The next couple of weeks passed slowly for Liz. She was more confused than ever on how she felt about Michael. She tried not to think about it and focused on the matter at hand.

Max had knocked on her door not 2 minutes ago, asking her to meet her in the main house for a meeting. The group hadn't had a meeting in a long time, especially one called by Max. She didn't know if the others would be there since none were speaking to him yet.

Things had gotten worse in the house since Max announced and Serena were together. She winced at the thought. A stab of betrayal from her ex-fiancé and friend crossed her heart.

She put her shoes on and decided to head over. Something huge must have happened for Max to call a meeting with people he knew disliked him at the moment.

When she arrived, she saw Kyle and Ava already sitting on the couch. Serena sat on a chair not to far from where Max was standing.

"I will not sit in a room with her!" Isabel's hard icy voice came in loud and clear. She was glaring at Serena with the most hateful eyes.

Liz closed her eyes and tried to calm herself. She loved Isabel for standing by her but she wanted for all of it to be over. She hated seeing Serena around the house. Every time she saw her the first thought that entered her mind was, "Did you sleep with Max while we were still together?" An answer which she didn't care to know. She knew she deserved better but the thought of being lied to and betrayed to was too much for her.

"Izz, please sit down. This won't take long." Max sounded mad but still he pleaded to his sister. "Serena is sitting. She isn't doing anything to you and she's not saying anything to you."

"That's because she knows what she did was wrong! If she opened her mouth it'd make it worse and she knows it!" Isabel snarled.

Liz knew it was time for her to make her presence known. "Isabel please…let's just get this over with." Liz walked over to Isabel and sat on the couch.

"Make this fast. I don't want to be here." Isabel sat next to her reluctantly.

"Where's Michael?" Max looked around.

Frankly, Liz thought Max should be happy Michael hadn't shown up. Michael had huffed around all week pushing Max anyway he knew how, itching, trying to make him say something, do something. He was looking for a reason to punch Max out.

"He feels like I do." Isabel stated. "Make it quick, Max."

"Michael should really be here." Max looked upset Michael wasn't present.

"I'll get him." Liz volunteered, getting up.

"I'm here sweetie, sit back down."

Michael was the only one to see Max's jaw tighten when he'd called Liz sweetie.

Liz smiled at Michael, grateful he was being a man about this. He was being the bigger person. Michael had caught her smile and returned it.

He sat next to Isabel and put his arm behind Isabel to reach her. He was surprised to find Liz's hand waiting for his.

"Max, I think you should start now." Kyle spoke which brought Liz and Michael back to the present.

Max cleared his throat. "I know you're all mad at me and I know that you all think I've changed. But—"

Michael laughed. "You haven't changed Maxwell; you've always been a heartless bastard. We just never thought you'd got this far or ever get to the point of hurting Liz like you did."

"Oh, I've always been a heartless bastard?! And compared to me, what have you been?! A saint?!"

"Can we please get back to what you want?" Liz was getting very irritated with Max for snapping at Michael, making it seem like he was better.

Max turned away from Michael and finally sat down. "I wanted all of us to stay together. I thought we'd be safer like that but it isn't working out. Most of you don't even like looking at me. So, Serena and I are moving out."

"Perfect you're going to go play house somewhere else and make it official." Isabel's hard voice was back. "Well, Serena, you must be a pretty good lay for Max here to leave his kingdom."

Serena got up so fast and slapped Isabel across the face, that nobody had a chance to stop her.

Isabel was fast to jump up but Liz and Michael were right behind her. Michael was trying to stop Isabel, while Liz was trying to get at Serena.

"Shut the fuck up Isabel!" Serena sneered.

"You stupid bitch!" Liz tackled Serena but before she could do anything, Max was pulling her off.

Michael had his arms around her in seconds. She didn't have to see him to know it was him. She knew by the feel of his arms and the scent of his body.

"Get her the hell out of my house." Liz pointed at Serena while Max helped her up.

She turned and started to walk out.

"Liz—" Max called after her.

"Max, get the fuck out!" Michael's voice had never been so hateful.

Behind her, Liz could here Ava and Kyle arguing with Max about Serena. She heard Serena argue back.

When Liz reached the hall, she punched the wall to calm herself. "The nerve of her! To slap Isabel and then cuss at her. She's lucky I didn't rip her head off."

