Captivated by Darkness
Rating: PG-13, for language and intensity
Author: Ash
Disclaimer: Written purely for entertainment purposes. I have borrowed their characters, but have no intention of stealing any glory from the most excellent show on television. Simply a tribute.
Dedication: to N/A, whose trilogies are awe-inspiring
Feedback: please...good, bad and the ugly
Summary: After "Sexual Healing"; Mostly M/L and M/M, some M/T and others in background; a "T" storyline, so bail now if you don't want to walk the walk of the damned
Spoilers: well, up to and including the whole "T" storyline, although I really tried to go off in a different direction from the show

Liz changed gears with calm efficiency. Her mind felt unclouded and sharp for the first time in weeks.

Isabel would heal Alex. He would be fine.

But Maria could be next.

Her lifelines. Her best friends.

Tess was trying to take them away from her, too!

"Let's just add that onto the rather long list of reasons to kick her ass the next time I see her," Liz growled as she shoved the stick into third gear and reached for her cell phone.

Somehow she managed to dial the number while swerving around a parked truck. But then again, she could drive to Maria's house in her sleep.

Max's answering machine picked up again on the third ring.

She left him a quick message while running through the red light doing 50 mph.

Mom would kill me for driving like this.

Wait a minute, why am I going to Maria's? She'll be at Michael's. He could protect her!

But she had to warn them.

She punched in his number and watched the road nervously.

Maria was just starting to completely relax when she heard a strange noise. "Michael, what was that?"

"The refrigerator," he looked over at her with raised eyebrows. "It's shifting gears. It thinks it's a race car."

She smiled at him archly. "Trust you to have a delusional fridge."

Michael grabbed the phone as soon as it rang. "Yeah," he said as he leaned over on the counter. He frowned and glanced at Maria. "Yeah, she's here, Liz....What? Is he okay?"

At this, Maria jumped up from the couch and walked over to Michael, touching his arm lightly for support.

"Yeah, I'll keep an eye on her....Max was at work. He should be home soon....Yeah, I'll try him for you."

Liz could breathe more freely now. Maria would be safe with Michael. She did a slow U-turn and headed back toward Alex's house.

Maybe Isabel wouldn't mind healing Liz's face; it was really beginning to throb.

A sudden chill made Liz slam on the brakes.

Oh no, not again.

The presence and the too-familiar darkness crept over her.

Liz gripped the steering wheel fiercely as her vision slowly disappeared. Her breath came in short gasps, but she managed to keep herself from panicking.

She had her phone with her...and Michael knew where she was if anything... anything...happened...

A whisper brushed across her mind.

*I will break you.*

"Like hell you will," Liz spat out.

*Like Alex, I will. And Maria's next. Unless you're willing to play the game...*

Liz forced back more angry words. At present, she wasn't holding the cards. "Fine."

*The cave. Now.*

The darkness retreated, leaving Liz shivering.

But at least she could see again.

And for some reason, she suddenly felt calm.

It was all clear to her now.

This was all Tess wanted. Revenge.

Liz fixed steely eyes on the road ahead of her.

Whatever.

As long as she left Alex and Maria alone, Liz could handle it.

She put the car back in gear and hesitated. Should she try Max one last time?

But what would she say?

Liz felt sick as she realized that she basically had nothing to say to him.

Nothing coherent, anyway.

Just a bunch of leftover feelings that were hard to make heads or tails out of.

Oh...

And love.

Liz couldn't deny it to herself.

There was always that. And there would always be that. No matter what happened. But then again, there would always be Tess.

That was the main thing she had learned from this. If things were ever going to be right again with Max, Liz had to face her. They had some unfinished business to take care of.

So Liz slowly turned the car around and headed for the highway, hoping she could at least get some answers before Tess completely demolished her.

Max had left work early. Just to drive around.

He needed some time to think.

He was trying his level best to "respect" what Liz had been through and give her time, like Maria so strongly suggested.

But, it didn't feel like respecting.

It felt like ignoring...ignoring the person he loved to distraction, the girl who held his life in the palm of his hand.

Liz was in her own private hell right now. And he was supposed to stay away.

Not only did that not make sense, it was just a load of crap!

Why should he use all his energies forcing himself to stay away whe he could be using that time to help her.

And he was sure that he could help her somehow.

Maybe if he made the connection to her again, he would be able to sense where the problem was. And even if he couldn't, just to be near her again would be heaven.

Just to look into her beautiful eyes and touch her as he had done the night after the shooting, the first time they had connected.

Max inhaled deeply.

*the cave*

He blinked.

Where had that come from?

*Max, the cave...*

Tess?

*It was Nasedo....I'm in the cave.*

Max's throat constricted.

Nasedo had Tess?

He shook his head.

*Max...hurry.*

He had to go. He knew it was her.

And if she was in trouble, he had to help.

Max turned the jeep around and headed to the highway.

Alex couldn't believe this night. Could it get any weirder?

Here he was in his bedroom, lying on the floor with his fantasy girl's head on his chest and- get this- comforting *her*.

Comforting her because he had been at death's door and she didn't want him dead. In fact, she didn't want him dead enough to save him, if you could believe that.

Which, he couldn't.

Granted, she didn't risk her life and the lives of her two friends by doing it like Max did for Liz.

But still, Isabel Evans reached out and exerted a tremendous amount of energy for him- Alex Charles Whitman!

Unreal.

Not to mention the fact that surrounding this unreal scenario was the background of his room, which besides being the sight of numerous fantasies involving he and the aforementioned fantasy girl, currently looked like it might actually rate high enough to merit federal disaster relief funds.

Totally unreal.

He looked down at Isabel.

Her wide, tear-filled eyes caught him by surprise. "Hey, you okay?"

He inclined his head to see if they really were tears, or if it was just his imagination. "Isabel...I'm fine. You fixed me. And by the way, you did a great job on the nose. I think it's much more refined-looking."

He smiled, glad to see her eyes twinkle at him just a little bit.

Isabel sat up, recovered enough to tease him back. "I was hoping you wouldn't notice."

Alex grinned and sat up as well. "Well, I guess maybe we'd better try it out and make sure."

Isabel looked at him suspiciously. "Sure of what?"

Alex leaned in and whispered, "That they fit together just right when we kiss."

Isabel gave a little gasp, then let her gaze wandered down to his smile.

Come home to Papa, Alex thought as he leaned in...

And the phone rang.

Alex jerked his head toward the noise.

"Not again," Isabel muttered as she grabbed his face in both her hands and kissed him soundly.

Soft lips...warm breath...and that shimmering hair in his hands.

Oh god, how Alex loved that hair...

As Isabel pulled back from him slowly, Alex stared at her in wonder.

