Thanks for the reviews and remember; nothing belongs to me. BTW sorry it took a long time to get up. I have the cold.
Chapter 3
Everyone was in the Crashdown, Tess was sitting in a funk, she saw how lovingly Max kissed Liz goodnight before leaving and how happy Liz was when she turned back to the gang. She couldn't help but feel that it should have been her that Max loved but it wasn't.
"So, how's it going with lover boy?" Maria teased and Liz giggled.
"It's going great, you were right. He wasn't confused about his feelings for me." Liz admitted and Maria smirked as she pulled on Liz's hand and both of them started to dance to the music.
"Is it working?" Maria asked and Liz looked toward Michael who was staring at Maria, he looked away and cricked his neck when he saw Liz looking but found himself staring at Maria again. Liz turned to Maria with a smile, letting her know that it was. "I so knew it. It won't be long till we're together again." Maria explained and Liz laughed.
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Max was running, he had a bloody handprint on his chest and a scrape on his cheek, he needed to get to Liz, to make sure that she was safe and wasn't in danger.
Tess looked out of the window and saw Max running toward the Crashdown.
"Max!" Tess exclaimed and everyone turned to face the door, Max came barging in then fell to the floor. Isabel and Liz hurried over and helped Max on to the chair as Liz knelt in front of him.
"Max, you're hurt." Tess exclaimed as she went to touch the scrape, Liz looked up and lifted a hand, the cut healed itself and Liz felt a little dizzy.
"It's gone." Liz whispered, unknowingly reminding Max of when he healed her hicky rash.
"What happened?" Isabel demanded.
"Jeff is dead!" Max exclaimed and Liz looked up at him with fear in her eyes.
"What?" Liz asked as she moved away from Max.
"He's dead, he came to me and died in my arms, I tried to heal him but I couldn't." Max explained to everyone and Liz shook her head.
"No, he's not dead." Liz whispered as tears filled her eyes.
"I'm sorry Liz, he told me to tell you that he loved you and that he was sorry that he couldn't protect you." Max explained and Liz shook her head as tears fell over onto her cheek as she slumped to the floor.
"No, he can't be dead, I need him." Liz cried, Max knelt down beside her and rocked her.
"Where is he?" Michael asked.
"He's in my room." Max explained.
"You left him in your room?" Isabel asked incredulous.
"Come on, we need to take the body back to the pod chambers and see if we can use the healing stones." Michael ordered, Isabel hurried over and, both, Max and Isabel helped Liz up to take out the backdoor.
"Go home, we'll see you lot later." Max ordered as Liz clung to him.
Everyone watched as the pod squad walked out of the door without a backward glance.
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They all stood around Jeff's body and concentrated on the healing stones but so far nothing.
"Why isn't it working?" Liz demanded.
"What ever happened to him must be something we can't reverse." Max explained as he knelt down next to Jeff's body to inspect it.
"I can't lose him!" Liz cried and Isabel wrapped her arms around the young woman, hugging her while Max looked up at Liz with sadness in his eyes, he hated seeing Liz upset.
"Look!" Michael exclaimed and everyone looked down, Jeff's body turned to dust and blew away in the wind.
Liz pulled away from Isabel, stormed out of the Pod Chambers, and hurried down the cliff, leaving everyone looking at her retreating back.
"I'd better go." Max said, Isabel and Michael nodded, letting Max run after Liz.
It was raining, Liz could feel the rain soaking her body, her dress was soaking wet and clinging to her body, her hair was wild and plastered to her head as she stormed through the dark desert. Her hands were glowing green, showing that her powers were out of control.
"Liz!" Max shouted; he could see her lighting up like a firebug. Her hands were crackling and growing out of control; rocks at the side of the road were being smashed as her powers attacked them. "Liz!" Max shouted once more as he caught her, he grabbed her arm and spun her around so that he could see into her face. He saw the heartbreak in her eyes as tears continued to fall from her eyes. "Oh Lizzie." Max whispered as he pulled into a hug, she wrapped her arms around his waist and sobbed into his chest.
