05.) Deleted Scenes
Author's Note: Sometimes when you're writing a story you have to go back and edit. Sometimes certain things work, other times not so much. When it came to writing this story, I had a couple scenes that were in the story but ultimately just didn't work with the flow of it so I had to cut them. These were particular scenes I enjoyed writing which is why I have included them in the deleted scenes section.
No. 1- In this scene it takes place shortly after Maria says that Michael can't be depended on. It kind of heats Isabel up, in a way she doesn't want and so the two finally have a conversation that has been much needed since chapter 3 when Michael and Maria had their talk.
"No surprise," said Maria. "Michael can't be depended on for anything."
Isabel shot Maria a look. She knew that was a direct comment to her. Though she and Maria hadn't confronted each other about anything, it was clear that Maria held some resentment toward Isabel. The only reason Maria was here at all was because this is where Liz was. Liz was practically Isabel's family now and Maria didn't want to lose Liz as she had all ready lost Michael.
Liz could sense the tension in the room. She looked to Isabel and then to Maria. "Maybe we should let the two of you talk," Liz said to the both of them.
Isabel and Maria both just nodded. Mrs. Evans not knowing what was going on stayed silent and followed Liz out of the room closing the door behind her.
"Okay Maria," said Isabel, "whatever it is you have to say, say it."
"It has nothing to do with you, well not directly anyways. I'm angry at myself for being so stupid."
"Maria, you're not…" Isabel started to say but Maria stopped her.
"I am. I fell for a guy who was all ready taken and I didn't even know it. I used to spend time wondering why Michael and I didn't have the kind of relationship that Liz had with Max, why we would spend endless moments arguing for no apparent reason. I knew he always held back but I never understood why until that night you all were supposed to leave. Michael let me in and aside from seeing his past, I always saw you. I never saw Max, just you and I saw the dreams he had of you and everything made sense: the way you were protective of him, the way he protected you, the looks you gave each other. You were the person standing in our way this entire time."
"Maria, I didn't mean for this to happen. I didn't want it to; I tried so hard to fight it."
"A lot of good that did, hu? You know what I can waste my energy hating you Isabel because we all know how easier that would be but unfortunately you've become as close a friend as Liz and I never turn my back on that. So I guess it'll just have to suck being around each other for a while. If Michael is what you want then fine. He's made it pretty clear that he never wants a relationship with me and he never will so if Michael is who you want then fine or if it's Jesse, even better but just stop lying to yourself and to everyone else."
Isabel didn't say anything. Instead she stayed silent for a short while. Then composed herself and opened the door so Liz and Mrs. Evans could come in.
No. 2- This scene was right after Liz asked Isabel for a destination. It was a must cut because I wanted the story to get right to where Isabel met Michael. Flow wise, it didn't work to have Liz and Isabel talk more in depth with where they wanted to go. I always wish we had more Liz and Isabel scenes on the show, more sisterly bond related scenes which is why I included this one.
"So do you have a destination in mind," Liz asked when they were safely in the car.
"One," Isabel replied with certainty and determination in her eyes. "The pod chamber."
"Okay." Liz nodded. The two stayed silent for only a short minute.
"Do you hate me," Isabel said breaking the uncomfortable silence.
"Of course not, why would you even ask?"
"I know how this hurts Maria. I never wanted this. I never wanted anyone to get hurt."
"Well if I know Maria, she'll bounce back. She doesn't pine the way I normally do. And are you sure about what you said, about not wanting this. I mean there must be some part of you that does want Michael otherwise you wouldn't have left Jesse at the altar to be chasing for some other guy."
Isabel smiled a little. Liz Parker, ever the brains of the group. "I guess you're right." She starred out the windshield. "Michael isn't just some guy, I suppose he never has been. I tried so hard to make everyone believe, make myself believe that he was my brother. Coming out of the pods, I knew that wasn't true. Over time I guess I just wanted it to be the way it was with me and Max so it wouldn't be complicated but feelings like that never go away do they?"
"No they don't," Liz said as she recounted her bad ordeal last year when she and Max had gone their separate ways. It was hard on both of them and despite everything they never stopped loving each other.
No one realized that that had been the case with Michael and Isabel all this time. Liz knew they were private people so it came as no surprise that they would keep certain things to themselves but no one could have guessed it had been something such as this even though Liz had heard as much that day in the pod chamber when the hologram of their mother was activated.