Life was so amazing.

One minute, an alienette with a vendetta takes a stab at you, and the next minute, a beautiful goddess (also an alien) heals you and takes you to the seventh of never with one kiss.

Amazing.

And she's leaning in again...

Phone? Phone? What's a phone?

Liz sat in the car, taking a deep breath.

Her heart was already pounding, and she wasn't even to the cave yet.

"There is nothing to fear except fear itself," she mumbled to herself. "And, of course, the occasional psychopathic...alien genetic mate of your ex-boyfriend."

She closed her eyes briefly and opened the car door. She didn't realize anyone was there until she felt the door stop suddenly.

Looking up in fear, she was relieved to see Eddie's face in the moonlight. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't see you there," she breathed out, then paused. "How did you know I was coming?"

"You need a new muffler," he grinned at her.

"Oh," Liz said, a little embarassed. "I guess that would do it."

She stepped out of the car and Eddie reached out his hand to help her out.

She gave him a genuine smile for his courtesy. "Thank you."

"So, Liz, what brings you out here?"

Liz lost her smile quickly. "I was hoping to go back to the cave...although now that I'm here, I'm not exactly sure how to get there."

Eddie frowned at her. "Why do you want to go back?"

Liz hesitated, pressing her lips together as she thought. "I can't explain, Eddie. I wish I could, but I just have to go. Alone."

Eddie stared at her for a moment. "I'm not about to let you wander around in those woods by yourself. Just give me a second to get my flashlight. I'll be right back."

Liz watched as he strode off toward the Indian trinket shop beside the road.

If she let him come with her, then he might be in danger, too.

She quickly turned and walked into the dark woods alone.

"Maria, Liz said Alex was going to be fine," Michael said, exasperated.

Maria slammed down the phone. "Then why aren't they answering the phone?"

Michael glowered at her. "I don't know. Why don't you call them back and ask?"

Maria rolled her eyes and kept pacing. "So Liz was driving? When did this happen?" she asked again.

"If I'd known you were going to be this annoying, I would have just handed you the phone so you could talk to her yourself."

Maria stared at him a moment, then grabbed the phone again and dialed quickly.

As they waited, Michael threw himself down on the couch.

Maria sighed and hung up the phone. "So why isn't she answering now?" She looked over at Michael with a calculated look. "I want to see Alex."

Michael looked up at her. "No, it's too dangerous."

"I don't care."

He stood up and stared her down. "You're not going."

She narrowed her eyes. "I am."

"You're-"

"I'm going."

"It's-"

"Michael-"

"too-"

"MICHAEL-"

"dangerous!"

"I'M GOING," Maria shouted as she grabbed her car keys.

"GOD!" Michael threw his hands in the air. "Alright! Alright! If it's gonna shut you up, we'll go!" He yanked the keys out of her hand and exited, followed a very smug Maria.

Eddie swore quietly under his breath.

He didn't realize Liz would go off by herself like that.

It hadn't taken him long to locate the flashlight but when he checked in with River Dog, the old man had wanted to warn him about the presence at the cave...

And of course, Liz hadn't waited.

Eddie set off on his own after her.

What kind of Indian would he be if he couldn't track down a girl?

"Well, at least we know why they weren't answering the phone," Michael said drily, as he leaned against the doorframe.

Alex and Isabel pulled apart and stood up quickly, each wiping nervously at their mouth.

"Oh my god," Maria gasped as she looked at Alex's bedroom.

Alex tried to wipe the hilarious grin off of his face in acknowledgment of the condition of his room, but his lips had a mind of their own.

Who could blame them after coming into contact with that glorious creature. Other parts of his body were extremely jealous...

"Yeah, it's awful, isn't it," he finally managed.

"Well, you look okay. Are you okay?" Maria crossed to him. "Because Liz said that you got attacked or something...but she didn't say who did it or how bad it was or anything. But this... this looks bad, really, really bad."

"He looks fine now, but it took some major healing to get him this way," Isabel said with a frown.

Maria suddenly noticed the blood on the floor beneath them and looked up at Alex, pale.

Isabel's phone rang, startling everyone. "I'll get it," she said firmly, grabbing the phone out of her purse and walking toward the hallway.

Maria threw her arms around Alex and hugged him.

Alex hugged her back.

"I'm fine. What?" he asked, pulling back from her. "You thought that was my blood?"

Maria smiled up at him shakily.

"No way," he smiled, shaking his head at her. "I pass out at the sight of my own blood, remember? And see, I'm staring right at it. No problem..." Alex started to frown. "Although it is... awfully red, isn't it?"

Maria grabbed one of his arms as he began to sway.

"Maybe you should sit down," she said.

Alex nodded vaguely, "Maybe I should."

"So, who did this?" Michael asked grimly. "Did you see anyone?"

Alex shook his head as Maria turned over a chair for him.

"We have to go," Isabel interupted as she snapped her cell phone shut. "Max wants us to meet him at the cave."

Alex blinked. "Wait, does this have something to do with Tess?"

Isabel tilted her head slightly, "How did you know that?"

"I just remembered," Alex said as he jumped up and started shuffling through the loose papers scattered all over the floor. "I've got something to show you."

The farther into the woods she got, the less sure Liz was that she'd done the right thing.

This was suicide. The only thing missing was the bottle of pills.

Tess had powers; she played mind games; she hated Liz.

The deep layers of evergreens blocked out most of the moonlight and Liz stumbled constantly over the uneven ground.

She swallowed nervously and tried to stop her train of thought.

It wasn't as if she'd be safe from Tess anywhere else.

And it wasn't as if her friends would be safe, either.

Or Max.

Liz looked behind her nervously.

The forrest was so dark and still back there.

But it was even darker where she was headed.

Liz took a deep, shuddering breath.

She didn't want to face the darkness again.

Eddie could hear Liz's footsteps up ahead, but hung back, hiding the beam from his flashlight.

River Dog said that was about to happen was necessary...

But he would be there, when the time came.

Max stared at the Parker's car as he parked the Jeep beside it, unable to imagine any likely theory as to why it would be at the reservation.

He jumped out and checked the empty car quickly.

Liz's purse was in the front seat.

He placed his hand on the hood of the car.

Still warm.

He glanced around quickly, but felt sure of which direction she had headed in.

A feeling of dread stole over him.

Had Liz heard Tess calling to him?

No matter... Liz was here.

And if Nasedo was here...

Oh god...

The fear almost choked him.

He sprinted for the woods, glad that he had at least called Izzy for back-up.

Maria threw down the papers she was flipping through. "Alex, why can't you just tell us what it is?"

Isabel held up a sheet. "Is this it?" She handed it to Alex and the others gathered around him.