"Sweetie, stop punching the wall. Here, let me look at you're hand." Michael's voice was now soft and caring.

As she turned, she saw Isabel pass her in a rush. "Where are you going?" Liz called after Isabel.

Isabel stopped half way up the stairs. "Helping them pack!" Then, she turned and continued her way up to Max's room.

Liz couldn't help but smile.

Michael was healing her hand, to which she smiled again. "You know, I could have done that?"

Michael nodded. "I know but I like making you better. I like knowing I had a part in you being ok."

Again, Liz smiled. "You're a dork." She turned and headed for the door. "You coming?" She asked over her shoulder.

She knew her answer without his words. "My car this time." She declared grabbing her car keys.

It was a sunny day, a great day to spend at the park, she decided.

They both reached Dynasty and Michael asked, "Park or zoo?"

"I was thinking park but zoo sounds fun." She answered as she got it the car.
FLASH

"Mommy! Jr. zapping me!"

"Jr. leave you're sister alone."

Liz was sitting on the driver's seat. Her 5 year old son was in the back seat and to his left, was her 3 year old daughter.

"Fine." Jr. folded his arms in front of him and looked out the window.

"If I have to tell either of you to stop again, I'm turning this car around and don't think I won't."

"But Daddy waiting, Mommy." Her daughter spoke.

"Yes but he won't be happy to hear that you're both fighting again." Just then, the baby kicked. "Hey, hey. That goes for you too buddy." She touched her growing tummy.

"Mommy, baby brother kicking you?"

"Yes."

"Boys mean."

"Yeah, well you're whinny." Jr said defensively.

"Are we turning this car around?" She asked them.

"No Mommy." Both said at the same time, calming down.
END FLASH
Liz felt tears sting her eyes. She started hitting the steering wheel in anger.

"Liz! Liz!" Michael was grabbing her hands to stop her. "What's wrong? What did you see?"

She was angry with her gift for showing her things she could do nothing about. For things she could not have.

"I hate it! Why?! Why show me images of the children that I can't have?! Of the children who are no longer possible?" She cried and fell against Michael.

"Sshh, Liz. It's ok." He tried to comfort her.

"No it's not, Michael. You should have seen them. They're so cute. So bratty but beautiful. I love them. I don't know them but I feel the love. I want them as much as they want me. And they love their Daddy! And—"

"Liz, look at me. Calm down and look at me."

Liz wiped her tears and looked into Michael's eyes.

"All you're flashes have come true so far. I promise you this one will too. Fuck Max. These kids are not his. You would have recognized their characteristics. They'd all be stuck up bastards. Your kids, the ones from the future, will have a loving father. Their father will be a good man and will do right by you. Are you listening to me? Max is not these kids father. He won't be around to make you miserable."

Liz went over that in her head a couple of times before nodding. She tried calming down but the only thought running through her head was, "Jr. was about 5 which means I have to meet his father this year." But that thought only brought up more questions. How could I fall in love with someone so quickly and have a baby just as quickly? She wasn't that girl. It took her time to trust people, and even more time to fall in love.

"Liz do you still want to go?" Michael asked bringing her back to the present.

"Yea, sorry. Let's go." She turned on the car and back out of the driveway. She turned and shook her head. "Michael, seat belt."

Michael rolled his eyes and grabbed for the seat belt.

As her car hit the street, Max came out and stared at her. His eyes burned into hers. She could see he didn't want her leaving.

She put the car into drive and drove off without looking back. "Asshole. Who does he think he is?"

"He wants control, Liz. He lost all of it and he thinks he can still order you around."

"Yea well he can order Serena around now. I'm over his all mighty king complex." She turned on the radio and changed the subject.

"What are we gonna see first today?" She asked.

"I picked last time. Remember? This time it's your call."

She thought about it for a bit but before she could tell Michael her answer, he chuckled at her.

"What? What's so funny?"

"You."

"Why am I so funny?"

"I like how you pretend to think about what you want to see. You're so predictable. We both know what you're thinking of."

"Oh, yea. And what's that?" If he says lions and tigers, he knows me too well.

"You're angry and want to rip someone apart. You want to see the lions and the tigers. When you're calm, you want to see the all the birds. If you're excited, you want to see elephants, zebras, and the giraffes."

