Disclaimer: i do not own any of the character although the plot is mine.
Summary: Future Max turned to himself to help instead of Liz to tell the future. Max had broken up with Liz and spending more time with Tess so Liz would hate him. Michael lives by himself in an apartment since Hank is dead. Alex is also still alive.
Feedback to Reviews: thanx 2 grace who reviewed!
Chapter Four
Michael groaned as someone pounded on his door. Who the hell was that? Why would anyone be awake at this time?
Michael squinted so he could look at his alarm clock. 2:48 am. Who the on this blasted planet wanted to see him?
Michael growled angrily and stood up. Wincing as he stepped on something sharp, he made his way over to the door.
"Maria!" he choked when he saw the drenched blonde in the doorway.
What was wrong with her? She was dripping with water head-to-toe and was awake at a very late time.
"L-l-let me i-in," she said through chattered teeth.
Michael obeyed. No way was he going to leave her out in the cold weather.
"What are you doing here?" Michael asked incredulously as she slumped down on the sofa. She hugged her arms over her shivering knees.
"D-d-do you h-h-have d-dry c-c-clothes?" she asked ignoring his question. Or maybe she was so cold she couldn't hear him.
Michael nodded and quickly grabbed a towel a t-shirt, a jumped and trackies. He was no longer sleepy in fact he was wide-awake.
"T-t-turn a-around," she whispered when Michael gave them to her. He reluctantly turned. He'd prefer it if he watched her get dressed.
After what seemed like hours Maria still hadn't said she was finished. Annoyed, Michael snapped, "Done yet?"
"Yeah."
Michael turned and he was breathless. She looked so vulnerable and beautiful in his clothes. Never had he ever thought that his clothes would be worn to such advantage.
"Do you want me to turn on the heater?" Michael asked as he saw a tremor run through her. She nodded and Michael turned on the switch.
Then he went and sat next to her.
"Maria, what are you doing here?" he asked as soft as possible.
It was hard to just sit and just talk when he so badly wanted to crush her body against his.
What is wrong with you! A voice yelled somewhere deep in his mind. Only a few hours ago had he kissed Isabel and now he wanted to kiss someone else. Even if that girl happened to be his on/off girlfriend.
"We n-n-need t-t-to t-talk," Maria said slowly although her chattering was affecting her speech.
Michael's brows furrowed with concern. Was she feeling cold? She had, after all, pounded on his door and he was a heavy sleeper. She might've stayed there longer than he had thought.
"Maria, we can talk later. You won't stop shivering for heaven's sake! Take my bed, I'll sleep here," Michael exclaimed.
Maria shook her head water droplets dropping onto his jumper.
"Maria," he said sternly and placing his warm hands on her shoulders. His stomach tightened when he noticed her flinch. Was she scared of him? "We'll talk tomorrow, I promise. We have school tomorrow and you're freezing. Lets go."
Maria looked like she was about to protest but Michael scooped her up in his arms and carried her to his bed. He placed her there and tucked the sheets tight around her.
"Sleep," he said tenderly running a finger down her cheek. She shivered but managed to give a sleepy smile.
Michael watched her for a few seconds then bent down to kiss her on the forehead. He stood up again and smiled knowing that she was already asleep.
He went back outside and picked up her wet clothes to discard them in the corner. He grabbed a spare blanket and pillow and went to sleep on the sofa.
It may had been very late but Michael wasn't tired any longer. Maria had caused him so much confusion. Why did she turn up on his doorstep?
Michael bit his lip as he thought about Isabel as well. He admitted the kiss had left him breathless but what about Maria? She was the first girl he had ever loved and she meant so much to him. Would he so easily sacrifice her so he could be with Isabel?
Michael closed his eyes trying to imagine Maria if he told her he kissed Isabel. He could see the tears sliding down her pretty face, he could see her face turning red with fury, he could see the slap he was going to get.
I have to tell her.
Yes. He had to tell her. He had to come clean. He could not stand another minute around her with guilt gnawing at him. And how much worse would it be if Isabel got in first?
Tomorrow. Michael decided with regret. I'll tell her when she's awake.
……………………Tess outside the Evans' house………………
"Max, where are you?" Tess whispered annoyed as she crouched outside his window.
She had decided the suspense was killing her. She had to find out how he found out he had to break up with Liz. She had decided to spy on him before sunset and was surprised when she found he wasn't in bed.
