Part 11
"Well what do you want?" Max demanded again, scowling at her.
Liz smiled at him lovingly. "You can cut the crap Max." She told him, starting to walk towards him. She smiled even more when he stepped backwards, away from her, fright beginning to appear on his face. "I SAW you. I saw you heal that deer and I heard everything with Michael. I know you're faking."
Max stared at her, pressed his lips together. "I don't know what you're talking about Liz," he replied stubbornly. Liz didn't answer, just kept walking towards him. Max stopped abruptly when he smashed backwards into a tree. He blinked. Liz wanted to giggle he looked so adorable. "I don't know what you think what you saw meant," he continued, clearly searching for words. "So I healed a stupid deer. It doesn't mean anything. Helping an animal in need has nothing to do with the fact that I do not want to be with you."
Liz just continued to smile, although it was beginning to feel a little strained. Why was he so good at being mean? she wondered briefly. It is so unlike him. Shouldn't it be harder? "I don't believe you Max."
Max just shook his head, held up his arms trying to keep her away from him. "It's not my problem what you believe and what you don't believe Liz. You left ME remember? I don't want anything to do with you." He told her coldly. Liz paused a couple of feet away from him. She stared into his eyes. They were still frozen, not the eyes of the boy she loved. But she KNEW that he was in there...
"Max..."she breathed, pushing aside his arms. She saw him swallow convulsively. AHA!
Liz threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. She threw all her love for him into that kiss - every ounce of her soul was transmitted to him through their lips. She fought him desperately, trying to make the connection, trying to see into his soul, to find out what he was hiding from her.
Nothing happened.
It was as though he had shielded himself from her. Max's arms were around her waist and he wasn't fighting her but he wasn't participating either. It was like kissing ice.
Liz lifted her lips from his, stared into his eyes. They were burning - with what she couldn't tell.
"Max, what is going on with you?" She asked him desperately. "Please! I know what I saw - that was you healing that deer. I know what I felt back at the campsite - you warmed me up. I know you did." She felt Max flinch at that. A brief expression of guilt flashed across his face, but quickly disappeared. "What is Michael holding over you?"
Max turned his face away from her, roughly disentangled her arms from around his neck. "I'm not hiding anything from you Liz." He muttered as he set her away from him. "Michael has nothing to do with this. Don't blame him for what YOU did. You walked away from me." He paused, turned back to glare at her. "I'm happy now - I don't have any entanglements. I don't have to worry about all you guys anymore and I don't want to ever again." He grabbed her chin in his hand, forced her to meet his eyes. "Do you understand Liz? I don't want anything to do with you - any of you."
Liz stepped back, sighed. "You can say it as many times as you want Max. I DO NOT BELIEVE YOU! Do YOU understand?" Max rolled his eyes. She smiled at him again, although it felt like her face was going to crack off it was so fake.
"Oh, for God's sake." He stormed off into the bush. "Just stay away from me! I mean it."
Liz watched him go. "Well, I guess it's time for Plan B." She muttered to herself. She followed Max back through the bush, hoping that Isabel and Maria were awake.
Part 12
Max stumbled through the bush, trying to put as much distance between he and Liz as he could. It had taken all his self-control to push her away when she had kissed him.
Feeling her lips against his again - it had been his dream for the seven months since she had walked away from him at the pod chamber. To have to push her away - it was like torture. He almost couldn't understand how he had been capable of it.
He could hear Liz following him back to the camp. He knew that he couldn't face her again so soon. He had to keep his distance, had to build up his strength to reject them all again.
Max abruptly turned to the right, headed in the direction of the lake. He paused briefly at a tree, leaned against it trying to catch his breath. Max closed his eyes, tried to erase Liz's face from his mind but she was still there. She was always there - her beauty, her goodness, her love for him taunting, torturing him.
He pulled himself together with effort. Okay Max, just breathe. Remember why you're doing this. You're doing if FOR Liz - for all of them - to keep them safe.
It was never going to work if Liz kept confronting him though. He could feel his resistance to her wearing down every time. When Michael had threatened her a few minutes ago - it had made his heart stop, because the minute he had known that she was not in the camp, he had known exactly where she was. Her presence had called to him, even though he had been unable to see her. If Michael had caught her there...
It's your own fault though, he reflected. Why on earth did you go near her at the campfire?
It had been easy to stay away from the others - he was used to it and basically hid from them when they were at home. But Liz - she was a different story.
He had been sure that she had been asleep. When Max had become aware of her so near, her cheek cradled on her small hand, her dark hair tucked up under a woolen hat accentuating every delicate feature on her beautiful face, her breathing deep and even, it had been impossible for him NOT to go to her.When she had shivered in her sleep, he had had no control - of it's own volition his hand had reached out, had stirred up the air molecules surrounding her, had tried to make her more comfortable.
And he had revealed himself to her. He had put her in acute danger.
Max remembered the look of shock and hurt that had crossed her face when he had blown her off while they were doing the dishes the previous night. He had felt his own heart breaking with hers - completely in sync with her emotions, just like always. It had been like the seven months they had been apart had disappeared. his heart - which had been frozen since she left him - had cracked and had started beating again.
I don't know how much longer I can keep this up, Max thought now. I need to figure out a way to end this one way or another - even if it kills me. His expression became grim, shuttered, a mask hiding his true feelings.
I will not let anything happen to them - any of them, but especially Liz.
He went off in search of Pam - ready to continue the farce that had become his life.
*************************
Liz was pleased to see that almost everyone was up when she returned to the campsite. She couldn't see Max anywhere, assumed that he hadn't yet returned.
Kyle was frying eggs over the fire. She went to join him. "Hey."
He looked up at her worriedly. "Hey Liz. Are you okay?" Kyle asked quietly. "Maria said that you were gone when she woke up. When Isabel came looking for Max, we got worried." He eyed her, his concern evident. "Any luck?"
Liz just shook her head. "I can't really go into it Kyle. I'm still not exactly sure what' s going on but I will tell you this - Max is in there and he's hiding something."
Kyle looked at her, his expression doubtful. "I don't know Liz. Don't you think you're just setting yourself up for disappointment?" He shrugged. "I mean, I didn't think Max Evans was capable of some of the stuff I've seen him do over the last few months."
Liz just smiled weakly. "No one knows Max like I do Kyle."
Kyle nodded. "Yeah, Max told me once that you saw into each others souls. I mean he was drunk at the time but who knows with these Czechs?" Kyle looked sad for a minute. Liz saw him glance across the campsite at Tess, who was trying to tame her curly blonde hair into some semblance of order.