He glanced over it quickly, nodded and looked up at them. "Remember that fire Tess told you about? The one where she said that her foster family lost everything?"

Isabel and Michael exchanged questioning looks.

"Yeah," Michael ventured.

"Well, according to the records at Greene Memorial in Tucson," Alex took a deep breath. "Tess Hart died in that fire...about three months ago."

Michael gripped the steering wheel in silence.

He and Isabel had given up trying to figure things out a while back.

He just could not bend his brain around the fact that Tess was dead.

How the hell did they miss the fact that she was a...a ghost?

She must've felt pretty damn real to Max.

Michael shook his head.

What they knew about themselves wouldn't even fill a book, and they knew absolutely nothing about what happened to them when they died.

Except they apparently didn't "go gently into that good night." In fact, it looked like Tess had no intention of going anywhere.

This was really giving Michael the willies.

Max was trying to rescue a dead girl and he didn't even know it.

Max had been running through the moonlit forest as fast as he dared for half an hour, dodging tree branches and stumbling over roots.

The path to the cave wasn't clear at all, and he wasn't sure how he knew where to go.

He just did.

With every labored breath, he prayed for Liz to get stopped or slowed down enough for him to get to her.

Not that he was sure at all what might happen if he didn't...

Who knew what Nasedo was thinking?

Why would he have even taken Tess to begin with?

God...what a nightmare!

Max was still trying to process the fact that obviously Liz could see again, and he was glad...

But why did it happen just in time for her to get up here and right back into Nasedo's clutches? It couldn't be a coincidence.

Max's fear pushed him on, but he was eventually forced to stagger to a stop, completely out of breath.

He bent over and grimaced in frustration, resting his hands on his knees a moment.

He was running like an idiot, form all wrong; that had to be why he was so winded.

But Liz couldn't be that far ahead now.

His eyes closed as he again thought of Nasedo finding her first, of those beautiful brown eyes wide with fear...

Oh god-

His heart clenched like a fist and he suddenly didn't give a damn about breathing.

He could breathe later, after Liz was safe.

And Tess, too.

Max ran on as if his life depended on it.

A dark man stood by the cave, his eyes wary as he glanced around the forest.

He looked every inch the mountain man: his tangled beard streaked with gray, his well-worn clothes suited for rugged outdoor life, a backpack on the ground at
his feet.

After satisfying himself that all was still, he idly pulled out a pocketknife and began digging up under his fingernails.

His movements were calm and precise as he waited, glancing up at the trail before him occasionally.

Maria sat by Alex in the back seat, snuggled close under his arm.

Of course, she'd rather be up there with Michael, but she understood the need for he and Isabel to compare notes on what Tess's death meant for them.

As far as she was concerned, it didn't change a thing.

In fact, it made more sense to her.

Tess had been messing with Liz's mind from the beginning, and her being a disembodied alien skank wasn't all that different from her being just a
regular alien skank.

Except now Maria didn't have to worry about kicking Tess's slimy butt all around town for doing this to Liz.

Because someone else had already burned her butt up.

And in spite of her best efforts, Maria wasn't half sorry about it, either.

She just wished Liz knew.

But Liz wasn't answering her cell phone and she had no way of knowing where they were headed.

Maria was glad she would be at home, safe and sound when they confronted Tess.

Just in case.

Liz stood breathlessly facing the cave, fear gnawing away at her.

She just had to get this over with.

If she didn't go straight in, she wouldn't go in at
all.

But oh, she did not feel in control of the situation.

She was feeling more alone with each passing second.

Her eyes closed briefly.

Stupid, independent Liz.

Why hadn't she called Max?

He had no idea she was even here.

No one did.

*I wouldn't say no one...*

With Tess's smug voice came her memories of Alex crying out in pain as the scissors ripped into his side.

Liz grimaced, hurt and rage flooding through her.

She knew she was being manipulated.

She hated it.

But there was just no choice.

Her anger propelled her forward into the mouth of the cave.

Eddie watched her enter after hesitating for a moment.

A frown settled on his face.

River Dog's warning was fresh in his mind and Liz seemed so small and helpless.

Why had she come here alone?

Shaking his head, he walked toward the cave.

Before he had taken a few steps, there was movement out of the corner of his eye.

He turned his flashlight on the strangest looking man he'd ever seen.

Max slowed as he saw a light blink off ahead. He gulped, working hard to breathe quietly in the darkness.

The cave stood just beyond a thicket of trees, a black, gaping hole.

The light had come from somewhere beside those trees.

Was it Liz?

Oh god, please let her be okay...

He approached cautiously, his face grim with determination.

The red Jetta pulled into the Indian reservation, startling River Dog out of his contemplative meditation.

He watched the four teenagers scramble out and run to the other vehicles, both empty.

Then Isabel noticed River Dog watching them.

She touched Michael's arm and nodded in his direction.

Alex and Maria turned hopefully.

River Dog nodded in their direction.

At Michael's frown, he indicated the direction to the cave with an air of resignation.

The four immediately ran off into the woods.

River Dog sighed.

Eddie stood quietly in the path as Max approached.

At Max's surprised look, he simply said, "She's in there. Be very careful."

Max blinked at him, then quickly passed on into the cave.

Eddie looked back to the trail, waiting for the others.

Max walked forward into the dark silence until he could stand it no longer.

He couldn't sense anyone there at all. Not Tess. Not Nasedo...

"Liz," he whispered. "Liz, where are you?"

Suddenly, torches lit up on both sides of him, the flames crackling and spitting far into the back of the cave.

Max walked cautiously forward, following the trail of light ahead.

He had no choice.

The trail of lights eventually branched off, leading him to a smaller cave.

Max peered into the darkness there, the empty silence filling him with dread.

Seconds ticked by...

"Liz," he whispered.

The lights from behind winked out suddenly.

Max crouched, ready for anything.

Very slowly, a glow filled the room, illuminating a slim figure in front of him with long, silky, dark
hair.

Her back was turned, but Max would know that body anywhere.

He took a step forward. "Liz!"

The light grew, caressing the curves of her body softly.

Max suddenly realized that she was only wearing
panties and a tank top.

He had a hard time remembering why he had been so worried about her.

Liz was fine...in fact, she looked...absolutely...breath-taking as she turned to him with a sexy smile."Max," she said, walking slowly towards him. "I knew you'd come."

The hesitant smile on his face widened. "Liz, how did you..."

Liz stopped a few feet in front of him, her eyes daring him to drink his fill of her.

And he couldn't help himself.

As she lifted her arms up and rested them tantalizingly on her head, her tank drifted up high
over her navel.

The smooth expanse of skin between the low rise of her bikini panties and the hem of her tank was so rounded, so perfect.

