Spread Out Your Wings
Category: Max and Liz
Rating: Suitable for all ages
Disclaimer: Song lyrics "Hey Baby" by Bryan Adams and Gretchen Peters. No infringement intended.
Summary: A future fic inspired by the eraser room scene in WAF and by this beautiful song that is so perfect for it!
Spoilers: We Are Family
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Well, here they were. Max Evans couldn’t believe the time was already here. He had secretly hoped Liz would change her mind. He knew he had told her to go for it. He meant it, too. He just wished she wouldn’t listen to him.
Hey Baby, you oughta be free
You gotta get out and chase all your dreams
There ain’t no point in you waiting for me
Hey Baby, you oughta be free
His thoughts went back to that day in January a few years ago. Liz had left him a note asking him to meet her in the eraser room. That was right after the first time Alex had come back from Sweden; he had been back to the land of the midnight sun a few more times since then. Alex really had it bad for that girl, Leanna.
Liz had told Max about how she had been thinking a lot about her life. About how they all had the right to live their dreams. About how they were missing out on a lot of things. He already knew then that he was the one holding her back. It had taken him all this time to convince her that she didn’t have to put her life on hold while he was stuck here trying to resolve a conflict raging on another planet. She didn’t have to sacrifice herself out of some twisted kind of loyalty because they were friends. “Friends Plus”, as she liked to call them. He smiled. He had always liked that definition of them.
Now she had come around to his way of seeing things. And as she was getting ready to board the plane, he wished once again that she hadn’t.
Hey Baby, it’s gonna be fine
You going your way and me going mine
We’ll be together somewhere down the line
Hey Baby, it’s gonna be fine
“Last call for all passengers to Auckland, New Zealand, Flight 626 departing from Gate 4,” said a friendly voice over the intercom.
Liz gathered her things and looked at Max.
“Well, I guess this is really it, this time.”
“Yeah, I guess,” Max answered, surprised he could even speak around the lump in his throat.
Hey Baby, you gotta give it a try
Hey Baby, spread out your wings and just fly
Hey Baby, you know that I’m on your side
He remembered that day a few months back when he had walked in the Crashdown and she had run over to him, all excited.
“Max! Guess what?”
He had smiled at her enthusiasm, getting excited himself without even knowing why. “What?”
As she told him about the study/internship program in molecular biology research, he had been happy for her. He knew that was what she had always wanted. He was thrilled to hear all about it until she dropped the bomb on him.
“… and the contract is for 2 years. I would have to leave in a couple of months.”
“Leave? Where exactly is this program?” He couldn’t help the feeling of dread that was taking over his whole being.
Liz hadn't quite met his eyes when she answered him.
Hey Baby, you’d better take care
Harden your heart ‘cause it's lonely out there
It won’t be easy and it won’t be fair
Hey Baby, you’d better take care
He pulled Liz in a tight embrace, not ready to let her go just yet. She returned the hug, grateful that despite all they had been through, he was still there for her.
The sound of someone clearing their throat behind them made them pull apart. They looked around and realized everyone else had already boarded the plane.
“Max, I really have to go now…” Liz said.
Hey Baby, you gotta give it a try
Hey Baby, spread out your wings and just fly
Hey Baby, you know that I’m on your side
“I know,” Max answered. He kissed her forehead and finally let go of his girl.
She turned away and gave her boarding pass to the attendant. Max called from behind her.
“Liz? Remember what I told you that day when we first talked about this. I meant it then. I’ll always mean it.”
Liz smiled as she remembered what Max had told her: “I can’t come with you. But I’ll be watching you, Liz Parker. Wherever you go. And I’ll be here when you get back.” For the hundredth time she asked herself how she could be leaving him behind like that. And for the hundredth time, the love and respect she saw in his eyes convinced her she was doing the right thing.
Hey Baby, you gotta be strong
You’ve had this feeling inside all along
You can only deny yourself for so long
Hey Baby, you gotta be strong
With one last smile to Max she turned away and boarded the plane. As Max watched her go, he realized he hadn’t felt this empty since that day so long ago when he saved her and their lives had been changed forever. But he knew it was only temporary. She would come back, and he would be here when she did.
The end
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January 31, 2001