"Kyle, is there something you want to talk about?" She asked him sympathetically. "I mean, I know you really liked Tess, before all the stuff that happened last year."
Kyle shrugged again. "Just a case of wanting something that belongs to Max Evans again." He muttered, turning away. Liz let the matter drop, decided that she would ask Isabel about it later. It was clear that something was going on with Kyle and Tess, whether either of them wanted to admit or not.
Liz filled the coffee pot with water, set it on the fire and plunked down on a nearby log to wait for it to perk. She had barely slept the past two nights - well really since she had returned to Roswell she amended. Her fatigue was beginning to take a toll on her ability to think straight.
"Hey Lizzie!" Maria emerged from their tent, pulling on a sweater as she approached the fire. She eyed her friend, concern on her face. "You don't look like you slept at all chica. It's still early. Don't you think you should go back to bed for a while?"
Liz just shook her head. "No, I'm all right. Where's Izzy?" Maria sighed.
"So much for protecting them from themselves," she replied, her tone resigned. "She and Alex went to collect fire wood." Maria's voice revealed that it was very unlikely that their friends would return with anything to keep the fire going.
Liz smiled. "Oh well, they need each other." She replied. "But I do need to talk to Isabel." She lowered her voice, glanced around. She could her Pam bickering with Tess near the Evans's tent. Mr. Evans was staring at them both, clearly unsure what to say to either of them. Liz looked back at Maria. "I spoke to Max again this morning Maria."
Maria raised her eyebrows. "Oh?"
"I know for sure he's faking Maria. I heard him talking to Michael." Liz eyed Maria, wondering how she was going to handle what she had to tell her. "Maria, Michael is holding something over Max." Maria's eyes widened. "I heard him threaten Max - telling him he had to stay away from us - from me."
Maria was shaking her head. "Are you saying that Michael actually spoke?" She demanded, hope beginning to appear on her face. Liz grimaced.
"He spoke all right but I don't even know if it was Michael." Maria looked perplexed. "I mean, Michael could be difficult Maria. You know that better than anyone. But he wasn't scary. It was always clear that a lot of that tough stuff was a way to try and protect himself."
"His stonewall." Maria inserted, a sad half-smile on her face.
Liz nodded, "Yeah, anyway, this was more than that. He threatened Max with actual physical harm and it wasn't in the heat of the moment either - not like when they used to fight." Liz shivered involuntarily. "It was cold and deliberate and real."
Maria gulped. "So what are you planning to do Liz?" She asked, her tone frightened.
Liz didn't reply right away. Max had suddenly appeared from the woods, his face shuttered and cold. He didn't even look in Liz's direction, just headed straight for Pam. She threw her arms around him and pulled him off into the bush again. When Liz turned back to Maria, she could see that her best friend was watching her, concern on her face.
Liz gave her a determined look. "Michael is the key here. It's clear that Max is trying to alienate everyone because he thinks he is keeping us safe. I have to get Max to open up to me, to tell me what's going on. And I know just how to do it."
Part 13
Isabel tried to keep her mind on the task at hand. Just collect the wood and go back to the fire Izzy, she kept telling herself. Just because you're alone with him doesn't mean anything. You're friends. You can do this.
Alex was about ten feet away from her, kicking at a log, trying to break it into smaller pieces. Isabel could feel a smile beginning to break across her face. He was so adorable!
It amused her how incompetent Alex was when it came to outdoorsy matters. He was so capable when it came to anything technological, but throw him into the Great Outdoors and it was like he had never even learned to walk. He was glaring at the log now, clearly perplexed.
"Ummm...This might help." Isabel went to join him, handing him the small hatchet Mr. Whitman had given her when she and Alex had left. Alex turned and stared at the tool, his eyes brightening.
"This is why my dad bought that," he muttered, as though he had just solved the riddle of the Sphinx. Isabel laughed despite herself. Alex raised his eyes to her face. "What's so funny?" He demanded, clearly offended. Isabel continued to giggle.
"You are Alex." She replied teasingly. "How is it that you can break into any computer system in the country but you can't even figure out how to collect firewood?" She asked.
Alex grinned. "Firewood is boring." He shrugged. "And you're one to talk. Didn't you tell me that your dad was so surprised when you and Max asked to come on this trip last year, he spat his coffee into his corn flakes?" He raised an eyebrow at her.
Isabel's good mood disappeared at the mention of her brother. She flashed back to that morning, when she and Max had ambushed their father, working as a team to get him to agree to take them on the trip. They had had ulterior motives of course, to investigate the sighting, but it pained her to remember how close she and Max used to be. She missed her brother so much!
Isabel dropped her eyes. "Good job Whitman." She heard Alex berate himself. "I'm sorry Iz. I forgot. How I could have forgotten for one minute..." Isabel placed her mittened hand on his arm.
"It's okay Alex, really." She forced herself to smile. "I think Liz is going to break through to him. I mean, I know she is." Alex smiled back weakly, clearly unconvinced.
"I hope so Izzy." He looked down at her hand, which was clutching his sleeve. Isabel watched him lick his lips, clearly wanting to say something more.
"What is it Alex?" She asked softly. Alex blinked, looked up at her face. Isabel had always liked how they had always been able to look directly into each other's eyes. They were almost exactly the same height. She suddenly became acutely aware of how close she was to him. Her heart sped up.
"Izzy..." Alex raised his hand, stroked her cheek. "Do you think....I mean, can we try this again?" Isabel did not reply immediately. She just gazed at him, not wanting the moment to end. Alex continued, "I know why we broke up before - because Max and Michael were so upset about Liz and Maria - but, even though I want it for them more than anything, they may never find their way back to each other." Alex looked sad for a moment. "I don't like to be selfish, but is it really fair for us to be miserable just because they are?" He moved closer to her, until only a breath separated them. "I need you Isabel and I think you need me. I know that I can never replace Max and Michael, but I love you. If I can't replace them, at least let me try and make you smile again."
Isabel stared at him, her love for him almost painful. Being away from him these last months had been like torture - no one had ever understood her like Alex, had made her feel so special. She ached for him that he thought that he wasn't enough for her. "Alex, you don't need to feel like you need to replace Max or Michael. the way I felt - I mean, the way I FEEL about you has nothing to do with them. I love them and I miss them, but I miss you too." Alex's expression brightened.
Isabel reached out and hugged him tightly. "I think we made a mistake." She continued. "I don't know why I thought not seeing you would help Max. I think it sort of made things worse actually. He seems to have forgotten how lucky we are to have you guys - all of you." Isabel pulled back. "I want to be with you to Alex. I think we both need to be a little selfish. Both Max and Michael need to realize that the world doesn't revolve around them. I have a right to be happy." She could feel tears welling up. "And I can't be happy if I'm not with you." Alex grinned at her, brushed a tear off of her cheek.
