Max stared at Liz wide eyed, “How could I have saved you in there?”
“If I hadn’t been able to bypass, they would have dissected me. But since I still had my powers, it threw them and they left me alone.” Liz explained. “Somehow our connection allowed me to bypass the block on my powers. At least that’s the best theory I’ve been able to come up with.”
Max just sat there speechless, trying to process what Liz had said. Somehow, the unique love and connection he and Liz shared had somehow manifested itself in a way that allowed Liz to tap into it when she needed it. He couldn’t help but feel like he was helping to protect her. It made him feel useful, like he could contribute and help. “I have confidence in your theory. After all you’re the alien,
not me.”
The two sat there for a minute before Max asked, “What happened after you threw them into the wall? I’m sure they weren’t happy about it, how did they react to it?”
“When Pierce and her men got over their shock over what I did, she ordered them to evaluate. They scrambled out quickly, leaving me tied to the exam table.” Liz explained.
“But one of them had had a hold one of my restraints when he was thrown and he ripped it. I managed to work my way out of the restraints and I pulled my shirt down to cover my chest. Then I got off the table and checked out the medical cart the doctors left behind. I was able to clean myself up but there were no bandages to use. Although my clothes were still soaking wet and freezing I had to stay in them because there were no other ones. Instead I striped the exam table and wrapped the sheets around me then huddled in the corner. I sat there for awhile; I don’t know how long; just hoping that someone would come for me. That’s how the others found me.”
“I thought my heart was going to leap out of my chest when I saw you in Michael’s arms.” Max stated. “You looked so weak and tiny. And I saw some of the damage that had been done. I wanted to take you from him but Michael yelled to drive and I knew that I needed to get you out of there.”
“I remember my hands shaking as I tried to pull on some clothes. But they stopped when you grabbed one of them. I felt so safe then, knowing that you were there.” Liz said. “I’m always feel safe in your arms.”
Liz realized what she had said, she hadn’t meant for it to come out. Her body stiffened, “Anyway, you know what happened after that.”
Max noticed her body become rigid and wanted to say something to comfort her but didn’t know what. Instead he said, “I can’t believe you kept that all inside.”
“What happened, happened. And I’m going to do what I can to make sure that nothing like that happens again, to any of us.” Liz said firmly. “If anyone comes after us again, I’ll do whatever in my power to stop them.”
Max heard something in her voice, saw a glow in her eyes that made him realize how serious she was, and couldn’t help but ask, “What are you talking about?”
“I’m sure Maria told you that I’ve been working on my powers,” Max nodded. “Well it seems that I have more powers than I thought and I’ve been developing them. One that I didn’t know about is called mindwarping, I can make people see things that aren’t really there.”
Max’s eyes almost bulged out of his head. “That’s not possible.”
Liz didn’t say anything but Max saw her brow wrinkle as if in concentration. Then suddenly Liz’s hair became blonde and curly, her skin paled, and her brown eyes turned into blue as her face morphed into Tess’s face. Max jumped back in surprise, not believing what he was seeing. Then as suddenly as Liz changed into Tess, she flipped back. She had a very smug look on her face. “Oh, it’s very possible Max.”
“Okay, it’s possible.” Max said in shock at what he had seen. Liz could really change what people could see. “So you’ve been working on your powers and letting what happen fester inside you.”
“I just couldn’t talk about it.” Liz shrugged.
Max knew that at least part of the reason why she couldn’t talk about it was because he hadn’t been there for her. He had let her down. “Liz…”
“Don’t say you’re sorry Max. You’ve already said it enough. I know you are.” Liz interrupted. Max saw her shoulders slump and knew she was drained. Pouring everything out to him had drained her. Before she could pull away, he put an arm around her and pulled her into his arms. “I’m here Liz, I’m here. Let go.”
Liz started to resist and pull away but the comfort of Max’s arms was too much of a temptation and instead she clung to him. And as she did, the tears began to fall. She had cried a few times by herself but this was different. Crying in Max’s arms, knowing he was there for her was extremely therapeutic and she felt like the weight of the world had been lifted from her.
As the stars above them sparkled in the dark sky, Max held Liz as she cried herself to sleep.
(*(*(*(*(*(*(*(**)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)
Despite the fact that he’d been asleep, Alex heard the incessant knocking on his front door and went to answer it. When he did, he found a frazzled Isabel. “Liz and Max are missing.”
“What?” Alex asked still half asleep.
“Liz and Max are missing. I went into her room this morning and she hasn’t slept in her bed. I lied to Dad and Mom and told them that she had left early. I called Michael and he said that Liz had planned on talking to Max about some stuff last night. Maria called the Parkers and discreetly found out that he didn’t come home either. They think he stayed here.”
“Okay.” Alex said processing the information and trying to think of something to calm Isabel down. “Did you try to dreamwalk them?”
“Yeah, Liz is still blocking me and Max was…um dreaming of other things.” Isabel said. The blush on her cheeks telling him just what Max had been dreaming of.
“Let me grab my keys and we’ll go looking for them. Does Liz have the jeep?”
