A few days later, Max found Tess in his room with their son. Having to flee to Michael's- thankfully the tape no longer existed, Michael found Max walked in with Tess. Michael was on his feet, hand out. "You're not here Tess!" 'She's here' he sent to Liz.
Michael had pre-warned her Tess was at his place with the baby and Max. They had a plan already made and having realised that this would alert the Special Unit of the FBI, she was determined to make their plan a reality NOW.

Opening the door, she saw Tess standing on her own and blasted her off her feet. 'That blast was for Alex!' she thought grimly. ''Get up BITCH'' she told her, extremely pissed off at her for killing Alex. Once Tess was on her feet, she blasted her against Michael's wall, intent on killing her. They didn't need her to save the planet anymore, they had an understanding Ava for that.

Tess needed to pay for breaking up the three musketeers and Liz was collecting now. She hadn't noticed Max's look of panic or Michael's grim look of satisfaction. Then she noticed the baby wasn't crying. If there was no crying, there was no link. She saw Max coming towards her and blasted him onto the sofa, pining him in place, her anger rolling off her in waves hitting Michael, who just stood and watched with the baby this long awaited showdown.

Then she did something unexpected as she looked easily into Tess's mind- she'd brought the FBI and what was left of the Special Unit with her. But the baby was human. He'd been rejected on Antar because of it. THERE WAS NO LINK! Liz laughed triumphantly in bittersweet victory. For all her scheming, she had been undone by genetics! Then she saw red. She pressed further into Tess's mind, causing her to plead for her to stop. ''No! Didn't you do this to Alex, mind warp him to death?! Kyle told Maria and I EVERYTHING! You WON'T escape this time.''. Her voice was grim. Kyle walked in. Michael put up his hand to shut him up, handing the baby to Max. Liz walked up to Tess, having let go of a stunned Max to pin Tess instead, still in a mind warp. Michael held Max back and Kyle watched.

Liz let go of the mind warp and glared daggers at her. If looks could kill, she'd already be dead. "You've brought the FBI straight to us, we could end up going on the run and not graduating partly thanks to you. That means no Harvard for me. That is not an option. You will go with me in the car under a mind warp on the guards to leave Roswell, Max will be Ava, who will hide the baby under her mind warp in a safe place in my car. You will NOT blow up the army base and I am NOT driving you there.".

She took a deep breath and continued, "You WILL leave Roswell and NOT come back. Leave your son behind. He is human, there is no link to you and Ava and Max can raise him for you. If you do not willing do this, I will mind warp you into doing so. Every alien act will be put on YOUR shoulders and you WILL be on the run from the FBI for the rest of your life. You took Alex's life, I'm taking yours in return. Now, say good bye to your son and let's go. Michael, pass me the keys please?''.

She felt them pressed into her upturned hand, his silent plea for her to be careful but he wouldn't stop her- this was for Alex. She squeezed back her thanks. Then he stepped back. This was her time. She'd stopped running. He was proud of her. He smirked, pinning Max to the sofa. Liz looked around, sincerely glad they had warned Isabel about the tape and asked "Are we all agreed on the plan?". A resounding "Yes" echoed around the room, Ava joining in in Liz's head, where she had been listening into the plan and leaving to do her part.

Liz nodded in grim satisfaction, turning to a serious, smirking Michael, who just said ''Do it!'' She looked at Max, who nodded his approval and an order of "Go.". Kyle nodded at her too, adding his own ''Go for it.". Liz let Tess up from her powers holding her there and Tess immediately hugged her son, kissing him good bye, taking his blanket as a keepsake. Michael glared at her when she put her son down. ''Go!'' he ordered her. He wanted Tess gone NOW. He knew Liz was struggling with Zan's presence.

Tess went to leave and Liz stopped her. "Wait.". Liz then hugged Michael, kissing his cheek, promising she'd be safe. That kiss wasn't good enough. He kissed her slowly, drugging, senselessly before releasing her. Tess's jaw dropped, as did Max's. It was only after Michael had ensured there was an open link between them at all times, protected of course, that let her leave with Tess. Ava had arrived and getting into Liz's newest purchase from her parents for graduating- her car, Ava, Max and Zan drove off. That left Tess to leave with Liz and Michael left with Kyle separately, locking up behind him, just in case.