"Screw destiny!" He exclaimed, kissing her fiercely. He pulled back, kept his arms around her waist. "Maria's going to be really pissed off." He said jokingly. "She's going to tell me that I've let myself be pulled back into the alien abyss." Isabel felt a momentary pang.
"Do you feel that way Alex?" She asked worriedly. Alex continued to grin at her.
"Nah. I never managed to climb out in the first place." He replied softly. Isabel grinned back and sighed with happiness as he leaned in to kiss her again.
Alex and Isabel were lost in each other for a long time, trying to make up for the months they had wasted. Isabel finally became reaware of her surroundings when she heard someone clear their throat.
She looked up to the sight of Liz, Maria, Kyle and Tess staring at them. "Are we interrupting something?" Kyle asked, his tone sarcastic. Liz was smiling, Tess' expression was unreadable, but Maria looked furious.
"Alex!" She exclaimed, clearly perturbed. Alex moved away from Isabel but kept a firm grip on her hand.
"Maria!" He replied, his tone just as annoyed.
Maria scowled at him. "Bah! Well, don't say I didn't warn you."
Alex shrugged, squeezed Isabel's hand. "No, I certainly won't say that." He grinned again.
Isabel turned to Liz. "Did you talk to Max again?" She asked hopefully. Liz's mood was clearly better this morning, although she did look really tired.
"Yup." Liz replied. "I don't want to go into too many details until I talk to Max again." She paused when she saw Isabel practically jumping up and down in excitement. "Don't get your hopes up too high Isabel. " She cautioned. "I found out that Max is faking it. I think he's going to keep faking it too, but, basically, ignore anything he says to you. He doesn't mean any of it."
"Did he tell you that Liz?" Alex asked.
Liz shook her head. "No, but I overheard him and Michael." She looked sad. "I think you were right about something happening either to them or between them at the Reservation Isabel. It was more than clear from what I overheard that they are not friends anymore, no matter how much time they spend together."
"I don't get it." Kyle said, voicing what Isabel was thinking. She didn't understand why Liz was being so evasive.
Liz grimaced. "I really want to tell you guys, but I think its better that I keep the details of their conversation to myself." She glanced at Maria warningly. "I don't know if they're going to want us interfering with what happened between them when they're back to normal." Isabel felt her confusion mounting.
"Are you telling me that you can snap them out of it Liz?" She asked, barely daring to breathe, her hope was becoming so strong.
"I think so." Liz sounded confident, but her eyes reflected her uncertainty. "But I need your help guys. I need to get Max alone somewhere private and it needs to be somewhere he can't escape from." She smiled and Isabel started at the determined gleam that appeared in the other girl's eyes. It was clear that Liz was ready to do ANYTHING to get the real Max back. "You guys also need to keep Pam occupied."
Isabel nodded. "Anything you want Liz." She could see that Tess was unconvinced however. While Tess had warmed up to Liz, there was no question she was still jealous of the bond between Liz and Max that Liz took no pains to hide.
"Okay then." Liz stared at them all with determination. "Here's the plan..."
Part 14
Max was alone.
It had happened quite by accident actually. Mr. Evans, Mr. Troy and Pam had decided to go for a hike and had insisted that Isabel join them. Max had thought at first that Isabel was behind trying to get Pam away from him again - so Liz would have another chance at getting him alone. But Izzy had been so annoyed by the idea in general, he didn't think she had anything to do with it. She had only agreed when Alex and Mr. Whitman decided to join them. Max had been surprised to see Alex and Isabel holding hands when they left. Deep down he was pleased that they had apparently found their way back to each other. Max knew how lonely Isabel had been since he and Michael had changed. She needed Alex.
He had been surprised when Liz hadn't even come near him after the six had left. She had stayed with Kyle, Maria and Tess near the campfire, laughing and fooling around. Max had wanted to join them so badly it had hurt - but he knew that he couldn't. Not only was Michael still there, Liz already had a good idea that he was faking his new personality. He couldn't risk being near her. He had to keep her safe.
Finally Mr. Parker and Sheriff Valenti had hauled the remaining four kids off into the bush, on a scavenger hunt they had been working on all morning. Max had been shocked when Michael had actually gone with them. He still didn't understand why, but he was pleased that it meant he could have some solitude.
Now he was sitting on a log near the Evans's tent, his head in his hands. It was extremely rare for him to have any time to himself these days. Pam was always there and when she wasn't, Michael was, watching him suspiciously.
It was one of the reasons he had decided to go out with Pam in the first place - to try and get away from Michael for a while. He didn't like Pam at all, in fact disliked her intensely for the way she had treated Liz all last year, but, as was the case with most of his life these days, when the opportunity to date her had arisen, Max had had no choice.
Pam had approached him about six weeks into the school year. The gossip surrounding Liz and Max's break-up and Liz's decision to stay away from school for the first semester of junior year had been fierce. Liz's good name had been dragged through the mud actually. Someone had remembered the time that the two of them had been caught in the Eraser Room by the principal and soon the talk was that Liz was pregnant and that she had gone off to have the baby in secret and to then put it up for adoption - and that Max had dumped her when he found out.
Max reflected now that he really hoped that Liz knew nothing about all that. She would be devastated and humiliated. That what they had gone through could become so easily trivialized by their classmates...It made him sick. He had wanted to go on the PA, announce to the world that he loved Liz Parker in a way that few of them would ever understand, that SHE had broken up with him, that he would love her forever - but he hadn't. He had gone completely against everything his gut was telling him to do and he had used the gossip to try and keep Liz safe - to keep all his friends safe.
Max had already begun his campaign to be perceived as someone who had done a 180 personality-wise. He had started to flunk tests, skip classes, lip off to his teachers and his parents. He ignored Isabel and treated Alex and Maria like dirt. Michael was always there, watching, waiting for him to screw up. Max had been relieved when Liz had not returned after the summer. To try and be as mean to her as he was being to everyone else - he just knew that it would be impossible.
Then Pam had approached him.
Max knew that Liz despised Pam Troy. It had been so unlike Liz to hate anyone, Max had wondered at it sometimes. He had asked Maria about it one day. Liz's best friend had told him about how Pam had always been jealous of Liz, how Pam knew that Liz was prettier, smarter, more popular, but that the kicker had been when Kyle Valenti had asked Liz out after Pam had practically thrown herself at the star of the football and basketball teams all freshman year. That was when Pam had truly begun her campaign of terror against Liz.
