Disclaimer: I don't own anything, not the characters, not the title; I
don't even live anywhere near New Mexico.
Authors Note: Okay this is going to be a bit longwinded but here we go. This story is set after Future Max comes to Liz, and she doesn't handle it very well. Tess is not evil although she is still a bitch on occasion, and since Tess is not evil Alex is still alive. There is much, much more, but if I go into it my little surprise will be ruined. I must ask you to bear with me, because when the time comes I'll let you all in on the secret.
Warning: This story is rated R because of future content. "Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore."
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"There's nothing wrong with me, I'm just a little tired." Liz said to her reflection in the mirror.
The truth of the matter was there was something wrong with Liz Parker. She had a problem, a serious problem. Liz did a good job of convincing herself otherwise, and an even better job of hiding it from her friends. For four months she's been dealing with everything on her own, with no one to confide in, and it was beginning to take its toll on her.
Exactly four months prior Future Max came to Liz, professing his undying love for her then insisting that she find a way to make those feelings go away. He told Liz the world would be doomed if she remained with Max. Everyone she knew and loved would be dead and it was she who had the power to stop it. What else could she do? The love of her life was asking her to save the world, it was the least she could do for the man who had saved her life. So she made Max believe that she slept with Kyle, breaking both of their hearts in the process. No one knew what she had done, or how she had save the lives of their future selves. No one knew how much she was dying inside over never being able to hold Max again. No one knew that she was hardly sleeping at night. And no on knew that she was using to keep herself up during the waking hours of the day.
For Liz it was no big deal. She was not really taking drugs, because you get drugs from dealers on the street, not from pharmacies. Liz knew that she could never be addicted to anything; it just was not in her nature. As soon as things slowed down she would stop taking the pills and everything would be fine. That was the plan, until Tess got pregnant.
Liz was having a pretty uneventful day until she ran into a concerned Kyle. Stopping to ask what was wrong Kyle replied that he need to speak to Max about taking responsibility for what he had done.
"He's not going to leave Tess to take care of this kid herself. I don't care what kind of power he has. Max is not going to do this to her and run away."
Liz was so shocked from what she just heard that she dropped everything that was in her hand. After that day everything went downhill. Liz could no longer concentrate on anything. Everything reminded her of Max, and Max reminded her of Tess, and Tess reminded her of what she could no longer have. Liz began to double the dose of her "medication" so that it would work better. Liz's doctor felt that she did not need anymore of her "medicine" and discontinued her prescription. This posed a problem for Liz. Out of desperation she began to talk to people she normally would never speak to. Liz was trying to find a suitable substitute for what she had lost, medicinally as well as emotionally.
Still standing in the mirror Liz began to apply her make-up. She was wearing more than she usually did. It was getting harder and harder to cover the dark circles under her eyes, or the pale color of her skin. After the second application of cover-up Liz was finally ready to face the world.
Riding to school with Maria was part of her everyday ritual, as well as hearing Maria complain about Michael.
"So I went over to his place, and all he wants to do is watch a stupid hockey game. I just couldn't believe it. I mean I even wore that shirt; you know the one that always slips off my shoulder? Do you think that got any kind of response? Of course it didn't. I wasn't flying across the ice with a stick in my hand. God he's so annoying."
"At least he's not annoying someone else," Liz said under her breath.
"What?" Maria asked turning toward her friend.
"I said isn't he always annoying?"
Satisfied with Liz's answer Maria continued. "So I started trying to get "closer" to Michael. He gave me this look and asked me if I needed something. After he said that I just left."
"Good for you" was all Liz could say.
The rest of the ride was not as noisy aside from Maria's occasional comments and Liz's feeble agreements. School itself was becoming unbearable for Liz. No one knew that Tess was pregnant, but everyone noticed the new couple. Liz was now, in everyone opinion, the poor girl Max dumped for someone else. Then there were the classes that Liz still had with Max. They both said that they should try to be friends, but everyone, including Max and Liz, noticed the tension between them.
Before heading to class Liz went to the bathroom for her morning dose. She still had an entire bottle of her prescription left. Liz knew that she had to use it sparingly. So far the "double dose" she was taking was half prescription the other half was what she was getting at school. The result of the combination was amazing, whenever she was with Max; Liz felt nothing. Right now that was exactly what she needed. Liz and Max were forced into partnering on a history assignment. This meant that on top of having her regular classes with Max they had to spend study hall together. After leaving the bathroom Liz ran into Tess.
"Damn, I'm not ready yet."
"Did you say something to me?" Tess asked.
"I was talking to myself. I said that I wasn't ready for class."