The guys watched the girls get into the car and drive off, concerned about Liz's state of mind. Michael was keeping an eye on her at all times, knowing that this could push her over the edge and she could go awol on him again. She was doing a stunt he would do with his permission. They had reached the guards and Tess was under her own mind warp. They were through as was Maxwell, Ava and Zan.

Liz kept driving until they reached the quarry. Letting Tess out from under her control, Tess got out. Liz threw her a bag of supplies, ''Go and don't come back'' she ordered, added a warning of "Come back and I'll kill you myself'' before getting into the car to drive off back to Roswell. Driving to her freedom of redeeming herself in her own eyes. She warned Ava about where Tess was, that they should leave or hide just in case in the Granolith cave. Michael's nudging in her mind to get her to hurry back was making her snappy. 'Fine, I'm returning now' she snapped back at him.

He mentally raised an eyebrow and she apologised. When she reached the guards, she turned Tess in. ''The woman and baby you're looking for have left Roswell. I saw her at the quarry while driving. The baby wasn't hers. She was heading west. She did confess to doing every act alien done ever in Roswell. She said she was the only alien. She begged for my help. I've left her instead and warned you.''. Her voice was tightly strung with nerves as she spoke. The guards thanked her and drove to freedom at Michael's apartment. He was there waiting for her, the guards calling off the dogs just in time. As soon as she was at the door, he opened it and pulled her inside, hugging her tightly.

Ignoring the fact Kyle was hiding still, he kissed his girl with a strong intensity, making her head spin and her knees go weak. She gripped his shoulders tightly, sighing as he picked her up and pinned her against the wall, her legs going around his waist while he nipped playfully at her neck, making her moan in pleasure. Kyle had come out of hiding and walked into Michael's place, his jaw dropping at the sight of the two of them making out, her jacket being gradually pulled down by a rather turned on Michael, going by Liz's moans.

He grinned, got a photo on his camera and loudly coughed, breaking up the scene. Liz broke away from Michael's drugging kiss, having been slowly dragged down into his heat, almost losing her resolve to wait until Harvard, saw Kyle and blushed, muttering in Michael's ear that Kyle was there and could he please put her down now, they could continue later, only for a husky voiced Michael to bring her back down to his heat effortlessly with his silky whisper of 'promise?', nipping her neck in just the right spot.

It turned out that when Michael was in a certain mood, he was hard to resist. Kyle coughed louder, catching his attention. He rolled his eyes, intent on seducing his fiery brunette until the word 'Harvard' entered his hazy thinking, causing him to groan in frustration. Liz's words registered in his mind- Kyle. After extracting a promise of 'later' from a hazy minded Liz, smirking in male smugness at the sight of her, he put her down.

Hiding from Kyle's view, Liz was getting her breath back. That had been the closest call yet. Waving a hand over herself to clean herself up, she turned around, finding Kyle just grinning at her and an extremely smug look of male satisfaction on her boyfriends face, his whisky eyes full of a banked fire, waiting to burst back into flame at a moments notice. She blushed, dashing off to the bathroom with a rushed ''Excuse me.''. Kyle was impressed- he had never seen her that flustered before.

Liz was sat in the bathroom, shaken by how far they had gone in moments when a flash hit her hard. Shielding it from Michael's view, she trembled watching Tess get her son, blowing up the army base by herself, being captured and tortured, revealing the truth in the process, saving the woman, graduation and then came the cross roads- one way had Max, Isabel, Michael and her killed.

It was the other with the van that now made sense. This night combined with the now nonexistence tape and her visions lead them to be on the run. She had to stop it NOW! Only then, could she stop running and her mission set by Future Max was complete and she was free to be Michael's completely, if he still wanted her after knowing the truth that is.

Kyle had turned to grin at Michael when his friend had frowned. Something was wrong. Michael couldn't get through her mental shield and knew she was having a vision. One he really didn't like the feel of at all. She was going to be a martyr again tonight to stop Tess. It had been her private plan all along. There was nothing he could do to stop this. He knew she would be at that army base tonight to stop her and risk getting caught- all for them as a couple and for the group. She was done running. It ended tonight. His thoughts were dark and grim at that.

Liz came out of the bathroom, determined to fight and meet the fire in the eyes of Michael, who hadn't seen anything but still knew. All he did was hug her and whisper "Be safe.". She nodded thickly at that. Kyle walked up to them, ''Isabel called. The others are now at hers and Jesse's, we just need to join them. It's the only safe place left.". Michael nodded, his moody whisky eyes meeting her apprehensive ones one last time before he nodded at Kyle, stepping away from Liz completely to get his keys. Kyle didn't know what to say. Quietly they left in Liz's car that Ava had left there for her to get.

