A/N- I don't own anything but this story idea. The characters are not mine.
Chapter 5- Letting Go Part 2.
Meanwhile, Max was in Michael's room while Michael and Liz were talking, sat on the bed in shock. His phone rang. ''Hello, Isabel are you ok? Yeah, I'm fine, what was that? Jesse and you are going to Boston for a job. That's great Is. You want me to go. Sure I will, I'll let Michael know. Oh, it's just me. Sure, I'll let him know I'm going. Be back in a minute.'' He put the phone down and quietly entered the main room.
Michael and Liz were just staring at each other in shock at her words when Max walked back in. Liz had a plan and put it into action. Squeezing his hand with a mental plea for him to trust her and at his nod, she acted, sitting up. ''Hello Max, what is it now?'' Max
blinked, he thought he'd been quiet. Michael looked up at him. His wall was in place. ''Isabel called. She and Jesse have invited me to Boston with them tonight. They are waiting on my answer now.'' Liz's hand left his, as she answered for both of them. ''Max, GO.'' She put her hand up to stop his protests. She sighed. ''Max, please just trust me now. Go to Boston, stay a while. Take a holiday. Get Isabel and Jesse to have a second honeymoon there if you can. Enjoy it. Let your parents know on the way I'll get your work.''
Max was surprised. Michael had guessed what she was doing. She had a plan and this would work. He squeezed her hand to let her know he approved. Liz smiled. Her voice pleading with Max to go, she continued ''Max, just trust me please, go and promise me you'll enjoy it? You might even find a way to get to your son.'' She'd played her trump card and Max fell for it, no matter how much it had cost her to use. He nodded. ''Good.''
She made it even easier for him. ''From this point on, we are no longer linked. I'm not your first interest anymore, your son is. Go, find him and try not to get killed in the process please?'' Max smiled. ''I promise.'' With that, he went and let Isabel know. Michael just groaned. Max was officially an idiot. Liz was a treasure and Max had just thrown her away for his son.
Her wording got his attention then. She'd spoken to Maria. He watched her face looking for a clue.
Liz remembered Maria. She was in danger too. So was Liz but she had to stay now to make her own plan work. Michael was right this time. ''Where's my phone?'' ''Here.'' Michael handed it to her, she smiled her thanks while dialing. Maria picked up. ''Maria, it's me.'' Maria was rambling. ''Liz, are you ok?'' Liz sighed. He blinked, he wasn't the only one then. ''Maria, listen to me, it's alien related.'' Maria shut up. Michael's eyebrow quirked. He saw her whisper it was a code word to him. He nodded. ''Right Ria, just listen to me. I want you to go to New York, give this a demo a chance. If it doesn't work, stay put. Enjoy New York, have a holiday, catch up with Billy. Go shopping. Be a tourist, just stay put. Please?'' It was a plea for Maria to listen and not argue.
Maria knew what that meant. Danger. ''How much danger am I in?'' ''Potentially a lot'' was her answer. ''What about you?'' ''I'm staying in Roswell, I'm not going to the academy now. It's too risky.'' Her tone said a lot of what she wasn't saying. 'Something bad could happen there, don't go there.' ''Ok.'' ''Good, thank you for listening Maria. That helps a lot'' She breathed a sigh of relief. ''I'm fine now, tired but fine. My powers are balanced out with my body now. Yes, he did heal me in the end. I refused to let Max do it. We broke up, for good this time. Relax, I'll be fine. Sure. I'll pass it over.'' She handed the phone to him ''Maria wants to talk to you.''
He nodded and took the phone. Bracing himself, he answered. ''Hi Maria, yes I did. Yes, Liz is fine, she'll be ok. How bad was the break up? Fine.'' He'd seen Liz's face at the words 'break up' and covered for her. ''You're welcome. Enjoy New York. I hope it works out for you. Sure. Bye Maria'' He handed the phone back with a look to tell him her plan later on. 'Fine' she thought with her hand out. ''Ria, are you happy now? Good. Well night. Bye, call me when you arrive.'' After Maria wished her and Michael good luck, she hung up. ''Well that's done.'' ''You're not going to the academy.'' Michael said it as a statement of fact. Liz confirmed it. ''No, it's too risky, besides I'll be needed here for this plan to work.''