"You have that class with Max. It's history, right?"
"Yep that's the one. I have to get to my locker, I left my books in it."
"Liz, before you leave, could you do me a favor?"
Liz wanted to laugh on her face and tell her to go to hell, but she restrained herself. "I'll try."
Tess held out a folded newspaper. "Could you give this to Max? And tell him I circled all the apartments that I liked in our price range."
Liz almost chocked when Tess added the last part. Liz reached for the paper and nodded. She watched Tess leave before running back into the bathroom. Going to the sink furthest from the door she turned on the cold water and looked at her reflection.
"Why couldn't you just stay in the bathroom for one more minute? I really didn't need to hear about Tess and Max moving in together," Liz thought to herself.
Reaching into her bag she pulled out her prescription bottle.
"This is an emergency," she thought. Liz shook two pills into her hand, and then put them into her mouth. She tilted her head back and swallowed them. After cupping her hand under the running water she brought it to her lips. Liz looked at her reflection again tried to reflect on what has just happened and what she had just done in response to it. Sighing she turned and walked out of the bathroom.
By the time history came around Liz was more "numb" than she had ever been. When she saw Max she remembered the paper Tess had given her and handed it to him.
"What's this?"
"Apartments for you and Tess."
Max took the paper quickly and deposited it in his backpack. "Thanks," he mumbled.
"What are friends for," Liz said lightly.
Max looked at Liz trying to catch her eye unsuccessfully. "I guess." Max knew he was going to have to talk to Tess about how she passed him messages.
Liz did not notice the look that Max was giving her. He was trying to gauge her emotions, but he was not getting anything from her.
They started working on the project in silence each concentrating on his or her respective parts. History ended and Max and Liz started to gather their things.
"So we're going to the library now?" Liz questioned
"Yeah, that's where the books are."
"Was that a joke?" Liz asked cocking her head to the side.
Max just smirked and picked up the rest of his stuff. Max was relieved, slightly, by the light mood. Liz was handling the fact that he was moving in with Tess pretty well.
In the library it was back to business. Books were scattered all over the table that they occupied.
"Where's the book about the fall of Rome?" Max asked while picking up and moving several books.
"I don't think that we grabbed that one. I'll get it."
Liz wandered up and down the rows of books before she found the one that she was looking for. The book was on the topmost shelf. Liz looked around for the stepladder and found it in the next isle. Liz climbed up onto the ladder and reached for the book. A sudden wave of dizziness came over her. Before she was able to brace herself she fell backwards hitting her head on the way down.
Max was wondering what was taking Liz so long, five minutes had already passed and the library was not that big. Max got up and went from row to row before he spotted Liz's forms sprawled in the floor. Rushing towards her he noticed that the back of her head was wet from her blood.
"Liz," Max called carefully. He wanted to move her but knew that was a bad idea. Placing his hand over Liz's wound he tried to heal her, but it was not working because he was not able to make a connection. Max took his free hand and held Liz's; he concentrated on only Liz. Max thought about everything they had been through together and slowly a connection was formed. Max could feel the warm tingling sensation in his hand that was associated with the use of his powers. Max focused on closing Liz's wound again, this time he knew it was working. Suddenly Max began to see flashes, but they were different from any flashes he had ever received from Liz. The flashes were dark and filled with pain. Max felt what Liz felt when she met Tess in the hall, and he saw her go into her backpack and take a pill bottle out.
"Stop," Liz said trying to sit up, only another wave of dizziness overtook her and she slumped back down.
"What's going on Liz?" Max asked while help her to steady herself.
"Nothing, I was just a little dizzy and I lost my balance."
"Why were you dizzy?"
"How should I know? Maybe it's because I didn't eat breakfast this morning, or because I climbed the ladder too fast, I don't know." Liz spoke with a note of irritation in her voice.
"Thanks for the help, Max, I think that we should get back to work."
"Liz, what are the pills for?"
"What pills?" Liz asked eyeing Max.
"I saw them in a flash."
"Max how could you invade my privacy like that?" Liz whispered angrily.
"Liz I don't control the flashes, you know that." Max replied in the same whispered tone.
"Whatever Max." Liz said while rolling her eyes. "Maybe we should finish this project on our own. We have enough information and if either if us has any problems we could call the other."
Liz finally stood and walked over to the table, with Max following closely behind.
"Are you sick?"
"What?" Liz turned to face him. "No, I'm not sick. I was before, but not now."
"Why are you still taking medication then?"
Thinking quickly Liz replied, "I had an infection. I have to finish my prescription to completely get rid of it."
Looking at Max, Liz was sure that he did not completely believe her.
