Part 23

[b]Another Time, Another Life - Section J[/b]

Liz shivered against the tree, stared up at the full moon shining down on the lake.

She glanced at her watch, saw that over two hours had passed since Michael and Maria had left to take up their positions. It had to be almost time! It just had to. She wasn't going to be able to wait much longer. The baby was clearly getting impatient as well. Liz wondered why she had ever worried about the lack of movement from her daughter. She had more than made up for it in the last twenty-four hours!

"What's taking so long?" Liz whispered to Isabel, who stood nearby, peering through an opening in the thick foliage.

"They don't keep any sort of set schedule." Isabel replied in an undertone. "But they [I]do[/I] leave every night. Apparently whatever night life that pool hall in Wade offers is better than spending the evening freezing in there with Tess for company." Isabel smirked slightly at her own last comment. Liz rolled her eyes.

"Are you sure Max never goes?"

"Positive. He's being extremely broody apparently. He thinks he's Zan, but he [I]not[/I] very happy with the rest of them right now. He doesn't want to go back. I got that from what he snarled at me yesterday. I think he's trying to remember. He seems to know that something is off, but can't get a grip on it. He needs to be pulled back to reality."

"I guess it would be too much to hope that Tess might go with them?" Liz grimaced.

"I don't think she'll leave the baby. That kid is her trump card." Isabel glanced back at her, her expression serious. "We have to try to get him to bring the baby too Liz. He won't leave without him, even if you do manage to bring Max back."

Liz closed her eyes briefly, but nodded. "I know." She didn't have time to say anything else though because she felt her cell phone vibrate in her pocket. Fumbling around the jacket Isabel had lent her, which fit almost perfectly due to her pregnant belly, Liz could feel her heart beginning to beat a mile a minute.

"Maria?" She spoke quietly into the phone.

"It's me." Maria whispered back. "Rath and Lonnie left over an hour ago. We're in luck Liz. Nicholas went with them. The lights have been out for almost as long too. I think they're asleep."

"Excellent. So it's just Tess and Max then." She saw Isabel's eyes light up. "Okay, we're going to start. I'm going to try and get Max to bring the baby with him. If I can't do it though, Michael's going to have to go in for him. We'll call when it's done."

"Be careful Liz. Max is a loose cannon right now. He won't remember you. He might hurt you."

"He [I]will[/I] remember me." Liz replied firmly. "I won't settle for less. I'll talk to you soon."

She shut off the phone, placed it back in her pocket. Isabel had moved closer. "Ready?" Liz smiled encouragingly up at the taller girl.

"As ready as I'll ever be." Isabel sighed. "So, I'll take you into Max's dream...if he's asleep. If he [I]isn't[/I], you're going to have to do the astral projection. It's going to be less efficient because he won't be able to hear you."

"What about Tess?" Liz bit her lip. "She's not just going to let him walk out with the baby."

"Liz, this is [I]your[/I] plan." Isabel sighed. "You're going to have to think of something. Play it by ear."

"Okay." Liz took a deep breath, taking Isabel's outstretched hand. The other held a picture of Max that Liz had pulled out of her wallet earlier. "I'm ready."

She closed her eyes, focused on the connection Isabel had made with her almost instantly. After she was fully connected to Max's sister, she thrust her thoughts outward.

The same dizziness she had felt come upon her when she had done this when Max's life had been in danger in New York began to settle over her. She knew it was working....

When Liz opened her eyes again, she was standing in the middle of a fire lit room. The flames created dancing shadows on the wall, catching her attention momentarily. It was another instant before she located Max.

He was sitting in a wooden chair near the hearth, his elbows on his knees, his hands clenched together between them as he stared into the flames, a far-away expression on his face.

Liz felt her heart swell just at the sight of him. His hair was longer, brushing against the collar of his flannel shirt, but in every other way he looked exactly like [I]Max[/I]. She didn't know what she had been expecting - tattoos maybe, an earring, a strange hair-do, something to match what she imagined Zan must have looked like if the other dupes were any clue. But, whoever Max thought himself at the moment, he had not truly [I]become[/I] Zan.

