stayed away…he’s the one who went off on his own…he’s the one who broke Liz’s heart…again. He brought this all on himself. Yup, she’s definitely taking all kinds of pleasure in his discomfort. She picks up her fourth, or is it fifth beer and starts drinking it as she notices Max squirm in his chair. This night just gets better and better. Paul is confused at how everyone is acting. And he finds it strange that no one has ever talked about Max before. Is he some kind of black sheep of the family? Did he and Isabel have a falling out? It seemed like she was happy to see him when he arrived. He looks over at Liz and sees that she’s extremely uncomfortable as she sneaks quick glances up at Max when he’s not looking. Something definitely is going on there. He sees Maria sitting back in her chair staring at Max with her eyebrows raised in superiority. Almost in satisfaction that he’s causing so much tension. Not one for sitting back and watching, Paul decides to say something. Breaking the silence, he asks, “Ok, so what’s really going on here?” Everyone looks over at him and it’s interesting to see the different looks on the faces around him. Shock, annoyance, amusement, anger. “I mean, Max here looks like he’s about ready to bolt at the first opportunity. And there’s so much tension at this table, I feel like my head’s gonna explode. So, does anyone wanna tell me what’s going on?” Isabel slaps on a fake smile and says, “Nothing’s going on. We’re just surprised to see Max, that’s all.” She looks at everyone and urges them to say something with her death ray look. Maria takes a drink of her beer before leaning forward and saying, “Well, Paul. It’s like this. Max here is Liz’s ex-boyfriend.” Liz buries her face in her hands as Paul looks over at her, confused. Liz never talks about her past and he’s intrigued. “Ah…it’s coming together now.” Paul says to Maria. “Yup. There was no coming between those two…they were connected.” She raises his eyebrows at him for emphasis and takes another drink of beer before continuing. “But he broke her heart. Then she broke his…then he broke hers…and she broke his again. Or was it the other way around? There was that whole thing where she slept with Kyle, but I get confused. Let’s just say they have a talent for breaking each other’s hearts and the whole pain gig.” She picks up her glass again but Michael grabs it from her. “I think you’ve had enough.” Michael slides the beer across the table as she makes a grab for it. He looks at Paul and says, “She doesn’t hold her liquor very well.” “What?! I don’t hold my liquor well? You guys can’t even take a sip without getting all trippy and glowy…” Maria’s cut off by Michael’s hand as he laughs. “See what I mean.” He grabs her purse and pulls her away from the table and says to Liz, “We’ll be back at your place.” Liz nods as they all watch Michael drag Maria from the bar. Paul laughs and says, “Wow…you gotta love Maria when she’s drunk.” Isabel and Jesse laugh with him and Jesse says, “Yah, remember last year when she made a bet with that huge guy at the bar about who could do more shots of tequila?” Paul makes a disgusted face. “Remember? It was my bed she puked in.” He looks over at Liz to see her still staring at the table. He grabs her hand and waits for her to look up. Smiling, he tries to bring her back to the conversation. She smiles weakly at him and glances over at Max. What’s he doing here? She can tell he obviously doesn’t want to be…Paul was right. He looks like he’s ready to bolt at any second. Isabel tries her best to keep the conversation going and she turns to Paul. “So, Paul…your anniversary is tomorrow night, right?” Paul smiles and nods his head. “Well, tell me all about it. What do you have planned for your little love nest?” Isabel leans forward, anxious to hear what he has planned. Hearing this, Max’s face scrunches up in horror as he looks at Isabel in disbelief. What the hell? He pushes back from the table and stands up. “Jesus, Isabel.” He sees the confused look on her face and looks to Jesse, only to see the same look there. “I’m gonna…I have to go.” He turns to Paul and clenches his teeth before saying, “It was nice to meet you.” Glancing at Liz, he says, “Goodbye, Liz. It was good to see you again.” Then he turns abruptly and leaves the bar. Everyone stares after him and Isabel says, “What was that all about?” Jesse shrugs and looks at Liz who is equally confused. What a weird night. Max shows up and Maria gets drunk, embarrassing them all. Then Max leaves without saying two sentences to any of them. Liz is left wondering once again why he came here at all tonight. Paul looks at his watch and throws some money on the table. “Well, guys. It’s been…interesting. But I have to go meet Brian.” He leans down and kisses Liz on the cheek. “You ok?” Liz nods at him and smiles. “Yah…you go on. Have fun.” He winks at her and says, “Oh, I will.” He turns to Isabel and says, “Don’t you forget about our shopping excursion tomorrow.” She hugs him and says, “Don’t worry. And I’m sorry about Max. I don’t know what’s wrong with him.” “Don’t worry about it.” He turns to Jesse. “I’ll see you guys later.” Jesse nods and says, “Bye Paul.” as Paul makes his way to the door. Max is still fuming as he stands outside the bar. There’s a crowd of people around the door as he leans against the wall. He wonders for the millionth time why he let Maria drag him back inside when he sees Paul walk out in a hurry and take his cell phone out of his pocket. Max hears him say, “Hey baby, it’s me. I’m on my way over.” Paul pauses for a second and smiles as he says, “I love you, too. I’ll see you soon.” and slips his phone back in his pocket as he turns the opposite direction of Max and starts walking down the street. Now Max is really fuming. Is this jerk cheating on Liz? As much as he hated seeing her with someone else, he just wants her to be happy. He pushes away from the wall and decides to follow Paul and see where he’s going. Keeping a discrete distance behind him, Max follows him for several blocks and hides in the shadows of some buildings when Paul makes his way up the stairs of a building across the street. How could this guy cheat on Liz? He watches Paul ring the bell and shift back and forth on both feet waiting for someone to answer the door. Max’s mouth opens in shock…and realization…when a man answers the door and Paul…kisses him? What the…? He stares at the two men as they embrace and Paul follows the other man inside. Max sinks back against the wall thinking back over the evening…at Maria’s smugness in telling him Paul and Liz lived together…Isabel asking about his plans for his anniversary…everyone’s