It had started small - a rumor here and there - that Liz and Kyle were sleeping together, that Liz's dad was going bankrupt, stupid things like that.
But then Pam had had her big chance. Liz and Max broke up.
Max knew that Pam had started the rumors about the reason for their break-up. His hatred for her knew no bounds. When she had first approached him, asked him out, he had rebuffed her completely. It had been the first time that his jack-ass act had been a benefit.
But then Michael had stepped in. "I think you should go out with Pam."
Max had been so shocked, he had been incapable of speech for several moments. "Why?" He had finally managed to croak.
Michael had just stared at him coldly. "I don't trust you Maxwell. You've been behaving yourself up until now, but I know you. You're going to be putty in Liz Parker's hands when she gets back. You need to do something that will keep her away from you, that will really make her hate you."
Max had wanted to resist with every fibre of his being, but he knew he had no choice. "Fine." He had finally muttered. He had asked Pam out the next day at school. She had been ecstatic and had been all over him ever since.
That he finally had a few moments to himself now - it was like a gift. He could sit and brood in peace, daydream about the days when he knew what it was like to love and be loved.
Liz. God, he loved her. He had been amazed at how much he still loved her when he had seen her at the bus, how much he just enjoyed watching her, how beautiful she was to him. He had known all his life that she was the only one for him. Seeing her again after so long only reinforced it.
Max not only missed her, he missed himself, the person he was when she was around. He had never been overly confident in the person he was before Liz - but that she had loved him - it had made him like who he was in a way that he never had before. He hated that he had to hide his true nature, that he couldn't be the Max that Liz loved.
He wondered if he could ever fix things so that they could go back to normal. He knew that Maria hated him now, that Alex almost did too, that even Isabel was beginning to give up on him. Tess seemed to have given up too to a certain degree. He was so isolated. That Liz was ignoring him now too...
Well, at least I know I'll always have Michael, he thought bitterly.
Max was abruptly thrust from his reverie by someone calling his name. "MAX! Max, where are you??"
It was Tess - and she sounded frantic. Max jumped to his feet, fought to keep his face bland. While he was not Tess' biggest fan, she was one of them. He had started to care about her despite himself.
Tess came stumbling out of the bush, her blonde hair in complete disarray, her expression panicked. Max stepped forward, grabbed her by the arms.
"Tess?" He asked, concern evident in his voice despite himself. Tess stared up at him, her blue eyes wide, beginning to glisten with tears.
"Max, there's been an accident." She managed to say, still breathing hard. Max could tell that she had sprinted all the way back to the camp.
One name shot through Max's mind. LIZ! He knew without asking that it was her.
"Show me!" He commanded Tess.
Part 15
Max followed Tess through the bush, his heart beating a mile a minute. When he had demanded that Tess tell him what had happened, she had just shaken her head.
"There's no time Max! I'll tell you on the way." She had exclaimed, clearly on the verge of breaking down. "Just come. We may already be too late."
"Just tell me." Max had asked, his hands clenched. "Is it Liz?"
Tess had just stared at him for a moment, then nodded. "I'm sorry Max. C'mon! We don't have time for this."
Max reached down to help Tess up when she tripped over a rock. He was amazed that she was so concerned and upset about Liz of all people.
It must mean that something is really wrong Max thought, beginning to really panic. What would he do if Liz was gone from his life - gone for good?
He had no clue and he didn't even want to contemplate it. He forced back his terror. He had to be completely with it when they got wherever they were going. He was the only one who could potentially help Liz - if it wasn't too late.
Max wondered where on Earth they were going. They had been running through the trees for a good ten minutes now. "Where are Liz's dad and the Sheriff?" Max asked breathlessly as he and Tess paused for a rest.
"They went down to the lake to wait for the winner of the scavenger hunt." Tess explained. "Michael and Maria were a team and me and Kyle and Liz." Max blinked, as they started to walk again, still trying to catch their breath.
"Michael agreed to that?" He asked, amazed. Tess shrugged.
"It was his idea." Max began to get really worried. What the hell was Michael up to? He realized that it wasn't the time to wonder though - he had to concentrate on Liz.
"Are we almost there?" He demanded impatiently. Tess nodded.
"Just another couple of minutes. After Liz was hurt, Kyle and I carried her to an abandoned ranger's cabin and then I came to find you." Max was relieved that Liz was not alone. He might not like the idea of Kyle and Liz together but he knew that Kyle cared about her. If he couldn't be with her, then he was glad that someone who loved her was.
"What happened to her?" Max asked again. "I need to know if I'm going to help her at all."
"I don't really know Max. Kyle was helping me find a specific leaf for the hunt when we suddenly heard Liz scream. When we went to find her, she was unconscious and bleeding all over the place."
They emerged into a clearing. Max could see a small cabin about twenty feet away. Kyle was sitting on the porch, his face in his hands. His head snapped up when Tess called out to him. He quickly jumped to his feet. "Finally!"
"Is she okay Kyle?" Tess asked, her voice quivering.
Max could tell that Kyle was too upset to talk. He had tears in his eyes. He just shook his head. Tess went to him, hugged him, buried her head in his chest.
Max couldn't breathe. It couldn't be true. Liz couldn't be...dead. How could this possibly have happened?
And she didn't even know that he still loved her.
An unbidden thought appeared in Max's mind. Michael. Somehow Max knew that he was responsible for this.
He could feel rage beginning to build. He pushed it away. He had to go to Liz.
Max felt like he was walking through a nightmare as he mounted the steps to the porch of the cabin. He pushed the door open, saw her lying on a small cot in the corner of the room.
There was blood everywhere.
He forced himself to move. He was at her side in an instant, on his knees beside the cot. He didn't even hear the door of the cabin slam shut behind him.
Max raked his eyes over her beloved form. Liz's eyes were closed, her expression serene. He couldn't see an injury, a scratch, anything. All he could see was blood. It covered her and was dripping onto the floor as well.
He noticed almost immediately that she was breathing. Her chest rose and fell shallowly. He didn't know how it was possible since it appeared that she had lost every fluid ounce of blood in her body, but it was true.
There was still hope.
He would save her - even if he had to kill himself in the process. He didn't want to live without her anyway.
Max gently placed his hands on her temples, shuddering as they came into contact with the sticky blood in her hair.
He had to connect with her, find out what had happened. He began to get fuzzy images, things that made no sense. Mainly he could feel her calling to him. "MAX! HELP ME!"
"Liz, please try."He pleaded. "Can you open your eyes- just a little bit? It'll make the connection stronger." Nothing happened.
Suddenly Liz's eyes flew open and she was staring right into his soul.
And Max knew then. He had been tricked.