Max had confirmed to Isabel he was going with them and packed. There was a beep outside. Max came out. He questioned her. ''Are you sure?'' ''Yes, go.'' ''Ok. Michael, look after her.'' He nodded. Max smiled and knelt to hug Liz. He whispered ''I'm sorry'' in her ear while she cut herself off from their connection. ''I know, I am too'' she told him, as he realised what she'd done. They shared a sad smile. ''Go'' she told him and with a kiss on her cheek of thanks and a last look, he walked out of her life. She was free. He jumped into the car. Liz smiled. It was over.
One last bit to go. Isabel and Jesse. As she guessed, they walked in to say good bye to were surprised to see Liz. Jesse more than Isabel. ''Liz, are you ok?'' Jesse asked her. ''I'm fine now. I'm done with a bug and fainted on Michael. He brought me back here to keep an eye on me. My dad knows I'm here.'' They nodded. Isabel's eyes widening slightly as Michael showed her with his hand her 'bug' and nodded in understanding. Now wonder she'd fainted. Then Liz acted. Michael realised what she was about to do was part of her plan, so went along with it.
''Isabel, since your first honeymoon was a bit different, why don't after checking out this job, you and Jesse stay in Boston for a second one? Max can book into a hotel separately and have some fun of his own. Maybe even do some research.'' Her hands drifted up at the word 'research' and Isabel caught on. ''Sure, that's a great idea, what do you think darling?'' she asked Jesse, hiding her smile, as Liz disguised her seemly meaningless hand gestures by rearranging her hair. Jesse agreed with the plan. Liz grinned. He'd thought of that already.
They had got lucky with Jesse. He asked about Max. '''Max can take a holiday in a different hotel for a week. I'll get his work.'' She grinned. ''I'll be fine, now go and enjoy it.'' She and Michael had hugs from both of them and they left, with Isabel being dragged out of the door by Jesse, who winked at Liz. She grinned with a wink back at him and a smile of thanks. Then they were gone and driving away.
Michael thought it through. In one night, they had got the main people hurt to safety including Liz, though she was debatable right now. He needed her plan. They both needed sleep too. Liz helped him out. ''When you go in with the Sheriff, bring someone with you. Just not me. Someone else, who wants to help and not Kyle.'' He looked at her, more than a bit surprised. She shrugged. ''I dreamt a lot when I was out.'' ''What about you? Are you safe?'' The questions were cautiously asked by a highly concerned Michael. She chewed her lip in thought. ''I should be.'' He was unconvinced and crossed his arms with a look of 'really'. He sighed in frustration at her statement. ''Meaning...'' Her tidbit of her plan wasn't good enough. They stared each other out, daring the other to give up first. Liz lost. She chewed her lip, trying to figure out how to answer him.
Finally she looked at him, letting her wall down. She ensured all her secrets were safely behind the shield first. She had decided to show him her plan instead. Her hand started to glow green when their connection was finally made. 'How about I show you, then we can sleep?'' She was tired and frustrated herself. She watched him scratch his eyebrow in thought.
He had made a decision. His face showed his resolve as his hand went to her. She meet him halfway with her hand. 'Fine, show me.' It was a command. Closing her eyes, she focused her plan in her mind and sent it to him. The result was surprising to them both. With both their eyes closed and their minds opened, they ended up on a joint dream plain.
Michael opened his eyes first. 'What the hell!' Liz blinked her eyes open and looked around. Her jaw dropped. 'How is this even possible awake, this is a dream plain, what the... this is scientifically impossible, this is amazing, this is incredible. How much can it be controlled?' Her ramble was giving him a headache. Sure it was surreal but still... then he groaned. He hadn't nicknamed her 'Little Miss Scientist' for nothing. She had just lived up to it...again.