Isabel nodded. She was so happy that Alex was going to help; she had come to rely on him and would be a mess if he weren’t there. “I can call Kyle too. I know he’ll want to help and he has another vehicle.”
As Isabel called Kyle, Alex changed out of the shorts he’d slept in and grabbed his keys. By the time he was done Isabel had finished her call and they set off. They swung by and grabbed Michael and Maria then started their search. Although no one said, everyone was thinking about the last time Liz had disappeared. They knew that the Special Unit was gone but they still worried. There could be others out there that would want Liz.
They covered all of Roswell in their search keeping their eyes peeled for Liz, Max, or the jeep but came up with nothing. When they were done, Alex pulled over to figure out their next step, “Where do we go from here?”
“I say we start canvassing the desert.” Isabel suggested.
“The desert’s big, where do we start?” Maria asked.
“I say the pod chamber first, and if they’re not there, then we go to the cave in Frasier Woods.” Michael stated. Alex agreed and after some instructions as to where to go, he turned the car in the right direction to go to the pod chamber.
The first thing they spotted was the jeep as they approached the rock formation. They were pretty sure it was safe to assume that at least Liz was there. They parked next to it and started the hike to the chamber but didn’t make it all the way there. Just outside of it, they found what they were looking for. Liz and Max were curled up in one of the sleeping bags they left there fast asleep. It was obvious they had been there all night.
All of them noticed that Liz had her face buried in Max’s chest with a content look on her face. It was obvious that something had happened between the two of them even if they didn’t know what. They just hoped that it would help Liz and it looked like it did. Although they had been scared to death, none of them had the heart to wake them, not with Liz looking better than she had in months. Even Michael who would normally not like the idea of the two of them sleeping so close didn’t bother them. They were just glad that they were okay.
Instead they simply climbed back down the rocks and back to Alex’s car where Isabel called Kyle again to let him know that Liz had been found. After, they drove back into town to cover for the two.
PART 24
The morning after their night spent in the desert, Liz was the first one to awaken and was surprised to find herself pressed up against Max’s firm chest and his arms wrapped her. Then the memories of the night before hit her and she remember him holding her while she cried herself to sleep. She tried her best to unnoticeably pull out of Max’s arms but the moment she began to withdraw, Max stirred. Knowing that he was going to wake up regardless, she pulled away and sat up just as his eyes fluttered open. When his eyes opened, they settled on her.
Liz and Max looked at each other, feeling slightly awkward at their circumstances but shook it off and got back in the jeep to head back into town. Liz dropped him off at the Crashdown with the promise that she wouldn’t shut him out anymore before going home as well.
When she arrived home, Liz was worried that her parents were going to be upset with her but when she got home, she was relieved to find out that Isabel had covered for her. But although she got out of trouble with her parents, it didn’t save her from a lecture from Michael and Isabel about going off and not telling anyone. And for a long time after, Maria made sure that Max knew how worried she had been about him.
A week after the desert, Maria and Max were both working, Max at the counter listening to another scolding from Maria. “Girlfriend, I totally understand about wanting some time alone with Liz to talk. Lord knows you both needed to get some things out. But how hard is it to call one of us to let us know? Or leave a note? A simple ‘Hey going out into the desert to talk, love Max & Liz would be enough. Do you know how much cedar oil I sniffed while we were looking for you?”
“Maria, could you just not do this now?” Max asked as he rubbed his temples to try and alleviate some of the headache he was feeling.
Maria heard the exhaustion in his voice and looked over at him. It was the first time she had a chance to do so since the café had been so busy since she came on shift. If she had looked sooner, she would have noticed his ashen complexion and bloodshot eyes, he looked dog-tired. “Max, are you okay?”
“What?” Max asked confused then realized what she was talking about and added, “Oh…I’m fine. Just tired, and my head is killing me.”
“Did you take anything?”
“Yeah, I took some Tylenol last night but it didn’t seem to do any good. Just made me dizzy and feel kind of loopy.” Max explained with obvious distaste. “I didn’t like it.”
“Why don’t you eat something or better yet, why don’t you tell your dad you feel like crap and go up and take a nap?” Maria asked, concern in her voice. The longer she looked at Max, the more concerned she became.
“No, I’m okay. Besides, I don’t think if I did either it would matter. I slept for over ten hours last night and it feels like I didn’t sleep at all. And I tried to eat some breakfast but it didn’t taste right.” Max explained.
But Maria didn’t listen and instead headed back to Max’s dad’s office. After speaking with him a minute, Jeff Parker agreed with Maria that his son needed a break so he sent Max upstairs to his room. Max begrudgingly went up but not before throwing Maria a glare as he did.
Once Max was upstairs, Maria decided to call Liz. Maybe she could heal Max’s headache for him even if modern medicine couldn’t. She quickly dialed the Evans’ number and Liz picked on the second ring, “Hello?”
“Liz, its Maria.” Maria greeted. “Look it’s probably nothing and I’m worrying for nothing but Max isn’t looking too good. He’s pale and looks like he hasn’t slept in a week. I just had to have Mr. Parker practically force Max to take a break.”