Liz frowned slightly. He looked absolutely miserable. As she watched, he glanced over his shoulder towards an open doorway. Through it, she could see Tess asleep on a double bed, a small form beside her.

The baby.

Max's child. Liz felt a slight smile melt across her face. This was the child she had been planning to raise as her own, before Alex had died, murdered by the tiny baby's mother...

It would still happen. He was a part of Max. He was [I]her[/I] child's brother. They would not forsake him.

But first she had to bring Max back to her.

Which meant that she had to somehow get his attention. This was obviously an astral projection and not a dreamwalk, so she couldn't communicate with him...at least she hadn't been able to last time.

So, instead, she walked right over to him and stood in front of him. Her heart was in her throat, awaiting his reaction.

It fell when there was [I]none[/I]. He stared right through her, continued to contemplate the flames as though she wasn't even there.

Was it not working? Was she not there with him? Was she just watching [I]him[/I] somehow?

She frowned in frustration, reached out desperately, ran her hand down his face hopelessly. It wasn't going to work. Nicholas and Tess had somehow severed their connection - at least on Max's side. They were going to have to come up with another plan...

Max jerked back against the chair, a shocked expression on his face. His hand came up, grabbed hers where it lay against his cheek. "What the hell?" He exclaimed.

Liz stumbled in shock . She tried to pull back, but he had a firm grip on her - which was literally [I]impossible[/I], since she was nothing but a spirit after all.

"Who are you?" He hissed. "I know you're here."

"Max..." Liz gasped. He was holding her so tightly, it was beginning to hurt.

He jerked again at the name. "Liz?" His eyes widened. Liz watched in amazement as they suddenly seemed to unfreeze right in front of her. Where they had been dull and lifeless only moments ago, now they shone with awareness.

"MAX!" She practically screamed it. He obviously couldn't see her, but they were somehow connecting...She had reached him, had brought him back - and she hadn't even really done anything.

It was only then that Liz became aware of the glow pulsing through her, emanating from her belly.

She realized that she had not done it alone.

"Liz, where are you?" Max demanded.

"I'm right outside. In the woods. Come to me. Bring your son and come!"

"Liz, there's someone else here." Max whispered. He was still holding her hand, which was obviously invisible to him, but he could [I]feel[/I] it. "Who [I]is[/I] that?"

Liz knew that there were tears streaming down her face, but she couldn't stop them. "Max, just bring your son and [I]come[/I]. You'll understand soon enough."

It was then that Liz was hit with a wave of pain so intense, it severed the connection she had made with Max. It felt like her insides were being torn apart. She screamed, saw one instant of panic cross Max's face and then he was gone.

She came back to herself on her knees in the cold, Isabel's arm around her in concern. "Liz! What happened?"

Another wave of pain sliced through her. She gasped. "Oh...God! Isabel, help me!" She brought her hands up to her stomach, had to lean forward to try and dampen the pain. She could feel consciousness slipping away.

"Liz!" Isabel was already fumbling with her cell phone. Liz could hear her speaking into it through a miasma of agony. "Get over here! Something's wrong with Liz...." There was a brief pause. "What? They can't be back already! Michael...MICHAEL!"

And suddenly Liz knew with utter certainty what was happening. Her daughter was coming...right now.

"Isabel...The baby." Liz managed to choke out. "She's coming."

She managed to open her eyes, saw the expression of panic that was appearing on Max's sister's face. "Oh Liz! She can't! You have to try and wait!"

Liz started to laugh hysterically. "Wait! Are you insane? She's tearing me apart! I can't wait. She's coming - RIGHT NOW!" This last rose in a screech.

"Liz!" Isabel was laying her back against the hard, cold ground. "Oh God! Oh my God!"