Liz spun around at his groan. 'Sorry but this is fascinating.' She focused, she needed a movie screen to show him her plan and waved her hand, thought a bit more and included 2 seats, drinks and popcorn just for the fun of it. After she made sure there were speakers in place, she nodded with a grin on her face and dropped her hand. She gestured at him to have a seat, sitting down herself. 'Well, what do you think? Popcorn?' Instantly, it was covered in hot sauce. Michael just shrugged in surprise at her. He had thought she was plain, calm and so damn frustrating. What he'd found out was the complete opposite. From what he'd seen, heard and felt, tonight had blown his previous assessment away. Her rebellion in Las Cruces hadn't been a one off, it was who she really was when she wasn't under Max's thumb.
She was fiery and passionate, knew how to use her powers to an extent, loyal, protective and not plain at all despite what she chose to wear. That was her front, her cover to hid her inner nature and had done it so well, he had only glimpsed it a few times before she'd hidden it again, not wanting Max to 'fix' it for her. Max had suffocated her. She'd let him and tonight she'd finally freed herself from Max on her own terms. It was about time.
His realisation hit him hard. Even though he and her were polar opposites, they had more in common than he thought. They were both loose cannons. Max had just reined her in, as he had been reined in himself. He grinned. This was going to be fun!
He sat down, taking the popcorn from her and looked around with approval. Nodding, he told her 'I like it, now pass me that drink, hot sauce and show me your plan.' She grinned back at him. 'Ready?' 'Ready.' She pressed play. He saw her ideas for how to keep Jim Valenti safe, keep Kyle out of the way, the others to stay where they were and to protect Michael and herself. It finished.
She turned to look at him. 'Well?' He liked it, he even agreed with her in places but the parts to do with her he found a bit vague, too vague for his liking. 'What!' She was going to be stubborn. He fought the urge to argue with her. Shrugging, he stated 'It's a good plan, I do like, I'm just concerned about your parts though.' She shrugged 'Don't be.' 'Don't do this now, please? Let me in.' He was pleading with her but she was at her limit as it was. She pleaded with him to back off for tonight. 'Michael please, I'm at my limit for tonight. I will tell you more after we both get some sleep. We'll need it.'
Michael had to agree with her at that point. 'Fine.' He was curt, running his hand through his hair. She nodded. 'Thanks'. The dreamscape vanished and they were back to the apartment again. He withdrew his hand with a gentle squeeze of thanks and wished her good night. 'Sleep well Parker.' 'Night Michael and thank you for understanding.' 'No problem.' He picked up his sleeping bag and walked to his room, shutting the door behind him.
Liz breathed a sigh of relief when she was alone. Michael could be very intense when he wanted to be and tonight he'd wanted to be. Then she thought of Max. It was over. The world would be safe, they just had to get Ava on board now. Then her tears hit. It was time to get her world back now, see if it was too late for Harvard. Still she needed to mourn the loss of her relationship, her would-have- been marriage with Max and STILL save the group and the planet. She fell into an uneasy sleep with tears coming down her face. 'It's not over' was her last thought, steeped in grief, as she went to sleep, exhausted.
Sleep did not come easily for Michael either. He knew Liz was but her last thought had bothered him 'What wasn't over?' he thought, his mind spinning from the sheer grief that had clouded her mind that came with her statement before it had once again retreated behind her shield. He shook his head to clear before sleeping himself.
The next morning came too soon for either of them. Michael woke up first. He listened out to see if Liz was awake yet. Last night had been too intense with her showdown with Max. Maria could be a hurricane when she wanted to be but Liz had been a force to be reckoned with and Max had lost. That had been the biggest shock- Maxwell had lost. He'd lost her. He hadn't mentioned it but he'd known the moment Liz broke her connection with Max. He was sure she had her reasons, something she had seen must have prompted her to do it just in case. She knew something. Shaking his head, he went to get a coffee and heard her pleading in her sleep.