confusion when he bolted up from the table in anger. It’s all coming together…Paul is gay. Paul is not Liz’s boyfriend. He’s just her roommate. He rolls his eyes at himself and runs his hands through his hair. No wonder everyone was looking at him like he was crazy. Maybe he is. Maria. She did this on purpose…just to see him squirm. He shakes his head and walks back toward the bar. God, what are they thinking about him? He barely said anything to anyone…and made them all uncomfortable with his silence. Liz…she probably thinks he can’t even stand to be around her. He could barely even look at her. His stride gets faster as he makes his way back to the bar. When he gets there and walks inside, though, he sees that they’re gone. They must have left right after Paul did. Damn. Walking back outside, he takes a deep breath and looks at the sky. It’s late. Turning, he walks toward the old hotel he usually stays at when he comes to Paris. Tomorrow, he’ll try and find Liz and apologize. The next day, Max realizes his problem. He doesn’t know where Liz lives. He ends up wandering around the streets of Paris with no hope of just running into them. He debates with himself about using his connection to find her but in the end, decides to just go back to London. What would apologizing do anyway? She still wouldn’t want him here. And they’d just end up having to go through the heartache of saying goodbye again. Before he leaves, though, he wants to make a stop and watch the sunset on the Seine. He makes his way to the bridge…their bridge…where they used to go every evening and watch the sunset together. He walks slowly, hearing the voices up ahead of the gathering crowd. As he gets closer, he feels her. She’s here and he looks around…searching for her. He sees her standing halfway across the bridge, looking out toward her garden next to Notre Dame. He can’t help but think how beautiful she looks with her hair blowing back with the wind and the sun shining on her face, turning her skin to gold. He swallows and walks toward her. As he steps up to the side next to her, she doesn’t turn to look at him but he knows she knows he’s there. He looks out toward the garden too and lets down the shield he uses to block his thoughts from her. He sees her take in a breath and flinch slightly and he thinks, “I’m sorry, Liz.” She shakes her head, still not looking at him and says softly, “Maria told me what she did to you. She feels really bad.” “Good.” He smiles slightly. Neither one of them says anything for a few moments before Liz asks, “Why haven’t you ever contacted me, Max?” He waits a beat, then says, “Why haven’t you.” She smiles slightly and says, “Touché.” “I didn’t want to…disrupt your life. I want you to be happy, Liz. Are you? Happy?” Liz closes her eyes against the wind and breathes in deeply. “Yes. No.” Max nods, understanding. Is there a happy anymore? Is there anything beyond simple existence? Is there anything beyond standing on this bridge with Liz, feeling the breeze on your skin and the sun on your face? For the first time since he got there, Liz turns and looks up at him and his breath leaves him when he sees the sadness in her eyes. Is it because he’s here? Should he go? “Please don’t.” She says to him. He blinks, then nods. They both watch the sunset until it disappears in the horizon before Liz says, “I have a story. Do you wanna hear it?” He glances at her and nods his head. “Sure.” She takes a deep breath and starts, “It’s a story about a boy…and a girl. They grew up together in this small town. Never knowing each other, not really. Until one fateful day when the boy…touched her…in a way she’d never been touched before. And it changed everything. They fell in love.” Max smiles and says, “I think I’ve heard this story.” Liz smiles too and says, “Oh. So you know how it ends.” He shakes his head and says, “No. I never did hear the ending.” “Well, let me tell you. After years of heartache and pain and separation, this boy and girl found themselves together again. Neither one knowing how to move past all the pain they caused each other. You see, they were both stubborn.” “Both, huh. I heard it was just the girl who was stubborn.” Max teases. “Well, you heard the story wrong.” Liz tells him, rolling her eyes and smiling. “They were both stubborn and afraid. Afraid to fall into old patterns. Afraid of hurting the other any more. Afraid of hurting themselves.” “So how did they move past it? How did they get a happy ending?” Max asks her, looking into her eyes. “How do you know it’s a happy ending?” Liz asks. “Because any good story always has a happy ending.” Max whispers. “They took a leap of faith…knowing their love would be strong enough to keep them from falling.” Max just looks at her for a moment, trying to figure out what she’s saying to him. “That’s a nice story.” “Yah, it is.” Liz takes a deep breath and reaches her hand up to his cheek. He closes his eyes and leans into her hand, furrowing his brow. “Tell me you love me, Max.” He reaches his hand up to cover hers and he opens his eyes. “I love you.” “Now tell me you’ll never leave me again.” “Liz…I…” Max starts but she puts a finger over his lips. “Shhhh. Please, Max. Just…can you just tell me that?” Liz can’t help the catch in her voice and the tears that form in her eyes. Max grabs her hand and places a kiss in the middle of her palm. He reaches up and puts a hand on each side of her face, brushing her hair back as he looks into her eyes. Leaning down, he kisses her forehead, then each of her eyes…kissing the tears away. Then he brushes his lips softly over hers and she can taste her tears on his lips. He pulls away and looks into her eyes once again and says, “I’ll never leave you again.” A sob escapes her lips as she closes her eyes and puts her hands over his, still framing her face. She smiles and opens her eyes. “Tell me you love me again.” Max smiles and says, “I love you.” She reaches out to him and pulls his face down to hers; capturing his lips in a kiss as his hands move down to her back and her waist. He pulls her close as their kiss becomes deeper, more urgent. Liz runs one hand through his hair and the other down his back. Neither can get close enough to the other and Max breaks away, burying his face in her neck…her hair. He embraces her so hard that he lifts her up, her feet dangling in the air and they both laugh. It’s dark when they finally break apart and walk away from the bridge hand in hand. Liz leans her head on his shoulder and Max asks her, “So…do you think the story really has a happy ending?” Liz smiles and puts her arm around Max’s waist. “Of course. Any good story has a happy ending.” ~The End~