“What do you think is wrong?” Liz asked alarmed. “And what can I do to help?”
“I don’t know what’s wrong with him except that he said a headache but Tylenol didn’t do anything. I thought maybe you could.” Maria suggested.
“I’ll be there in ten minutes.” Liz said before Maria was met with a dial tone. True to her word ten minutes later, Liz appeared at the backdoor of the café where Maria let her in. Maria filled in the small amount of details that she hadn’t told her earlier before Liz headed up the stairs to the Parker’s apartment and Max’s room.
Liz knocked softly on Max’s door and when she didn’t get an answer, she pushed it open and peered inside. The windows were open allowing the light summer breeze flow in and cool the room. Max was sprawled out on his bed in only a pair of shorts. His eyes were shut and he appeared to be asleep. She took the opportunity to look him over uninhibited. She saw why Maria had been worried he looked tired. And she figured she should let him rest. She could fix his headache later.
Liz turned to leave but halted when she heard Max’s faint whisper. “Liz?”
Liz turned back around and saw Max awake and looking up at her. She smiled faintly and said, “Hey, you should get some more sleep.”
“No, stay. I wasn’t really asleep anyway.” Max begged her as he sat up. Like always, he had felt her as soon as she entered the room through their connection. “Not that I’m not happy to see you but what are you do here?”
“Maria called me after you came up here to get some rest.” Liz answered him. “She was worried about you and asked me to come over.”
“She can be such a mother hen sometimes.” Max grumbled.
“But she’s a good friend.” Liz declared. Not knowing what else to do, she edged her way onto the side of his bed. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine. Just tired.” Max said.
“You’re lying.” Liz chastised.
“I’m not lying…exactly.” Max stated. “It’s nothing, I’m just tired.”
“And have a headache along with no appetite.” Liz added. “How long as this been going on?”
“Since a day or two after we got back from the desert.” Max answered.
“Maybe you caught a cold from sleeping outside in the elements.” Liz offered. “I mean, it happens.”
“Maybe.” Max agreed but sounded unsure.
“Well I can help you feel a little bit better and make that headache go away.” Liz said as she leaned forward and placed her hands on Max’s head. The injury wasn’t bad enough to form a connection; she just had to use a little energy to heal it. Her hands glowed for a moment before she pulled away, “Better?”
Max blinked. “Yeah, thanks.”
“No problem.” Liz said backing away. But as she did, she noticed something. She moved her hands back up but instead of touching Max’s head; she just ran her hand over his face. When she did, what looked like small electrical streams jetted out from under her fingertip. It looked similar to when she had made him glow during her ‘awakening’ but still different.
When Liz touched Max, he felt a strange tingling under her fingers and saw confusion in Liz’s eyes. “What is it?”
Liz looked around for a mirror but couldn’t find one so instead she manipulated one and held it up in front of Max’s face. “It’d be easier to show you.”
Liz moved the mirror so that Max could see it and touched his face again. When his eyes expanded to the size of saucers, she knew he saw what she wanted him to. She continued to stroke his face to prove her point before he caught her hand to stop her. “Liz, how are you doing this?”
“I’m not.” Liz stated. She about fell off the bed when he yanked away from her and jumped up. He started pacing back and forth. Liz didn’t think she had ever seen him looking this frazzled before. “Max, you have to calm down.”
“Calm down? Something weird is happening to me. How am I supposed to calm down?” Max asked throwing up his arms. As he did, the desk next to him exploded into flames. Liz reacted quickly. Using her powers, she extinguished the flames and repaired the damage. Then she looked over at a stunned Max who asked. “What is happening to me?”
PART 25
“What is happening to me?”
At first Liz didn’t know what to say to Max because she didn’t have any answers. But knowing she had to say something she said, “I don’t know Max.”
Max looked at the spot where moments before flames had been thriving on his desk and said. “I didn’t really do that did I? I mean, I’m not one of you, I don’t have powers. I’m just an ordinary human.”
“No, you’re not.” Liz stated as things started to click in her mind. She didn’t know why she hadn’t thought of it before. “You’re a human that was healed with an alien power, a lot of alien power. I brought you back from death. We don’t know what that could have done to you.”
“So you’re saying that all of this is because of you healing me?” Max asked in astonishment. He had just figured he had the flu or something, nothing to do with the aliens.
“It’s the only thing I can think of. It even explains your reaction to Tylenol. We have low tolerance for stuff like drugs and alcohol. Years back, when Michael was still living with Hank, he accidentally drank some alcohol. It was only a sip but it had an instant reaction on Michael. He was completely drunk, even using his powers openly but thankfully Isabel and I found him before anything bad could happen. We have low tolerance for chemicals or alcohol.”
“But what about the other stuff? The tiredness and no appetite?” Max asked.
“That I have no idea about.” Liz said dejectedly. She saw that her words didn’t help the despair so she added. “But we will find out what is going on. I promise.”
“How?”