Liz was dreaming. Future Max had returned somehow and having a go at her for messing up...again. The future she saw had nothing changed and she was terrified because of it. It made her shake in her sleep. She felt herself be pulled away from this nightmare by a hand on her shoulder. Startled, she woke up and sat up. Still stuck in the nightmare world, she jumped when she turned and saw Michael looking at her in concern.
She looked away, white as a sheet, her mind whirling. Then her mind registered her surroundings and she began to calm down, breathing deeply, her head in her hands. All she could say was ''It was just a dream'' over and over again for a minute before her brain caught up and remembered last night. Then she burst into tears. Michael just left her to it until she was herself again, making a drink for both of them.
It seemed he wasn't the only one with nightmares. Shaking his head in complete confusion at her mood swings, he cautiously approached with her coffee. She was sat up and had stopped crying or shaking, so he figured it was safe. ''I have a coffee for you.'' He held it out to her uncertainly. She took it gratefully. ''Good morning, thanks Michael'', her smile firmly in place. 'Great!' He decided to risk it. ''Some night last night.'' That made her smile. 'Good.' His plan had worked after all.
After a sip of her coffee, she answered. ''It needed to be done, it was part of the reason I was in danger before. Max had a connection to me and me to him, put that connection into someone else's head, who won't want any witnesses and there you go, someone who will want me dead. Which is exactly what would have happened before eventually.'' ''So , you mean, by cutting off the link between you two, you won't have a killer after you?'' ''Exactly, I'll be safe now.'' He was able to breath a sigh of relief at that. ''That's a relief. So you are still staying?'' ''Yes, well who else would help and we're not bringing Kyle in, so we'll have a week to plan.'' She shrugged. ''I have one question, how did you know I felt the link break?'' ''Our link was still in place, so of course you would'' was her answer and of course it made sense.
Finishing her coffee, she yawned. Handing her cup back, she looked at the clock. ''Is that the time? Oh fuck, is that time! I need to call my dad.'' Fishing out her phone from the coffee table, she took a deep breathe and then put on the act of her life. Ignoring Michael's look at her swearing, she rang her dad, who picked up on the first ring. ''Hi dad, she groaned as if in pain, my head is killing me. I don't think I can manage school today. This virus has got the better of me.''
At that point, she got a real headache, a sure sign a vision was on the way. She moaned in very real pain. Her hand was green. The act was now real. Her dad was concerned. ''Michael told me you fainted last night. Is that true?'' ''Yes. I've been so exhausted with this bug that I've slept in classes too and that's why my grades have been suffering. That headache I told you about was real, I wasn't trying to get out of homework and I really did want sleep. With the Harvard screening interview, my head was spinning and I couldn't see straight. I nearly threw up.''
Her dad was immediately repentant. ''I'm sorry for pushing you sweetheart. Ok, you have the week off from work and school. I'll explain to Harvard and see if they'll give you a second chance. Now what about the academy?'' ''I'm not going dad and I promise I will sort my life out. Max and I are over and no, he DIDN'T stay here last night. Yes, I'm very sure dad. Thanks dad, I will be over with Michael soon as I can.'' She hung up.
Her head was killing her and that vision had been overwhelming. She bite her lip to stop herself whimpering in pain. Michael's hand was hovering over her head, ready to heal her and she stopped him with her hand. ''Only go so far Michael please, in order for this to work my dad needs to see me in pain to go long with the plan we've made.'' He didn't like it but did as she asked with a sigh. ''Fine but I will be healing the rest when you're in bed at home, got it?'' ''Got it.'' She gave in. He focused his energy and healed her halfway. ''Done. How long have we got?''
She checked the clock ''About 20 minutes.'' He helped her up from the couch. She swayed slightly from the power drain and felt his hand on her elbow as support, ushering her out to the car. He had concerns about this. He didn't want to lie but he didn't want Liz to martyr herself for their sakes. Reading his thoughts, Liz sighed and mentally replied with a polite knock 'I'm not doing that. If my dad thinks I got better overnight- 'which you did!'- that could lead to other things like me not being around to help make sure I don't die. I am thinking of myself here too. Thank you for healing me last night and this morning too. I do appreciate it.'
