A/N: Thanks for all the reviews and encouragement. Here's another chapter.

Disclaimer: Same.

Chapter: 5 First Debate

Liz sighed in exasperation as Max's head dropped to her shoulder for the third time in less than an hour. He'd fallen asleep on the bus ride home from their first debate. They'd gone up against Washington State and kicked some major ass. And Liz was woman enough to give credit where credit was due. In this case to Max, who was as good a debater as he'd boasted.

Too bad she'd made the colossal mistake of telling him so. Yeah, that had gone over real well. Instead of thanking her and returning the compliment, he'd said she'd had room for improvement. What a jerk, she thought angrily.

She'd planned to sit next to Maria on the ride home, but Max being Max had beaten her to the seat. He even had the audacity to look innocent when Liz glared at him. And that's how she came to be his pillow as he snored softly into her shoulder. The fragrance of his shampoo wafted her nose, not unpleasantly. She could smell his cologne too if she breathed deeply enough. So she did. It had a musky spiciness to it, or maybe that was his natural scent. What ever it was she liked it a lot.

Only wait—had she just done what she thought she did?

Had she really just inhaled this man like a bloodhound in search of prey. Cause that was just wrong on so many levels. There was nothing even remotely likable about Max Evans. Especially his scent. He was nothing more than an obnoxious braggart with a God complex. He reminded her so much of…well, she wouldn't go there.

Frowning, she tried none too gently to nudge Max's head from her shoulder. He stirred slightly but did not move. Even in sleep subtly was lost on him. Liz nudged him again, harder this time.

"Gimme a few minutes," he mumbled sleepily, "I just hafta recuperate some."

Does he think I'm one of his skanks? Liz wondered incredulously. "Wake up Max," she whispered furiously. "This is not Motel Six and I am not your personal pillow."

Max blinked his eyes before opening them with a smile. All of Liz's nudging had jostled his head onto her chest. He awoke up close and personal to pink sweater covered breasts. Seeing as this was the closest he'd ever get to them, in this life anyway, Max savored the moment.

He nuzzled his head deeply into the sweater and murmured: "Feels like a pillow to me." The color reminded him of cotton candy, and he briefly fantasized about taking a bite.

Liz shoved his head from her chest with a mumbled, "idiot." She then turned and faced the window doing her best to ignore him. She managed to keep this up for the remainder of the ride.

-&-

Max woke up the following morning with a smile on his face. Eleven of Kenmont's fifteen teams had won their debates. And as debate team Captain Max was feeling pretty proud. But the real reason he was smiling was because of Liz. She was a great debater, just as he'd foreseen. Though he'd gone to great lengths to disabuse her of the idea. The way Max saw it, there was no use giving her a swelled head so early in her career. Who was he kidding? Max was having too much fun antagonizing her.

Max glanced at the clock on his bedside table and frowned as he noted the time. If he didn't get a move on soon he would be late for Tuesday morning brunch with is family. Not that it would be such a big tragedy, but it was a tradition he couldn't get out of. Throwing his legs over the edge of the bed with a sign, Max headed into the bathroom to take a shower.

-&-

Liz pulled the book cart slowly down the isle shelving books methodically. When she was granted work study along with her scholarship she'd been certain the job would be entail something crummy like—washing dishes, or working in a cafeteria, which she'd had enough of at home. She would have preferred tutoring, but this was even better.

The pay was reasonable and the hours were great. She was in by five and out by nine. That left her mornings free for classes and afternoons free for studying. How cool was that. She had even lucked out on managers. Because business was pretty slow in the last hour before closing, Cathy had been allowing Liz to leave early every night while still paying her for four hours. All Liz had to do was shelve these last few books and she could leave for the night.

As she was shelving the last book, she heard the door clang signaling that someone had entered. She ignored it though, Cathy or either Rob would see to who ever it was. Only she was startled as a voice spoke from behind her.

She walks in beauty, like the night

Of cloudless climbs and starry skies,

And all that' best of dark and bright

Meets in the aspect of her eyes;

Thus mellowe'd to that tender light

Which Heaven to gaudy day denies.

"Impressive," Liz said turning around to face Max. "Does Byron usually work for you? I'm surprised your dates recognize his work," she smiled disdainfully.

"Why not? You did," Max smiled, unaware of how melancholy he looked.

Liz stared at him intently. She couldn't put her finger on it, but there was just something off about him tonight. His words were the same, but there was a bleakness in his eyes that made Liz uncomfortable.

"Yeah, well I'm smarter than the average bear," she said lightly. "Besides, I love poetry."

"I do too." Max smiled humorless. "I'm actually a big fan of Edward Arlington Robinson. Ever read anything by him?"

Liz shook her wondering were this was going. She didn't have to wait long to find out.

"A particular favorite of mine is Richard Cory," Max paused dramatically before reciting it.

When ever Richard Corey went down town.

We people of the pavement looked at him:

He was a gentleman from sole to crown,

And he was rich-yes, richer than a king-

And admirably schooled in every grace

In fine we thought he was everything

To make us wish we were in his place.

"Remind you of anyone," Max stopped to smile wryly.

"You," Liz spoke hesitantly, feeling like she was caught up in something she didn't understand. "Hey Max—"

So on we worked, and waited for the light,

And went without the meat, and cursed the bread;

And Richard Corey, one calm summer night

Went home and put a bullet through his head.

"Still remind you of me?" Max asked sardonically, before turning on his heels and striding out of the store.

Liz stood there for a few seconds unsure what to do. Leading with her heart instead of her head, she raced after him.