“Nasedo.” Liz stated. “He’s the only one I know that might have the knowledge of what is happening. He knows a lot about our powers. He’s been gone on some enemy scouting assignments but he should have been back either yesterday or today. I’m going to go talk to him and see if he knows anything.”
“I want to be there when you talk to him.” Max insisted animatedly. “I want to hear for myself what is happening to me. I can handle it.”
Liz wasn’t sure if she liked the idea of Max being there when she talked to Nasedo. Although she agreed that he had the right to hear what they found out for himself, she wasn’t crazy about Nasedo being close to any of their human friends. “I’ll call him and tell him to meet us downstairs after the café is closed. I don’t think your dad would be happy if you left right now. And I think we should have a full meeting with Isabel, Michael, Maria, Alex, and Kyle too. Everyone should know what is going on in case we needed their help.”
Max was amazed by the way that Liz stepped in into her role as leader. She was so authoritative and confident. He couldn’t argue with her. “Sounds like that is the best route.”
Liz nodded before she pulled Max over to his bed. “Now it’ll be hours until the meeting so you should get some rest. I don’t want you falling asleep in the middle.”
Max let himself be lead and pushed down to his bed, too tired to disagree with Liz. As he settled back into his soft mattress, his eyelids started to droop from exhaustion. He could tell Liz was about to leave so he reached out and grabbed her wrist. “Don’t go yet, please.”
There was no possible way that Liz could turn him down so she dropped herself down on the edge of his bed by his head. She didn’t even realize it when she reached out and ran her fingers through his bangs. He closed his eyes and relaxed. It wasn’t long before his breath evened out and Liz knew he was asleep.
Liz stayed for a few more minutes just watching him before getting up and sneaking out of his room. She quietly made her way down the stairs and into the back of the café. She saw Maria through the door and got her attention. Maria hurried back and asked, “Is he okay?”
“I fixed the headache but there’s something else going on with Max.” Liz informed her.
She saw Maria was about to ask about it but Liz halted her. “You’ll find out all about it but not until tonight. I’m going to call everyone and set up a meeting. Then everything will be explained, hopefully.”
“Just answer me this. It’s something alien, isn’t it?” Maria asked.
“Yes, it is.” Liz answered. “He’s sleeping now, keep an eye on him.”
Leaving Maria to finish working, she headed out to round up the troops.
(*(*(*(*(*(*(*(**)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)
It took some time to track everyone down but eventually Liz let everyone know to show up at the Crashdown after closing. If they didn’t, they would have to answer to her. She was relieved when she called the Harding house and found out that Nasedo was indeed home. She told him that he was expected to be at the meeting as well. After, she tried to relax as much as possible and not drive herself insane with worry over Max.
Isabel and Michael were trying their best to get out of her what the meeting was about but she refused. She didn’t want to have to tell the story over and over again. So Isabel and Michael were both rather irritable when they arrived at the café. Maria had stuck around after her shift and Alex had arrived before them. Along with Max, the three of them were sitting at the counter sipping sodas and talking. Maria and Alex instantly moved over to a booth where Michael and Isabel were sitting and Liz strolled up to join Max at the counter.
Max looked well rested and not as tired as the last time Liz saw him. He gave her a small smile as they entered. “Hey, you were gone when I woke up.”
“I had some things to do.” Liz informed him. “How are you feeling?”
“Better, but hungry.” Max answered as he motioned to the half-eaten cold burger on the counter. “I tried to eat but it still doesn’t taste right.”
“I’ve got an idea about how to deal with that.” Liz said. She waved her hand over the burger to reheat it then reached for the nearby bottle of Tabasco sauce. Lifting the top bun she dumped half the bottle of red sauce on the burger then replaced the bun. “Now try it.”
Max looked at it with disgust so Liz gave him a little push. “Trust me on this.”
Max courteously took the burger and took a small bite. It tasted delicious and within minutes the remains of the burger were gone. He looked at Liz unbelievably. “How did you know?”
“I figured if you picked up our powers and our aversion to alcohol and chemicals maybe you picked up our dietary quirk too. Your dad is going to have to order more cases of Tabasco.” Liz explained. “I’m sorry about all of this Max. That you have to go through this.”
“Don’t be sorry.” Max stated truthfully. “If you hadn’t healed me, I’d be dead. Having whatever this is, is better than the alternative.”
Liz was about to say something in return when the front doors opened again and Kyle and Nasedo came through. Nasedo looked unhappy when he saw who else was joining them. “What are they doing here? They’re not a part of this.”
“They are a very big part of this.” Liz stated.
“You may believe that but that doesn’t make it true.” Nasedo argued.
“God not this old argument again.” Isabel exclaimed.
Liz held up her hands to stop the chatter so she could speak. “I wanted everyone here because something has happened. Max has developed powers.”
PART 26
Six mouths fell open in shock at Liz’s announcement. They didn’t know why it surprised them, after everything that had happened over the last year nothing should stun them anymore. But this certainly had.
Michael was the first one to break the silence as he posed the question. “How is this possible? How can Max have suddenly gotten powers?”