'Thanks, so you're telling me this- a hand gestured towards her- is just for show?' 'Yes. All I will need to do is show my dad I am ill and not faking it, rest in bed, convince him I have seen a doctor and I just need to rest and sleep it off. After a week, I'll be fine. Simple.' He snorted and looked at her ''That's what you call simple?, he shook his head in disbelief, well you're home, lets see if this works.'' They had got out of the car and Liz couldn't believe it, she should have seen it coming. There was Maria with her dad.
Michael had seen her too. All Liz could say was ''Thank goodness for codewords, I think we'll need them, ALL of them. Come on'' it helped to know she got annoyed at Maria too. He stepped in next to her, ready to do his part. With his hand on her back, they walked in. Maria turned, her surprise turning to understanding, as Liz's hand rose and appeared to fluff her hair, fingers wriggling combing through a loose front bit and her hand rose in reply, signalling back her understanding and question and Liz replied in turn, nodding. On the same page, Maria grinned at Michael, who was looking questioning at the hand gestures and Liz prodded him forward with a look of 'later'.
Her dad had spun around and Liz went up to hug him with a kiss on his cheek. ''Good morning dad'' she yawned. Her dad checked her out, she looked pale. ''Have you seen a doctor about this bug Lizzie?'' ''Yes dad, at school, as he said I needed was sleep and rest. I told him I thought I could handle it. I was wrong.'' When she said that, her head spun and knees started to go on her. She hung onto her dad for support. He had seen enough. She wasn't making this up. ''Maria, Michael, could you help Liz up the stairs to her bed please? I think she needs a bit more rest to get over this bug.'' They both nodded and Maria reached Liz first. ''Come on Chica, lets get you into bed. Michael, can you hold the door please?''
She waited until they were all safely behind closed doors and then spoke up. ''What the heck is going on here? I thought you had healed Liz spaceboy and she doesn't look healed.'' Liz shut her up ''Maria, stop yelling, my head is killing me'' ''I wasn't shouting'' ''Oh'' Maria sighed. ''Spaceboy, this morning, what happened?'' He answered ''She was fine Maria, it was when she was on the phone to her dad when she got another flash of something.''
They got her on her bed and laid down. 'What is it with Parker's bed and sick aliens?' 'Thanks! Now can you please keep your volume down? If you want to heal me now, go ahead. Please just let me sleep at some point.' Even her tone was snappy. Her hand rose up to her own head to soothe it when it was caught. Her eyes were closed but she suspected Maria had stopped it. ''Chica, stop being so damn stubborn. You haven't seen how jumpy your powers currently are. Balanced as you are, don't risk it. Let Michael'', there was a brief fight of control and a flash of pain decided it for her. She let her hand go limp ''fine.'' Her hand landed at her side. Maria smiled at Michael as if to say 'see, now she's not resisting'. Michael knew she was worse than she said to give in like that and send a quick thought to her 'how bad?' 'BAD', his hand covered her forehead and she could finally think straight again. 'Thank you!' It was tinged with relief.
Sitting up, her head remarkably clear, she caught up with herself. Going through her check list, ticking things off when coming to a realisation. Her dad was phoning Harvard today- would he make her go to the screening at the wrong time or... chewing her lip, deep in thought, startled she turned as Maria coughed to get her attention, waving her hand in her face. Sitting next to her, turning Liz to face her, she spoke, finally gaining her attention.
''Right, I know exactly what that look means, what aren't you telling me?' How well did the break up go? Really?'' That was enough to get her to talk. ''This isn't about Max- the pain at that name stinging in her mind for a second- this is about Harvard!'' ''WHAT!'' Both of them answered together- one thinking she was claiming her dreams back, the other puzzled that this was her plan?! 'She didn't mention Harvard in the plan before.' Liz was saved from answering with a knock on her door.
