"So, things are getting back to relative normality?"

"I guess. I mean, I'm not exactly sure what normal is anymore, but." Isabel and I sat on my bed painting our toenails, trying to be typical teenagers. She had changed very little in the time Michael and I had been gone. Having grown a little older and wiser with the loss of her brothers, she now exudes a very adult demeanor. Adding to that newfound maturity was her new close cropped and curly hair. She looked beautiful as always.

Sorrow filled her face as I spoke. "Liz, we tried. We really did. Tess and I linked and it was strong, but not enough to reach you. I'm so sorry."

The tears forming in her eyes stunned me. "Isabel, you did everything you could. With the drugs they kept us on.there's no way you could've done anything. It's a miracle Michael and I were able to keep any kind of connection, and we were in the same room! We don't fault you for anything you did or didn't do."

Dismissing my words, she dried her eyes. I knew she still felt guilty, but she plowed ahead, she looked at me again, worry evident in her eyes. "How is he? Michael I mean. He won't really open up to me or anything, but of course, that's not really anything new." Her exasperation shone through. "I just with he'd tell me how he's *really* doing."

"He will Iz, he's just.Michael. I think he's dealing better, now that he's living with us. We both are."

A faint smile graced her lips. " Never thought I'd live to see the day that Michael Gurin and Liz Parker were co-habitating, much less sharing a bed."

I smiled a genuine smile. " It was completely beyond my imagination too, but when we were in that *place*, we were all we had, and we became so.intertwined - heart and soul - that. I don't know. I guess my parents figured since I was going to him or he was ending up over here every night, it would be better all around if he just moved in. Of course, my dad's still having problems with the whole bed sharing thing, but.I just can't sleep otherwise."

Isabel's face was stormy, and I could only guess that something I said reminded her of Max. Little did I know it was about me. "You know Liz, I didn't take a chance to tell you before.well, everything happened. I'm really glad Michael found you, especially now that I know a little of the history you two had. I love him just as much as I've ever loved Max. In many way's, we've been closer than Max and I ever were. I'm glad he's finally happy." She took my hand in hers. "Look, I know you and I have never been that close, and I hope that can change. I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am about. everything."

"Isabel."

"No Liz, Max had been slowly going out of control for a while, and I should have stood up to him."

"You didn't."

"Yes, I did. He mad your lives a living hell, and I could have stopped him."

Her words brought back all of the things that Max had said, and I remembered how angry I was at him. Somehow, I couldn't make myself angry at the situation any longer. It seemed.useless. "Iz, you couldn't have done any."

"Yes," she said vehemently. I could have, and should have. I mean, so what if Michael broke the #1 best friend/brother rule? He was happy for the first time in this miserable existence! Max should have been happy for him. But see, Max put you on this pedestal. From the moment he met you, he was blinded by your. goodness. Even then, he couldn't see how Michael felt."

I was totally lost. I mean what did I miss here? "What do you mean. 'How he felt'?"

Isabel looked at me as if I too had been blinded. "You know, if he had taken a good look, he would have seen the same longing in Michael, as he did every time he looked into the mirror. Of course, Michael had always deferred to his king, taking his roll as protector seriously, even concerning matters of the heart. He has always kept his emotions bottled up." Looking at me thoughtfully for a moment, she said, "Actually, I think you're the *only* one he's ever *really* let in."

"I'm still working on that."

"Yeah, well, when Max found out that his pure, untarnished idol was falling for his gruff, emotionally detached second, he just.went berserk."

tbc

Dun, dun, duh!!! What does Liz think about that!? Find out next time. Same bat time, same bat chan.~Oh, wait, wrong show~

N-e-hoo, Thanks for the reviews! KDI, there's an author over at polarattraction.com that has a screen name similar to yours, and I was so excited that you had finally decided to post your work over there, that.I made a complete idiot out of myself, only to find out it wasn't you! :-( Oh hey, btw.you're keeping track of how many days between my posts? :-) Makes me feel sp-ae-shal!

Thank you also to.

Ashleyrocks - I'll try to put more Kyle in it for you, because I love him the most-est.after Michael of course.

Luv~Aleela - I will continue, and thank you.

Jazzypunker - Thanks, and I haven't quite decided where Ma/Ma are yet. I have ideas, but.

Sam-me - Thank you, I'll include more Alex too, and I tried to make this one longer.

Katydidit - You're awesome, thank you!

ParkerEvanss - Where shall I start. First, thank you for all of the reviews. The process can be a bitch at times, and I'm so grateful for the effort!!! Let me just tell you, I laughed out loud the whole time I was reading them. Thank you, THANK YOU!!! Starting from the first,
~I'm so happy you were swept away!
~ I could see that given free reign, Michael and Liz could have been friends in the
show. Unfortunately it didn't happen, and we had to suffer through season 2 and
in all their um *coughs* glory?
~ I like the new Liz too, and I think she lost some of her independence as the show
went on, so I wanted to try and give her a little back.
~ They'll have more fun again soon enough. The clouds 'll clear away. It'll be a
bright sunny day.
~ "Destiny" the more you fight against it.
~ Oooh, another dream sequence coming soon!!! I'm really excited about it.
They're fun to write. I've actually thought of doing an entirely different
Post, all about the dreams. Kind of a dream fic.
~ I always thought Liz' mom was underplayed on the show, and when she was
seen, it was always very white trashy, not that there's anything wrong with that,
but I just didn't see Liz coming from that environment. Also, "Ria" was just a
coincidence, I really didn't plan it, it just fit.
~ Bring a mop and a bucket, more Michael juicy-ness on the way!
~ Fear not, Max will not be poisoned. And ooh, a newby. Not a polarist
huh? Well, I've planted the seed.my job is done. For some really awesome
Polar fics for the beginning Polarist, go to polarattraction.com They have some
Really awesome stuff, and you don't have to search for it, or if you want to
Totally immerse yourself in all things polar, go to any search engine, and type in
Polar Novel by Whiteotter. Except no substitutes, this is the real deal, and pretty
Near the original. She converted a large number of us early on, when the show
Was still in production. She is a goddess!!!
~ It'll be alright, pick your jaw up off the floor.
~ Thanks. Since I'm a singer myself, I only put in songs that are near and dear to
my heart.
~ I hope the above chapter explains things for you. I actually thought of having
the gang rescue them, but I couldn't find a plausible way to do it.
~ Never thought of a sequel with the agents. Thanks, I'll see if I can try to come
up with anything.
~ Like I said, a little out of character, but. just keep thinking, POLAR, POLAR,
POLAR!
~ Are you breathing yet? Don't worry, more of all you asked for is on the way! I
hope you keep reviewing!

Sorry this took so long, but ParkerEvanss decided to post 15 review in one day, and I wanted to answer them, not to mention I like my soap box!

And just for enduring all of that, next chapter.a little filler, and as for Chapter 25, can anyone say DREAMS?

Excerpt from chapter 25. "When he saw me, his smile lit up the night, and as soon as I could, I was launching myself into his arms. His face only scant inches from my own. A beat passed, and his lips were on mine."

Toodles Diamondkitten (Shelaweena)