There was a storm brewing in the quietness. Michael got out first when they arrived, not even opening Liz's door for her before going into the house. She had hurt him by shutting him out, so he had shut her out in turn. Kyle sighed resigned at them, noting Liz's face- she had a plan and Michael being Michael hated it but had no choice, so had blocked her out to prevent the pain from getting to him. He was stonewalling again.

Liz got out. She would fix things with Michael but had to deal with her gigantic mistake of Tess first. She had no choice left now- it was this or running. She was done with running. She walked into the house, throwing Kyle the keys. Kyle locked the car behind him and walked in unhappily.

Liz was hugging a confused Maria, who was raising an eyebrow at a stonewall Guerin. For a second it seemed like he had stepped back in time, only there was a few differences now. It was Maria hugging Liz, instead of the other way round, Liz's 'P' was faintly glowing at the back-again!- and it was Liz, who Michael kept sneaking looks at. He wondered who in the group would snap first at their frosty behaviour. It was Isabel. She marched forward, took Michael's arm firmly to force him to move, took Liz's arm firmly out of Maria's hug and made them face each other with an equally firm command of "Talk, I don't care how BUT TALK! We have enough troubles as it is WITHOUT you two stonewalls adding to it.".

She stepped back, arms crossed in full ice princess mode. All Michael did was raise an eyebrow and through their link, said 'Well?'. Liz put her hands up in sheer frustration at his annoyingly condescending tone, groaning as it showed on her face, 'FINE!' she yelled back, blasting him back a half step and showing him the vision she had hidden from him, her stonewall down. He reacted as only he could do to THAT.

He stepped forward until they were toe-to-toe, his anger showing on his face, his eyes blazing his fury at her idea-the same plan she'd had all along and with a finger in her face said quite firmly "NO!". He stepped away, hand down by his side, looking at her stubbornly, quietly adding "I love you and I won't let you. Find another plan or we're over.". He walked out of the room, slamming his fist on the wall in anger as he passed it.
They were in the living room, everyone staring after Michael in shock before looking back at a tearful Liz. She fled the room, followed by a stunned Maria.

"Great, that went well!" Kyle, in complete annoyance at the couples behaviour, loudly stated with his frustration on his face and his hands in the air while he sat down on the sofa, grumbling at stonewalling hybrids and changed humans.

Max and Ava had been surprised, Max more than Ava, who had seen this coming after Liz's moment with Rath. Max then asked where Tess was. To his complete surprise, it was a calmer Michael who answered "Liz drove her out to the Quarry and told her to run. Then she turned her into the FBI, who left town. They won't come after Zan now. Liz also pinned every alien act on her too. We're in the clear now completely thanks to her. Now where is my girlfriend? I have an apology to make to her.". He clawed at his left eyebrow uncomfortably, his posture full of discomfort at what he had said to her, his tone unhappy at himself for his actions. Everyone just looked at him as if to say 'Really?! Duh!'. It was Kyle who said "You THINK?!" in a sarcastic tone of voice.

Maria stepped into the room, really pissed off at her ex. Michael faced her, noting her arms were crossed and the pissed off look on her face. He gulped. "She doesn't want to talk to you, she's busy crying her eyes out and thinking up a new plan of whatever it is to NOT lose you. She ordered me out Michael, my best friend is in bits because of you. I have NO clue what is going on here BUT WHEN YOU CAN, FIX IT!" and with that, hurricane De Luca was gone. She turned to see a teary eyed Liz just staring at Michael.

She gasped as Liz simply asked her boyfriend quietly, hurt beyond belief "Did you mean it? If I don't find a new plan, are we over?". He shook his head, repentance in his voice as he told her "No, of course not, I was angry and I didn't mean it. I'm sorry and I do love you. Please believe me?". She nodded, biting her lip, "I believe you. It's a good thing too because I can't change the plan". She broke down into tears again, dashing back to the bathroom.

At Maria's look of 'Go after her!', he ran past her, catching Liz by the bathroom door and locking her in his arms, letting his love for her and his emotions flow over them as her emotions slowly joined his until they were wrapped up in both together, Maria left smiling just watching them. The rest of the group just looked confused at her grin. She shrugged at them, ''They're going to be ok, he caught her in time and opened up to her. They are hugging each other now, it's really sweet to watch", she wiped her tears away.