Liz looked at Michael. She was truly awed by how good he knew her. She'd known they were close and that they could finish each others sentences. She knew what he was thinking and how he felt about most everything. But it wasn't until now what she understood it all. It wasn't until now that she knew she loved Michael. Not only loved him because he was her best friend, but was in love with him. He was the man she'd been waiting for. He was the man that would let her stand on her own two feet, respect her and love her. She didn't need him to lean on, and he didn't want her to. He wanted her to be herself and love it. She wanted to be that for him too. He was everything she wanted in love and she would never understand why it had taken her so long to see it.

More than anything, she wanted to tell him. She opened her mouth to tell him, right then and there.

"Liz if you're trying to confuse me, then you're doing an awesome job. Because I have no clue as to what you want to see or what you're thinking."

Liz laughed with tears in her eyes.

She drove in silence and led them to their spot. To the spot where they watched the stars and where they talked. To the spot only they went to and knew about.

"Liz, you totally missed the exit."

Liz continued her silence and when she did sneak peeks at Michael, she saw his confusion.

She finally reached the spot and parked.

"I thought you wanted to go to the zoo?" Michael climbed out.

Liz, opened her door, climbed out of her seat and closed the door behind her. It wasn't until she met Michael by the front of the car that it hit her that he might not feel the same way and she could ruin their friendship.

She bit her lip. What am I thinking? Maria hadn't been dead 2 months. Max and I split not even a month ago. Was she really willing to ruin everything by letting him know how she felt?

But if I don't tell him, I'll retreat and he will notice. I'm going to push him away one way or another. If I tell him, then he'll know why I'm changing. Grow some balls and tell him. I have to say it. If I didn't I wouldn't stay true to myself like he wants me to and I will be back to being the old Liz Parker, the one Max walks all over.

"Liz, you're really freaking me out. What's going on? Talk to me please." The look on his eyes tore her apart in the inside.

She took a deep breath and said, "I love you."

Time stopped for Liz. She didn't know how long they were both quiet. She didn't know what to think.

Michael only started at Liz. Liz didn't know he was thinking he'd heard wrong. Liz, his Liz, the Liz he was madly in love with had just said, "I love you."

Time had stopped time not only for Liz but for Michael as well.

Then, came an, "I love you too, Liz."

Tears fell faster than Liz knew she could produce them. She half laughed, half cried as he took her into his arms and hugged her tight.

Michael held Liz so tight; he thought he'd break her tiny frame. He pulled back, slipped a hand on her neck and behind her ear and pulled her into a deep kiss.

Both of them felt a connection almost instantly. They could feel the love for each other. He felt how she came about realizing her love for him and how she'd felt towards him in the past weeks. And she could feel how long he'd loved her. She was the only one he really had ever torn all his walls for.

They didn't have to talk about what was going on. They could hear each others thoughts and looked into each other's past days to see the each other through the others eyes.

"Wow." Seemed to be the only word to explain what she'd just seen.

Michael led her to a stop under a tree. They were both quiet after they sat. Neither really knew what to say after what they'd just gone through.

What're we going to do? She honestly didn't know where to go with this.

"Liz, I can't be without you. Please tell me after this, there is no you or me but an us."

Liz looked up confused. Did I say that out loud?

Michael chuckled. No you thought it. I guess the connection we made back there is still open. I can hear everything you're thinking, how you're feeling.

Michael, I want to be with you. I love you, I do. But you know we can't tell everyone just yet. She saw the doubt and sadness in his eyes. Stop it, Michael. I am not ashamed of our love or of you. But don't you think it's too soon. Max and I were engaged not even a month ago. Maria hasn't been dead 2 months. She was my best friend.

Maria and I were having problems long before she died. We fought, did I tell you, the day she died? We decided to get a divorce. We both knew it was over. We were going to set everything up and tell you the next day. Before she left, she told me that we don't choose who we love. She said she didn't want me to get hurt. She knew I loved you, before I even know, she knew. She said you were engaged and that you'd get over the problems you were having with Max.

She must have hated me. Knowing her husband was in love with her best friend. Oh, God and she died hating me. Liz wanted to puke. The very thought of Maria feeling like that made her sick to her stomach.