“That’s why we’re here, to find out.” Liz stated then turned her eyes on Nasedo. “Feel like enlightening us? After all, you are the one whose had all the answers before.”
Nasedo seemed to contemplate his next words; “I can only assume what is happening to him. After all, these circumstances were never supposed to happen.”
“Enough with the cryptic messages.” Liz stated becoming tired of his round about way of giving them answers. “What circumstances are you talking about?”
“Your healing him. When we were sent to Earth, you all were supposed to be raised by your protectors, blending with humans but never actually getting close to them. Because of that we were never completely sure what would happen if you were to heal a human, particularly to the extent that you had to so we would not know what affect it might have on a full human. I only have the hypothesis that was theorized, it’s not a confirmed one.” Nasedo gave as an explanation.
“Why would it be any different than healing a hybrid or a fully blooded alien?” Isabel asked. This had taken the wind out of their sails. Like getting a punch in the gut.
“When a healer heals, their energy flows into the injured party mending what needs to be repaired. The greater the injury, the greater amount of energy is utilized. With hybrids or full-blooded alien, they would simply absorb the energy and convert it into their own. Humans can’t at least not at this stage.”
“I’ve said before that humans are wasteful. I say that because they only use a small percentage of their brain. If they used even half of the dormant part, they could produce their own brand of energy and utilize it. There are a few that have psychics, clairvoyants, are those who have.” Nasedo asked.
“So you’re saying that I have evolved Max? Activated that part of his brain?” Liz asked.
“No. You can’t evolve a human that has to occur naturally.” Nasedo stated. “What I believe you did is transform him, into one of you.”
“I’m a hybrid?” Max half asked, half stated. It would explain why he had picked up some of the aliens’ habits like the Tabasco sauce and the unfavorable reaction to Tylenol.
“Unfortunately, you are.” Nasedo said with obvious repulsion at the idea. “You are no longer human but a hybrid. One of a kind though since you were not created in a lab but as ‘naturally’ as possible.”
They all took a few minutes to absorb what he was telling them. Liz felt guilty about what she had done that she had been right in thinking that her healing had changed him somehow. She had never wanted this life to overrule Max’s. She hadn’t wanted to disrupted his life so everlastingly.
“This is just so unbelievable, I can’t wrap my brain around it.” Maria commented.
“I still can’t. How did I transform him?”
“As I said, when you healed him, a large amount of your energy flowed into him. Since it wasn’t able to be transformed into his own energy as it would if he were already alien, it reacted differently. It did what it had to do so it could be absorbed. It began to mutate Max’s cells, starting at the area around the healing point. It would spread from there gradually mutating the rest of his cells so that they were all identical.”
“If you knew that this was going to happen why didn’t you tell us sooner?” Liz exclaimed in outrage. She was severely pissed that he had not told them anything about this before when they had asked questions. Nasedo should have known that she would want the information.
“I thought that if Max was going to change, the changes would have already made themselves known. Before Kyle and I even arrived. When you mentioned nothing about it, I just assumed that the theory was wrong and he had suffered no permanent effects.” Nasedo justified.
“You still could have told us.” Liz barked. “You’re supposed to be on our side but this makes me wonder what else you haven’t told us.”
Nasedo said nothing but it didn’t matter because Liz’s outburst was forgotten as she asked, ““Max has been having physical ailments. Tiredness is one as well as headaches. Why?”
“His body is just completing the modification, and it has to adjust. Your bodies produce a lot more energy to sustain your powers. A part of your brain performs that accomplishment. For Max to have the same power supply, his brain had to adjust as well. At first it pulled the energy from his body, I say in a day 9or so the process will even out and he won’t be as fatigued. It would be smart for him to not attempt to use his powers until that time.”
“Speaking of powers, what are Max’s?” Michael inquired. “Will they be the same as Liz’s since it was her energy that healed him or different?”
“Different.” Nasedo answered. “Although Liz’s energy is what brought on the change, the mutated cells still contain Max’s DNA. So once the cells were altered, they became unique to him. Similar to if he was Antarian by birth. We will have to test them to see what he is capable of.”
“But not until he is able to.” Liz said not wanting to push anything before Max was ready. She didn’t even know what he was thinking of everything now. Before, they hadn’t been sure of what was happening to him and he’d been freaked. Now they did, and she could only imagine what he was thinking. She needed to talk to him. Talking to everyone but mostly directing her comments at Nasedo she said, “I think that is enough for tonight. Meetings over. If anything else happens or we have anymore questions, we’ll call you. So keep yourself handy.”
Nasedo nodded. He and Kyle got up and left the café thinking that the others were going as well thanks to a little mindwarp from Liz. She was still upset with their protector for not sharing pertinent information with them and wanted to talk to the others without him being there. She trusted Kyle more than Nasedo but neither of them as much as Isabel, Michael, Maria, Max, and Alex. “Well guys, what do you think?”
“I think the Royal Four just became the Royal Five.” Alex joked causing Maria to jab him in the ribs.