At Max's discreet cough, she turned to see them happy behind her, Liz snuggling relieved into him, filling his face with relief he HADN'T lost her. He kissed her hair softly. Max looked away from the sweet picture to ask Jim "What do we do now?", to which he replied unhappily "We wait.".
That night they all settled down to sleep. Isabel and Jesse in their room, Ava and Max in the spare room and Maria, Kyle, Liz and Michael were all in the front room. Liz was on the sofa, holding Michael's hand, he was asleep on the floor next to her, Kyle and Maria next to him on the floor. The power base of the Granolith was protecting Zan.
Liz was having a dream- Tess was coming back for her son before blowing up the army base. She had to stop her. NOW!

Liz woke up with a start. Quietly dropping Michael's hand with a loving kiss on it, she got up carefully to write him a note and slipped it by his hand, kissing his cheek in apology for what she was about to do and got her keys and left, locking the door behind her. Michael stirred and went back to sleep. Liz drove, checking Michael was still asleep. This was going to be difficult. She took a deep breath and drove faster. That song was in her head, pushing her. It had been all along. It lead to this- her way out and she was taking it now. She was fighting back.

She arrived at the Granolith, seeing Tess there. She was mad. This was THEIR showdown and it had been a long time in coming. "STOP TESS!" she ordered, her hand out ready to kill. Tess turned, her body language frozen in fear at the avenging angel she saw in front of her. Liz had lost her control. Her face blazed with anger and power, her mental shield up. "Take one more step and you WILL cease to exist.". Tess trembled, wailing "You're taking everything away from me, please let me take MY SON?!".

She blasted Tess, shaking in anger. "NO!". Tess tried bargaining with her. "I can give you Max back, he loves you. I can give you more powers. I knew I hurt you with Max.", Liz interrupted her, scoffing at the notion this was about Max, this was about ALEX instead. Her eyes blazed, fire in their coffee depths, deciding to spell it out for her. She took a step forward, taking a leaf out of her boyfriends book and blasted a stone near Tess to pieces. She remembered how Michael had intimidated her and did her own version of it instead. She knew Alex's death had shaken Michael too. He wanted Tess dead. She was doing this for both them and the group and of course getting justice at long last for Alex.

Tess jumped at the explosion by her feet, losing her balance and hitting her head on a rock hard, making her wince in pain. Her eyes widened at the look of fury on her rival's face. She had underestimated Liz Parker and now was finally paying the price for her mistake. She swallowed, scared, taking a step back, ready to run. Liz froze her in place, having seen where Tess had been looking. She exploded at long last. Taking a deep breath, she let loose on her worst enemy, who was meant to help her save the world.

"Tess, I am NOT WITH MAX ANYMORE! I'M WITH MICHAEL NOW! HE IS MY BOYFRIEND AND HAS BEEN FOR OVER 2 WEEKS NOW! NOT ALL OF THIS IS ABOUT MAX, IT'S ABOUT ALEX WHITMAN, WHO YOU MURDERED WITH A FUCKING MIND WARP!'' she screamed at her, relieved to finally have that off her chest. She was breathing hard from all the screaming she had just done. Tess had gone white in realisation. She started to shake, crying, unable to move, "I had no choice. He would have told. I'm not sorry.". Her voice was unrepentant, her shoulders steady. Liz punched her hard, packing her power behind it. She broke her nose.

Tess couldn't believe it. This wasn't plain mild mannered Liz Parker, this was a force to be reckoned with and she was losing. She never lost. 'She did now', Tess panicked, knowing that wasn't her thought. Liz Parker, innocent Liz Parker, was mind warping her. Liz continued to speak in her mind, revealing the truth she had hidden so well, 'I am NOT plain, I am NOT vanilla, I am NOT who or what YOU think I am. AT ALL! GET THAT STRAIGHT IN YOUR HEAD RIGHT NOW, GOT IT?!'. Tess nodded, finally completely terrified.

Liz finally smiled at her. 'Glad we're on the same page.'. She walked around Tess, mirroring Michael's movements around her, matching his smirk, his look, his everything. She even picked up a sharp rock with an edge on it like a knife. That she had to admit felt good. A sliver of violent tension ran through her, her eyes mirroring it. Tess knew she was in trouble. One wrong word and she was dead. Liz didn't need the rock either. She had powers, boosted by her dating the protector Michael. Tess was screwed and now she finally knew it. She had to go along with Liz's plan now to survive this night. She had no choice.