Tess ducked as Max came into his room. Tess waited for a few seconds before raising her head. She saw that he looked haunted and depressed. It also looked like he had been crying. Still her heart sped faster at the glimpse of his naked chest.
Suddenly a thought came into Tess's head. Yes! She could mindwarp him into telling her! She had vowed that she would never use her power for bad ever again but this was an emergency.
Tess knocked on his window and he turned and frowned.
Open the window. There is an injured bird outside and you need to heal it. Open the window.
Tess gulped and hoped her powers would work through the window. She let out a sigh of relief when Max opened the window and didn't show any signs that he knew her.
The bird flew away. Your feet are sore. Sit on your bed to rest them. Leave the window open for fresh air.
Tess watched as Max turned and robotically sat down on his bed. She then climbed in.
She chewed on her bottom lip thinking of a way to get Max to tell her. If Max couldn't tell Liz who would he tell?
Sighing with frustration, Tess decided to be herself.
You are dreaming and Tess is there. Tell her your problems. It's just a dream.
Tess watched with a pounding heart as he raised his eyes to meet hers. There was no emotion in his face.
"I love Liz," he said mutely.
Tess tried to force down her jealousy and anger. What did he see in that girl? As if that was the problem.
"Then why did you break up with her?" Tess asked as gently as she could.
It's just a dream. You can tell her.
"It'll be the end of the world if we're together," he said choking on a sob.
Tess ignored the way her heart twisted when he was in pain.
Trying to keep her patience she asked, "How do you know?"
"The future version of myself came and told me," he said tiredly.
Tess gasped and took a step back to steady herself. She wasn't expecting that.
"Did he say why it'll be the end of the world?" she whispered. Something told her she didn't want to know the answer.
"He said that if Liz and I were together you would be jealous and leave. But we need the Royal Four to stop something big," he said. Tess gulped when his unfocused eyes bored into hers.
"Tell me you won't leave," he begged. "Please Tess."
"I won't," she choked out.
Her heart flipped excitedly when he smiled and walked over to her. He pulled her into his arms and she melted in his embrace.
"Thanks," he sighed.
…………………In Michael's apartment……………………
Maria groaned and rolled over. She hit something hard.
"Mmft!"
Maria opened her eyes and realised she had just hit a white wall. Panic rose through her. She wasn't at her house so where was she?
As if answering her thoughts someone said, "Morning."
Maria rolled over, pulling the sheets tighter around her. She relaxed her grip when she realised it was Michael.
It all came back to her. Last night she had came over to talk to Michael and tell him how much she loved him but she was too cold. She must've spent the night here.
"What's the time?" she mumbled.
"Almost seven," Michael said and he pulled out a brown paper bag. "I made you breakfast."
"Mm…what is it?" Maria asked.
"McDonalds," Michael said with a grin.
"You made me McDonalds!" Maria said incredulously as she sat up.
"At least it's nice," he protested.
Maria smiled and grabbed the bag. She just realised how hungry she was.
"So, what did you want to tell me last night?" Michael asked his face turning serious.
"Nothing too special," Maria said between bites. "Just that I love you and we shouldn't argue over nothing."
She watched as he started to play with the threads uncomfortably. What was wrong with him?
"Michael?" Maria frowned. "What's wrong? I think you have to tell me something."
"Promise me you won't flip," Michael said urgently.
Maria felt the insecurity start up again. When Michael's begging, he had done something very bad. She put down her burger and raised her eyebrows.
"I'll try."
Michael took a deep breath.
"IkissedIsabel."
Maria bit her lip fearing that she heard right.
"Could you, uh, repeat that?" she whispered her eyes already filling with tears.
"I kissed Isabel."
Maria felt like she was kicked in the stomach. All she felt was hurt and pain but soon it was replaced with anger. She raised her hand and slapped him across the face. She didn't even notice his wince. All she could feel now was anger.
"You…you knob! I can't believe you KISSED Isabel. You could've told me it was COMPLETELY OVER before you kissed her. What am I? Playboy?" Maria sneered getting up and not noticing her half finished burger falling down.
"No! Maria…" Michael said helplessly and placing his hands on her shoulders.
"Don't touch me again, Michael Guerin! I should've known when you spent the whole weekend at her house," Maria snarled slapping his hands away.
"I didn't…" he protested but she ignored him.
She stomped to his door but then turned back.
"Actually, don't come near me again. I don't think I could stand seeing your lying, cheating face again."
She waited till she walked out the front door before she let her tears spill.