Max forced his eyes up to her face, taking in her closed eyes and rapturous expression.

He hated to question her...

"Liz," he breathed "I don't understand..."

She opened her eyes and stepped closer, bringing her slim arms around his neck.

Max steeled himself, keeping his hands down for the moment.

Something was off...

"I want you, Max."

His mouth fell open just a little in surprise.

She brought his head down to hers and took full advantage of the opportunity to caress his mouth with her tongue.

His hands went to her waist and slid across the warm, soft skin he found there.

His breathing was ragged...

And as his mind opened to the sensations, they connected.

Almost immediately, Max wanted to pull back.

The rush of images coming from Liz were like none that he'd ever seen before.

They were disjointed, faded images of an unfamiliar childhood, one filled with loneliness and want.
The little girl in the mirror looked more like....oh, god...

It was Tess!

Max felt her anguish as he saw flashes, her memories, of a strange man, a girl, a silver bracelet, a school...and then, the fire....

Oh no...

She had awakened to flames burning, searing, boiling her skin.

Max felt trapped with her as the fire raged on.

The pain was unbearable.

But finally, the darkness came... the numb, eternal existence outside the fire.

Max felt nothing but loneliness...

And he knew what Tess was trying to tell him.

She had come back for him.

And she wanted to take him with her.

In the dark little corner of her mind left, Liz raged.

She could feel Max against her, could taste his tongue with her own, but she had no control over her body.

Tess had completely taken over.

The kiss was a trap and Liz knew it; her body was being used to trap Max.

The power was building up, she could feel it.

NO!

Liz forced her mind to come against the strong presence.

She pushed; she beat; she screamed until she felt a...a loosening.

And while Tess was focusing on the connection to Max, Liz shoved her way through the barrier and joined them.

And they were all one... all seeing images of death.

Tess began to draw power from the distant orb, the guardian, using its hatred of humans to open the link.

Liz felt the familiar warmth steal through her, quickly beginning to burn as before.

She heard Max cry out in pain and she pushed him away from her desperately.

He must be feeling her pain.

It was agonizing, fierce... deadly.

She fell to the ground, all thought quickly overcome...

But the connection stayed.

*And now, we die. Together in life no longer, but alive in death forever.*

Tess's voice echoed in Max's head, as he crouched near the ground trying to fight the energy overtaking his body.

It coursed through him, sending out waves of stunning pain.

It was coming from Liz. The connection...

He couldn't think of how to save her. He couldn't even save himself.

He just... felt... pain. His...hers...

Tess was killing both of them.

Oh god...not Liz, too.

He felt Tess's anger tremor through the connection.

*Yes, her, too!*

Max clenched his teeth, and focused his energy on pushing the pain back.

*Leave her alone, dammit! I'll go! I'll go! JUST STOP!*

He felt Tess's confusion, fear and rage all tangled together.

The pain screamed from Liz's body into his.

*How dare you think of her! You are mine! You were made for me!*

But Max suddenly felt the power pull away, waning slowly.

His head fell forward in relief.

She couldn't use the orb to kill Liz if it would harm him, too. It wouldn't go through with it. The connection between them had saved them.

Michael reached the cave first, pausing only long enough to gauge how far behind him the others were.

He frowned when he didn't see them at all.

"I'm goin' in," he called out to the empty space behind him.

He strode toward the entrance, having no idea of what to find.

A low rumbling shook the air in front of him and Michael instinctively jumped back.

Ahead of him, he saw a flash of white teeth and a mountain of black fur.

"Michael!" he heard Isabel yell behind him.

Falling back in disbelief, he stumbled as her hand grabbed onto his jacket and propelled him back toward the forest.

Isabel hissed in his ear, "I really don't think you want to tangle with a bear, Michael."

Michael pulled his arm away from her. "Isabel..." He gazed back at the cave long and hard.

"Michael, Max can't be in there. There's a bear in there!"

Michael looked into her frantic eyes and put a calming hand on her arm. "He's okay, Iz."

She shuddered and looked away.

Alex and Maria ran up, breathing heavily.

"Uh, did you just say a bear?" Alex asked as he stopped, his eyebrows raised high.

Isabel nodded.

A low growl came from inside the cave.

Max looked over at Liz and the breath left his body.

She was glaring at him with hatred.

Max shook his head.

No, that's Tess...

"Damn you. I wasn't supposed to die in that fire," Tess/Liz whispered fiercely. She scrambled to her feet and backed away. "Liz Parker should have died but you saved her. You saved her...why not me?"

Max followed her, his heart in his throat. "Tess, I'm sorry. I wasn't there. I didn't know," he spoke very calmly, stretching out his hands toward her. "Let's just talk about it and you can let Liz go."

Tess fumed at him. "NO! If I let her go, then I don't exist to you. The orb gave me a second chance. And you chose this- this human," Tess spat the words out as she slammed a fist into the wall. Max was frantic to see her pull the hand back, broken and bloody.

He managed to stay back and keep his train of thought with great effort. "The orb gave you another chance? How?"

Tess glared at him for a moment, then relented slightly. "It's just like healing someone; you just have to have more power. And believe me, the guardian has as much power as he wants."

"So, after you were...burned, the orb...uh," Max hesitated, not able to continue.

She smiled, but it was a hollow one. "Resurrected me? Yeah."

Max was reeling. These words coming out of Liz's mouth...

"Why?" he whispered.

"Oh, it had its reasons: preserving the blood line, keeping you and Liz apart. That's the funny thing, you two being together awakened it, and I think it immediately started plotting against you. I just happened to be the answer to both problems."

She looked away, and her voice tightened. "Then, as soon as it found out that you didn't...want me, it killed me again. Two miserable lives and two painful deaths," Tess paused and whispered. "...all for want of you, Max Evans."

Max felt a shudder pass through him.

Michael squinted his eyes and began to walk forward.

Maria grabbed his arm. "Michael, are you crazy? That thing will eat you alive!" Maria was desperate. "And I refuse to watch you get eaten, Michael Guerin!"

He shrugged her off and walked on. "Stay back, Maria."

A loud roar shook the cave.

Maria shrieked, but Alex held her back.

Isabel went after him. "Michael, get your ass back here!"

He was still walking forward...

Suddenly, the bear lunged into the moonlight, teeth bared, claws extended.

Isabel froze in terror.

Michael crouched down, but held his ground. "Here goes nothin'," he whispered to himself.

Isabel screamed as the bear stood up on its hind legs, now towering over Michael.

"Oh my god!" Alex ran forward and grabbed Isabel, pulling her back with him. As they reached where Maria stood horrified, he placed himself in front of the girls. "Don't watch."

Isabel clung to Alex's shoulder; Maria squeezed his arm tight.