Liz smirked darkly, Tess had finally got it. It was about time. She pointed to the car, asking deceptively sweetly, "Shall we go?". Tess nodded, white. She was released and fell to her knees, sobbing in terror. Liz got her up by her arm and dragged her to the car, opening the door and pushing her in, covering her head. Holding her in place, she got into the car on her side and locked the doors and windows, releasing Tess again. Her energy was getting low. She knew she should wake Michael up but she wasn't finished yet. She had caused this, it was up to HER to fix it too.

They drove to the army base, Liz setting Tess free from the car. She was going to let Tess live tonight, she just needed to scare Tess witless in the process. That way Tess would NEVER be back AGAIN. Tess was gone from her life from this point on and both of them knew it. Tess knew what her life would be like now. She hated it already. She turned to Liz, pleading "Stop this please? I AM SORRY I KILLED ALEX! He didn't deserve to die. I did like him.".Her eyes told Liz she was telling her the truth at long last. Liz nodded. "I believe you. Thank you for finally doing something right.".

She was quiet, looking into the distance, "But THAT doesn't change the fact you DID kill him and NOW you're paying for it by MY hand, A MUSKETEER'S HAND. Did you forget that fact? You killed a musketeer. That means something here. Maria, Alex and me, the three musketeers. You broke the three of us up.". Her tone was full of accusation. "That is why I can't stop this from happening. I will blow up the white room on an electrical fault and a mind warp to cover my tracks. Go now.". Her tone was omnious. Tess ran for her life. Liz coldly watched her go, relieved it was finally over. The cold night air blew around, leaving her isolated and alone.

She focused her energy on a mind warp and sent a bolt of power through to the white room. It exploded, destroying half the base. She felt Michael wake up. Widening the mind warp, she planted the idea it was an electrical fault and hid behind the car, seeing men come running out. She swore. Then Michael spoke to her. He was scared. 'WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?'. Michael had woken up, checked on his girl, only to find an empty sofa and a note.

She had gone through with her plan. He knew she'd blocked the link. She was on her own with TESS. His heart sank. The note had said she was sorry and she loves him but due to her secret, she HAD to do this, for the group, for Alex and for them. He knew she had a mind warp up. She was in trouble by an army base. A white room. He was scared. He FINALLY got through to her. Her thoughts were grim, full of chaos. She had blown up the white room under a mind warp. A new plan indeed after all. She still hadn't answered him. He knew she was panicking and felt her fear. She had company, military company. Oh hell no, this wasn't good. Her energy was low.

Liz mind warped when the men approached the car, they walked past her and left. She waited until the area was empty and let go of the mind warp, collapsing exhausted by the car. Michael was yelling in her head 'DAMN IT LIZ, ANSWER ME PLEASE?!'. All she could send back was a weak 'I'm here, I'm alive and I'm ok.'. He froze, she was weak, her mental voice reflected it. He gentled his tone. 'Come home please? You're terrifying me right now.'. She tiredly mentally nodded 'I'm coming home now.'. Feeling his sheer relief at that, she got up and stumbled, opening up the car door and got in, driving away. Driving down the back roads, she finally got back to Isabel and Jesse's place, back to Michael and safety. Michael had been keeping an eye on her the entire time, worried sick about her. She had been so close to getting caught with no way out. He was at the door when she opened it, pulling her inside to safety. He locked it behind her, sighing in relief at having her safe in his arms again. It was then he looked at her properly.

He was shocked by what he saw and felt. She was a mess- emotionally, mentally, her powers were faded, her energy levels were low, she was on the verge of collapse. As she leaned on him, he noticed her bruises. He winced. He just hoped for her sake tonight was worth it for her. Kyle walked up and looked at Liz, asking "Is she ok?". He shook his head. He honestly didn't know this time. She'd faced her demons, stopped running and had won. She had freed herself completely tonight and corrected her mistake. She was done. He took over, putting her keys on the side, helping her remove her shoes and walked her to the bed on the floor.

Laying her down, he asked Kyle to stay on the couch tonight while he hugged a worn out Liz. Kyle easily agreed. Liz had fallen asleep on Michael's shoulder and he snuggled her closer to him, shaking in relief.

Kyle was worried.

Eventually both of them fell asleep.