''Lizzie, are you ok? Can I come in? I have some news'', her eyes filling with dread, called ''Come in'', her dad walked in, ''Harvard is on the phone for you. It is important.'' Her future on the line, Liz took the phone. ''Hello, yes it is. Well you see, when I had the screening interview, I was down with a virus, it caused me to stop thinking straight. I am really sorry about running out like that before''...Liz was nervous, she was rambling. Then her face lit up. ''Yes, I'd love to have a second chance at an ?'' There was a pause before she answered, ''yes I am still down with the virus and I am off school for a week. I am free after that though.'' There was a tense in the air. Liz's future was on the line. The dream she had just reclaimed and Maria held her hand in support. She held it back. ''A deal, what kind of a deal? Oh! Yes! I'm sure. Thank you.'' She passed the phone back to her dad.
''So, what did she say? Of course she did. Thank you for the chance.'' Hanging up the phone with a smile, he faced the expectant room. Maria was on the edge of the bed, Michael was puzzled and his daughter was in shock. Maria broke the silence. ''Well, what?'' ''I have a chance to get into Harvard after I graduate with all my grade results to give myself the best chance'', Liz had finally answered her in an awed whisper, ''this is amazing.'' She was engulfed in a giant hug from Maria. She let her go.
Seeing the three of them needed some time, he gave her hug and left the room. Before he left, he gave them a time limit. ''You have ten minutes to catch up, then Maria has a plane to catch and Michael, your shift stars in ten minutes. Don't be late, I might just have an opportunity for you'' and with a nod, left. Liz hadn't moved, too overwhelmed. Maria pulled back and looked at her. ''This isn't completely about Harvard, only Max could put this look on your face. How bad did last night get?''
Michael answered for her. ''It was bad Maria, it ended up being a physical fight. As in powers.'' he added at her confusion. Maria blinked. ''What? Why?'' he shrugged in confusion ''I don't know'', ''I do. Max didn't trust me completely alone with Michael. In his mind if I can make it look like I was with Kyle, then apparently not even Michael's off limits. Max doesn't trust me and I don't trust him. We exploded and took it out on each other'' Liz had finally answered. Both their jaws dropped. ''What!'' ''You CAN'T be serious!'' Maria took off in her defence ''As if you would. That would never happen ever! I'm so sorry he hurt you like that.'' She sat on the bed with a bump in shock. Standing there, Michael shook his head, Liz defending him now making sense. She took the blow for him, knowing how it would look. He owed her for more than he realised and she was paying for it. No more. She was done. She knew it.
Checking the time, Maria took her out of her shock. ''I'll call you and write when I am in New York, ok. Be safe, both of you'', looking at them in turn. They nodded and Liz leaned forward to hug her, being deadly serious when she pulled back. ''Maria, listen well. This will save your life. Don't be tempted to come back early. If anything happens to Max and whoever he is in does end up back in Roswell, then that person will be after me. Stay put. Trust me now, please?'' ''Ok'' she answered easily, Liz relaxing at that, pulling her into a hug ''thank you! Now have a good flight.''
She let her go to say goodbye to Michael. Accepting her hug, Maria whispered in his ear ''Promise me you'll keep her safe.'' ''I promise'' he whispered back with a nod ''thank you!'' After one last hug, she left. As the door closed, their eyes meet. 'Can we do this, change history?' 'YES!' He had his hand out to meet hers, hers meeting his, a pact made.
After a minute, she smiled and he smirked. He was all business now. ''First things first, you need to control your powers, so they don't overwhelm you- he pointed to her and then to himself- while I get to work. We can talk later after my shift has finished.'' She nodded. ''Ok.'' ''Good, for you, sleep and rest that brain of yours. I'll knock you out if I have to.'' She shook her head ''you won't need to.'' Nodding at her obeying him for once,
he left the room. ''Sleep well Parker. Sleep tight.'' He went downstairs and left her to sleep, seeing her dad, who asked him into the office.