But their eyes were fixed on the scene before them.

The bear lumbered closer to Michael, his massive claws now just inches away.

Alex just had time to realize that he should probably leave the girls to help Michael.

But a sudden roar tore into his thoughts.

The powerful jaws were open, the sharp teeth dripping saliva only inches from Michael's face as the terrible roar blasted by him.

He was completely motionless, dwarfed by the huge beast.

Alex desperately pulled free from the girls and ran toward Michael.

Oh my GOD what am I doing...

Suddenly the bear stopped.

It eyed Michael for what seemed like forever, taking no notice of Alex at all.

Then put its front paws down and padded back to the cave.

Alex stared at Michael, then back at the cave.

Michael let out his breath slowly, his eyes transfixed on the spot where the bear had been.

Alex was the first to speak, pointing at the bear with joking bravado. "Yeah, you better stay in that cave. I got somemin' for ya' nex' time!" He nodded and turned to the girls as the ran up breathlessly. "I think I need to change my pants," Alex said lightly.

Isabel touched him lightly on the arm, her eyes filled with tears. "Thank you." Then she turned to Michael and yelled at him shakily. "Why did you do that?"

Maria slid her hand in the crook of his arm and tried to steady her breathing.

Michael glanced down at her, then over at Isabel. "That wasn't a bear. That was Nasedo. Max is in there alright."

Max felt the weight of her words, but had to try again. "Tess, this is between you and me," Max whispered. "Let Liz go."

Tess's face twisted in anger and she backed away from him. "NO! She dies first," Tess yelled and turn to run. She flung her arms out, sending shockwaves out in all directions. Darkness enveloped them.

"Tess, TESS!" Max yelled as the energy knocked him backwards.

The cave parroted his words back at him, distorting them until they were no longer recognizable.

He jumped to his feet, quickly focusing on making light in his hands.

Just as the light illuminated the walls around him, he heard a distant rumble ahead.

He sucked in a breath.

Cave-in.

They all stared at Michael in amazement.

"Why would he want to keep us from Max?" Isabel asked.

Suddenly, a rumbling drew their attention to the cave.

The ground began to termor under their feet and they grabbed at each other for safety.

A large cloud of dust blew out out of the cave, barely visible in the moonlight, followed by more rumblings and crashing sounds.

"Oh my god, Max!" Isabel ran toward the cave, followed by the others.

In the darkness, the dust overcame them quickly.

Coughing and choking, Michael held up his hands as he attempted to peer into the cave ahead. "MAX? MAX? I swear, if Tess hurt him, I'm gonna--"

"Kill her?" Maria asked with a desperate attempt at a smile. "Guess again. She's been there, done that. Remember?"

A sudden light in Isabelšs hands made everyone pause.

Then Alex, still back at the cave opening, spoke up. "Hey, where's the bear? I mean, Nasedo?"

They all glanced at him and froze.

"R-right behind you, Alex," Maria managed to choke out.

Alex turned to see the silhouette of the beast at the mouth of the cave, standing still as stone.

Max moved aside the rocks and rubble, searching frantically for some sign of Liz's buried body.

She had to be in there somewhere.

"Liz?"

The glow from his hands showed endless debris circling him, only a small path trailing behind him where he had cleared it away.

She could be anywhere.

A slight sound caught his attention.

He whirled around, hearing a small avalanche behind him.

A delicate hand appeared, weakly thrust up through the rubble.

His breath left him in a rush.

Max carefully picked his way over to her, unsure of the shifting rocks beneath him.

A slab of rock had sheltered Liz's upper body from the brunt of the collapse. It leaned against the cave wall, smaller rocks almost burying the side of it.

Max winced at the sight of Liz reaching her hand out from under it, unable to move because her legs were trapped.

He touched her hand gently. "Liz..."

"Max," he heard a soft whisper, then coughing.

He quickly reached out and scooped rocks and dirt away from the slab.

Soon he was able to crouch beside it, where her unprotected legs had caught the brunt of the collapse. They were buried under rubble and dirt.

"Max?"

He peered back under the slab and saw her wide eyes watching him.

She shifted her weight, trying to move her legs.

Shoving some of the debris aside, he could see that several large rocks had her legs pinned to the ground.

Max reached out and touched the rocks, dissolving them and the rubble entirely.

In the dim light, her legs looked badly bruised and gashed, and he was surprised she didn't seem to be in more pain.

"It's okay. Everything will be alright."

But as he reached out to touch her, another rumble sounded close by.

There was no telling how much damage Tess had done to the cave walls. The area wasn't safe at all.

Max bent up under the slab and pulled Liz out, bringing her in tightly to her chest.

She grabbed tightly at his shirt and took a shuddering breath.

Since he couldn't carry Liz forward through the wreckage, there was nowhere to go but back.

"Nice bear, nice bear..." Alex whispered as he backed away. "With nice, nice big...big teeth."

Michael reached out and pulled Alex back with the others. "No sudden movements."

They were silent a moment, then Maria spoke up with a shaky voice. "So, first he didn't want us to come in. Now he doesn't want us to leave? God, he must be from your planet. Any chance he's related to Max?"

Michael saw the bear glance her way and pulled her behind him. "Maria, shut up!"

After picking his way back along the path he had made, Max knelt and gently placed Liz on the ground. She was watching him with a peaceful smile, the glow from his hands bathing her bruised face in soft light.

As he brushed the hair off of her face and cupped her head in his hands, he whispered, "Liz?"

The countenance on her face fell.

"No, it's still me," she whispered sadly. Tears filled her eyes and she reached up to put her one good hand on his face. The other lay limp at her side.

"Tess..." Max sighed.

"Max, don't you understand? I waited my whole life for you."

Max froze, touched by her words. His mouth worked at making a response, but nothing came out.

Tess watched him, then laid back quietly on the ground. She healed Liz's body and faded the dirt away.

Max's eyes travelled downward as her beautifully slim legs became whole again. He was suddenly aware again of how little she was wearing and pulled his eyes away.

He knew Tess had undressed Liz's body, not Liz... but it still had the same effect.

Tess watched him and whispered painfully, "Please, Max, make love to me. Even if it is just making love to her. Please."

He shook his head.

Tess grabbed at his shirt desperately. "Max, you want to. I knew it when we kissed. I saw how much you love her. How much you want her."

He couldn't deny it, but it was wrong...

"Max, please...please...It will be all I'll have of you."

Her eyes pleaded with him.

No- Liz's eyes pleaded with him.

Max pulled her hands away from his shirt firmly. "I can't do that to her, Tess. I'm sorry."

Her eyes closed. "Do you believe in reincarnation, Max?"

He watched her, feeling bereaved for her, but wanting nothing more than to see Liz set free.
"Tess, let her go."

