Chapter Twenty-One

Shallo-a tight robe that covered all parts of the women with only a string

Max is growing distant from me, I can feel it.

My heart shatters when I think about our first kiss, our first date. I think about our first official date, that was after he told me his secret. We went to a pool house, yeah, we played pool. That was probably the sheesest date I ever had but the most worth it.

I love Max, he is my heart but ever since he wanted to figure his past. Tess was a threat ever since she showed her face, I tried to convince myself that Max only felt something for Tess because Tess caused those emotions. It's all lies, and my heart wears a heavy burden. I will lose Max, I am almost sure of that. And worse not because Max loves Tess, but rather because of her ghost. She is in the air, Ava and Tess are the same person and the more Max remembers Ava the more it seems, he forgets about me.

He hasn't actually said the words and I have this feeling that he won't. I have this feeling that I will have to end things with him. That I have to set him free, so that he doesn't feel guilt or torn. But I can't do that.

I don't think I can ever do that. I love him so much, he is the other part of my soul.

How can I let him go.

How?

Liz Parker

Liz Parker opened Michael's door with the intentions of surprising Max. Michael had mentioned ealier that Max was to be at his apartment. And since Liz had been feeling a little down, she decided to come here in the middle of the afternoon and talk to Max, alone. Maria had understoodly taken her place at the crashdown. Liz took a deep breath and closed the door behind her, the T.V. was opened and she could see a form laying on the couch.

She smiled as she walked around and once again found him sleeping, what an angel.

"Tess" Max whispered, and once again, Liz's heart shuttered in a thousand pieces.

Tears coming out from the corners of her eyes as she looked at Max, she sighed again, and took out her cell phone.

"Michael" Liz whispered the name after dialing the number, "You need to come home, Max is sleeping and I think he is dreaming about Ava or Tess"

"How do you know that?" come Michael's question.

Liz looked at Max again in a few moments of silence before answering the question, "uh...he just called Tess's name"

"Okay, is he breathing?" Michael asked another question.

Liz was surprised by the question, her heart stopping for a moment as she looked down, she sighed in relieve as she saw Max's chest move, "Yes"

"So why did you call me?" Michael asked as if he didn't really understand why she was calling him.

"I thought you might want to know" Liz said after a moment of silence.

Liz heard Michael sigh, "Look Liz, Max wants to remember his past, let him"

Michael hanged up on Liz, who then turned to see Max's peaceful expression, what ever he was dreaming must be really good, for him to be wearing a smile that bright.

"Dearest Love" Ava whispered softly to herself glancing at the other side of the lake. Wearing only a golden Shallo, she waited patiently for Zan attention. She knew he was taking everything in.

The clear water fell from the hills to the bank below. There was a certain peace throughout the place. Zan looked across at Ava, this place was well hiden only to be witnessed by the Immotas and only them. But she was trusting him, offering him this blessing. The water was unlike any he had ever seen, so clear, one could see to the button of the small lake. The place was diffenately well hiden, it took Zan and Ava most of the afternoon to find their destination.

And then the tree.

Trees surrounded them. Everywhere, trees, all kind, brown, blue, all shapes and sizes.

Zan took the large water vase beside him before allowing the vase to float to Ava. Who quickly in a dreamlike state, drew water from the lake, and placed the vase on her head. She looked up at him and smiled. What an enchanting smile.

Zan grabbed the second vase and allowed the vase to float to her again and Ava repeated her actions.

Ava stopped suddenly as water flew to her face, she froze and looked to find a seemly innocent Zan smiling at her.

Ava stood up without saying a word, making sure the water in both vases, one on her head, being supported by her left hand, while the other vase was on her ledt hand. Carefully she picked a lamp beside her.

It wouldn't be long before nightfall.

Carefully, she used her feet to return the favor, spashing tons of water intoo Zan's surprised face. Wearing a smug look, she turned and walked around in a seductive manner. Zan was sure that Ava was now aware of his body reaction to hers. Zan was sure now more than ever, Ava was his heart and he knew he was hers.

Ava suddenly stopped, a flash of pain appearing on her face before completely disappearing. Zan was by her side in a flash, and found a small but sharp twig inserted in her night foot, blood already flowing. Zan moved to help but Ava turned away, forever defiant. She would never ever admit she needed help. At least not from him. Seeing this, Zan immediately smiled, deciding that he would tease her instead if she didn't want his help.

Zan grabbed her leg again and after giving her a look, tilted his head and with a little smirk, blew a kiss on that leg. Ava released a vase of water on his head. He looked at her, trying to hide his laughter, while she offered a little smile, her eyes sparkling with a teasing look. The two stared at one another for a moment, Ava's sparkling eyes suddenly were filled with heat mixed with a panicked expression. And Zan was sure of the reason, his eyes were heated with passion for his beloved. Ava broke from the contactand quickly attempted to remove the twig, suddenly aware of the danger of being alone in the middle of noway with a very desirable man.

