Standard stuff:
Title:Touch of Death {cryptic huh}
Author: Kathryn C.
Disclaimer: Me No Own.
Distribution: You want it, you take it, just give me
the URL.
Feedback: Send it, or I don't feel like writing.
Well, maybe for some of you, you might want
that.SEND IT, SEND IT, SEND IT. I won't
stop writing, so I can't threaten that, but please
send it. Let me know you're reading.
Rating: Uh, pg-13/14a?
Spoilers: Well, it's mostly speculation based on
spoilers mentioned. But, spoilers for Sexual Healing
and the whole "T" person storyline.
********
It was lunchtime and Maria scanned the halls for the tall brunette. She had been selected as the person to confront Tess. Michael had volunteered, but they all figured it might be nice if Tess came out of the meeting alive.
She saw Tess standing by her locker, alone for once. However, Max was walking towards them. Maria practically sprinted over to the girl and grabbed her arm.
"We need to talk," Maria said in a firm voice.
"It's Maria right?" the girl asked in her sultry voice. "Max has told me about you."
That led Maria to wondering exactly what else Max had let her in on. She pulled Tess behind her so that they could leave before Max got there.
Maria pulled Tess into the eraser room. It was the only place she could think of where they would not be interrupted.
Tess glanced around and gave a small laugh, "I mean, I like you Maria, but not in this way."
"Give it up," Maria said in a tough voice, crossing her arms. "This whole act is getting on my nerves."
"What act?" Tess asked, confusion across her face. Maria couldn't tell whether her bewilderment was real or not.
"We are on to you," Maria snapped at Tess.
"What are you talking about Maria?" Tess asked in surprise. At that point Maria could tell for sure she knew exactly what she meant. This girl was not that good an actress, "I don't understand what you mean."
Maria pulled out one of the copies of the picture of Tess and Miss Topolsky. "See if this refreshes your memory Tess, or should I say Agent Holynd?"
Tess grabbed the picture. Her smiling teenage face disappeared and she managed to look years older as she stared at the picture. She swore beneath her breath. "I knew we should have kicked Topolsky. She was too much of a liability."
"So you admit it?" Maria said triumphantly.
Tess shrugged and flipped her hair over her shoulder, "Why not? You knew anyway. Not that it matters what you guys know anyway. I am upset though. This would have been easier if Topolsky hadn't blown our cover. She's been posing as my mother for the neighbours."
Maria shook her head, "She didn't, you did. We were pretty sure when we overheard your conversation to your home office. Why else would we be following you?"
Tess sighed, "Just forget it Maria. We know all about you guys. It's just a matter of some kind of proof that your friends are aliens?"
"Aliens?" Maria asked, putting a look of surprise on her face, "I mean, I know Alex is a little loony, but..."
Tess gave her a look of disgust, "Oh give it up. It's just a matter of getting confirmation. I'll get it soon enough from Max and then your little friends are all ours."
Maria started to laugh, "Oh this is rich. You think there's aliens? Maybe I should call you agent Mulder. Are you assigned to the X-files Tess?"
Tess walked up to Maria and jabbed a finger at her. "Give it up Maria. We know about them. Just don't get in my way and you, Liz and Alex can go back to your normal lives after we take the rest in. Don't make trouble where you don't have too."
Maria just ignored her, "So, what exactly have you done to Max? I mean, he's obviously acting weird. Did you brainwash him or something."
Tess gave a laugh. "Oh my, no. My method is much easier than that."
With that she reached into her little purse and pulled out a vial of perfume and showed it to Maria. It was a bottle of CK One. "You're telling me Max is reacting this way because of a bottle of Clavin Klien perfume." Maria asked disbelievingly.
Tess shook her head as if Maria was incredibly dense, "No. This is, let's just say, a customized FBI brand. It's got to look inconspicuous."
Tess opened the bottle for Maria to smell, "To a human nose, it means practically nothing. But, to an alien nose it creates a reaction. In a way, it's sort of like a love potion. Max smells it and he automatically reacts favorably. Enough exposure and he begins to act unfavorably to those who don't emit the scent."
Maria forgot to deny that Max was an alien and stared at Tess, "Why the heck are you telling me this? I mean, shouldn't this be a big hush-hush thing?" she wanted to ask why Michael wasn't affected, but that would involve admitting to and FBI agent that Michael was alien. Plus, it was likely just because he hadn't gotten close enough to smell her.
Tess shrugged, "Why not? It's not like anything you tell Max will make a difference. Let me guess, you showed him the picture already and he didn't believe you? I'm not worried, tell him anything you want."
"Won't they take you off the case?" Maria asked, "I mean that's what they did with Topolsky when we found out about her."
Tess shook her head, "Topolsky wasn't close to catching them. I am."
Maria suddenly thought of something, "Why do you think that this perfume would work on Max or someone if they were an alien? I mean,, how would you know that?"
Tess's face suddenly closed off. She tossed the perfume in her purse. "This chit-chat has been fun." she said quickly, "But I really must be going. Max is probably looking for me."
Maria watched Tess run out of the eraser room with a surprised expression on her face. What was the big deal with that last question?
Michael slipped in a few seconds later. He had seen Tess leave. "So," he demanded impatiently, "What did she say?"
Maria sighed, "To make it short, she admitted it. Max is pretty much under her control, you guys are 1 step away from an FBI testing facility and I'm filled with 3 million more questions."
Michael slammed his fist against the wall, "Great, just great. I thought when Topolksy left we were safe, it turns out they were just biding their time!"
Maria shook her head, "We'll beat them Michael. We'll keep you guys safe. Nobody is going to get to you."
"How do you know that?" Michael demanded emotionally, "I mean, you can't guarantee my safety. Max is under some spell I guess or something. We are screwed."
"No Michael," Maria said firmly, putting her hand on his shoulder, "They won't get proof or anything. I swear to you on everything that I am. They will not take you away from me."
Michael stopped his self-pity for a moment. "Was that just a declaration of affection?" he asked her.
Maria sighed, "Unfortunately yes. Now, forget I said anything. Besides, don't read to much into it. I'm not declaring my love. I don't want Isabel or Max taken away either."
"You know you love me," Michael said confidently.
Maria just sighed. If only she had never said anything.
"Let's go find the others," she said exasperatedly, "I'll fill everyone in and we can try and think up some way to get rid of Tess."
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