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.
Also, I want to apologize for using the song lyrics,
but I couldn't resist.
***************
Isabel was sitting at her desk, doing her homework
when she heard a knock on her window. She nearly had
a heart attack.
She padded over in her red silk pajamas and bunny
slippers. There was a whole crowd of people waiting
to climb into her window.
"What the hell are you guys doing here?" she hissed as
she let in Michael, Maria, Liz and Alex. "It's nearly
midnight!"
"We need to talk," Michael said shortly when he made
his way into the room, "It's about Max."
Alex was the last person to climb through the window.
His eyes met Isabel's for a split second, then they
both looked away uncomfortable.
"What was that about Max?" Isabel asked quickly,
turning to them. "What do we need to talk
about?"
"There is something going on with him," Michael said
simply, "We're not sure what, but he's not acting like
himself."
"So it's not just me," Isabel remarked.
"What else did he do?" Maria asked.
Isabel sighed, "Where to start. Well, I heard about
his fight with you Liz in the cafeteria and then his
fight with the three of you. In that respect, Max is
making quite a name for himself at school. Anyway, he
reused to say anything to me the whole way home from
school. At supper he got into a huge fight with mom
and dad over, well nothing. Then he went to his
bedroom slammed the door and refused to come out or
let anyone in except when his new friend Tess
called."
Maria glanced at Michael, then said to Isabel.
"Besides her obvious influence on Max, there is
another aspect of Tess that is a problem."
"We're pretty sure she is an FBI agent," Michael
explained grimly.
Isabel put her hand to her throat. "Oh my God. Have
you told Max."
Michael nodded, "Hence the problem, he doesn't believe
us."
"What do you mean he doesn't believe you?" Isabel
demanded.
"Exactly that," Michael replied with a sigh, "We told
him about the conversation Maria and I overheard and
out conclusions in the library. That was the
beginning of the fight. According to him, Liz was
lying because she is too possessive, I'm jealous of
him and Tess, and Maria is just helping Liz
lie."
"That's why we're all here tonight," Maria explained,
"We've got to do something about Max before he does
anything stupid. He's not thinking like himself, it's
obvious. It's only a matter of time before he tells
Tess something incriminating."
Alex put up a hand as if he was in class, "So, let me
get this straight. At the moment, Max has alienated
everyone, pardon the pun, and the only person he is
talking to is a beautiful girl whom he seems to trust
above all else, but is an FBI agent."
"Bingo," Liz said quietly.
"Just wanted to clarify," Alex said when Michael threw
him a glance.
"What are we going to do?" Maria asked the group, "I
mean, he won't listen to us or be reasonable. I mean
we might as well be talking to a brick wall."
"Maybe if we get concrete proof," Liz said hopefully,
"I mean, if there is no way to deny it he can't look
the other way."
Michael shrugged, "He can, and he likely will. But,
it's worth a shot. Let's make plans."
**************************
It was Wednesday. In fact it was Wednesday after
school. Another end to a horrible school day. Maria
was just glad none of them had had any major tests
that day. Liz especially. All she had done all day
was stare at Max, or daydream about Max.
Alex, Maria and Michael were sitting in a car Alex had
borrowed from one of his band buddies named Joey.
They were following Tess home. Alex and Maria sat up
front. Maria held a camera in her hand.
"I wish we just could have taken my car," she mumbled,
flipping through Joey's cassettes. "At least we could
have listened to some decent music."
"We were over this Maria," Michael said through
clenched teeth, he was not in a good mood, "If she's
an FBI agent, or just plain observant she'll know what
your car looks like. We can't let her know we're
following her."
"I know," Maria said, rubbing her forehead. She felt a
major headache coming on. "Trust me I know. So, what
are we planning to gain from this? I mean, we see
where she lives, so what?"
"Do you have a better plan?" Michael demanded.
Maria just sighed and shut her eyes. She should have
stayed back like Liz. She popped in one of Joey's
cassettes to try and distract herself.
The sounds of "Best Friend" by Tim McGraw came through
the sound system and Maria nearly groaned. Country,
great. Just great.
As the song started she wanted to plug her ears. She
had heard this song before. A previous boyfriend had
been, well obsessed with country. He had worn a
cowboy hat and tried to look like Garth Brooks.
Needless to say their relationship hadn't gone past
the first date.
I never had no one that I could count on
I’ve been let down so many times
And I was tired of hurtin’, so tired of searchin’
Til you walked into my life
Ant it was a feelin’ I’ve never known
And for the first time I didn’t feel alone
You’re more than a lover
There could never be another to make me feel the way
you do
And oh, we just get closer
I fall in love all over every time I look at you
I don’t know where I’d be without you here with me
Life with you makes perfect sense
You’re my best friend
You’re my best friend
Maria refused to look back at Michael. He probably
wasn't even paying attention. Never the less, she
didn't want him to know how much this song reminded
her of him Well, the words weren't perfect for him to
say, but still. Dear lord she was hopeless
You stand by me and you believe in me
Like nobody ever has
When my world goes crazy, you’re right there to save
me
You make me see how much I have
And I still tremble when we touch
And oh, the look in your eyes when we make love
You’re more than a lover
There could never be another to make me feel the way
you do
And oh, we just get closer
I fall in love all over every time I look at you
I don’t know where I’d be without you here with me
Life with you makes perfect sense
You’re my best friend
You’re my best friend
You’re more than a lover
There could never be another to make me feel the way
you do .....
Maria pushed stop on the tape abruptly when she saw
Tess walk over to her car.
"She's leaving," Maria said quickly. Alex started the
car. They were 3 rows of cars behind Tess.
He pulled out and followed her onto the street.
For blocks they stayed discreetly behind her. In
fact, they kept driving until Maria was convinced that
Tess must live in the next town.
Tess finally pulled up in front of a house on a quiet
street. In truth, this wasn't that far from the
Evans. Tess stepped out of the car.
Alex slowed so that they would be passing the house
when Tess was opening her front door.
Maria watched as someone in the house opened the door
for Tess. As she stepped inside the house, Maria
could see who had opened the door.
Her eyes widened and she whispered, "Got ya," and held
up her camera.
It was seconds later when a Polaroid shot out showing
Tess walking into a house with the 'missing' Miss
Topolski.
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