She didn't hate you Liz. Maria and I, our love for each other was dead. Like she said, we don't choose who we love and that's why she didn't hate you. It wasn't in my control.

Liz shook her head. She couldn't believe it. Still, they won't understand that, Michael. They love us, I know and they want us to be happy but I know that no matter how mad they are at Max, they still will have that question of how long it's been going on. Max and I were engaged for God's sake. You just lost your wife.

Who I didn't love anymore. I wife I was divorcing. Maria was a friend, nothing else.

They don't know that. Still, I was with Max.

Max! The man who left you and took off with another woman minutes after he called of your wedding! Liz, he didn't care, why should you?!

"Michael! I care. He could do what he goddamn likes but I'm nothing like him. I won't have them look at me like they do him. I love you but I can't bare to see them look at me that way."

Michael calmed and hugged her. "I'm sorry, love. I just don't want to hide this. I'm so happy and I want to share it with everyone I know. I'm sorry I said what I did, it wasn't right."

"I love you Michael and I know you. You didn't say it to hurt me. You said it because you were mad at Max. I just don't think it's the right time right now to let the others know."

He finally nodded.

"Nice first disagreement. You didn't even blow up anything." She joked.

He smiled before pulling her into him to kiss her. Screw everything else. I don't care how you want to do this. As long as we do this, that's all I care about. God I love the feel of your lips.

My lips are not the only thing you're feeling. She kissed him hungrily.

He smiled against her lips. Do you mind?

Hell no! Keep touching.

Both their hands wondered.

Liz's hands roamed over Michael's back and finally settled on the inside of his pants on his ass cheeks.

Meanwhile, Michael steadied Liz head with a hand behind her ear and the other, he ran over her shoulder, her stomach and then finally her breast.

As she squeezed his cheeks, he did the same on her breast.

They were both unsteady as they both lost it and started pulling on the others clothes. There was too much between them. They had to be skin to skin. Nothing else mattered at the moment but the feel of each other.

When they were both nude, they kissed almost like animals. They were both hungry for the other.

Michael reached between them and pressed his fingers against Liz's clit and was amazed to feel she was already wet and waiting for him. She opened herself to him and pressed harder on his hand.

"Mi—Michael." She raised her hips to him and went to touch him, finding him already hard as a rock. She stroked him from top to bottom and back again, finally squeezing.

"God, Liz. Stop or I'm gonna cum all over your hand."

He pushed her hand away almost hating himself because her hand felt so good. But right now, he only wanted to be inside her.

Michael positioned himself at her entrance and met Liz's eyes. He nearly came when she took him in.

"Fuck." He groaned.

They sat a quick pace. They couldn't be too close, too deep. Even when she called for him to come harder, it wasn't enough for them.

Liz had maneuvered her legs to go around him. He grabbed her knees and she straightened her legs. Michael brought her legs over his head and slowed his movement.

"No, no." Liz moaned wanting to go faster.

It took all his strength not to pick up the rhythm again when she groaned like that. He continued his soft, slow movements that made Liz cry out louder.

"Michael! Oh, my GOD! Right there!"

Liz saw stars. Michael was rubbing right on g-spot ever so slowly. Her toes curled and she tightened around him.

"I'm coming Michael. I'm coming. Come with me."

"Liz!" Michael felt Liz cum and as soon as he felt her, he released but didn't stop. Finally after their pleasure subsided, he pulled out.

Liz groaned. "Can't you stay in me from now on? I feel empty without you."

Michael brought her closer to his body and cuddled with her. He kissed the top of her head and said, "It'd be a little uncomfortable to walk around like that all day. And it'd be a dead giveaway of what we're doing."

Liz giggled. She kissed his chest and exhaled. This was her life now. Her and Michael. That's all she needed. "You really don't hate me for wanting this between us for the moment."

"Love, as long as we're together, I don't care how you want to do this. I love you. If you feel more comfortable having to do it like this for a while, it doesn't bother me. When the time comes, we'll tell the others."

"I love you, Michael Guerin."

"I love you, Liz Parker."

God! This is going to be hard. As soon as we get home, we have to pretend nothings going on. I know every time you come into a room, I'm going to want to jump on you and ravish you and I won't be able to. You're going to drive me insane aren't you?

Michael chuckled. You know me too well.

Again, Liz groaned, although it was a totally different groan than she'd made minutes before.