"Well what do you want?" Max demanded again, scowling at her.
Liz smiled at him lovingly. "You can cut the crap Max." She told him, starting to walk towards him. She smiled even more when he stepped backwards, away from her, fright beginning to appear on his face. "I SAW you. I saw you heal that deer and I heard everything with Michael. I know you're faking."
Max stared at her, pressed his lips together. "I don't know what you're talking about Liz," he replied stubbornly. Liz didn't answer, just kept walking towards him. Max stopped abruptly when he smashed backwards into a tree. He blinked. Liz wanted to giggle he looked so adorable. "I don't know what you think what you saw meant," he continued, clearly searching for words. "So I healed a stupid deer. It doesn't mean anything. Helping an animal in need has nothing to do with the fact that I do not want to be with you."
Liz just continued to smile, although it was beginning to feel a little strained. Why was he so good at being mean? she wondered briefly. It is so unlike him. Shouldn't it be harder? "I don't believe you Max."
Max just shook his head, held up his arms trying to keep her away from him. "It's not my problem what you believe and what you don't believe Liz. You left ME remember? I don't want anything to do with you." He told her coldly. Liz paused a couple of feet away from him. She stared into his eyes. They were still frozen, not the eyes of the boy she loved. But she KNEW that he was in there...
"Max..."she breathed, pushing aside his arms. She saw him swallow convulsively. AHA!
Liz threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. She threw all her love for him into that kiss - every ounce of her soul was transmitted to him through their lips. She fought him desperately, trying to make the connection, trying to see into his soul, to find out what he was hiding from her.
Nothing happened.
It was as though he had shielded himself from her. Max's arms were around her waist and he wasn't fighting her but he wasn't participating either. It was like kissing ice.
Liz lifted her lips from his, stared into his eyes. They were burning - with what she couldn't tell.
"Max, what is going on with you?" She asked him desperately. "Please! I know what I saw - that was you healing that deer. I know what I felt back at the campsite - you warmed me up. I know you did." She felt Max flinch at that. A brief expression of guilt flashed across his face, but quickly disappeared. "What is Michael holding over you?"
Max turned his face away from her, roughly disentangled her arms from around his neck. "I'm not hiding anything from you Liz." He muttered as he set her away from him. "Michael has nothing to do with this. Don't blame him for what YOU did. You walked away from me." He paused, turned back to glare at her. "I'm happy now - I don't have any entanglements. I don't have to worry about all you guys anymore and I don't want to ever again." He grabbed her chin in his hand, forced her to meet his eyes. "Do you understand Liz? I don't want anything to do with you - any of you."
Liz stepped back, sighed. "You can say it as many times as you want Max. I DO NOT BELIEVE YOU! Do YOU understand?" Max rolled his eyes. She smiled at him again, although it felt like her face was going to crack off it was so fake.
"Oh, for God's sake." He stormed off into the bush. "Just stay away from me! I mean it."
Liz watched him go. "Well, I guess it's time for Plan B." She muttered to herself. She followed Max back through the bush, hoping that Isabel and Maria were awake.
Part 12
Max stumbled through the bush, trying to put as much distance between he and Liz as he could. It had taken all his self-control to push her away when she had kissed him.
Feeling her lips against his again - it had been his dream for the seven months since she had walked away from him at the pod chamber. To have to push her away - it was like torture. He almost couldn't understand how he had been capable of it.
He could hear Liz following him back to the camp. He knew that he couldn't face her again so soon. He had to keep his distance, had to build up his strength to reject them all again.
Max abruptly turned to the right, headed in the direction of the lake. He paused briefly at a tree, leaned against it trying to catch his breath. Max closed his eyes, tried to erase Liz's face from his mind but she was still there. She was always there - her beauty, her goodness, her love for him taunting, torturing him.
He pulled himself together with effort. Okay Max, just breathe. Remember why you're doing this. You're doing if FOR Liz - for all of them - to keep them safe.
It was never going to work if Liz kept confronting him though. He could feel his resistance to her wearing down every time. When Michael had threatened her a few minutes ago - it had made his heart stop, because the minute he had known that she was not in the camp, he had known exactly where she was. Her presence had called to him, even though he had been unable to see her. If Michael had caught her there...
It's your own fault though, he reflected. Why on earth did you go near her at the campfire?
It had been easy to stay away from the others - he was used to it and basically hid from them when they were at home. But Liz - she was a different story.
He had been sure that she had been asleep. When Max had become aware of her so near, her cheek cradled on her small hand, her dark hair tucked up under a woolen hat accentuating every delicate feature on her beautiful face, her breathing deep and even, it had been impossible for him NOT to go to her.When she had shivered in her sleep, he had had no control - of it's own volition his hand had reached out, had stirred up the air molecules surrounding her, had tried to make her more comfortable.
And he had revealed himself to her. He had put her in acute danger.
Max remembered the look of shock and hurt that had crossed her face when he had blown her off while they were doing the dishes the previous night. He had felt his own heart breaking with hers - completely in sync with her emotions, just like always. It had been like the seven months they had been apart had disappeared. his heart - which had been frozen since she left him - had cracked and had started beating again.
I don't know how much longer I can keep this up, Max thought now. I need to figure out a way to end this one way or another - even if it kills me. His expression became grim, shuttered, a mask hiding his true feelings.
I will not let anything happen to them - any of them, but especially Liz.
He went off in search of Pam - ready to continue the farce that had become his life.
*************************
Liz was pleased to see that almost everyone was up when she returned to the campsite. She couldn't see Max anywhere, assumed that he hadn't yet returned.
Kyle was frying eggs over the fire. She went to join him. "Hey."
He looked up at her worriedly. "Hey Liz. Are you okay?" Kyle asked quietly. "Maria said that you were gone when she woke up. When Isabel came looking for Max, we got worried." He eyed her, his concern evident. "Any luck?"
Liz just shook her head. "I can't really go into it Kyle. I'm still not exactly sure what' s going on but I will tell you this - Max is in there and he's hiding something."
Kyle looked at her, his expression doubtful. "I don't know Liz. Don't you think you're just setting yourself up for disappointment?" He shrugged. "I mean, I didn't think Max Evans was capable of some of the stuff I've seen him do over the last few months."
Liz just smiled weakly. "No one knows Max like I do Kyle."
Kyle nodded. "Yeah, Max told me once that you saw into each others souls. I mean he was drunk at the time but who knows with these Czechs?" Kyle looked sad for a minute. Liz saw him glance across the campsite at Tess, who was trying to tame her curly blonde hair into some semblance of order.