Zan stopped her hand and stood up without a word, trailed kisses from her arm up to her shoulder, senting chills down her spine. Ava stood frozen, while Zan made his explorations pushing her to a nearby tree, so that she would be supported. Zan then kissed her lips, slowly and passionately, wanting to possess her. He stopped and looked down at her, she was breathless, and with that look at her eyes, totally confused.

"My leg" Ava whispered, looking away, suddenly shy.

Zan went on his knees again and pulled the twig from her leg, then looked up at her, still on his knees, "You know how much I adore and love you?" Zan asked.

Ava nodded her head, and closed her eyes as Zan began pulling apart her Shallo. Her body glittered in dark, she was the most beautiful thing, that Zan had ever seen. Never had he ever imagined himself to find himself in love with a star. But he was.

Zan caressed her face and smiled as she opened her eyes to look at him.

"We shouldn't" Ava whispered, "I made a vow"

Zan looked at her lips then her eyes, "We love each other"

Zan tilted his head, and kissed her again, enveloping her with his body, tonight, the joining of two bodies as one would make history.

A rather blinding light came in the middle of his memory, and suddenly all the memories of Max's life come rushing forward, the way he had charmed Ava, his life with her as his lifemate, his daughter, Kiera, Rath and his loyalty, Valandra and especially her betrayal, and his death.

Liz watched, letting her breath out as Max opened his eyes.

"Max" Liz called out walking towards him, she had to make sure that he was alright.

Max turned to Liz stopping her with his cold eyes, he looked at her like he didn't know who she was, "Who are you?" Max asked standing up, looking right through her.

"What, do you not remember?" Michael asked coming in his apartment and having caught that last statement. Behind him, Isabel and Maria walked in. Isabel and Michael looked at Max with worried expressions, wondering if they should have taken Liz's call seriously. But Michael had honestly believed that Liz was just jealous. Max turned to him before his eyes cleared.

"You, I know" Max said in amusement then turned to Isabel, "You too"

"Oh Max" Isabel said let out the breath that she had been holding as she throw her arms around his brother, happy that at least he was okay. She didn't think she could stand it if anything would happened to Max.

"Who is Max?" Her brother asked, Isabel froze before backing away, looking at him strangely, "Valendra, it's me, Zan. Where is Ava? Where is my love?"

Isabel said nothing, not answering his question and neither did anyone in the apartment because at that moment, Max fall on the floor in a hype. He had fainted.

"Ava my love" Max mumured in his sleep turning from one side to another, sweet pouring from his forehead, Liz didn't even bother to glance up as he spoke. Max was really out of it and she was really worried about him, she was sitting in his room looking down at him as he slept. He looked so peaceful and was even his breath evenly. Thank goodness his parents were out of his town the last two days because Max had slept for almost all of it. Without once waking up and once in a while he would talk, calling out for Ava, she was all that was in his mind. Liz suppose it couldn't be helped. Tess was Ava. It was that simple, his first thoughts when coming out of memory lane was to ask for Ava. Even more so with the fact that he remember her. Liz broke off from her thoughts as Max stirred from the bed. Max raised his head and looked right at her. Liz froze, what to do next, was this Max or Zan. Zan had refused her touch before.

"Max" Liz questioned keeping her distance. Max stared at her with a confused look for a moment before a flare of recognition charged into his eyes as he offered her a smile. Liz smiled back, relief flooding in her body. she walked back over to him, glad now to be talking to Max. And not Zan.

"What happen?" He asked sitting up, putting a place beside him, "Sit, please"

"You don't remember?" Liz was trying so hard not to be hopeful, after all this wasn't about what she wanted rather what Max wanted.

Max was silent for a moment, staring at her, studying her. Liz felt chills run through her body, his eyes were so cold. But only for a moment before there cleared.

"Some of it" He said slowly looking at the cup beside him like it was the most interesting artifact in all the worlds.

"Your past life" Liz stated simple in question form.

His silence answered her question.

"How long have you been here?" Max asked her, he was worried about her and that made her smile. "Have you slept?"

"Max..."

"Liz" Max interupted softly, "You should rest, for as you can clearly see, I am fine"

"Max, I don't want to leave you" Liz said quickly horror stuck at the thought.

Michael, Max called out in his mind, senting a thelapath message through the air. It wasn't long before the door opened and Michael walked in followed by Isabel.

"Max" Isabel called out breathless quickly making her way to Max's side. Liz stood up and allowed Isabel to take her place. Max smiled, above all Isabel was his world and noone would matter the way she did.

"I am fine, Izzy" Max answered the unspoken question, "Have I not promised nothing would happen to me"

Isabel wiped a tear, taking his brother's hands into her own. Just contend with the fact that he was alife at the moment though concerned at his ealier actions.

"Michael" Max called out to his friend, who was waiting attentively, Rath, Max thought out. Michael looked at him uncertain that he was Max. Now that he had Zan's memories that did not mean Michael had to answer to the name Rath at that point right. Michael had a feeling that things were about to get interesting, even more so than before.

"Michael, make sure Liz gets home safely" Max said loudly, then telepathically, she needs rest. Max said his thoughts outloud turning to Liz, "get some sleep, please"