"I can't lose him Max, I need him." She sobbed out.
Max just stroked back her hair and buried his face into her neck while making shushing sounds, trying to calm her down.
"I know baby, I know." Max whispered as they both fell to their knees while Max held her tight to his body, comforting her as much as he could but he knew that she had to let it all out as soon as possible due to her powers being out of control.
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Max carried Liz into her bedroom and set her on the bed, he waved his hand over her body, changing her clothes in to p.j. and drying her body as he went along. He kissed her forehead as he pulled the covers over her body and was about to leave but Liz's voice stopped him.
"Max, can't you please stay?" Liz asked. Max turned to her and nodded slightly, he moved back to the bed and pulled off his clothes but kept his boxers on as he slipped under the covers and pulled Liz up against his body.
"Try and get some sleep." Max whispered. Liz closed her eyes and tried to go to sleep but images of her dad kept flashing around in her head. She turned around in his arms and buried her face into his neck, inhaling his safe scent as she finally fell into a deep but un-restless sleep while Max buried his face into her neck, keeping her safe.
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"Where am I going to stay now?" Liz asked, they all were in the Parker's resident, Liz couldn't live there as she couldn't manage the business and go to school at the same time.
"Maybe you could live with us." Max asked and everyone looked at Max.
"Max, I can't impose on you lot." Liz exclaimed and Isabel shook her head.
"No way, mom would love to have you with us. She loves you." Isabel exclaimed, warming to the idea of having Liz living with her.
"What about the Crashdown, I can't just abandon it." Liz asked.
"Dad could take over the place, you know, place the deed under his name." Max suggested.
"It's better than you staying here, I mean, we don't know if the Skins know that you live here and you would be better protected if you are with Max and Isabel." Alex explained and Liz sighed as she rested her head on Max's chest.
"I guess, as long you guys are sure." Liz agreed and Max kissed her forehead while Tess looked away. Liz looked toward Tess and felt sympathy for Tess. Tess really believed that Max loved her and Liz came in and destroyed it. Liz knew that she shouldn't, but she couldn't help but blame herself for Max and Tess's break-up.
'Maybe it would have been better if I had ran away when they found out about me.' Liz mused to herself, pulled herself off Max, and headed into the kitchen to get a drink. Max came up behind her and spun her around, he bent his head down to kiss her but Liz turned her face so that his lips encountered her cheek.
"Liz?" Max asked, puzzled.
"We can't Max, not with Tess in the next room." Liz whispered her explanation.
"Liz, Tess told me that she was okay with us." Max explained and Liz shook her head.
"No she's not Max and it's my fault." Liz whispered, causing Max to look at her with understanding, she was still blaming herself for their break up.
"Lizzie, look at me." Max whispered as he placed his knuckles under her chin and brought her face up so they could see each other. "I wasn't happy with Tess. Yes, I love her but as a sister and it's my fault for leading her on. It was not your fault, I should have broken it off with Tess but I didn't want to hurt her and I did." Max explained and Liz shrugged.
"I know I shouldn't blame myself but I can't help it Max, it just feels like me coming here was the worst experience for everyone." Liz explained and Max pulled her into a hug.
"It was the best one we could have asked for. We spent ages looking for the fourth one and we're very glad that you came here." Max whispered to her and Liz nodded, her face buried in his chest, she still couldn't help but blame herself.
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Phillip and Diane were sitting in the living room when the front door opened; they both looked up and saw Isabel, Max and Liz coming in.
"Mom, Dad, is it okay if Liz stays here for a while?" Max asked, both adults stood up and motioned to the couch and Max turned to Liz. "Why don't you go and get some sleep?" Max whispered, Liz looked up at him, she was about to protest but Max cut her off with a finger on lips. "You need the sleep, you haven't slept for the last two days." Max whispered and kissed her forehead as Liz pulled away from Max and headed to his room to get some sleep. Isabel and Max headed over to the couch and sat down.