A breath of air whispered by Max, extinguishing the light from his hands.

He reached out in the dark for her...

*I'll always come back for you, Max. Always.*

Where did she go?

He heard scraping sounds and rocks crashing against the walls as he scrambled to his feet.

But before he could rekindle the light, a sudden blow to his head knocked him flat on his back.

"Liz..." he said weakly, trying to get up.

Falling back against the floor, he closed his eyes despite his best efforts.

The darkness swirled around him.

Then, nothing.

Michael felt completely helpless.

Every time he moved, the bear Nasedo growled at him.

He felt like growling back.

He wasn't afraid for himself or Isabel, but there was no telling about Nasedo's intentions toward Alex and Maria. Probably not good ones, he guessed.

He sighed noisily.

It was eating him up not knowing where Max was, or if he was okay.

But all he could do was wait.

Probably Michael's least favorite thing in the world.

Definitely high up on his torture list.

A distant sound suddenly caught his attention.

He glanced over at Isabel and saw that she had heard it, too.

It was a shifting, rumbling, crashing sound, getting closer.

By this time, Alex and Maria were looking over his way.

It was getting louder.

About the time Michael had decided that his first instincts were correct and it was dangerous, the bear lumbered back to the front of the cave.

Michael yelled, "Run!"

The noise was deafening now...

He grabbed Maria, pulling her along with him.

Before they could reach the mouth of the cave, the noise reached a crescendo and Michael threw them both down on the ground.

An explosion scattered rocks, dirt and debris all over his back.

He could feel Maria sobbing underneath him, tremors running through her. He held her even tighter, hoping that Isabel and Alex were okay.

Michael lifted his head warily, coughing once again in the dust-filled air.

Maria was quiet underneath him now, but still shaking.

He sat up, pulling her with him gently. "You okay?" he asked, peering into her tear-filled eyes.

She nodded.

He took her hand and pulled her to her feet, looking around quickly.

Maria gasped.

Across the cave from them, Isabel was lying on her side, Alex draped over her like a rag doll.

Michael and Maria made their way over the rocks cautiously.

"Izzy? Alex?" Michael's voice was tight as he bent over them.

They weren't moving.

Then Isabel stirred, moving Alex's body off of her.

She opened her eyes and stared up into Michael's worried face. "I'm... I'm fine. What happened?"

"Alex," Maria's voice was weak with fear as she knelt beside him. "Alex?"

He was covered in dirt, a small rivulet of blood making its way down the side of his face.

Isabel turned over and sat up, frantic at the sight.

She grabbed his shoulders and shook him. "Alex!"

He opened his eyes painfully, grimacing. "Not so loud...I'm okay. God, where is that light coming from?"

Michael sat back on his heels, suddenly realizing that there was a glow lighting the cave, getting brighter by the second.

He whirled around to find the source.

And he was in no way prepared for what he saw.

Liz Parker stood there, wearing a sinister smile and practically nothing else.

And the light was glowing from her body...

Eddie was seriously beginning to doubt his sanity.

Not only could he not remember why his brain felt like it had been soft-scrambled, but he couldn't even remember why he was in the woods to begin with.

Not since his vision quest had he been this confused.

And that had been because he hadn't eaten in a week.

At the memory, Eddie sent up a quick prayer to his spirit guide.

He looked around, his eyes coming to rest on a nearby path. It was familiar to him. It was one that would take him to... River Dog's cave.

Eddie paused. The cave... yes...

Somebody had come up to him, in front of the cave. That was the last thing he remembered...

And now he was a good ten minutes walk away from the cave.

He frowned.

There was a reason he was going there.... something important... and somebody obviously didn't want him there.

Liz! The name jumped out at him.

Eddie swore under his breath and took off at a run.

He had to hurry.

Michael stood to his feet in shock.

Maria pulled her eyes away from Alex and gasped. "Liz? What are you doing here?" Maria quickly stood and began to walk towards her.

Michael pulled her back.

"Michael! What?"

Isabel stood next to them. "Maria, she's glowing. That's not Liz."

"That's coming from her?" Maria asked, fighting to keep from being hysterical. "Okay, the bear is Nasedo. So... who the hell is she?"

Alex's voice came from behind them as he slowly came forward, hand to his head. "That's Tess. And I don't suppose you would... uh, consider putting more clothes on my friend's body, would you?" he asked her with a pained smile.

At her name, Liz/Tess walked slowly forward, smiling playfully. "So, you figured it all out, Alex. Bravo. Too bad it's too late. There's no going back now. For any of you."

Maria glanced up at Michael, trying to see if Liz's mostly unclothed body had any effect on him at all.

Michael narrowed his eyes and smirked. "Wanna bet?"

Isabel stepped forward. "Where's Max?" she said, her voice strained.

Tess lost her smile. "That's all you have to say to me? Now that you know the truth, I don't even get an 'I'm sorry your life was cut dramatically short, Tess.' Not even a hint of sorrow that I'm DEAD?"

Michael and Isabel exchanged glances.

"My condolences. Now move out of the way, Tess," Michael warned her as he stepped forward menacingly.

She sauntered toward them. "Fine, okay..." a little half-smile found its way across her face.

Then she stopped.

Her eyes narrowed.

"You first."

Before they could move, she flung out her hands, sending a shockwave spinning at them.

All four of them found themselves hurtling back through space, then gasping for breath as the wind was knocked out of them.

Michael clutched at his chest, trying not to panic.

He was vaguely aware of a brown blur that passed by him, the fur just brushing against his skin, the hot,pungent smell of a beast acrid in his nose.

The bear-!

Liz screamed and there was a scuffling sound, then silence.

By the time Michael had gotten control of his breathing again, a shout rang through the cave.

It was Max.

"NOooo!"

Michael sat up and gasped at the sight before him.

In the fading light, he could see a huge, bulky shape bent over Liz's prone form.

The bear had attacked her, its huge jaws were still buried deep in her neck.

There was blood, and Michael just couldn't make himself move toward her.

How could she survive that?

Suddenly, Max was there trying to force the bear's jaws apart, his voice ragged with emotion as he yelled for help.

Michael jumped up just as the glow from Liz's body went completely out.

"Dammit! Let her go!"

The darkness make it impossible for Max to see Liz now, but he would never forget what he had already seen: her beautiful skin splashed with crimson, brown eyes wide and staring in pain, hands pushing weakly against the bear's jaws.

Oh god...

A sob tore through him.

"Liz!"

His hands started glowing hot.

His lips curled back in a snarl as he tried to pour as much energy into his hands as he could.

He wanted that bear to feel his pain.

To die from pain or let her go.

In the darkness, he heard Michael's ragged voice.