"Liz!" Maria came stumbling out of the woods, dropped to her knees beside her. "Isabel! Get a grip!"

"Where's Michael?" Isabel demanded. Liz was trying to focus on what was happening around her, but she could feel the desire to push already beginning to take over. Wasn't labour supposed to be [I]much[/I] longer than this?

"He's distracting Lonnie and Rath. They're engaged in a blastathon as we speak!" Maria's voice was beginning to rise hysterically as well. Liz became aware of what sounded like nuclear explosions from nearby. "What are we going to do?"

"We are going to deliver my baby." Liz ground out through clenched teeth. "Because she's [I]not[/I] waiting."
What had happened to her quiet, serene daughter? This was [I]not[/I] what Liz had expected the birth of her baby to be like.

She grasped Isabel's arm, which was still holding her up. "Isabel! Go help Michael! See if Max..." She grit her jaw. "See if he's coming."

"Did you reach him?" Isabel's face momentarily lit up with hope.

"I think so..." She closed her eyes, trying to bite back a scream as another contraction tore through her. "Find him!"

"I'm here. What the hell? Liz, what..." He sounded absolutely flabbergasted.

His voice was like music to Liz's ears. She managed to open her eyes, stared up at him in disbelief. "Max!"

He was already on his knees beside her, staring down at her in complete bafflement. The contraction had ended, giving her a moment of respite. "Liz...What..." He was running his hands over her body, sending warmth and comfort winding through her. The pain was completely forgotten for a moment.

She felt tears fill her eyes. "Max..."

"Liz, what have I done to you?" His hand gently moved a stray strand of hair off her face. "I am so sorry."

Liz grabbed his hand urgently. "Don't you dare apologize. You came back to me. It's enough. And I don't have time to deal with your guilt right now - or with explanations. This baby is coming right now!" She gripped him so tightly, a grimace crossed his face.

It was the last thing of which she was aware before the pain took over again.

***********************************************************

She drifted back to consciousness slowly, so warm and content, she didn't want to open her eyes.

"Time to wake up sweetheart. Liz, you have to open your eyes."

But she didn't want to. She knew that if she did, he would be gone and she would be pregnant and alone, sure that she was never going to see him again.

"Max, just carry her. I have the baby."

"It's been too long Maria. I'm afraid she's never going to wake up." And she could hear it - the fear. It laced his words with an urgency that was not unusual for Max - not where she was concerned.

It was only then that the words that had preceded this penetrated her foggy mind.

[I]The baby.[/I]

Liz's eyes snapped open. Max's beloved face was the first thing she saw, hovering over her with concern. She felt a lump enter her throat. "Max..." Reaching up, feeling extraordinarily weak, she brought her hand to his cheek.

His eyes widened, relief evident. "Liz." He cupped her hand with his, brought it to his lips. "I'm sorry sweetheart. We're not out of the woods yet. We have to get you out of here."

Although, apparently they were - out of the woods that was. Looking around, Liz recognized the walls of the cabin she had visited with her mind, what seemed like only moments ago.

"Where is she?" Liz whispered, suddenly fearful. She was becoming aware of the emptiness within her. Her baby was gone. "Max, where is she?" She struggled to sit up.

"She's right here chica." Maria appeared from behind Max, holding a small bundle in her arms. "Perfectly safe." She laid the baby in Liz's waiting arms.

Tears filled her eyes as she gazed down at the most perfect little face she had ever seen. She reached out a tentative, shaking hand, traced the small nose, the tiny mouth, the perfectly formed little ears. "Hello little one." She breathed, watching in amazement as the baby's eyes opened, gazing up at her, perfectly serene, dark and wise beyond their years - just like her father's. "You certainly decided to surprise me." She whispered, dropping a kiss on the baby's forehead.

"Liz..." She glanced up at Max, who was watching all of this, [I]his[/I] dark eyes shining with unshed tears. "I can't believe you went through this all alone. I am so sorry." He lowered his head, his shame more than obvious.