"Kyle, is there something you want to talk about?" She asked him sympathetically. "I mean, I know you really liked Tess, before all the stuff that happened last year."
Kyle shrugged again. "Just a case of wanting something that belongs to Max Evans again." He muttered, turning away. Liz let the matter drop, decided that she would ask Isabel about it later. It was clear that something was going on with Kyle and Tess, whether either of them wanted to admit or not.
Liz filled the coffee pot with water, set it on the fire and plunked down on a nearby log to wait for it to perk. She had barely slept the past two nights - well really since she had returned to Roswell she amended. Her fatigue was beginning to take a toll on her ability to think straight.
"Hey Lizzie!" Maria emerged from their tent, pulling on a sweater as she approached the fire. She eyed her friend, concern on her face. "You don't look like you slept at all chica. It's still early. Don't you think you should go back to bed for a while?"
Liz just shook her head. "No, I'm all right. Where's Izzy?" Maria sighed.
"So much for protecting them from themselves," she replied, her tone resigned. "She and Alex went to collect fire wood." Maria's voice revealed that it was very unlikely that their friends would return with anything to keep the fire going.
Liz smiled. "Oh well, they need each other." She replied. "But I do need to talk to Isabel." She lowered her voice, glanced around. She could her Pam bickering with Tess near the Evans's tent. Mr. Evans was staring at them both, clearly unsure what to say to either of them. Liz looked back at Maria. "I spoke to Max again this morning Maria."
Maria raised her eyebrows. "Oh?"
"I know for sure he's faking Maria. I heard him talking to Michael." Liz eyed Maria, wondering how she was going to handle what she had to tell her. "Maria, Michael is holding something over Max." Maria's eyes widened. "I heard him threaten Max - telling him he had to stay away from us - from me."
Maria was shaking her head. "Are you saying that Michael actually spoke?" She demanded, hope beginning to appear on her face. Liz grimaced.
"He spoke all right but I don't even know if it was Michael." Maria looked perplexed. "I mean, Michael could be difficult Maria. You know that better than anyone. But he wasn't scary. It was always clear that a lot of that tough stuff was a way to try and protect himself."
"His stonewall." Maria inserted, a sad half-smile on her face.
Liz nodded, "Yeah, anyway, this was more than that. He threatened Max with actual physical harm and it wasn't in the heat of the moment either - not like when they used to fight." Liz shivered involuntarily. "It was cold and deliberate and real."
Maria gulped. "So what are you planning to do Liz?" She asked, her tone frightened.
Liz didn't reply right away. Max had suddenly appeared from the woods, his face shuttered and cold. He didn't even look in Liz's direction, just headed straight for Pam. She threw her arms around him and pulled him off into the bush again. When Liz turned back to Maria, she could see that her best friend was watching her, concern on her face.
Liz gave her a determined look. "Michael is the key here. It's clear that Max is trying to alienate everyone because he thinks he is keeping us safe. I have to get Max to open up to me, to tell me what's going on. And I know just how to do it."
Part 13
Isabel tried to keep her mind on the task at hand. Just collect the wood and go back to the fire Izzy, she kept telling herself. Just because you're alone with him doesn't mean anything. You're friends. You can do this.
Alex was about ten feet away from her, kicking at a log, trying to break it into smaller pieces. Isabel could feel a smile beginning to break across her face. He was so adorable!
It amused her how incompetent Alex was when it came to outdoorsy matters. He was so capable when it came to anything technological, but throw him into the Great Outdoors and it was like he had never even learned to walk. He was glaring at the log now, clearly perplexed.
"Ummm...This might help." Isabel went to join him, handing him the small hatchet Mr. Whitman had given her when she and Alex had left. Alex turned and stared at the tool, his eyes brightening.
"This is why my dad bought that," he muttered, as though he had just solved the riddle of the Sphinx. Isabel laughed despite herself. Alex raised his eyes to her face. "What's so funny?" He demanded, clearly offended. Isabel continued to giggle.
"You are Alex." She replied teasingly. "How is it that you can break into any computer system in the country but you can't even figure out how to collect firewood?" She asked.
Alex grinned. "Firewood is boring." He shrugged. "And you're one to talk. Didn't you tell me that your dad was so surprised when you and Max asked to come on this trip last year, he spat his coffee into his corn flakes?" He raised an eyebrow at her.
Isabel's good mood disappeared at the mention of her brother. She flashed back to that morning, when she and Max had ambushed their father, working as a team to get him to agree to take them on the trip. They had had ulterior motives of course, to investigate the sighting, but it pained her to remember how close she and Max used to be. She missed her brother so much!
Isabel dropped her eyes. "Good job Whitman." She heard Alex berate himself. "I'm sorry Iz. I forgot. How I could have forgotten for one minute..." Isabel placed her mittened hand on his arm.
"It's okay Alex, really." She forced herself to smile. "I think Liz is going to break through to him. I mean, I know she is." Alex smiled back weakly, clearly unconvinced.
"I hope so Izzy." He looked down at her hand, which was clutching his sleeve. Isabel watched him lick his lips, clearly wanting to say something more.
"What is it Alex?" She asked softly. Alex blinked, looked up at her face. Isabel had always liked how they had always been able to look directly into each other's eyes. They were almost exactly the same height. She suddenly became acutely aware of how close she was to him. Her heart sped up.
"Izzy..." Alex raised his hand, stroked her cheek. "Do you think....I mean, can we try this again?" Isabel did not reply immediately. She just gazed at him, not wanting the moment to end. Alex continued, "I know why we broke up before - because Max and Michael were so upset about Liz and Maria - but, even though I want it for them more than anything, they may never find their way back to each other." Alex looked sad for a moment. "I don't like to be selfish, but is it really fair for us to be miserable just because they are?" He moved closer to her, until only a breath separated them. "I need you Isabel and I think you need me. I know that I can never replace Max and Michael, but I love you. If I can't replace them, at least let me try and make you smile again."
Isabel stared at him, her love for him almost painful. Being away from him these last months had been like torture - no one had ever understood her like Alex, had made her feel so special. She ached for him that he thought that he wasn't enough for her. "Alex, you don't need to feel like you need to replace Max or Michael. the way I felt - I mean, the way I FEEL about you has nothing to do with them. I love them and I miss them, but I miss you too." Alex's expression brightened.
Isabel reached out and hugged him tightly. "I think we made a mistake." She continued. "I don't know why I thought not seeing you would help Max. I think it sort of made things worse actually. He seems to have forgotten how lucky we are to have you guys - all of you." Isabel pulled back. "I want to be with you to Alex. I think we both need to be a little selfish. Both Max and Michael need to realize that the world doesn't revolve around them. I have a right to be happy." She could feel tears welling up. "And I can't be happy if I'm not with you." Alex grinned at her, brushed a tear off of her cheek.
