Chapter Eleven: Calm Before The Storm
After the pact had been made between Michael, Ty, Risa, and Zack, Zack took off to the desert to think. He knew that Risa had questions, questions about why it was that he kissed her, not once, but twice. He wasn't really sure why he did, either. He knew that he was attracted to her, had been since he walked into the diner, just a few days ago, and saw for himself, up close, the beautiful young woman that his sister had grown into. He knew that he cared about her, that he loved her as sister, but he knew personally, that he didn't really love her. He still loved Jessica, even though she'd been dead for the last three months. Zack knew that he would never love anyone ever again, not the way he loved Jess. But, at the same time, he reasoned with himself, that it wasn't fair to Risa. He hadn't mean to kiss her, it was just a moment of impulse, both times, to kiss her, because he wasn't sure that he could control his attraction to her. He wasn't looking for a relationship, and neither was Risa, she had told him just as much herself. Zack rubbed his face in frustration, and kicked at a mound of sand by his foot. He wasn't sure what to do about this situation. He, who was the C.O. of their unit, for the last twenty years of his life, who knew how to deal with any, and every hostile situation, and how to make it play out in his favor, couldn't figure out what to do about his relationship with his sister. At the most, Zack hoped that what he had done in his moments of impulse, of weakness, hadn't ruined his relationship with Risa. Of all of his siblings, it was Risa who understood him the best, who understood what it was like to be in his position as a leader, who was his sole confidante, besides Jessica of course. He didn't want to ruin that. On this mission, more than ever, he needed his sister by his side, to take charge should something happen to him. Risa refused to even speak of that, he knew that she hated to think of anything happening to him. Zack knew, personally, that his sister was ready, she was born ready to lead, to take his position, if need be, someday. Zack suddenly broke off a piece of rock, from the boulder he had leaning against, and threw it into the sky, watching it soar over the desert floor. A tear slowly slipped down Zack's cheek, as he thought about his ex-girlfriend, and the good times that they had had together, and about how it was that he still loved her. He felt so guilty, for kissing his sister, he felt that he was being disloyal to her, that he was insulting Jess's memory, that he was cheating on her. Zack just sighed quietly to himself. No matter how he felt, there wasn't any changing the past anymore. Jess was gone, as much as it hurt him to admit it, she was gone, and there wasn't anything that he could do about it. He could, however, make amends with Risa. Zack climbed on his bike, and put on his helmet. They would be leaving tomorrow for Seattle. He hoped that he could make amends with Risa, before the real battle began, for all of them.
Michael walked up to Isabel's bedroom window, still holding the ice pack to his cheek, from his earlier fight with Max. He wasn't sure what to tell Isabel. He knew that in spite of the person that Max had become, and in spite of all the things that he had done, Max was still Isabel's brother, and she loved him. But, at the same time, Michael didn't want to put Isabel in the line of fire, in between the war brewing between him and Max. Michael loved Isabel like his own sister after all, and after everything she'd to go through, with Alex's death especially, Michael didn't want to load his troubles on her even the slightest. Yet, when Michael climbed through Isabel's open window and saw the expression on her face, after she took in his black eye and bruised arms, he knew that she would probably take his troubles on herself, personally. Isabel's look of horror, made Michael feel ashamed that he was even coming to Isabel to tell her. But, he knew that she had a right to know. Isabel flew across the room, and tenderly touched the area around Michael's eye. "Oh My God, Michael, what happened to you??!" Michael sighed, dreading her reaction when she found out that he had gotten into a fight with Max. "I got into a fight with Max. He came to my place with that blond bitch, and we just starting fighting." Isabel's eyes welled with tears, and she gently took Michael by the hand, and led him to her bed, where they sat down. "God Michael, I'm so sorry," Isabel choked out, through her tears. Michael, concerned wrapped an arm around her shaking shoulders. "Sorry?? Why're you sorry, Isabel?? I'm the one who's sorry that I ever got into a fight with Max. I mean, I hate the guy, but, I know that he's still your brother, and I know that you love him." Isabel sighed painfully, it was difficult for her to get the words out. "It's like I don't even know Max anymore. He's completely changed. He ignores me, he doesn't listen to our parents, he skips school, and it's like when I'm in front of him, he doesn't even see me." Isabel collapsed into tears, and Michael wrapped his arms around her, hugging her, as her sobs shook her body. Michael cursed the bastard that Max had become, and soothingly rubbed Isabel's hair in an effort to calm her. "Isabel, look, I'm sorry that Max hasn't been there for you." Isabel looked up at Michael from where she had been crying on his shoulder, and shook her head. "Don't apologize for him, it's all his doing. You know, when I needed him, right after Alex died, he was with Tess. You know, it's all about her, he doesn't care about anyone else." Michael sighed, hugging Isabel tightly to him. "You have me, Isabel, if that means anything." Isabel smiled tearfully, looking up at Michael's face. "Of course it does, Michael, you're all I have now." Michael knew, all of a sudden that he didn't need to think anymore about whether or not he was going home. He was going to be going home, for Isabel. That was all that mattered now. Through out everything, he and Isabel had always had each other, and he wasn't about to let her down. "Isabel, I've made my decision. I'm going home with you." Isabel smiled, through her tears, hugging Michael tightly, " Thank you, Michael, thank you so much. This means to world to me." Michael returned her smile easily knowing that he was doing the right thing. "No need to thank me Isabel, we've always had each other. And I'm not going to let you down." Michael and Isabel sat on her bed, holding each other, their elation shining through their pain, in hoped for the future.
tbc............................