Liz sat on her balcony writing in her journal, as she did almost every night.  It was a perfect evening and Liz was actually enjoying the warm summer breeze.  Up until a few weeks ago Liz had been dealing with what seemed like the hundredth "off-again" switch in she and Max's relationship.  This time it had been her fault, though.  She had walked away from him when she had learned that Max was destined to be with Tess.  How could she get in the way of destiny?  Max had been crushed.  Isabel had told her how miserable he was, but she was sure he was no more miserable than she.  She loved Max and she had thought that they were destined to be together.  Which is why it wasn't too difficult for Max to convince her that they could be together.  She remembered the night he came to her….

*****"Liz?" Max whispered as he climbed onto her balcony. 

Liz's heart stopped for a moment and she felt the familiar heartache returning.  She had thought she was over it all…but he brought everything back by just saying her name.  "Hi, Max," she whispered back.

"Liz, I….I just have to talk to you.  I can't stand this anymore-being away from you.  I tried to respect your wishes and stay away, but I can't!  Don't you understand?  We're not meant to be apart!  I love you so much and whenever I'm not with you I just feel….wrong." Max whispered urgently.

Liz bit her lip, trying to hold back the hot tears already stinging her eyes.  Why did he have to say those things?  Why did he have to be so wonderful?  Why did this have to hurt so much?  A sob escaped her lips.  "Max, we….we can't…you have to be with…"

And suddenly his lips were on hers and he was kissing her passionately.  Liz melted.  She couldn't keep herself from kissing him back.  It had taken so much for her to walk away, and to stay away.  Now that he was here, kissing her, she had no will to keep from giving in to him.  Tears ran freely down her cheeks now, but she didn't even notice.

Reluctantly, Max pulled away and wiped away her tears with his thumbs.  His eyes were on hers the whole time.  "Liz, I want you to know…Tess means absolutely nothing to me.  I can't love her, because I love you.  You and only you.  Do you understand?"

Liz nodded.  "I love you, Max," she whispered before a new onslaught of tears began to roll down her face. 

Max pulled her to his chest and gently caressed her hair, her neck, her back.  Slowly, all of Liz's pain melted away and it was just she and Max together, as it should be.*****

Liz smiled, remembering that blissful reunion.  She couldn't even imagine leaving him again.  They needed each other.  Tess would just have to deal with that.

Suddenly, Liz heard footsteps climbing up the ladder to her balcony. 

END PART ONE