Max entered the Crashdown with flowers in his hand. He smiled when he saw Maria wiping down the counter. She waved at him as he approached her.

"Hey,…" He handed her the flowers. "What time do you get off?" He asked as he took a seat at the bar.

"Late." A scorned voice said as it approached them.

Max and Maria looked over to see Liz.

"I'm schedule to get off in half an hour." Maria snapped.

"Yeah, well I changed it." She gave Maria a stern look and returned to the kitchen area.

Maria dropped her head. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I'll wait." He stood up and leaned across the counter. "I'll wait for you at the park. Okay."

Maria once again smiled. She had longed for a love like this since she was five and now her prince stood before her. "Okay." She waved bye as he left the café.

Liz walked over to Michael in the kitchen who had been watching the whole thing. His heart breaking and his stomach nauseated.

"Great job." He looked down at her.

"Just one of many." She grinned a she slapped him on the ass as she walked away.

--

"Okay, spill it." Isabel said as she took a bottle of water from the fridge and turned to Max.

"What's to spill?"

"I haven't seen you smile like that since,… well never." She hopped up on the counter. "Are you and Liz back together?"

Max took a bite of his apple. "Let's just say that I've found the girl I've been searching for."

Isabel raised her left eye brow at her brother. "Is it Tess?"

Max laughed. "No."

"Then who is it?"

Max hesitated a moment. He knew that Isabel hadn't really ever been on the Maria band wagon. She always thought she was weird and geeky not to mention clumsy. But he knew the true Maria. The one that over came and sacrificed so much for them. "Maria."

Isabel spit her water out Spraying Max. "Your kidding."

Max begin to wipe off his shirt with a hand towel. "I love her. I want to be with her."

Isabel stood up and walked over to Max. "I didn't see this coming."

"I always knew that there was something special about her. I just never knew what it was. But I feel like the pieces of the puzzle that is Max Evans is found and placed exactly where they need to be and it's because of her."

Isabel reached out and pulled her bother in for a hug. "If she is who you love, then I'm happy for you." She stepped back keeping him at arms length. "Maria has a good heart. I know I give her a lot of grieve and just because your dating doesn't mean that's gonna change. But I know she'll treat you with respect and that's all I ask."

"What's all you can ask?" Michael said as he entered the kitchen.

Isabel looked at Max who nodded for her to leave. "I talk to you later." She started towards her room. "Michael,…" She said as she brushed by him.

"Michael, what are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same question." He crossed his arms.

Max grinned. "I live here."

"You can make jokes all you want, Max,… but this thing that you and Maria have it isn't real. It's a joke. It'll never work."

Max look turned offensive. "I beg to differ, Michael."

"You know that the two of you never would have hooked up if it wasn't for me and Liz. Your with Maria to get revenge at me and you know it."

"Your wrong." He said as he walked around the counter to get into Michael's space. "I love her."

Michael laughed. "Sure. If that's what you truly believe."

Max balled his hand into a fist. "I've stood and watched you hurt her over and over again. I've been the one she came to crying when you told her you loved her to much to ever hurt her, not knowing that you were killing her. I've sat quietly for too long, Michael. Too long. You have Liz now… and you need to leave Maria and me alone. Let us be happy like we stepped aside to let you and Liz."

Michael turned to walk away, he paused at the door. "I hope you know what your doing." He turned and left.

--

Maria sat on the top of the picnic table waiting on Max to arrive. She looked up when she heard the leaves crumble beneath someone's feet. She stood up when she saw Liz. "Liz, what are you doing here?"

"I over heard Max saying that he was going to meet you here. I was hoping that we could talk before he arrives."

Maria looked away and then quickly turned her attention back to Liz. "What's on your mind?"

Liz took a seat on the table. "I hate being like this. I hate not having you to turn to when I need to talk. I want you to know that I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I hurt you. I should have told you about Michael and me."

Maria twisted the toe of her shoe in the gravel. "You should have. I called you a hundred times and you never once mentioned him even being there."

"I know. I didn't want to hurt you."

"It wouldn't have been so bad if you told me the truth, Liz."

Liz stood up. "I hope that you and Max are happy. I hope that he loves you the way that you deserve to be." She walked closer to Maria getting on her tip toes to whispher in Maria's ears. "Just know that when he's with you… it's me he's dreaming of. And you'll never be me."

A tear filled Maria's eyes. She looked at Liz with disbelieve. Liz walked away as Max approached Maria. He walked up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders.

"Sorry I'm late, what was Liz doing here?" Max said.

Maria felt week in the knees. She turned to Max with tears in her eyes. "Is it true?"

"Is what true?" He asked concerned.

"I'm so stupid. I can't believe I fell for this."

"What are you talking about? Maria, your scaring me."

"You didn't make love to me,… you made love to Liz. You've been thinking of her this whole time and I was blinded by that sparkle in your eyes. How could I be so stupid?"

Max grabbed her by the arm. "I don't know what Liz said, but you're the only one I see, Maria."

Maria pushed him away. "This isn't gonna work, Max."

"Maria,…"

"I have to go." She ran over to her car and slammed the door as she got in.

Max sat down on the table with tears in his eyes as she squealed away.

--

Liz sat on her balcony at her house. She was writing in her journal about how she and Michael had dreamed up the plan to push Max and Maria away so they could gather their thoughts and how it all backfired on them when they fell in love. She didn't notice as Max climbed over the side wall.

"What are you writing,…"

Liz jumped at the sound of Max's voice. She closed the book and stood up. "Max,…"

"… I don't know what your's and Michael's problem is. I mean you come home with a secret as big as the world and you expect Maria and I to just deal with it. And when we realize that the friendship we have has grown into something so amazing and so beautiful you try to break it up. I thought I knew you better than that. But I was mistaken. I was dim-witted. But I can see clearly now… and mark my word if you ever try to hurt Maria or come between us… I wont hesitate one moment to bring your world crashing down around you." He grabbed Liz by the arms and shoved her against the brick wall. "Do I make myself clear?

Liz had begun to shake. She had never seen this side of Max before. "Yes."

He let go of her and turned to walk away.

"Max,…"

He paused and turned to her.

"Do you really love her? Tell me that's it's real love and your not trying to get back at Michael and me."

"She's my destiny. It's written in the stars."

"So,… what was I?"

Max walked over to Liz. "You were the light to show me the way."