"Why will she have to stay here?" Diane asked, Max and Isabel looked at each other and took a deep breath.
"Mom, Liz's dad died in a car crash. She has no one else to go to as she is adopted, all her other family live outside New Mexico and she has no where else to go." Max explained and Diane's hand flew up to her mouth to choke back a sob and Phillip looked at their children in a stunned shock.
"Why didn't we know about this?" Phillip asked.
"He was in hospital, Liz didn't want anyone to know, not till she knew he was going to get better but he died." Isabel filled in.
"Oh the poor girl!" Diane stated and Isabel nodded as she turned to her mother with wide pleading eyes.
"Please mom, don't make Liz go back to the adopting centre, she doesn't like it there and I want her to be with people who love her. I want her to be with us." Isabel pleaded her parents.
"We need to think and talk about this, I think you better go to your room and make sure that Liz is okay." Phillip announced and both of them nodded before heading to Max's room to check on Liz.
They stepped into the room and saw Liz sleeping peacefully; she had pulled on one of Max's t-shirt and was hugging one of his pillows. Isabel sat on the edge of the bed and ran a hand through Liz's dark lock while Max sat on the desk chair.
"I hate this Max, I hate it that she gets everything taken away from her. First, those bastards killed her mother then our enemies killed her father. She doesn't deserve this." Isabel hissed out to her brother and Max nodded in agreement, his dark eyes flashing.
"We need to find out what the skins want and why they killed Jeff, they can't have just killed him for no reason." Max explained.
Liz whimpered in her sleep, causing Max to lean over and whisper something in her ear before kissing her forehead, which caused her to calm down and sigh into the pillow.
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"What do you think?" Diane asked Phillip once they have settled themselves in the study area; Diane was looking at Phillip, waiting for his answer.
"How do you feel about Liz?" Phillip asked and Diane sighed.
"She's a nice girl, a little shy but seems nice." Diane stated softly and Phillip nodded.
"Max seems to like her." Phillip noted and Diane laughed.
"And you were worried about Max and Michael." Diane teased then sobered. "Yeah, Max really likes Liz and if I'm not mistaken, it seems to go both ways." She observed and sighed. "The poor girl, imagining losing your mother in a car crash at the age of eight then lose your dad the same way only eight years later."
"Looks like we're gaining another daughter." Phillip stated and they both stood up as they made their way to Max's room.
They knocked softly on the door and it opened slightly, revealing Isabel looking at them with a hopeful yet wary gaze.
"We need to speak to you two." Diane stated and both kids came out of the room and all of them headed toward the kitchen, where they surrounded the kitchen table.
"Liz can stay." Phillip announced, Max sighed in relief and sent them his thanks through his eyes while Isabel hugged the both of them, tears of happiness running down her face.
"That's great! Thank you so much!" Isabel squealed as she hugged them tight.
"Where is Liz going to sleep?" Diane asked.
"She'll sleep with me till we set up her room, beside, she'll get nightmares so I want to be there for her when she does." Max stated then watched as his parents shared a hesitated look and caught on. "Don't worry, Liz and I are not at that stage yet. We just got together about two weeks ago, we're not ready for that step." Max assured.
Both, Diane and Phillip nodded, relief evident over their faces while Isabel smiled at Max, whose tip of his ears were bright red, showing that she was amused, causing him to mock glare at her before turning back to their parents.
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Liz bolted up in bed, clutching the sheet to her chest. Tears and sweat ran down her face, her breathing came in hurried pants as she looked wildly around the room until reality kicked in, making her remember that she was in Max's room.
She sighed as she leaned back on the bed and turned her face into the pillow as tears came flooding back again.
It wasn't a nightmare.
Her dad had really died; she shook her head once more, refusing to accept the truth as she burrowed herself deep inside the covers. Her body was numb and void of emotions, she couldn't feel anything as she just stared into space.
She heard the door open and closed, she felt the bed dip slightly as a warm hard body slipped in between the covers and wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her back into his body.