"Max, it's Nasedo. The bear- it's Nasedo."

Max froze.

Before he could even process the thought, a flashlight beam cut through the darkness.

It rested on Max's face, then on the bear and finally, on Liz.

"Liz," Eddie shouted. He ran to stand in front of Max, glancing at him before speaking to the beast breathlessly.
"You don't have to kill her. There's another way."

Max blinked, trying to formulate a coherent thought.

A way to do what? To get rid of Tess?

Max glanced down as the bear sat still, its jaws digging into Liz's neck.

She coughed up blood helplessly, unable to move an inch.

Max swallowed.

He felt the seconds tick by...

One turn of the bear's head and Liz's neck would be broken. In the glow of the flashlight beam, he could just make out her panicked eyes as she fought to breathe.

Max fell to his knees beside her, tears filling his eyes.

Liz grabbed for his hand weakly, her eyes locked on his.

Max felt like he was suffocating with her.

He bent over and put his face beside hers, closing his eyes and whispering his love.

Liz choked and sobbed quietly beside him.

Suddenly the bear released her.

He reared back and Max looked up just in time to see a huge paw swing in his direction.

The impact flung him against the cave wall, the darkness swirling in again...

Eddie took a step back as the bear looked over at him next. He steeled himself for an attack, but none came. "There is another way," Eddie repeated.

He felt Michael come to stand behind him.

"Just as you taught River Dog before, these five can become as one again, and send the presence on. There is no need to kill again."

The bear was still for a moment.

Then it lumbered its way past Liz and toward the back of the tunnel.

The torches lit up as it passed.

Eddie took a deep breath and walked to Liz's side, his eyes hard.

She looked up at him wearily, blood streaming between the fingers at her throat.

"You could heal her."

Her eyes narrowed and then closed.

Eddie shook his head and looked up at Michael as he approached.

"She's dying; we have to hurry," Eddie paused. "Uh...pick her up."

Michael stared at him, then looked at Liz's...slightly dressed body below them.

"Like that? Max would kick my ass."

Eddie shifted uncomfortably.

Alex pushed his way between them. "Excuse me," he said as he removed his outer shirt and laid it over Liz's body. He put his arms under her legs and back, cradling her bloody body to his chest. He grimaced and looked over at Eddie. "Follow that bear."

Eddie nodded curtly and led the way.

Michael turned to see Maria standing by his side, white as a sheet.

He grabbed her hand and pulled her behind him.

Isabel connected to Max immediately, and felt a surge of rage and despair flow from him. "Oh god," she whispered as a tear slipped down her cheek.

She felt with her mind the exact spot of the bruising in his brain and healed it quickly.

Max stirred and opened his eyes, the connection between them flowing his thanks and love to her.

She smiled tearfully and kissed his cheek, then he was up and running after the others.

Isabel sat back on her heels, wiping her face with a shaking hand.

She took a deep breath and stood up, following close behind Max.

Maria walked on in silence, pulled forward by Michael's hand.

She shivered and stumbled on a rock.

Michael turned back to steady her, then kept walking.

Maria wanted to help Liz, she really did.

But she had long since lost the ability to think rationally.

She just hoped someone would tell her...

Oh god...exactly what to do.

The light from the torches threw strange shifting shadows on the walls ahead.

Just like that night not so long ago.

Only then, it had been Michael's life on the line.

And now, it was Liz... glowing Liz... barely alive Liz...

It was so horrible.

Maria's breath was coming in gasps.

She yanked back on Michael's hand.

He turned to her, concerned. "What?"

She grabbed his arms. "Did you see her? Did you see that blood all over her?
Oh my god, Michael, she's going to die. The bear-"

He grabbed her, trying to be as firm as possible. "It's not a bear. Remember? It's Nasedo!"

Maria screamed at him, tears in her eyes. "Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

Michael pulled her to him, crushing her in an attempt to silence the panicked words.

Then he pulled her back and looked into her tear-filled eyes. "Maria, I'll make you a deal. Right now, you've got to pull yourself together. In thirty minutes, thirty minutes exactly, I promise you, you can fall apart all you want, and I'll hold you. You can cry, scream, hit me, kick me, whatever. But not right now. Okay?"

He stared at her, willing her to take strength from him.

Maria stared at him for a moment, then smiled. "Okay," she whispered. "Thank you."

He reached out awkwardly and caressed her cheek.

Then they turned to follow the torchlights.

Max laid Liz down in the center of the symbol, the same one they had used to heal Michael. He brushed the hair off of her face, then looked up at Eddie.

Eddie nodded.

Max bent over Liz and whispered to her. "Liz, I'll be right here."

She opened her eyes briefly and reached for him, trying to pull his lips down to hers.

Max resisted for a moment, then gave in.

They connected instantly.

*Max!*

He knew it was Tess.

*I'm going to heal her, Tess. I won't let her die.*

But it was a bluff.

How could he heal Liz if Tess was in control of her body?

*Good question, Max. You can't. So, just relax and let's enjoy these last few moments of Liz's life together. You and me.*

Max knew she could feel his emotions.

He stopped holding back his anger and hatred of being connected to her.

He felt her falter.

Liz was dying.

And she was scared.

She felt the pain, the blood leaving her body.

And Tess gloating.

Her body still wasn't her own.

Her mind was all she had left.

And it was quickly... too quickly, losing ground.

Max!

Oh god, Max...

Isabel bolted to the center of the symbol when Eddie nodded at her.

She laid her hands on Max's back and closed her eyes. Almost immediately, she felt him in her mind, joining hers.

He was angry, grappling with Tess.

Isabel could feel Tess's presence... and Liz barely hanging on.

They didn't have much time.

Michael took a last glance across at Maria before thrusting his hands on Max's arm. The connection took hold as soon as he closed his eyes and he felt Tess scream at them.

*What are you doing? Why are you doing this to me?*

Michael joined his mind with Isabel and Max's, pushing against Tess.

Maria's face was streaked with tears as she walked forward.

If this didn't work...

She forced herself to clear her mind and placed a hand gently on Max's back, close enough to touch Michael.

Glancing up, she saw Eddie nod at Alex.

Alex walked forward and knelt beside Liz, placing a hand on Max's other arm.

Maria closed her eyes and concentrated.

She heard an echo in her head, fuzzy at first.

It sounded like... Michael.

As she focused on the sound, it became more distinct.

It was him! In her mind!

*Maria! Do you feel Tess?*

Maria frowned.

She couldnšt feel anything except Michael...

Oh, wait... there was anger... and she focused on it.

No, that's Max.

*Hi, Max.*

*Maria! Good. Help us. Focus on Tess.*

Max's love for Liz washed over Maria and she paused.

Tess...