The next morning, Maria stirred and noticed a very protective Michael hugging a worn out looking Liz. She looked at Kyle, who was awake too. Quietly, she reached out to touch Liz's shoulder and noticed Michael unconsciously moved her closer to him. Liz woke up with a groan. Michael woke up with her. "Morning" Maria chirped, causing both to groan. Liz then sat up, remembering last nights events. Michael watched her face. He was concerned at how last night would affect her. He knew she had confronted Tess on her own last night and had seen her off for good. He just wished he knew how.

Liz sighed in relief, she hadn't been dreaming last night. It had been horrible but Tess was gone. There was no need to run now. They could graduate in peace. Harvard. Being with Michael. It was hers for the taking. She was taking it.

She knew Michael had sat up next to her in quiet concern at her silence, she knew she had worried him last night. Leaning against his shoulder, she relaxed fully. "I'm ok Michael, relax. All I needed was a good night sleep. I will tell you and everyone else what happened later.'' Maria wondered what her friend was talking about "Chica, what are you talking about? You were here last night.". Nervously, Liz bite her lip, unsure of what to say. Michael quirked his eyebrow at her silence. She hadn't wanted anyone but him to know yet. That was interesting.

''Maria, I drove out to meet Tess last night. You know I get flashes of the future, well they were linked to Tess last night and to me. I dreamt of Tess last night and knew I had to act, be a martyr one last time, otherwise four of us- including Michael and me- would either end up dead or on the run. I made Tess leave town for good without her son. I scared her into leaving. I used some familiar tactics that had worked rather well on me.". She glanced at Michael to remind him of her diary that night.

He smirked, so she had used his tactics last night and won at a cost from the sound of it. "Tess is gone for good, if she ever comes back, she'll die by my hand and she knows it. She literally ran for her life from me after I had mind warped her, frozen her in place, threatened her with a very sharp edged stone and blasted a rock at her feet. I punched her in the face. I broke her nose. Damn, it felt good. A bit too good. I lost control of my powers. I almost killed her with that mind warp. I don't know how I pulled myself back from the brink last night.".

Kyle and Maria's jaws dropped. She had gone that far to get her own back for Alex's death. Michael knew her cost now- her innocence. She had almost lost it last night in her rage. She had lost her control like he had with Pierce and had almost killed. She already had blamed herself for the death of Alex and now she had evened the score. For them. For Alex. For the three Musketeers. Now it was over, she was done and could just focus on them as a couple and Harvard. About time too.

He kissed her hair. ''I love you sweet heart, now promise me I won't have a repeat of last night ever again? I couldn't handle losing you." She looked up at him lovingly, "I promise.". The world disappeared for the two of them, vanishing as he kissed her with a hidden need. Leaning on each other, they basked in their connection. Maria and Kyle left them to it. 'They're gone for now', 'I know, now shut up', 'make me', he rolled his eyes and smirked heatedly, eyes roaming her face with a banked fire in them on the verge of flames before yanking her close to him and ravishing her, pinning her beneath him to the floor, lips closing in on her neck and sucking on it, her moaning in response.

They heard a cough in the background, reluctant to pull away from their own world they had rarely had the chance to properly visit and Michael really wanted to stay put in it. Liz felt too damn good right now to stop. That annoying person had coughed again, only the cough had been joined by others. It vaguely registered in the back of his mind that the others were awake and had probably walked in on them right now. He groaned. He knew he had taken Liz under in his heat with him. Great, he finally gets her all to himself and they get interrupted by potentially the entire group.

Pulling away from her, he noticed her glazed look. Harvard had better hurry up soon. He couldn't take much more of this foreplay, neither could she. It was a good thing they shared a dream plain. They would need it. They had already collided. They just needed to seal the deal now. Helping her up, shielding her from prying eyes, he saw everyone was there. Max had a surprised look on his face, Ava was merely grinning at them (she had picked up Zan earlier and he was in their room)- she'd seen it coming, Isabel and Jesse were grinning, Maria just raised an eyebrow and Kyle had a camera and a grin on his face.

Max was looking directly at Liz, her time was up on hiding her plan and not even Michael could protect from telling him. She knew things she shouldn't know. He would find out why. Liz had sorted herself out, ready to face Max. She stepped out to face him alone, to find Michael standing by her side. She wasn't alone. She took his hand in a united front. Max just quirked his eyebrow. They were official. Maria was fine with it. He squared up to Liz. "Start talking.". Isabel stepped up, holding Max back. "Why don't we all get a drink first, then Liz can fill us all in with last nights events?" she noted Michael's protective posture- Max had to tread carefully here.