"Go to sleep, we'll talk later." He whispered as he kissed her forehead, he watched as Liz closed her eyes and drift off into a dreamless slumber.
Max watched as her breathing even out, showing that she was sleeping and sighed. His heart was breaking for the young woman beside him, she had went through hell, first with her mother to the F.B.I and now her father to their enemies, he vowed that one of these day, these enemies will find out what Liz was feeling and they were beg mercy for it.
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"When's the funeral?" Alex asked. It was two days later; Liz was currently up the stairs in her room over the Crashdown, the Evans had to go out of town for the day.
"Tomorrow, we've told everyone that the casket is staying close so that the body doesn't upset anyone." Isabel explained.
"How's Liz?" Maria asked.
"Not good, her nightmares consist of watching her mother die again and seeing Jeff's body crumbling to pieces." Max explained. "She wakes up screaming and her powers are out of control."
"Out of control?" Tess asked and Max nodded.
"When she wakes up, anything breakable, like glass windows and frames and that, they are completely smashed." Max explained.
"It's a good thing that she is living here, not at out house cause my parents would be quiet suspicious if things started smashing when ever she wakes up, screaming." Isabel jumped in.
"So that means your powers are connected to your emotions?" Alex asked and Max nodded.
"It makes sense because when ever one of us upset or something, something exploded or something like that." Michael explained and everyone nodded, accepting the answer.
"Kyle is back today." Maria stated and everyone looked at each other before groaning.
"More problems." Michael remarked.
"What are we going to do Max?" Isabel asked and Max shrugged.
"We need to see what he does first, if he asks us any questions, we'll answer them but for now, we'll just leave him alone and let Valenti deal with him." Max stated and all of them nodded, sliding back into deep thoughts.
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Kyle stepped off the bus and looked around for his dad but couldn't see him so he sat on the steps, waiting for his dad only for his dad to come about 3 hours later.
"Dad, I've been waiting her for three hours!" Kyle exclaimed and Jim nodded.
"I know, I'm sorry." Jim apologized and turned to Kyle. "Do you remember Liz?" he asked and Kyle snorted.
"I thought she was hot then I find out she's one of these green little Martian, yeah, I'm pretty sure I remember her." Kyle shot back; scathingly, Jim ignored his remarks.
"Her dad was killed by their enemies so she's pretty upset now. Max doesn't want anyone going near her so if you see her, you will stay away from her and you will not make remarks at her either." Jim warned as he placed the bag in the back of the car. "Her powers are out of control at the moment and Max is scared she might hurt someone."
"She stays away from me, I'll stay away from her and we'll just be fine." Kyle replied while Jim shook his head sadly at his son.
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The next day.
Liz was sitting in front of her dressing table, sliding the brush through her dark brown hair. She looked up and saw a photograph of her and her father, hugging and laughing at the camera. She remembered that day. It was on her eight birthday, her dad and mom took her to the beach for the day to celebrate. She smiled lightly as she picked it up; rubbing her thumb over her dad's face when she heard the door opened and she looked into the mirror and met Max's dark eyes. He was wearing his black suit and a white shirt with a black tie.
"You ready?" he asked, Liz turned back to the photo as tears slipped down her face.
"Why did I have to lose him Max?" Liz asked. "Haven't I lost enough?" Max hurried forward and hunched down next to Liz.
"These things happen Liz. We have no idea of when or how they are going to happen." Max whispered and Liz stood up.
"It's just not fair!" Liz snapped, Her hands were flashing as green light streaked through her blood and Max stood up. "I hate this, I hate this!" Liz shouted as things started smashing. "It's not fair, I lost my mother right in front of me because Pierce wanted me then I lost my Father just because my enemies wants me, why does this have to happen to me? Am I meant to be alone?" Liz asked her voice quiet and vulnerable.
Max took a small step toward her, holding up his hands.
"No Liz, you are not meant to be alone. I'm here. Michael and Isabel are here. Maria, Alex and Tess are here. We'll be here for you Liz, you are not alone." Max promised as he stepped closer to her and pulled her into a hug, soothing her.