"Look, you don't have to worry about me I'm fine. I'm always fine."
Authors Note: Okay this is going to be a bit longwinded but here we go. This story is set after Future Max comes to Liz, and she doesn't handle it very well. Tess is not evil although she is still a bitch on occasion, and since Tess is not evil Alex is still alive. There is much, much more, but if I go into it my little surprise will be ruined. I must ask you to bear with me, because when the time comes I'll let you all in on the secret.
Warning: This story is rated R because of future content. "Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore."
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
"There's nothing wrong with me, I'm just a little tired." Liz said to her reflection in the mirror.
The truth of the matter was there was something wrong with Liz Parker. She had a problem, a serious problem. Liz did a good job of convincing herself otherwise, and an even better job of hiding it from her friends. For four months she's been dealing with everything on her own, with no one to confide in, and it was beginning to take its toll on her.
Exactly four months prior Future Max came to Liz, professing his undying love for her then insisting that she find a way to make those feelings go away. He told Liz the world would be doomed if she remained with Max. Everyone she knew and loved would be dead and it was she who had the power to stop it. What else could she do? The love of her life was asking her to save the world, it was the least she could do for the man who had saved her life. So she made Max believe that she slept with Kyle, breaking both of their hearts in the process. No one knew what she had done, or how she had save the lives of their future selves. No one knew how much she was dying inside over never being able to hold Max again. No one knew that she was hardly sleeping at night. And no on knew that she was using to keep herself up during the waking hours of the day.
For Liz it was no big deal. She was not really taking drugs, because you get drugs from dealers on the street, not from pharmacies. Liz knew that she could never be addicted to anything; it just was not in her nature. As soon as things slowed down she would stop taking the pills and everything would be fine. That was the plan, until Tess got pregnant.
Liz was having a pretty uneventful day until she ran into a concerned Kyle. Stopping to ask what was wrong Kyle replied that he need to speak to Max about taking responsibility for what he had done.
"He's not going to leave Tess to take care of this kid herself. I don't care what kind of power he has. Max is not going to do this to her and run away."
Liz was so shocked from what she just heard that she dropped everything that was in her hand. After that day everything went downhill. Liz could no longer concentrate on anything. Everything reminded her of Max, and Max reminded her of Tess, and Tess reminded her of what she could no longer have. Liz began to double the dose of her "medication" so that it would work better. Liz's doctor felt that she did not need anymore of her "medicine" and discontinued her prescription. This posed a problem for Liz. Out of desperation she began to talk to people she normally would never speak to. Liz was trying to find a suitable substitute for what she had lost, medicinally as well as emotionally.
Still standing in the mirror Liz began to apply her make-up. She was wearing more than she usually did. It was getting harder and harder to cover the dark circles under her eyes, or the pale color of her skin. After the second application of cover-up Liz was finally ready to face the world.
Riding to school with Maria was part of her everyday ritual, as well as hearing Maria complain about Michael.
"So I went over to his place, and all he wants to do is watch a stupid hockey game. I just couldn't believe it. I mean I even wore that shirt; you know the one that always slips off my shoulder? Do you think that got any kind of response? Of course it didn't. I wasn't flying across the ice with a stick in my hand. God he's so annoying."
"At least he's not annoying someone else," Liz said under her breath.
"What?" Maria asked turning toward her friend.
"I said isn't he always annoying?"
Satisfied with Liz's answer Maria continued. "So I started trying to get "closer" to Michael. He gave me this look and asked me if I needed something. After he said that I just left."
"Good for you" was all Liz could say.
The rest of the ride was not as noisy aside from Maria's occasional comments and Liz's feeble agreements. School itself was becoming unbearable for Liz. No one knew that Tess was pregnant, but everyone noticed the new couple. Liz was now, in everyone opinion, the poor girl Max dumped for someone else. Then there were the classes that Liz still had with Max. They both said that they should try to be friends, but everyone, including Max and Liz, noticed the tension between them.
Before heading to class Liz went to the bathroom for her morning dose. She still had an entire bottle of her prescription left. Liz knew that she had to use it sparingly. So far the "double dose" she was taking was half prescription the other half was what she was getting at school. The result of the combination was amazing, whenever she was with Max; Liz felt nothing. Right now that was exactly what she needed. Liz and Max were forced into partnering on a history assignment. This meant that on top of having her regular classes with Max they had to spend study hall together. After leaving the bathroom Liz ran into Tess.
"Damn, I'm not ready yet."
"Did you say something to me?" Tess asked.
"I was talking to myself. I said that I wasn't ready for class."
"You have that class with Max. It's history, right?"