“Max, are you okay?” Liz asked tentatively.
“I don’t know. I don’t know what to think of it all. I mean, since I torched my bedroom, I knew something was going on but finding out that I wasn’t human anymore is a bit of a shock. I thought I had just picked up a little bit of the powers, not become one of you.”
“I’m sorry Max.” Liz said.
“I don’t blame you for changing me. You didn’t know this would happen, you were just trying to do what you felt was right and save my life. At least I get some cool powers out of the deal.” Max said trying to soothe her. “At least I will eventually if I can ever get enough energy.”
“When you do, we’ll take you out into the desert where we practice and find out just want you can do.” Michael stated. He might have learned a lot of control where his powers were concerned but he remembered what it was like to be out of control. It was not a good feeling.
Liz smiled her thanks at her brother for his generosity before discreetly motioning that they needed to talk alone. Michael and Isabel got the hint and pulled Alex and Maria away. “Max, are you sure you’re all right? You don’t have to lie to me about this, I can take it if you’re not.”
“Truthfully, I haven’t absorbed it all. But there’s no way to change it so I’ll just have to get use to it.” Max shrugged. “I always told you that there wasn’t that many differences between us, I was more right than I thought.”
Liz saw the clock and knew that they should leave before Max’s parents came downstairs. “You know I’m here if you want to talk about it. Our friendship isn’t just for me to talk about my messed up life.”
“I know.” Max said with a slight smile. “And I’m thankful for it.”
PART 27
When Liz heard the faint scraping at the bottom of the lattice leading up to her balcony, she knew Max was coming to talk to her. He had shut himself off in his room since the meeting the previous night and according to his parents, was sleeping off the bug he had caught. Liz knew he probably was sleeping but also adjusting to what was happening to him. If it were her, she would want some time to think.
Liz got up and approached the railing just as Max reached the top, “Need some help?”
“Nope, I’ve got it.” Max said. He had climbed up this lattice several times when they had been dating and never had had a problem before so he knew Liz thought he was probably too weak to do it himself. She moved out of the way so that he could swing his leg over the railing. He landed with a soft thump and looked apologetically at her. “Sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it. My parents are asleep and Isabel and I soundproofed the doors a long time ago. It comes in handy when I’m out here most of the night.” Liz explained.
“With your nightmares?” Max asked although he knew the answer.
“Yeah.” Liz said lowering her eyes. “I think they’ve gotten better, I haven’t had one since our talk. Granted that has only been a few days…”
“But it’s something.” Max said positively.
“Yeah, I think so.” Liz stated. “Want to sit down?”
Max nodded and moved to sit down in one of the lounge chairs while Liz took her usual one but leaned in close to him. He took a moment to absorb the fact that he was back on Liz’s balcony after so long. Her little Christmas lights glowed softly in the background providing the only light, her candles sat forgotten. It was a very relaxing spot and he knew Liz loved it.
Liz waited quietly for Max to speak first. After all he had come to her probably for help and she wasn’t going to push him to talk. He had been understanding but forceful with her to get her to talk. It was what she needed at the time but it wasn’t what was necessary for him to talk. He just needed to know she was there.
“You know, when I torched that desk, I think a little of me knew at that moment that it wasn’t as simple as getting powers. But I wouldn’t admit it to myself. Even when I developed a taste for Tabasco. Because if I did, then it would mean that I’m different, that I’ve been changed. And it scared me. I don’t want you to think that I’m scared of you or what you are. I’ve always trusted you and knew you wouldn’t hurt me.”
“It’s just that I felt like by being changed, I was risking loosing myself too. That I was no longer me and was supposed to be someone else. I mean how could I keep acting like the human I’ve always been when I’m not human anymore?” Max said trying to explain what he’d been thinking of since the night before. “I guess it’s stupid.”
“It’s not stupid Max.” Liz argued. “You just found out that you’re a different species. That’s enough to give anyone an identity crisis. But you’re still Max…”
“Just with a couple of green blood cells.” Max half joked. “At least I’m supposing I do.”
“Do you want to know? If you’re blood is like mine?” Liz asked.
“Maybe later.” Max said bowing his head.
“Okay.” Liz said. “I meant what I said. What you’re made of might be different and you might have powers, but that doesn’t change who you are. You’re still the little boy who had the skunk pajamas, the little boy I saw that first day I went to school. The same guy that has always acted like Maria’s older brother, and the guy that I love.”
Although Max knew that Liz still loved him, hearing her actually say it caused his heart to flutter and his stomach to do somersaults. He was about to raise his gaze to look at her but stopped. It was then that he noticed that at some point Liz’s hand had taken hold of his in comfort. Reflexively his thumb began to move back and forth over her hand, caressing her soft skin.
Her admission had slipped out before Liz could stop herself. She started to internally chastise herself until she felt his thumb stroking her flesh and her reprimand was quickly forgotten. It always felt amazing whenever Max touched her even in the simplest of ways. She too looked down at their joined hands and stared at them. When she did, she noticed the faintest glow emaciating from Max’s thumb against her flesh.