"Screw destiny!" He exclaimed, kissing her fiercely. He pulled back, kept his arms around her waist. "Maria's going to be really pissed off." He said jokingly. "She's going to tell me that I've let myself be pulled back into the alien abyss." Isabel felt a momentary pang.
"Do you feel that way Alex?" She asked worriedly. Alex continued to grin at her.
"Nah. I never managed to climb out in the first place." He replied softly. Isabel grinned back and sighed with happiness as he leaned in to kiss her again.
Alex and Isabel were lost in each other for a long time, trying to make up for the months they had wasted. Isabel finally became reaware of her surroundings when she heard someone clear their throat.
She looked up to the sight of Liz, Maria, Kyle and Tess staring at them. "Are we interrupting something?" Kyle asked, his tone sarcastic. Liz was smiling, Tess' expression was unreadable, but Maria looked furious.
"Alex!" She exclaimed, clearly perturbed. Alex moved away from Isabel but kept a firm grip on her hand.
"Maria!" He replied, his tone just as annoyed.
Maria scowled at him. "Bah! Well, don't say I didn't warn you."
Alex shrugged, squeezed Isabel's hand. "No, I certainly won't say that." He grinned again.
Isabel turned to Liz. "Did you talk to Max again?" She asked hopefully. Liz's mood was clearly better this morning, although she did look really tired.
"Yup." Liz replied. "I don't want to go into too many details until I talk to Max again." She paused when she saw Isabel practically jumping up and down in excitement. "Don't get your hopes up too high Isabel. " She cautioned. "I found out that Max is faking it. I think he's going to keep faking it too, but, basically, ignore anything he says to you. He doesn't mean any of it."
"Did he tell you that Liz?" Alex asked.
Liz shook her head. "No, but I overheard him and Michael." She looked sad. "I think you were right about something happening either to them or between them at the Reservation Isabel. It was more than clear from what I overheard that they are not friends anymore, no matter how much time they spend together."
"I don't get it." Kyle said, voicing what Isabel was thinking. She didn't understand why Liz was being so evasive.
Liz grimaced. "I really want to tell you guys, but I think its better that I keep the details of their conversation to myself." She glanced at Maria warningly. "I don't know if they're going to want us interfering with what happened between them when they're back to normal." Isabel felt her confusion mounting.
"Are you telling me that you can snap them out of it Liz?" She asked, barely daring to breathe, her hope was becoming so strong.
"I think so." Liz sounded confident, but her eyes reflected her uncertainty. "But I need your help guys. I need to get Max alone somewhere private and it needs to be somewhere he can't escape from." She smiled and Isabel started at the determined gleam that appeared in the other girl's eyes. It was clear that Liz was ready to do ANYTHING to get the real Max back. "You guys also need to keep Pam occupied."
Isabel nodded. "Anything you want Liz." She could see that Tess was unconvinced however. While Tess had warmed up to Liz, there was no question she was still jealous of the bond between Liz and Max that Liz took no pains to hide.
"Okay then." Liz stared at them all with determination. "Here's the plan..."
Part 14
Max was alone.
It had happened quite by accident actually. Mr. Evans, Mr. Troy and Pam had decided to go for a hike and had insisted that Isabel join them. Max had thought at first that Isabel was behind trying to get Pam away from him again - so Liz would have another chance at getting him alone. But Izzy had been so annoyed by the idea in general, he didn't think she had anything to do with it. She had only agreed when Alex and Mr. Whitman decided to join them. Max had been surprised to see Alex and Isabel holding hands when they left. Deep down he was pleased that they had apparently found their way back to each other. Max knew how lonely Isabel had been since he and Michael had changed. She needed Alex.
He had been surprised when Liz hadn't even come near him after the six had left. She had stayed with Kyle, Maria and Tess near the campfire, laughing and fooling around. Max had wanted to join them so badly it had hurt - but he knew that he couldn't. Not only was Michael still there, Liz already had a good idea that he was faking his new personality. He couldn't risk being near her. He had to keep her safe.
Finally Mr. Parker and Sheriff Valenti had hauled the remaining four kids off into the bush, on a scavenger hunt they had been working on all morning. Max had been shocked when Michael had actually gone with them. He still didn't understand why, but he was pleased that it meant he could have some solitude.
Now he was sitting on a log near the Evans's tent, his head in his hands. It was extremely rare for him to have any time to himself these days. Pam was always there and when she wasn't, Michael was, watching him suspiciously.
It was one of the reasons he had decided to go out with Pam in the first place - to try and get away from Michael for a while. He didn't like Pam at all, in fact disliked her intensely for the way she had treated Liz all last year, but, as was the case with most of his life these days, when the opportunity to date her had arisen, Max had had no choice.
Pam had approached him about six weeks into the school year. The gossip surrounding Liz and Max's break-up and Liz's decision to stay away from school for the first semester of junior year had been fierce. Liz's good name had been dragged through the mud actually. Someone had remembered the time that the two of them had been caught in the Eraser Room by the principal and soon the talk was that Liz was pregnant and that she had gone off to have the baby in secret and to then put it up for adoption - and that Max had dumped her when he found out.
Max reflected now that he really hoped that Liz knew nothing about all that. She would be devastated and humiliated. That what they had gone through could become so easily trivialized by their classmates...It made him sick. He had wanted to go on the PA, announce to the world that he loved Liz Parker in a way that few of them would ever understand, that SHE had broken up with him, that he would love her forever - but he hadn't. He had gone completely against everything his gut was telling him to do and he had used the gossip to try and keep Liz safe - to keep all his friends safe.
Max had already begun his campaign to be perceived as someone who had done a 180 personality-wise. He had started to flunk tests, skip classes, lip off to his teachers and his parents. He ignored Isabel and treated Alex and Maria like dirt. Michael was always there, watching, waiting for him to screw up. Max had been relieved when Liz had not returned after the summer. To try and be as mean to her as he was being to everyone else - he just knew that it would be impossible.
Then Pam had approached him.
Max knew that Liz despised Pam Troy. It had been so unlike Liz to hate anyone, Max had wondered at it sometimes. He had asked Maria about it one day. Liz's best friend had told him about how Pam had always been jealous of Liz, how Pam knew that Liz was prettier, smarter, more popular, but that the kicker had been when Kyle Valenti had asked Liz out after Pam had practically thrown herself at the star of the football and basketball teams all freshman year. That was when Pam had truly begun her campaign of terror against Liz.
