realizations and ...

Heavy rain poured out the dark clouds, soaking them. Liz and Michael could practically feel the spark between them. The awakening of emotions that should-be unfamiliar, but were far from it. Lingering in the air, pulling them towards each other.

Thunder struck trough the night, lightning brightened the sky, bringing them out of their daze, reality set in. Quivering from the sudden cold, wet clothes clung to their bodies, like a second skin.

After they hurried back inside, Liz grabbed some towels to dry off. Both unaware of the surroundings, they drifted closer, as if they were drawn together. Her arm brushed against his, sending a wave of emotion through them. Feeling the connection again as the memories faintly flickered in their minds, they gazed into each other's eyes. When Liz felt his breath on her lips, she moved in closer until they were just inches apart. Closing the space them, Michael pressed his lips upon hers in a soft kiss.

As soon as their lips meet, flashes were playing behind their eyelids. Both could feel the brief electric shock, that went through them. Lightning and thunder rang through the night once again causing them to jump apart. Confused about what just took place, both Liz and Michael took a step back.

"We need ge out of these clothes." Liz said shivering, not sure if it was from wearing the wet fabric or the kiss. Maybe it was him. His shirt was so tight, she could see his sharp shaped muscles. His wet hair dripped down his hot body. All she wanted right now was to feel him against her.

"Right." Michael said trying not to look at her. Her hard nipples peeked through her wet shirt, showing off her beautiful breasts. Her lips were slightly swollen from the kiss. She looked so damn sexy, he just wanted to rip her clothes off.

Feeling their arousal, Michael and Liz needed to get away from the other. Both afraid of what could happen, if they didn't. Nor were they sure what they might be capable of. Scared that the lust they felt for one another would take them over.

Grabbing some dry clothes, Liz entered her bathroom. Michael made his way downstairs, luckily he had a spare in his locker.

After spending their time with Liz and Michael all afternoon, Kyle and Tess were ready to go home. Or so they thought, but luck wasn't on their site, at all. When they came back down Maria and Max were waiting for them, bombarding them with questions. Kyle kept on quoting buddha until they finally gave up. By that time Tess was so stressed out she wanted to strangle them. As if that wasn't bad enough, it started to rain which of course turned into a light storm, trapping them inside with everyone.

Watching the raindrops sliding down the windows, music softly played in the background. Kyle and Tess were sitting at the counter talking when they saw Michael in break room.

Changing out of his wet clothes, Michael notice the lights were still on. Before he had a chance to investigate, Kyle came through the door.

"Jo Guerin."

"Valenti? What are you still doing here?"

"Funny story," looking over his shoulder "or not. Let's just say the alien club is meeting."

Walking towards the door, he saw Max, Maria, Isabel and Alex. "What the ...?"

"I just wanted to warn you."

"Thanks for the heads-up."

Kyle filled him in on the Max, Maria interrogation he and Tess had gone through earlier. All the questions about what they were doing. Why Liz had invited Tess. What did they say etc. Even as he was telling Michael all this, Kyle could feel his anger rising again. So he took he deep breath to calm himself. Michael let him know he would inform Liz and that they would be down shortly.

Just as Liz came out the bathroom, Michael came through the door.

"Hey."

"Hey."

Both, slightly uncomfortable with the situation, couldn't resist stepping closer to one another. The needed to feel each other's lips again. Breathing in the fresh smell of roses, Michael's hand cupped the side of her face. Liz stood frozen, all she could concentrate on were his lips as they came closer. Michael let his lips linger upon hers, only an inch part, waiting for her to make the last move. When Liz realized what he was waiting for she closed the distance between them. Her arms went around to his back, pulling him closer.

"You two coming or ... wow.." Kyle stopped mind sentence. "Sorry."

"Kyle?" Liz asked surprised as she pulled away.

Kyle, who was clearly very uncomfortable mumbled his apology once more. Liz and Michael tried to hide their smile's.

"Alright then. I just go ... to the other's. Later." leaving them alone.

"Wait other's?" Liz asked perplexed.

