It was dusk when Liz stepped out of Merkert Hall. The new science building was where Liz spent most of her time at BC. All ready, Liz was the president of the science club and she was rapidly becoming known as a 'genius' in biology. She had just come out an extensive tutoring session and was ready to go back to her dorm before going out and roaming the streets of Boston with a few friends.
Around 9:00 that night, Liz found herself wandering around the campus. Apparently, BC was having a championship basketball game that night. Liz didn't feel like going to it and opted for a walk. After half-an-hour, she was ready to turn in. She was in a far corner of the campus by the main road. Suddenly, she heard a footstep behind her but couldn't see anyone.
Liz's mind started going through all the possibilities of a crazed serial killer on the rampage and she was ready to bolt. But then a voice came out, "Liz."
Liz froze. That voice. It had been one she had not heard in so long but it was a voice she would never be able to forget. It was this voice that had ruined her chance at happiness those years ago. Liz turned around. "Tess."
It was Tess. Only, she was drastically different from the Tess Liz had known. The once designer clothes Tess wore were replaced with dirty rags that seemed to come from the trash. Tess's hair was barely distinguishable as blonde because it was now so matted with dirt and grime. But most shocking of all was a long, ugly scar that ran along the side of Tess face from the forehead to her chin.
"You seem surprised to see me, Liz. What? No hug for an old friend?" Tess sneered. "I know, it must be these clothes. I'm afraid that I've just been simply unable to keep up with Earth fashion during this time."
Liz was still in shock to be actually seeing Tess in front of her. If Tess was back, then did this mean that Max and the others were back also? "What are you doing here, Tess?"
Instantly, the underlying fury that had been on Tess's face exploded. "What am I doing here?! I am here in this hell-hole of a place because of you!"
Liz immediately sensed that she was in trouble. She began to back away slowly while shaking her head. "I have no idea what you are talking about, Tess."
Tess's voice was filled with hatred and malice as she continued. "No, of course not. Little Liz Parker, the perfect human wouldn't. God, you are a pathetic human and you ruined my life! You!"
"Tess, calm down. I didn't do anything."
"Don't pretend you don't know anything! Because of you, Max never loved me. Because of you, he never even accepted me. Because of you, I was never queen. And because of you, I look like this!" Tess angrily gestured to her face.
"But can't you just fix that?" Liz asked in confusion.
"No, I can't just 'fix' it! Or else why would I be walking around with it looking like a freak! You are such an idiot!" Tess spat out.
Liz stiffened but held her tongue. She knew that she wasn't in a position to make Tess angry. "Tess…"
"Shut up! What is so special about you? I would like to know that. Why do you have such a hold over Max? Huh?"
Max. What was Tess talking about? "I don't, Tess. I let go of him the day you all left."
"No," Tess shook her head furiously. "No. You never let go. And he never let go of you. It was always 'Liz' for him. But what will he do now if there is no Liz for him to come back to?"
Liz's eyes widened. "What do you mean, Tess?"
A smirk spread across Tess's marred face. "Come on, Liz. You're not that slow, are you?" She slowly raised her hand. Liz started backing away quickly but was unwilling to take her eyes off what Tess was going to do. "You can try to run, Liz, but it's no use and we both know it."
Liz watched helplessly as Tess gathered her energy. As if in slow motion, Liz could see the bolt coming from Tess's hand toward her. She opened her mouth to scream, but nothing came out. As the blast came closer, a shield suddenly appeared.
Liz's head whipped to see the source, all ready knowing in her heart who it was. Max was standing next to her, with a protective shield around the both of them. He didn't look like he had changed at all. But Liz could sense that he was different from the Max she knew. She couldn't place her finger on it, but then again, she had almost been killed right now and wasn't thinking all together too clearly.
"Why am I not surprised?" Tess shot out, glaring with obvious hatred at Max.
"What are you doing, Tess?" Max spoke in a low tone. Liz reveled in that voice. It seemed like a dream to actually hear and seen him there.
"What does it look like? I'm trying to kill Liz," Tess explained calmly.
"I'm not going to let you do that. You will not hurt her," Max's voice rang with authority, something he had developed while he was on Antar.
"Hurt her? I'm sure you've done that once or twice yourself, Max."
Max's face blanched slightly as he knew that Tess's words were true. Liz decided it was time for her to speak again. "Tess, can't you just forget about what's happened? It's not too late. You can start over."
"Start over?" Tess asked incredulously. "My chance to start over was when we went back to Antar and you ruined that!"
"Tess…" Max began before Tess interrupted.
"Let me guess, Liz is right. I can start over…blah, blah, blah."
"No, I was going to say that I want you gone. I gave you a chance before and you ruined it for yourself."
"What are you gonna do, Maxie? Kill me?"
"If I have to." Liz looked at Max, surprised at what he was actually saying. However, Tess didn't seem worried.
"Sure, Max. But we both know that you don't have the guts to. You don't have it in you," Tess taunted. She began to walk around and stepped into the road. Liz heard something in the background, coming toward them.
Tess continued. "Max, we could have ruled with absolute power. But no, you wouldn't. What was wrong with you? You were a king and you acted like a boy!"
Liz saw what was coming and said, "Tess…"
"Shut up, bitch!"
"Don't you ever call her that!" Max shouted.
"Look at the way you jump to her defense! You would never do that for me! Never!"
Liz began again, "Tess!" A tractor trailer came barreling down toward Tess. Like a deer trapped in the headlights, Tess just stood there. Liz attempted to run toward her to save her, but Max held her back. Just before the truck hit her, Tess looked back at them.
"Oh my God! Oh my God!" Liz panicked. The truck stopped for a moment, before revving up and leaving. Liz ran to the body and gasped. "Max, you have to do something!"
Max looked at Liz and didn't move. "Max?" Liz whispered.
"I – I can't, Liz. You don't understand," Max pleaded.
"Please, Max. Do something," Liz begged. It didn't matter that this was Tess, someone who had just tried to kill her. It didn't matter that this was an alien. It just mattered that she was a person who needed help.
Max saw the pleading and begging in her eyes and he knew that she wouldn't be able to live with the guilt if he didn't do anything. Reluctantly, he kneeled beside Tess's body and placed his hand over her chest. He concentrated and tried to fix the damage. Beads of sweat appeared on his face.
After five minutes, Max collapsed into a heap. "Max?" Liz ventured.
With a hopeless look in his eyes, despair was heard in his voice. "I can't do it, Liz. She's dead."
Hey, thanks for the feedback. Well, the two or three that left FB, thank you. I really appreciate it! I've kind of noticed a huge drop in the amount of FB left so I was wondering if anyone knows why. Is it because the story has just gotten suckier or what?
Well, I hope you guys enjoyed this part. I know some of you did (the part where Tess died, maybe? ;-) ) Only 1 more part left!!!