She smiled as Max stepped back and went to the kitchen. She faced the couple, silently noting the bruises on Liz. She had gone out last night and was intrigued at why. Smiling her hostess smile, she ushered everyone through to the kitchen. Once seated with their drinks, Liz started to talk, leaning on her boyfriend, who wrapped an arm around her. "Last night I confronted Tess on my own. I have my reasons. Personal reasons", Michael was startled to see Maria nod- she knew.

"Tess is gone, if she ever comes back, she's dead. She knows I will kill her myself. She killed Alex, Isabel's first love and my best friend, most of all a musketeer. That alone is unforgivable. Max let her go the first time, she won't be quite so lucky next time. Tess is paying now. I ensured it. Max, if you try to help her, I WILL stop you. She deserves to pay. I was just making sure of it.". She looked around the room. Everyone but Max was in agreement with her. Maria was nodding her approval for her actions. Max was mad- he was KING, Ava was Queen, Liz had NO right to threaten her life. She stiffened, "I had EVERY RIGHT MAX! Alex was my and Maria's best friend, your sisters first love. You let her go and I can NEVER forgive you for that travesty of justice.".

She shrugged adding "I have developed my powers fully now. They include mind warping, blasting, shielding, dream plains, reading thoughts when I have to, healing and visions of the future. I will use them when I need to. Anyone going to complain?" she looked directly at Max as she said it. He glared back at her. 'What had happened to the innocent, pure, protected Liz he'd known for so long?' he wondered, seeing the now unhampered fiery brunette by Michael's side instead. Her emotions were seething at his thoughts, Michael catching them easily. They were locked in an emotional showdown- a showdown he knew she couldn't afford after last night.

He jerked her out of it. "Stop it. Maxwell, she did do the right thing- she got justice for Alex.". Liz's head turned to him at that point, her dazed emotions overwhelmed. He knew it. He drew her into his protective mental shield, feeling her sigh in relief. He glared at Max for doing that to her. Kyle was confused. Michael was upset and glaring at Max. Michael's voice was carefully controlled when he bluntly told the others "Maxwell is a bit pissed off at Liz's actions at threatening Ava's dupe last night. That's rich, considering how he was tricked into letting her go in the first place. As King, he feels it was HIS place to do it, NOT hers.".

Maria was outraged at that. She turned to Max, stating "She killed Alex. You let her go, Liz didn't. I'm with space boy, Liz did the right thing.". She stood beside Liz. Liz was still reeling from the emotional onslaught from Max. It made her head swim. It was no longer a surprise to her at how she had done the things she'd done for him. She was at her limit and left the kitchen, slipping from a surprised Michael's arm. He let her go, knowing why.

Maria went after her and he stopped her with a hand on her arm "Don't, she needs this time out. I know", his voice a warning and Maria nodded. Liz needed to break this hold Max could put over her at a moments notice or she would never truly be free of it.

Liz was having an epiphany. Max still had an emotional hold over her. She felt Michael's love wash over her crackled nerves, soothing her jagged emotions. She held back her tears- she wanted out of Max's hold over her. 'The things she'd done for him. All for his son. When had any of it been about her? The answer was startling- it hadn't been. She finally got it! It had all been about MAX instead! How had she missed that?!' She wiped her eyes- she had been crying. Looking up, her resolve firmly in place. Her eyes were determined, a coffee fire in them- she was DONE pandering to Max. Michael smirked, he felt like cheering. Liz Parker was truly his. Liz walked confidently back into the kitchen, taking her rightful place by Michael's side. She was finally his equal. She was part of the Royal Four, she knew her place in the group at long last, away from Max's side. She was here in her own right now instead and damn, it felt good.

Her power floated around her like a cloak, unleashed properly at long last. She looked around with a smirk, asking everyone else "Nobody said before, are there any complaints?" Her eyes were flashing dangerously. Everyone but Max grinned at her. Max left in a mood, Ava following him, glancing a 'sorry' look at Liz as she left.

Michael answered for everyone else " I take it that's a no then Parker" his smirk firmly in place at seeing his girl completely on display by her choice for the first time ever. He was proud of her. THIS was his Parker, his Liz with her power settling on her like a cloak, her brunette hair flying with energy, her coffee eyes flashing with power and her smile was dangerous and sexy as sin. Damn, if he hadn't made a move on her before, he would have done now. She was perfect. He had the funniest feeling she had a make over planned to complete it, finish off her look. She already had the finishing piece around her neck- his name- and his graduation present to her would add to it.