Max saw the glowing too and said, “We forgot to bring this up to Nasedo when we were asking questions.”
“I don’t think it would have mattered if we did, I don’t think he would have any idea about it.” Liz stated. “It was never brought up before and it’s never happened with any of the others. Even when Kyle first came to town and that whole weird magnetism thing happened. Plus when I talked to him about you getting flashes from me, he gave me some lame excuse that didn’t sound right. I think although he had a good theory about what is happening to you, in reality he doesn’t really know much about all of the consequences our powers would have on humans.”
“So you’re saying that I glow because you healed me?” Max asked. “But you said that none of the other hybrids have glowed and I'm like them now.”
“True, you are. But there is one thing different. I’ve never deeply connected with them nor have I reversed the connection with any of them.” Liz stated. “Nasedo told me that to deeply heal, I have to connect with the person. What if how I felt about you altered my connection? What if when I connected with you, my heart took over and deepened it more than necessary? It would explain our connection as well as what happened in the White Room. At least giving us a jumping off point.”
“I don’t know.” Max said. All this guessing was confusing him. “Too bad we don’t have someone else to ask besides Nasedo.”
“I know what you mean, I’ve often thought the same thing.” Liz agreed. “But one thing he’s right about it that we need to figure out what you’re capable of.”
“Will you teach me?” Max asked. “I know I wouldn’t feel comfortable with Nasedo or Kyle, and I know that you’ve worked your ass off learning how to control yours.”
“Sure, I’ll help you, you know that. But I might have Michael help too, since you’re both male your powers will be more like his.” Liz said as she nodded. “But how about a small lesson right now?”
“Right now?”
“Right now.” Liz confirmed. “Or am I jumping the gun too much?”
“No. I’m just surprised you want me to here. After what I did in my room, I thought you’d want to do it in an open area with nothing like a house for me to torch.” Max admitted.
“I think it’ll be okay. You were upset earlier and if you add that into not having control, it makes a bad combination. But you’re calm now, and we’re going to start small.” Liz explained. “Besides, I can always fix whatever you roast.”
“Thanks for the confidence.” Max muttered before running a hand through his hair. “Where should we start?”
Liz chewed on her lip for a minute trying to decide where to start when her eyes landed on her candles. “From what I’ve seen, you’re powers have something to do with fire. The three of us can do small things but nothing on the scale of what you did. So why don’t you try something like lighting some of my candles?”
Max looked down at the candles with apprehension. Had they always been that small? His viewpoint widened as he noticed the table they sat on and the other objects close by that could catch on fire if he messed up. Maybe he was wrong and he couldn’t deal with this yet. That he was pushing himself too soon.
But that trepidation all but vanished when he felt Liz reposition herself so she was right next to him, so close that he could feel her body heat. She released the grip on his hand but didn’t let go, instead moving it so that it rested on top of his knuckles. This arrangement allowed her to direct his hand so he was pointing it at a candle. “Remember what you felt when you used your powers before. The energy that flowed through you. Now let it flow out of you.”
At first, Max didn’t think he simply remember what happened and then repeat it and was about to tell Liz that when he become conscious of something. He felt a slight buzz that made him think of how Liz had described her powers feeling before. He concentrated on that buzz then the candle and imagined pushing that buzz out of his finger. At that moment he felt a release and the flame on the wick of the candle spurted to life. “I did it!”
Max was so pleased at his small accomplishment that he grabbed Liz and swung her around in happiness. Liz laughed at his antics and shrieked for him to put her down. He quickly set her down but didn’t let her go. “Sorry, I guess I got a little too excited.”
“It’s okay, you should be happy.” Liz giggled. Max joined her and they laughed at their behavior. When they stopped, Liz noticed how close their faces were. As she looked into his eyes, she saw that Max realized the same thing. They stayed that way for several nail-biting moments before Liz raised up on her toes and lightly brushed her lips against his.
PART 28
The kiss was so fleeting that it took Max a moment to believe it had actually happened. He had closed his eyes for a moment to savor the sensation of her feeling her soft lips against his. He gradually opened them and saw Liz gazing up at him with disorientation in her eyes like she wasn’t surprised by what she had done. But she hadn’t pulled away from him, or release her hold on his neck. So he took a chance and lowered his lips to hers again.
His lips were firmer and more strong but still hesitant and cautious. He knew that at any minute she might change her mind and push him away. So he moved slowly, gently massaging her lips with his, reminding them both of the other’s taste. It had been a long time, not since their farewell kiss outside the podchamber after hearing the destiny message and they had both missed the irreplaceable intimacy that a simple kiss gave them.
The kiss finally broke and Liz rested her forehead on Max’s chin to catch her breath and steady her rapid beating heart. She couldn’t believe they were kissing a week after they had decided to be friends. That wasn’t exactly at glacial speed like she had planned. But things concerning Max had never gone as plan.
“Max…” Liz said not raising her head.
“Don’t talk Liz. Not just yet.” Max pleaded with her. “Because if you talk then you’ll say that you want to talk about what just happened. You’ll say that you made a mistake that went over our friendship agreement and I want to savor it for just a little while longer.”