*What does she feel like?*

Max's voice came to her softly.

*Darkness. She's here with me. Just beside me.*

Michael warned her, *Wait. Don't focus on her alone. Just join us, then focus.*

*Aren't we joined?*

*Not all of us. Just wait.*

A familiar dry voice sounded nearby.

*So, this is what it's like to really be schizophrenic. Cool.*

*Alex!*

*That's me.*

She gave him a mental hug, surprised that she could do that.

*Thanks. Where's Liz?*

Maria focused on Max again.

He answered shortly.

*She's weakening. Iz?*

*I'm here. Just... waiting for Eddie.*

Max was concerned.

*You okay?*

*Fine.*

Maria could feel Isabel's fear. It was impossible to lie here.

*I'm here. Let's begin.*

Eddiešs voice signalled the joining.

Maria felt Max reach out with his mind to hers, linking them.

She reached out to Michael.

The oneness was amazing. Their minds were completely joined.

She didn't have to wonder how it felt to be an alien anymore.

She was one.

She smiled as Alex joined, his thoughts of Isabel shared by everyone.

*Really, Alex.*

Maria could tell she was flattered by Alex's thoughts.

Of course, they all knew he was only doing this to keep her from being scared.

Warm smiles in the darkness.

Then Isabel reached out to Eddie and they were all joined.

*Alright, now Tess...*

With the strength of everyone's minds, it was easy to find the presence.

Maria immediately felt her hatred and anger for all of them.

*Liz deserves to die. She should already be dead! Not me!*

At her words, the warmth of being joined left Maria.

Red hot anger blazed through her, leaving her to quickly wonder if it was hers, Max's or Alex's... or just
everyone's...

No matter.

The anger focused their minds on Tess like a lazer beam.

And suddenly there was another force there.

*Nasedo.*

Max's thought echoed in everyone's mind.

A jolt of energy shot through them, empowering them all.

It grew until Maria thought she would explode if she couldn't let go.

She frantically directed her thoughts at Tess, feeling the others do the same.

Tess suddenly pulled away.

*No-*

And the power broke free from them... in brilliant white light that soon covered everything.

She was gone.

Alex soon got used to the white light.

It was still hearing the others' thoughts that was so amazing to him.

Always the last to know, always the outsider...now he felt...joined.

Even Michael now made sense to him.

He could feel his love for Maria, his concern for her and the fear of discovery that drove everything he did.

And Isabel... truly as beautiful on the inside as the outside. Her love for Max, for Michael... and something he was trying to not notice about himself. But it was something good.

*Alex... focus, here.*

Isabel's voice was warm and caring.

But she was right, they were supposed to be concentrating on Liz.

She was so weak and needed a lot of healing.

He could feel Max's fear and love for Liz.

Absolutely overwhelming.

Never again would he make fun of their soulful glances at each other.

This was the real thing.

He tried to ignore the feelings from Max and focus on Liz.

Where was she?

Warm.

Sigh.

Peaceful.

Smile.

After pain and agony... so wonderful.

She blinked.

*Max?*

She felt him rushing toward her, connecting with her.

*Liz? Oh god, don't leave me... please.*

He was so worried...

*Liz!*

*Maria?*

Liz was feeling strength pour into her, and an overwhelming sense of love and good will around her.

*Yes, it's me! Girl, when we get out of this, you have some major explaining to do! I'll get out the vanilla ice cream.*

Liz smiled, but another voice interupted her thoughts.

*Ugh. Only if you include toppings.*

*Isabel?*

Alex's warm voice enveloped her. *I'm here, too. And Michael. And Eddie. Max is going to heal you... Love you. See you on the flip side. *

Liz sent back her love to him, and to Maria. And warm thanks to Michael, Isabel and Eddie.

She felt them leave.

*Liz? Just relax and breathe deeply.*

*Oh, am I still breathing?*

Liz frowned.

It seemed to her like she didn't really have a body anymore.

*Just barely, sweetheart. But please keep it up.*

The word brought her a sense of love and hope. She felt his fear and earnestness.

*Of course. Anything for you.*

She felt sleepy... and slowly, the white light disappeared, replaced by darkness.

The darkness surrounded her.

She felt panic, fear... loneliness.

And jerked up so suddenly that she smacked her head right into Max's.

"Ow!"

Liz stared at him blankly, then smiled. "Sorry. I guess I was dreaming. About Tess... and the cave."
Liz stopped at the look on Max's face.

His eyes were filled with tears and he was gazing at her as though she might disappear any second. He reached a shaky hand out to touch her face. "You can see me?"

Liz nodded.

Max took a deep breath. "And it's really... you?"

Liz's lips parted to speak, and then she hesitated. Max's hair was rumpled, his clothing dirty and blood-stained.

For the first time, she realized they were in the cave... with Maria, Michael and everyone standing nearby.

Tears sprang into her eyes. "It really happened, didn't it?"

Max nodded, unable to speak.

She could barely bring herself to whisper the words, "And she's gone?"

"Yes," Max whispered. And in his eyes, she saw an apology.

It flew through her mind once again, the pain of seeing him with her, the break-up, the kiss, the blindness, the horror of life without sight and without Max.

She looked at him again, the past haunting her eyes.

"I am so sorry," he whispered. He raised his eyebrows, finally looking away as tears crowded into his eyes.

He was asking forgiveness for all of it.

Out of the corner of her eyes, Liz saw Maria pulling the others away.

Liz caught her eye and smiled shakily.

Maria smiled, then buried herself in Michael's arms as they walked away.

Liz looked back at Max.

In the torchlight, shadows played across his downcast face.

Liz knew that these would be the most important words she ever said to him. She pulled his face up gently and stared into his eyes a moment. "I love you, Max."

He looked at her, shocked and relieved as she continued.

"I know why you did what you did. And you were right. You needed to find out what she was."

Max blinked a few times and a smile spread across his face.

"But," Liz added. "It may take a while to... get things back to normal. Well, at least, to where they were before."

His smile faltered a moment, then blazed at her again.

Liz smiled in return.

"So, how many times have you saved my life now?"

Max leaned in, reached out to cup her neck gently in his hands and kissed her.

Liz pulled him into her as she raised up on her knees.

As she felt his hands on her bare waist, she jumped, then exhaled slowly.

Max slid his arms around her, pulling her close. "I guess I do have something to thank Tess for."

Liz pulled back in surprise. "What?" she demanded.

His eyes twinkled, but he ducked to hide a blush in her neck. "I don't think I would have had near this amount of success if I had tried to get you in this cave alone without your pants on."

Liz laughed, shaking her head in surprise.

Maybe it won't take long at all to get back to the way things were.

Maybe... they'll be better.

THE END

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