"That's actually why I came up here." his facial expression turned serious.

"Huh?" Liz seemed confused.

"To tell you that they all downstairs." He knew that wasn't what was on her mind.

Shaking her head. "Right."

Liz and Michael both knew they needed to talk about the kiss, but right now they had other problems to worry about. It was different this time tho, there was no awkward silence or the need to run from each other.

A few minutes later Michael and Liz joined the rest of their friends. Tess and Kyle had already been waiting impatiently for them, since Maria and Max seemed to have picked up the question game again. Max ignored Tess as soon as Liz came in. When he mad is way over to her, Liz received a concerned look from her friends.

"It's ok guys. I should talk to him." Liz said with a reassuring smiling.

"Liz can we talk?"

"Sure."

Liz followed Max into the break room. Standing in complete silence, Max kept shifting uncomfortably, while Liz was trying to figure out what to say to him. Unsure how he should start the conversation, Max said the first thing that came to mind.

"I've missed you."

"I know." Liz answered softly.

"That's it?" he asked disappointed.

"What do you want me to say?"

"How about I've missed you too, Max."

"So you want me to lie to you?" Liz asked him honestly.

"No of course not. What happened to you? You're different."

"Why thank you." she answered sarcastically.

"I love you, Liz."

"Don't." she shook her head.

"You and I belong together, we're soul-mates."

"Max. I don't love you anymore, I'm sorry."

"Don't say that, please. I know you, deep down you still love me. I know you only saying it, because of all this destiny crap." He stepped closer to her, taking her hands in his.

"Listen to me. I don't love Tess and I don't want to be with her no matter what. I only want you. I only love you." Tears formed in his eyes as he desperately pleaded his love to her.

Liz withdraw her hands from his and stepped back. For some unknown reason being near him, had caused her physical pain all of a sudden. First she thought she imagined it. But it got worse the seconde their skin made contact.

"I'm sorry Max, I really am. I never meant to hurt you, you saved my life. And you're right. I broke-up with you, because of destiny and Tess. I also had a lot of time to think about everything. As much as I love you, I'm not in love with you anymore. I'm sorry."

"You keep saying that, but Liz, I love you. I can't just press a button and not be in love with you anymore."

"I know that, but at the same time I don't want to have to pretend with you. You deserve better than, that. I deserve better than, that."

"Thank you for being honest with me." he said before giving her a kiss on the cheek. Liz bit down on her lip, to prevent herself from screaming.

"But I'm not giving up just yet."

As soon as Max was out the door, Liz sighed in relief. She could taste the blood on her lip. Slowly the pain she felt from being near him faded away. Why couldn't life be simple for once?

The rain outside seem to loosen up a bit, but the wind was still blowing strongly enough for them to stay put a while longer. Questioning herself if she should rejoin her friends or not, Liz took a seat on the couch, drifting into thoughts.

Growing concerned the more time passed, Michael decided to check on her, ignoring Maria's nagging question. Max and Isabel looked after him questioningly. Kyle and Tess followed him, but stopped at the counter so they could keep an eye on them.

A fainted notice of thunder rang out in the background. Liz felt her body relaxing as soon as Michael had sat down beside her. She debated with herself, if she should tell him about the psychical pain she had endured earlier or if she rather breach the subject of the kiss. Liz turned her head and looked at Michael, who looked concerned.

"I'm ok. I just needed some time to myself."

"You want to talk about it?" he asked in a low voice, but Liz shook her head.

Michael put an arm around her shoulder, drawing her in closer. Bowing his head down, he leaned his forehead against hers. Their lips just inches apart. The moment between them showed so much compassion and respect for each other. To outsiders however they looked like two people in love.

Kyle and Tess were smiling happily. Max had watched them with interest and wondered what was going on in there. Maria eyed him suspiciously. Not listening anymore to what Isabel and Alex said, Max got up from his seat. Opening the door he stopped dead in his tracks causing Maria to bump into him.

Reviews as always are very appreciated. Also thank you DreamBubbles for your review.