''I have a possible position opening up for you. It will mean more hours for you and a higher pay if you're interested. There will be a work trial if you are. Think it over and let me know at the end of your shift, ok?'' Michael nodded ''Ok'' ''good, well your shift has started, so I'll see you later on Michael'' opening the door and Michael walked out of the room. Getting ready for his shift, he got started.
Liz was dreaming. She was running. She couldn't run fast enough. Panting, she bent double. Sensing movement, she ran winded. She was grabbed from behind and turned her head to face Michael, his face a bloody mess. Gasping, she tried to stumble away. ''I am sorry. I didn't know. I never meant.. the Granolith was used to stop this.'' ''BUT IT DIDNT! YOU KILLED ME!'' he shouted at her, ''I'M DEAD.'' Looking down, she saw a knife in his chest. She burst into tears ''I'M SORRY!'' she shouted in fear at her own actions in the future.
Was this a glimpse of the future or her own fears, she didn't know anymore. Panting in fear, she looked around and saw the Granolith explode in front of her, a large shard of crystal landing in her chest. She screamed ''THE GRANOLITH, NO!'' Looking down at her chest, she realised she was dead and fainted.
Waking up in reality, she looked up to see a very alive Michael looking at her with fury in his eyes. What had she said in her sleep? He soon told her. ''What do you know about the Granolith?'' he asked, his eyes hard and stonewall up. ''I don't know much at all, I have no idea even how it works. I have a theory it could be used for more, like say, time travel but I can't prove it. Why?'' She was scared of his answer. Michael quickly realised that she didn't know anything and hadn't been lying. He relaxed. ''It's nothing, you were dreaming, shouting something about the Granolith. I only wondered why.'' Liz wasn't fooled.''I was dreaming I watched it explode and a large piece of it landed in my chest and killed me. I don't know why.'' She had decided to answer honestly, seeing the wariness leave his eyes at her explanation. He was surprised at her honest answer despite his stonewall. She hadn't covered her answer up. Maybe, just maybe they were getting somewhere after all. He smiled, dropping the stonewall.
He knelt down next to the bed. ''Are you ok now?'' he asked concerned, ''Yeah, I'll be fine.'' ''Your dad wants to speak to us'' ''what about?'' she asked, ''I don't know, he's waiting downstairs.'' ''I'll be there in a minute.'' She groaned, sitting up and sorting her hair out, she got up, steady on her feet. With her shoes on, she turned to Michael, full of confidence, asking ''Are you coming?'' with a toss of her head. She was determined to get her life back. Michael couldn't help but grin.
He had been wondering where the stubborn brunette had gone. It seems she hadn't gone after all, just had hidden for a while. Musing as he wandered down the stairs after her, he thought how lucky he was that she was currently all his. Keeping THAT thought hidden, he realised he HAD fallen for her when he wondered where that particular thought had come from. He mentally swore at himself. She couldn't know and he wouldn't act on it. Not now, when she was just getting her life back on track. He COULDN'T drag her back down again.
Liz reached the bottom of the stairs and looked up to see Michael just looking at her with a guarded look in his eyes, one that made her breath catch. Why she didn't know but it did. Looking away, she looked up when Michael joined her by the foot of the stairs. Where he had been open, now he was a stonewall. 'When had that happened?' ''Are you coming?'' His tone was brusque. She was left to run after him in shock. Shaking her head, she followed him, a few steps behind. He knew he had hurt her but it was for her own looked up as both entered, one behind the other. He frowned, noting a difference between them. He only hoped they could resolve it to work together in time or his plan wouldn't work.
''Lizzie, are you feeling better?'' he asked his daughter, concerned and she frowned at him, ''a bit better dad but now I seem to be getting a bit of a headache'', glancing at Michael when she said it. He glared at her for that comment. Jeff sighed. This was going to be harder than he thought. ''Michael, have you thought on my offer?'' he asked, smiling when Michael nodded.