"Yep that's the one. I have to get to my locker, I left my books in it."
"Liz, before you leave, could you do me a favor?"
Liz wanted to laugh on her face and tell her to go to hell, but she restrained herself. "I'll try."
Tess held out a folded newspaper. "Could you give this to Max? And tell him I circled all the apartments that I liked in our price range."
Liz almost chocked when Tess added the last part. Liz reached for the paper and nodded. She watched Tess leave before running back into the bathroom. Going to the sink furthest from the door she turned on the cold water and looked at her reflection.
"Why couldn't you just stay in the bathroom for one more minute? I really didn't need to hear about Tess and Max moving in together," Liz thought to herself.
Reaching into her bag she pulled out her prescription bottle.
"This is an emergency," she thought. Liz shook two pills into her hand, and then put them into her mouth. She tilted her head back and swallowed them. After cupping her hand under the running water she brought it to her lips. Liz looked at her reflection again tried to reflect on what has just happened and what she had just done in response to it. Sighing she turned and walked out of the bathroom.
By the time history came around Liz was more "numb" than she had ever been. When she saw Max she remembered the paper Tess had given her and handed it to him.
"What's this?"
"Apartments for you and Tess."
Max took the paper quickly and deposited it in his backpack. "Thanks," he mumbled.
"What are friends for," Liz said lightly.
Max looked at Liz trying to catch her eye unsuccessfully. "I guess." Max knew he was going to have to talk to Tess about how she passed him messages.
Liz did not notice the look that Max was giving her. He was trying to gauge her emotions, but he was not getting anything from her.
They started working on the project in silence each concentrating on his or her respective parts. History ended and Max and Liz started to gather their things.
"So we're going to the library now?" Liz questioned
"Yeah, that's where the books are."
"Was that a joke?" Liz asked cocking her head to the side.
Max just smirked and picked up the rest of his stuff. Max was relieved, slightly, by the light mood. Liz was handling the fact that he was moving in with Tess pretty well.
In the library it was back to business. Books were scattered all over the table that they occupied.
"Where's the book about the fall of Rome?" Max asked while picking up and moving several books.
"I don't think that we grabbed that one. I'll get it."
Liz wandered up and down the rows of books before she found the one that she was looking for. The book was on the topmost shelf. Liz looked around for the stepladder and found it in the next isle. Liz climbed up onto the ladder and reached for the book. A sudden wave of dizziness came over her. Before she was able to brace herself she fell backwards hitting her head on the way down.
Max was wondering what was taking Liz so long, five minutes had already passed and the library was not that big. Max got up and went from row to row before he spotted Liz's forms sprawled in the floor. Rushing towards her he noticed that the back of her head was wet from her blood.
"Liz," Max called carefully. He wanted to move her but knew that was a bad idea. Placing his hand over Liz's wound he tried to heal her, but it was not working because he was not able to make a connection. Max took his free hand and held Liz's; he concentrated on only Liz. Max thought about everything they had been through together and slowly a connection was formed. Max could feel the warm tingling sensation in his hand that was associated with the use of his powers. Max focused on closing Liz's wound again, this time he knew it was working. Suddenly Max began to see flashes, but they were different from any flashes he had ever received from Liz. The flashes were dark and filled with pain. Max felt what Liz felt when she met Tess in the hall, and he saw her go into her backpack and take a pill bottle out.
"Stop," Liz said trying to sit up, only another wave of dizziness overtook her and she slumped back down.
"What's going on Liz?" Max asked while help her to steady herself.
"Nothing, I was just a little dizzy and I lost my balance."
"Why were you dizzy?"
"How should I know? Maybe it's because I didn't eat breakfast this morning, or because I climbed the ladder too fast, I don't know." Liz spoke with a note of irritation in her voice.
"Thanks for the help, Max, I think that we should get back to work."
"Liz, what are the pills for?"
"What pills?" Liz asked eyeing Max.
"I saw them in a flash."
"Max how could you invade my privacy like that?" Liz whispered angrily.
"Liz I don't control the flashes, you know that." Max replied in the same whispered tone.
"Whatever Max." Liz said while rolling her eyes. "Maybe we should finish this project on our own. We have enough information and if either if us has any problems we could call the other."
Liz finally stood and walked over to the table, with Max following closely behind.
"Are you sick?"
"What?" Liz turned to face him. "No, I'm not sick. I was before, but not now."
"Why are you still taking medication then?"
Thinking quickly Liz replied, "I had an infection. I have to finish my prescription to completely get rid of it."
Looking at Max, Liz was sure that he did not completely believe her.
"Look, you don't have to worry about me I'm fine. I'm always fine."