It had started small - a rumor here and there - that Liz and Kyle were sleeping together, that Liz's dad was going bankrupt, stupid things like that.
But then Pam had had her big chance. Liz and Max broke up.
Max knew that Pam had started the rumors about the reason for their break-up. His hatred for her knew no bounds. When she had first approached him, asked him out, he had rebuffed her completely. It had been the first time that his jack-ass act had been a benefit.
But then Michael had stepped in. "I think you should go out with Pam."
Max had been so shocked, he had been incapable of speech for several moments. "Why?" He had finally managed to croak.
Michael had just stared at him coldly. "I don't trust you Maxwell. You've been behaving yourself up until now, but I know you. You're going to be putty in Liz Parker's hands when she gets back. You need to do something that will keep her away from you, that will really make her hate you."
Max had wanted to resist with every fibre of his being, but he knew he had no choice. "Fine." He had finally muttered. He had asked Pam out the next day at school. She had been ecstatic and had been all over him ever since.
That he finally had a few moments to himself now - it was like a gift. He could sit and brood in peace, daydream about the days when he knew what it was like to love and be loved.
Liz. God, he loved her. He had been amazed at how much he still loved her when he had seen her at the bus, how much he just enjoyed watching her, how beautiful she was to him. He had known all his life that she was the only one for him. Seeing her again after so long only reinforced it.
Max not only missed her, he missed himself, the person he was when she was around. He had never been overly confident in the person he was before Liz - but that she had loved him - it had made him like who he was in a way that he never had before. He hated that he had to hide his true nature, that he couldn't be the Max that Liz loved.
He wondered if he could ever fix things so that they could go back to normal. He knew that Maria hated him now, that Alex almost did too, that even Isabel was beginning to give up on him. Tess seemed to have given up too to a certain degree. He was so isolated. That Liz was ignoring him now too...
Well, at least I know I'll always have Michael, he thought bitterly.
Max was abruptly thrust from his reverie by someone calling his name. "MAX! Max, where are you??"
It was Tess - and she sounded frantic. Max jumped to his feet, fought to keep his face bland. While he was not Tess' biggest fan, she was one of them. He had started to care about her despite himself.
Tess came stumbling out of the bush, her blonde hair in complete disarray, her expression panicked. Max stepped forward, grabbed her by the arms.
"Tess?" He asked, concern evident in his voice despite himself. Tess stared up at him, her blue eyes wide, beginning to glisten with tears.
"Max, there's been an accident." She managed to say, still breathing hard. Max could tell that she had sprinted all the way back to the camp.
One name shot through Max's mind. LIZ! He knew without asking that it was her.
"Show me!" He commanded Tess.
Part 15
Max followed Tess through the bush, his heart beating a mile a minute. When he had demanded that Tess tell him what had happened, she had just shaken her head.
"There's no time Max! I'll tell you on the way." She had exclaimed, clearly on the verge of breaking down. "Just come. We may already be too late."
"Just tell me." Max had asked, his hands clenched. "Is it Liz?"
Tess had just stared at him for a moment, then nodded. "I'm sorry Max. C'mon! We don't have time for this."
Max reached down to help Tess up when she tripped over a rock. He was amazed that she was so concerned and upset about Liz of all people.
It must mean that something is really wrong Max thought, beginning to really panic. What would he do if Liz was gone from his life - gone for good?
He had no clue and he didn't even want to contemplate it. He forced back his terror. He had to be completely with it when they got wherever they were going. He was the only one who could potentially help Liz - if it wasn't too late.
Max wondered where on Earth they were going. They had been running through the trees for a good ten minutes now. "Where are Liz's dad and the Sheriff?" Max asked breathlessly as he and Tess paused for a rest.
"They went down to the lake to wait for the winner of the scavenger hunt." Tess explained. "Michael and Maria were a team and me and Kyle and Liz." Max blinked, as they started to walk again, still trying to catch their breath.
"Michael agreed to that?" He asked, amazed. Tess shrugged.
"It was his idea." Max began to get really worried. What the hell was Michael up to? He realized that it wasn't the time to wonder though - he had to concentrate on Liz.
"Are we almost there?" He demanded impatiently. Tess nodded.
"Just another couple of minutes. After Liz was hurt, Kyle and I carried her to an abandoned ranger's cabin and then I came to find you." Max was relieved that Liz was not alone. He might not like the idea of Kyle and Liz together but he knew that Kyle cared about her. If he couldn't be with her, then he was glad that someone who loved her was.
"What happened to her?" Max asked again. "I need to know if I'm going to help her at all."
"I don't really know Max. Kyle was helping me find a specific leaf for the hunt when we suddenly heard Liz scream. When we went to find her, she was unconscious and bleeding all over the place."
They emerged into a clearing. Max could see a small cabin about twenty feet away. Kyle was sitting on the porch, his face in his hands. His head snapped up when Tess called out to him. He quickly jumped to his feet. "Finally!"
"Is she okay Kyle?" Tess asked, her voice quivering.
Max could tell that Kyle was too upset to talk. He had tears in his eyes. He just shook his head. Tess went to him, hugged him, buried her head in his chest.
Max couldn't breathe. It couldn't be true. Liz couldn't be...dead. How could this possibly have happened?
And she didn't even know that he still loved her.
An unbidden thought appeared in Max's mind. Michael. Somehow Max knew that he was responsible for this.
He could feel rage beginning to build. He pushed it away. He had to go to Liz.
Max felt like he was walking through a nightmare as he mounted the steps to the porch of the cabin. He pushed the door open, saw her lying on a small cot in the corner of the room.
There was blood everywhere.
He forced himself to move. He was at her side in an instant, on his knees beside the cot. He didn't even hear the door of the cabin slam shut behind him.
Max raked his eyes over her beloved form. Liz's eyes were closed, her expression serene. He couldn't see an injury, a scratch, anything. All he could see was blood. It covered her and was dripping onto the floor as well.
He noticed almost immediately that she was breathing. Her chest rose and fell shallowly. He didn't know how it was possible since it appeared that she had lost every fluid ounce of blood in her body, but it was true.
There was still hope.
He would save her - even if he had to kill himself in the process. He didn't want to live without her anyway.
Max gently placed his hands on her temples, shuddering as they came into contact with the sticky blood in her hair.
He had to connect with her, find out what had happened. He began to get fuzzy images, things that made no sense. Mainly he could feel her calling to him. "MAX! HELP ME!"
"Liz, please try."He pleaded. "Can you open your eyes- just a little bit? It'll make the connection stronger." Nothing happened.
Suddenly Liz's eyes flew open and she was staring right into his soul.
And Max knew then. He had been tricked.