Post by **roswellkitkat** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 3:26 pm

<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /frown.gif ALT=":("> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /frown.gif ALT=":("> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /frown.gif ALT=":("> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /frown.gif ALT=":("> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /frown.gif ALT=":("> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /frown.gif ALT=":("> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /frown.gif ALT=":("> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /frown.gif ALT=":("> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /frown.gif ALT=":("> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /frown.gif ALT=":("> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /frown.gif ALT=":("> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /frown.gif ALT=":("> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /frown.gif ALT=":("> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/eek.gif ALT=":eek"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/eek.gif ALT=":eek"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/eek.gif ALT=":eek"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/eek.gif ALT=":eek"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/eek.gif ALT=":eek"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/eek.gif ALT=":eek"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/eek.gif ALT=":eek"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/eek.gif ALT=":eek"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/eek.gif ALT=":eek"> I can't believe it's over! Angel, Angel, Angel....what can I say? This stroy had everything anyone could hope for, romance, angst,action and the best part...a happy ending. Thanks for the ride...it was great! <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.gamers-forums.com/smilies/co ... rkitty.gif ALT=":kitty"> <div style="text-align:center">Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.</div> <div style="text-align:center">Rudyard Kipling, English author</div>

Post by **splatty** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 5:45 pm

<img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> i loved it, of course. thanks!!!! <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love">

Post by **majiklmoon** » Mon Mar 31, 2003 11:53 am

Oh Angel, that was super, I <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> it <center><a href="http://pub129.ezboard.com/fmajiklmoonsr ... ID=9.topic" target="_new">Majik's World of Fanfic Crossover Contest</a>. Mix your fics, come on, you know you want to!</center><center><a href=http://pub84.ezboard.com/bmajiklmoonsrealm><img src=http://members.aol.com/majiklmoon/image ... a></center>

vecastone · Post by **vecastone** » Mon Mar 31, 2003 2:02 pm

<img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> THAT WAS SOOOOO BEAUTIFUL !! SNIF !!! SNIF !!! <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)"> I CAN´T BELIEVE ITS OVER <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap">

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Fri Apr 04, 2003 10:49 am

Epilogue means it's over? Quick, someone erase the epilogue. Make her keep going <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> I don't want it to be over

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed May 14, 2003 1:09 pm

<img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> Angel although that was just beautiful I don't know if I can really forgive you for killing of Jim!<img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> But the story was wonderful! So sad and angsty! There better be a sequel up on the boards somehwhere...if not you'd better write one and soon!

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