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.
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.
***************
Maria darted glances into the bathroom stalls to make
sure they were alone before asking, "Okay, what's
wrong?"
Liz sniffled, "I fought with Max," she managed to say
before starting to cry again.
"Trouble in paradise?" Maria quipped. She gave it up
when she saw the hurt in Liz's eyes. "This wouldn't
have anything to do with our favorite new student now
would it?"
"How did you know?" Liz sighed.
"Lucky guess," Maria said, searching around in her
purse for some kleenex. "Here. Now, why don't you
tell me exactly what happened."
Liz blew her nose loudly then continued, "Well, after
third I went to find him so we could eat lunch
together, you know like we usually do."
Maria nodded and Liz continued, "Well, when he got
there he said he guessed we could eat together, but we
should ask Tess to join us. Of course, I wasn't
exactly thrilled, so I asked him if we could have
lunch just the two of us because I had missed being
alone with him."
Maria refrained from mentioning that it had been only
4 days since they had spent a lot of alone time
together as Liz continued, "Then, Max just blew up at
me."
Maria held up her hand, "Wait a minute, Mr.Calm,
Mr.Rational blew up at you? That does not sound like
him."
Liz nodded and sniffled, "Uh huh. He yelled at me,
accusing me of being jealous and possessive. He said
I felt threatened so I was using it as an excuse to
be mean to her. And, this all happened in the middle
of the cafeteria."
"Ouch," Maria winced, handing Liz some more kleenex.
"The funny thing is," Liz continued with a sad laugh,
"I'm wondering if he was right. Maybe I am being
possessive."
Maria shook her head. "You have nothing to feel bad
about Liz. Max is wrong here. You are his
girlfriend, one who cares about him deeply and there
is nothing wrong with wanting to have lunch with
him."
She continued, "Besides, you do have reason to feel
threatened by Tess. I mean, Max invited...."Maria let
her voice trail off, hoping Liz wouldn't
notice."
"What?" Liz demanded, "Max invited....what?"
Maria averted her eyes, "It's nothing. I didn't mean
to say anything. Just forget...."
"What is it?" Liz demanded.
Maria sighed, "You know that get together we were all
having this weekend to watch movies? Well, Max
invited her."
Maria felt like killing Max as she watched the hurt
look pass across Liz's face. "I know he's trying to
be friendly, but...." her voice trailed off
quietly.
"There's something you need to know about Tess," Maria
said quickly, glancing around the bathroom again.
"She might be an FBI agent."
"What!?" Liz exclaimed loudly.
Maria nodded, "Michael and I overheard a conversation
between her and a person over her cellular phone this
morning. We're not sure, but it's a likely
possibility."
"You're kidding," Liz said in surprise, "I mean, I
thought the FBI had given up. After we discovered
Topolsky, you think they would have more
sense."
"We're not sure whether to tell Max or not," Maria
said, "I mean, if we're wrong...."
Liz shook her head, "No, he needs to know. I mean,
what if you're right. He's playing with some serious
fire here."
***********************
Michael slid into the seat across from Max where he
was studying in the library. Max glanced up only to
say, "I didn't know you were aware the school had a
library."
"Funny Max," Michael said as Max returned to his
books. "So, where's Tess?"
"What are you talking about?" Max asked, looking back
up at him.
Michael shrugged, "The story of your fight with Liz
over Tess has circulated the school 5 times by now. I
sort of figured you might be celebrating your right to
be 'friendly' with Tess."
"Well," Max said, motioning around him, "Obviously I'm
not."
"I can see that Maximillien," Michael said, forcing
down his annoyance. "So, tell me, why are you so
ticked off at Liz?"
Max sighed, "She was being extremely jealous and
possessive. I mean, she was upset when I suggested
having Tess join us for lunch."
Michael held up his hands, "Correct me if I'm wrong,
but isn't Liz your girlfriend? I mean, eating lunch
alone without a beautiful girl whom your boyfriend has
been a little over interested in lately seemed
reasonable to me."
Max glared at Michael, "You're just jealous."
Michael was surprised. "Excuse me?" he demanded of
Max, "What are you talking about?"
Max shrugged, "You're just upset that the beautiful
new student is interested in me, and not you."
Michael was, well, downright shocked, "First off Max,
I suggest you take your head out of the clouds. There
is no way in hell I'm 'jealous' as you put it. Are
you saying Liz does have a reason to be jealous? I
mean, it was just yesterday you were talking my ear
off about how much you love her."
Max just shrugged and said nothing. Michael fought
down the urge to plant his fist on Max's face.
Liz and Maria walked up to the table. Michael looked
at Maria with a questioning expression. She just
sighed.
"We need to talk Max," Liz said pointedly.
"You've come to apologize then?" Max said stiffly, not
looking up at her.
She took a deep breath, "No, I have not come to
apologize. What I have to say is much more important.
Tess is likely an FBI agent."
Max's head shot up, "What are you talking
about?"
Michael nodded, "It's true Max."
"We overheard a suspicious phone conversation this
morning," Maria added.
Max's face was a mask of confusion, then it cleared.
Instead, his face settled into and expression of
anger.
He srung to his feet. "I can't believe you'd stoop to
this," he said in an acid voice to Liz, "I mean, I
know you are jealous, but get a grip."
"And you," he said, whirling on Michael, "Come on.
Just because she doesn't want you is no reason to try
and turn me on her so you can have her all to ourself.
Tess, is a sweet, kind, normal teenage
girl."
He turned to Maria, "And, as for you, hell I don't
really know why you're going along with this lie.
it's probably just because you want to help
Liz."
"Max, why are you acting like this?" Liz asked
tearfully, placing her hand on his chest.
Max flung off her hand. Michael hopped to his feet,
"Now stop it Max, don't do something you'll regret."
Michael had never seen Max anywhere near this angry
before. In fact, it was downright scary. He wasn't
at all sure Max wouldn't get physical.
Max glanced over at Michael. "You think I'm going to
hit her?" Max shook his head sadly, "No, abuse is your
department Michael."
Michael turned a deathly shade of pale and he looked
as if Max had just hit him physically. Maria had had
enough. She walked up to Max. "Listen," she hissed,
"I don't know what's gotten into you, but stop acting
like such a bastard. Michael has been your friend for
life, and Liz loves you, but I have no problem telling
you that you are being a supreme jackass. Now, I
suggest you leave before we all say and do more things
that won't be able to be forgiven afterwards."
Max just glared at her for a minute. But, he left the
library without a word.
The three of them watched Max leave. The people at
the tables next to them tried to pretend they weren't
intrigued by the whole situation.
Liz was crying softly, and Maria put her arm around
Liz to comfort her. "Are you okay?" she asked LIz
softly.
Liz nodded, but didn't say anything.
"How about you?" she asked Michael gently. He was
just staring in the direction that he had watched his
supposed best friend leave in.
Michael cleared his throat, "Uh yeah, I'm
fine."
"Why is he acting this way?" Liz said in a strained
voice.
"That's what I'd like to know," Michael said
grimly.
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