It had been a week since Jason had kidnapped her and she was still trying to forget. For the past week, she had kept to herself, trying to deal with her feelings. She had liked Jason, but why did he have to do that? Couldn't he have just asked her? Why did it never work out for her, with any guy she cared about? Alex, Michael and then Jason. She was cursed she was sure of it. Cursed to be alone for the rest of her life. Watching others be happy.

The first few days Max and Michael had been like her own skin, stuck to her. She felt safe and then she began to feel smothered by their vigilance. She had told them to leave her alone. She had lifted her proud head, looked them in the eye and told them, she could face it alone. She had lied. But she couldn't handle the pity, the sadness in their eyes when they looked at her. She did not want pity, she was too proud for that. She wanted to put it all behind her.

Max had acted as though she had hit him before he went to his room. Michael had gotten angry with her. He had yelled at her over it. Then he had left her alone too. He wanted to help her, and she knew that. She knew he loved her, and had wanted her. But did he really want her now? Was he just being the over protective big brother, best friend or something more? Right now, she couldn't deal with either one, not when it was Michael. She fell across the bed, but she had no more tears to shed. With one finger, she followed the pattern on her bedspread.

Ooooo

Max sat inthe living room on his sofa. He held the now hot soda in one hand as he slammed his fist down on the armrest with the other. Michael looked over at him from his pacing. He ran his hand through his hair.

"Max, we screwed up man. I just don't understand girls at all. Why won't she let us help her? It's not like we are strangers to her, and don't care."

"That's just it, Michael. Maybe we are too close to her. She needs a girl to talk to, she's embarrassed. Though I thought we could talk about anything. However, I really don't want to talk to her about that. I just want to kill Jason."

"I know, but as hard as it would be. I would listen, hold her, and love her. Max she needs me now and she pushed me away. I guess I need her too. If I had listened to my heart, instead of following your decree, she and I would have been together and she wouldn't have been hurt by that bastard."

"I know." Max lowered his head, "I was wrong, destiny is wrong for me but not for the two of you."

"You pick and chose which part of destiny you want. You cannot have it all Maxwell. You can't be king and not be with Tess. So no more orders, but I will say that if I get the chance to go home, and if Isabel will go, I will. Our people need us, and there we matter more than here."

"Do whatever Michael. I am going to see Liz, see if she will go talk to Isabel."

"Max, Liz can't understand what Isabel went through. Moreover, they aren't really friends. I was thinking maybe I could get her to call that hotline. Maybe a stranger would help her."

"Maybe, I'll try talking to her when I get back tonight. Coming?"

"Nah, I think I will hang out here for now. In case."

Max looked over at him as he reached the door. "In case she needs you." Michael nodded. "Okay, take care of her." Michael watched Max heave and then turned back to the blank TV, and grabbed the remote, with part of his attention turned towards the upstairs.

An hour later Michael went into the kitchen and grabbed the phone book, flipped through it, and when he found what he wanted, he took out a piece of paper. He wrote down the number and a message to Isabel.

Isabel, if you wont let me help you, at least let them try. It's a hotline, and you don't have to tell them your real name. I'm downstairs if you need me. I love you. Michael.

Then he took the paper and went upstairs, and knocked, when he heard her voice he shoved it under her door. "Just look at it Isabel." Then he turned and went back downstairs.

It was a little later that Isabel came down the stairs, her face damp, her eyes red. She walked over to the sofa and reached out hugged Michael. "Thanks."

He pulled her down beside him, and looked at her. She sat there quietly for a moment. "I called them, and it helped a little. I could tell her what I couldn't tell you or Max. I was even confused over Jason, and I guess I thought a bit of it was my fault. I think I may just make it. What would I do without you?"

Michael smiled at her. "I don't know, I mean I am impossible to live without….but seriously Isabel. I am glad I can be here for you. I would do anything for you. I love you that much."

She reached out to him and he pulled her gently into his arms, and leaned back against the sofa, she laid her head on his shoulder, and he just sat there holding her.