"I just hate it Max, I want it to stop. I want to stop losing people I love." She sobbed into his chest. Max just held her and kissed the top of her head.
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"I hate funerals." Alex muttered as he stood to the side; tugging on his tie lightly, Isabel was standing next to him. Michael nodded in agreement, as Maria watched Liz to make sure that she was okay. Tess was standing next to Max, holding onto his arm.
"Why do we have to be here?" Tess whined. "It's got nothing to do with us."
"Tess, just leave it will you?" Isabel demanded.
"We are here because Liz is our family and she has just lost her dad." Max snapped lightly as he watched as Liz nodded to someone who was talking to her.
"If everyone please take a seat, we may proceed the funeral." The vicar called out before heading into the church. Max walked over to Liz and wrapped an arm around her waist.
"You okay sweetie." Max asked and Liz nodded.
"I just hate this Max." She whispered while leaning her head on his shoulder. Max kissed her forehead in return.
"I know baby, I know." He whispered back as he led her into the church and both of them sat up at the front with Isabel sitting on the other side of Liz.
"Today we are gathered here to say our prayers and goodbye to Jeff Parker, father of Liz Parker. He was a very good man and tried his best in the community and he did his best by Liz. It was a tragic accident that he died in a car crash but the lord works in mysterious way so it was his time to go, no matter how short it was." The vicar stated. Liz just rested her head on Max's shoulder, staring at the smiling picture of Jeff that was sitting on top of the casket, tuning the vicar's voice out.
Soon the moment came when they all had to go out in the graveyard where the ground was dug up, ready for Jeff's coffin, the tombstone read 'here Lies Jeffery Parker. Wonderful son and brilliant father, May he rest in peace.'
"Ashes to Ashes. Dust to Dust. Rest in Peace." The vicar stated as he drew a cross in the air as the casket was lowered into the ground. Liz was leaning on Max as tears ran down her face. Max was holding her tight and kissing her forehead every now and then to sooth her. Maria was comforting Michael while Alex was holding Isabel's hand. Tess was standing to the side as she watched the gang and for the first time since she had learned Max's secret when he healed her, she felt like an outsider.
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The gang, minus Liz, was standing over at the table of food. They were talking quietly about what could have happened to Jeff and how Liz was coping with her powers when they saw an old woman walk up to Liz and tapped her on the shoulder. Liz turned around and smiled slightly as she threw herself into the woman's arms.
"Whose that with Liz?" Michael asked and Max shook his head.
"I don't know." Max replied. Liz walked up to them with the woman in tow and smiled at the gang lightly.
"Guys, I like you to meet my Grandma Claudia. My mother's mom." Liz introduced and turned to Claudia. "I like you to meet Maria Deluca, Michael Gurien, Alex Whitman, Tess Harding, Isabel and Max Evans."
"It's nice to meet you all, including you Max, I have heard many good things about you from Jeff. I hope you will make Liz happy." She warned and Max smiled shyly.
"Yes madam I will, and it's very nice to meet you too Mrs…" Max asked.
"Oh, Parker. Jeff wanted to take on Nancy's second name when they got married and please, call me Grandma." Claudia explained. "As Liz sees you as her family, you are my family too." Claudia explained and they all nodded with smiles, instantly liking Claudia. Claudia turned back to Liz. "Honey bear, I need to go and see the lawyer. I will come over to the Crashdown later tonight and we'll have a talk." She stated. Liz nodded as she hugged her grandma and placed a kiss on her cheek before moving toward the gang. Claudia smiled as she walked off, talking to Phillip.
"What was that about?" Michael asked and Liz shrugged.
"Must be something serious, I'll find out tonight anyway." Liz replied as she turned to the food and started to have a look while everyone looked at Claudia, wondering what was going on.
To be continued.
I will try to get the next part up as soon as I can. Thanks for the last reviews and please review for this one if you wish.
Later people!