Liz didn’t say anything, just stayed where she was and enjoyed the contentment of being in Max’s arms. She had to admit to herself that she didn’t mind the peace and quiet. It was a rare thing for her anymore to take a break and just enjoy the silence. So she took pleasure in the few minutes that were at her disposal.
As much as he loved their embrace Max knew that they couldn’t stay that way forever. They had to figure out what to do next and what the kiss meant. He wanted to know why she had kissed him. Had it just been an impulse or something more, like that she was ready to go beyond their friendship?
Max pulled away a little so that he could look at her face. He brought one of his hands up and cupped her face. “Okay, I’ve had my moment.”
“Our moment.” Liz said smiling slightly.
“Yeah, our moment.” Max agreed. “Not that I’m complaining but why did you kiss me?”
“I don’t know.” Liz shrugged. “Your lips were so close and I just couldn’t resist.”
“So I could have been anyone.” Max said as he started to pull away.
Liz tightened her grip on Max so that he couldn’t slip away before she could give an explanation. “Max, it was more that that. I meant that I couldn’t resist doing what I’ve wanted to do for so long, to kiss you. You, not anyone else. Just because I want us to go slow and be friends doesn’t mean I don’t want you.”
“I want you too. It’s hard every time I see you to not grab you and ravish you.” Max admitted honestly. He wanted her to know how he felt so there would be no misunderstanding. “But I accepted that night in the desert that we needed to go slow and we will. But you know, friends can be affectionate too.”
Liz caught the implication in Max’s words and gave him a sly smile. “They are, are they?”
“Yeah. Look at Maria. She’s always giving us hugs and stuff.” Max explained.
“But I don’t think I’ve ever seen you give Alex a hug.” Liz teased.
“Uh…well.”
Liz couldn’t help but giggle at Max’s embarrassment. “Max, I’m just teasing you.”
“Very funny.” Max said as he narrowed his eyes at her in annoyance. “All I was saying is that I would like to be able to hug you or touch you without worrying that I’m stepping over the line. Would that be okay?”
“Yeah, I think that would be all right.” Liz agreed. She liked the thought of having the comfort of Max’s touch occasionally. To have him holding her hand or having his arm around her. Maybe even a hug or chaste kiss. “I trust you not to push.”
Max had to admit that Liz had far more trust concerning his control than he did. He could see himself quickly loosing himself in Liz if he kissed her and it would end up being anything but innocent. Nevertheless he would try his best to not go beyond what they were ready for. “Good, I’m glad we worked that out.”
Reluctantly Liz pulled away from Max, “Okay back to the matter at hand.”
“I thought we were talking about that.”
“I mean working on your powers.” Liz explained. “You got one of the candles lit so why don’t we try another one and make sure it wasn’t just a fluke. Practice makes perfect.”
“Practice makes perfect.” Max mimicked grumbling.
“We could just say forget it for tonight and you could go home.” Liz stated.
“No, I asked for your help and I really want to do this.” Max acknowledged. But holding Liz in his arms was something he wanted to do more.
“Okay, just remember what you did last time and do it again.” Liz coached.
Max extended his hand like he had done before and aimed it at another set of Liz’s candles. Drawing on the buzz that were his powers, he repeated his earlier actions of lighting the candle. And once again, a flame sputtered to life. A feeling of euphoria welled inside him as he pointed his hand at another candle and did it again. He didn’t stop until every candle on her balcony was lit. “Well I’ll never have to worry about taking the butane lighter with me when camping.”
“I know it’s just small things but you’re doing really good Max.” Liz complimented. “When I first started on my mindwarps, it was something as simple as making Kyle think his shoe was untied. It takes time. If you rush it, you’ll burn your energy out and exhaust yourself.”
Liz yawned then and Max could see that she was tired. “I should get going. It’s late and you need to get some sleep. And I have to work tomorrow anyway.”
“You’re working tomorrow? Are you sure you’re up to it?” Liz asked.
“Yeah. I slept most of last night and this morning. The tiredness is gone, I think for good. At least that was one thing Nasedo was right about.” Max stated. “And school starts in less than a week so I need to get all the hours I can get.”
Liz groaned. “Yeah, school is starting soon.”
“Did my ears deceive me or did Liz Evans just complain about school?” Max asked.
“I’m not complaining about school, I love school.” Liz stated. “I just don’t like what happens to Isabel when school starts. She goes nuts with organizing. I mean, I know I get on people’s nerves talking about the different available courses and stuff but nothing like Isabel. You weren’t around that much at Christmas or you’d know.”
“Alex told me about it.” Max stated. “He said Michael calls her the Christmas Nazi.”
“Hearing about it and experiencing it are two different things. School clothes and supply shopping, going to school and getting our schedules and locker assignments. It’s even worse the night before. I’m telling you she’s a slave driver. Just wait and see, the school nazi will be making her appearance very soon.”
End of Summer Of Destiny
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Changing Places: Season Two
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