Little Sister

"Liz," Isabel's voice floated through the cool air, Liz just stood staring at her as if she was a ghost.

"Liz, who is it?" Tom asked as he struggled to get his shirt over his head still unable to see Isabel.

"Wha... what are you doing here?" Liz strained to get her words out, as a thousand buried memories came rushing back.

"You know why," Isabel stated calmly, she looked different. Her hair was short and there was a deep cut that stretched from her cheek across her lips, her eyes were darker and she looked older in many ways.

'But her voice,' Liz almost smiled 'her voice is the same'

"Liz?" Tom stepped into Isabel's view, now fully clothed. Isabel looked him up and down and then looked back to Liz.

"You have to come back," Isabel declared firmly

"What?" Liz said quickly still confused

"We need you to come back," Isabel unable to hide the desperation in her voice, Liz shook her head as a flash bombarded her.

I could help you, if you wanted me too

It never really changes anything though... you know, not like Max

"Come back where?" Tom frowned unable to understand what they were talking about, Liz looked to Tom and then to Isabel

"Home," Isabel said

"home," Liz whispered to herself looking down at the ground "Why?" Liz looked back up trying to wrap her head around the situation

"We need you," Isabel looked down to Liz's hands which had begun to fill with an electricity she had suppressed for so long, Liz tucked her hands behind her back.

"What happened?" Liz asked not caring anymore what Tom heard or what questions he would ask her later.

"Too much for me to tell you in one night," Isabel looked at Tom "Maria... she's hurt,"

"Wh... what? When?" Liz's brow creased as she stared at Isabel's hands in the hope that it would help her stop the emotions that were flooding to her brain.

"Last week, we thought she would be ok but then everything..." Isabel paused as if searching for the words to describe the past year of her life "Everything just went to hell,"

"Is she going to be ok?" Liz's voice was shaking now; Tom looked down at her confused by everything that was happening.

"She's dying." Isabel stated so quickly it almost dropped Liz to her knees "Unless there's something you can do," Isabel looked at Liz whose eyes were now filled with pain

"I'm not him, Isabel" Liz said powerfully

"I know, but..." Isabel started before Liz cut her off

"I'm not him!" she almost yelled, Isabel grabbed Liz's hand and squeezed it tightly, Tom grimaced when he saw a drop of blood fall from Liz's hand

"I think you need to go now," Tom said firmly as he put a hand on Isabel's shoulder, Isabel shrugged his hand off and glared at him as she let go of Liz's hand.

"You know what you are." Isabel stared her down "Stop fighting it." She turned and walked away and Tom closed the door behind her.

"Liz?" Tom said cautiously as he turned Liz away from the door and towards him, "What the hell is going on? Who was that?" his voice more firm now

"She's an old friend," Liz said quietly her eyes shrouded in darkness

"You're gonna have to give me more then that," Tom snorted "Who's Maria?"

"My best friend," a sad smile crossed Liz's face

"What?" Tom's confusion clearly heard in his voice, it struck him suddenly that he knew nothing about Liz's past.

"I have to go back, I have to help her" Liz sounded so helpless, as the tears that had been threatening to fall finally came cascading down her cheeks, Tom pulled her to him in a hug. "I have to help her,"