"Max, it wasn't your fault." Liz told him firmly. "And you were here for the most important part. You came back to me."

"You [I]brought[/I] me back." Max replied, smiling slightly. "I love you so much." He brought his lips gently against hers. She felt her heart almost take flight out of her chest.

She pulled back, smiled up at him, felt the joy that ran through her veins lighting up every part of her. "I love you too. I am so sorry about...about what happened. After Alex..."

His eyes darkened slightly. "We were both to blame. None of it is important now." He kissed her again, this time on the forehead.

"You know what guys..." Maria cut in, sounding sorry. "I hate to break up this reunion, but we need to get out of here. Now."

Max lifted his head. "You're right. Liz, you have to give the baby back to Maria. I'm going to have to carry you."

Liz shook her head, clutching the baby more tightly against her. "No."

"Liz, please." Max pleaded. "Michael and Isabel are managing to hold them off, just barely. But they're coming. We have to leave now. You're too weak to keep her safe."

Liz swallowed. "Fine." She reluctantly allowed Maria to take the baby away from her. "How did we get in here?" Liz asked him as he gently lifted her into his arms, making sure that the blanket she had been under was wrapped firmly around her.

"Michael drove Lonnie and Rath away from the cottage." Max explained as he moved towards the door of the cabin. "Isabel joined him further down the road."

"Where's Tess?" Liz demanded. "Isn't she helping them?"

A shadow crossed Max's face. "She's gone. She wasn't here when we brought you in."

Liz felt her heart drop. "Max...your son!"

"He's gone too." He was trying to hide the concern in his voice, but she could hear it. "When our connection was broken so suddenly...I just reacted. I wasn't thinking. I came after you, left him with her. She was still asleep...I never imagined that things could spin so completely out of control so quickly."

"I'm sorry Max." And she was.

"It's okay. We'll find them. She can't have gone far."

They were standing at the door. Headlights swept across Liz and Max's faces within seconds. Liz glanced back. Maria stood closely behind Max, the baby clutched firmly in her arms.

"Get in!" Michael bellowed from the vehicle he had rented what seemed like days before. Isabel was in the passenger seat, frantically scanning the woods for a sign of their enemies. "They haven't fired on us in a few minutes, but they're still out there." He elaborated as Max gently deposited Liz on the backseat, made sure that Maria was in with the baby and then climbed in as well.

"We'll come back." Max decided. "Get us out of here Michael. We'll make sure that Liz and the baby are safe and then we'll come back and finish this."

"Max..." Isabel twisted around in the front seat. "Are you sure you're okay? They're not still controlling you?"

Max scowled. "I'm sure. I don't know how they've managed to do it for so long. I [I]remembered[/I] all of you, but I couldn't act on any of it. It was like they had trapped me inside my own mind. Tess is a hell of a lot more powerful than we ever knew. Once Nicholas came aboard, I had no chance at all." He smiled over Maria at Liz. "Until Liz."

"And Serena." Liz added. She had taken her daughter back from Maria, was still staring down at her in complete wonder. She didn't understand why the baby wasn't crying. She had to be able to sense the almost contagious panic that still existed in the vehicle.

But she just blinked her long-lashed amber eyes calmly, sighed slightly and then went to sleep.

"Serena?" Max's voice was low. He and Maria had switched places now. "I like it." He brought his arm around Liz's shoulder, pulled her tightly against him, kissing the top of her head.

Liz knew that she shouldn't be so completely happy. They were running for their lives after all. They had lost Max's son.

But Max was back. Her daughter had come, safe and healthy, if not necessarily [I]serenely[/I], and she knew that somehow, everything was finally coming together.

It would work out. It [I]had[/I] to.

She was trying to keep her eyes open, but exhaustion was settling over her like a blanket. She allowed her eyes to drift closed and she fell asleep against Max, hope warming her from the inside.

She could not have known, after all, that things were about to get worse.

To be continued...