''And...'' Michael shrugged, ''I'll take the job. What is it for?'' ''An Assistant manager job. When both Liz's mum and I are away, Liz is in charge. However this job is a big job, even for my capable daughter- he looked at her knowingly then before looking back at him-to handle. So Nancy and I have decided to offer you Michael the job of Assistant Manager job to help her out a bit.''
''We both trust you, you've proven yourself to be a hard worker, even if you're a bit curt at times and most of all, we trust you working with our daughter, which will be a good thing considering how closely you'll be working together at times.'' He looked at both of them, his arms crossed, before asking ''so can you do this, both of you working together?'' Liz put her annoyance to one side behind her shield, putting her family business first. Michael felt her put her wall up blocking him out of her mind completely. She was really hurt but couldn't begrudge him this.
She stepped forward. ''I can." Her father nodded and turned to Michael, his look questioning. ''Yes, I can too.'' he finally said stepping forward, trying to take her hand without her father noticing to say he was sorry, only for her to keep hers away behind her wall. It was again thanks to him. She was willing to work with him for the sake of her family business and to save the group but for now, she was hurt and can't take much more of it. She stepped away from him, widening the gap between them physically further, showing unity for her dad to see at the same time.
It must have worked because he nodded and continued. ''I hope Liz is feeling better next week because I will be out of town for the whole week and that is going to be your work trial, Michael, don't make us regret this. You've done a good job of keeping an eye on our daughter, now lets see how you do with the business.''
He stepped forward to shake his hand. Michael shook it. ''Thank you sir. You won't regret this.'' Jeff smiled ''You're welcome and I know I won't. Right Lizzie?'' ''Right dad'' she answered brightly. 'Oh great, her wall really was up now wasn't it!' was Michael's only thought at that answer. Her dad believed her though, as he wished them both good night and for Liz to get back to bed, giving her a kiss good night on the forehead. ''Night dad'' she said, going to leave.
It didn't change the fact in Michael's mind that Liz was pulling the same stunt he was pulling. In order to work out their plan and save her life, they had to work together on this. It was time to work this issue out. He acted. ''I'll go with her, seeing as this bug has left her a bit weak, ignoring her mental glare, he continued, do you mind if I help her to her room, just in case, sir?'' he asked politely. Her dad smiled. ''I don't mind at all, go ahead. I think it's a good idea. Night Michael.'' He left.
Liz glared at Michael. 'Damn, she was pissed off' 'Damn right I am, don't you EVER pull a stunt like that on me again. As there is no way I can get out of this now, let's go.' She stormed off, only to be hit by a dizzy spell by the stairs. She looked up to see his knowing smirk. 'Oh piss off...' She never finished that thought, fainting and trying to catch herself. He swore, somehow getting to her in time to catch her before she hit her head on the stairs. 'Damn her stubbornness, putting up that extra bit of wall had wiped her energy out.' Carrying her easily, he walked up the stairs and put her on her bed. He had been right. Liz Parker was frustrating. He was going to leave the room when he realised why. He noticed the red mark left on her arm by Max the previous day and she hadn't said a word. She was too badly hurting and his behaviour had made it worse. No wonder she was angry. Against his better judgement, he left her be.
As he was walking downstairs, Jeff walked by. He looked up as Michael walked down. ''Ah Michael, I trust my Lizzie is in bed.'' Michael nodded. ''Mind if you stay on the couch tonight. I have been called away early by Nancy, so you start training tonight. Think you can do it?'' At Michael's nod of surprise, he smiled. Patting him on the shoulder, he said ''Good man, I knew you would'' and left with his packed bag to go up the stairs to say good bye to Liz.
Jeff knocked on his daughters door. ''Liz, are you ok?'' Liz woke with a start. ''Yes dad, come in, what is it?'' she asked him at seeing the bag in his hand. ''Your mum called me away early, Michael is sleeping downstairs tonight to start in the morning. I hope you two work your issues out. Bye sweetheart, good night and we love you.'' ''Night dad and I love you and mum too.'' She hugged him tightly. ''Bye dad, bye sweetheart.'' With a kiss goodbye, her dad left her and Michael to it.