Liz was blushing under his gaze. He fought the urge to soundlessly kiss her, looking away instead. Isabel's eyebrow raised. "I do believe that we should see how the media is handling the explosion, don't you?" she asked, her eyes going around the room, silently noting the undercurrent of sexual tension bubbling between Liz and Michael. She led the rest out, leaving them to it. Michael noticed the empty room first, bringing Liz to him, their fires colliding together. His control was shattered at her fiery response to him. Swiping his tongue into her mouth, he swallowed her moan, his hands sneaking under her top, desperate to explore more of her. Her hands were in his hair, tugging him closer, her control dwindling under his hands. He was on the verge of bringing them to their dream plain to continue things much, much further and hear her scream his name in ecstasy in his mind when they heard from a faint distance a surprised "Oh, I'm so sorry. We'll leave you to it.".

It was enough to get her attention, causing her to mentally start pulling away to investigate. He groaned audibly against her mouth, nipping her lip to get her attention back again to the matter at hand- them. She went willingly back to him, her hand sliding to the back of his neck pulling him in deeper. Moaning at the contact, her hand slipped under his jacket and his hand slipping down to cup her bottom, bringing her into him further. He loved it when she was like this- completely lost. He loved her. About to bring her back to their dream plain again, there was another faint cough but a lot louder. Maxwell, he had caught them in the act.

Michael pulled away, meeting Maxwell's eyes. He was furious. He had never given his permission for this to happen. Ava was trying to pull him away, Liz was still coming back to her senses after his onslaught to her senses. He had been on the verge of seducing her all over again in their dream plain twice. Damn Max's timing. She had been so close to a complete surrender physically to him, it had physically hurt.

Liz was barely standing. She knew Michael was dangerous to her way of thinking, she just hadn't known how dangerous he was until now. He'd had her on the verge of physical surrender to him, uncaring about waiting until Harvard. One more second, one more kiss and she would have been his- physically, mentally, heart and mind. 'He would have ultimately claimed her completely and she wouldn't have cared where they were, as long as she was with him.' Her thought left them both shaken, he hadn't realised she had been THAT close.

He pulled her close in a hug, shielding her from Max's gaze. He needed to have this out with Max before things got any further between them. He didn't want anything to get in their way when he finally did claim her completely, there was to be no regrets with this.

Stepping away from her, he looked at Max, his wall up. "We need to talk outside now Maxwell", Max nodded and the two went outside to talk. Ava was at Liz's side, comforting her. Once outside, Max and Michael faced each other in a showdown.
"What are you doing Michael, I never gave you permission to date Liz. How could you do this to me?! You've betrayed me by going behind my back to do this. Liz was mine.". Max was in his face, staring him down, anger pouring out of him, his face tense. Michael stared right back at him, keeping his temper under control.

He had no claim on Liz, Michael did. It was Michael Liz had slept with in the dream plain, not Max. It was Michael who had her heart and he wasn't about to give it back. Max had to know that. He stood firm, his stonewall in place, stonewall Guerin at his finest. Max smirked at him coldly. "You won't win Michael. Yes I love Ava but Liz was with me first. What about Maria? Do you really love Liz?" he was getting to Michael.
Both Liz and Ava had been listening. "Did you really love me Max or was I just a way to help you find your son in the end?" the voice was cold. Michael knew it was Liz's. Max had this coming. Max had gone quiet, he turned around to see a stunned Ava and a furious Liz defending her. She was mad. She walked calmly up to Max and slapped him.

"You do not have a claim on me. If anyone does, it is Michael by my choice. Not yours! He hasn't betrayed you. Think of Ava, she loves you. If you do the same stunts on her that you did to me, you will lose her, like you lost me. Wise up your majesty. I don't need your permission to date Michael nor does he need your permission to date me. He already has my fathers and Maria's. The only reason we need your permission is because of the code of friendship, nothing more! I hope I have made my point clear enough for you to see. Now go and see Ava- YOUR GIRLFRIEND- and leave me ALONE with MY BOYFRIEND!". Her stonewall was up the entire time and she was ice cold towards him.

As he left to go after an upset Ava, she called to say "I hope she forgives you.". He ran. The rest had been watching, stunned at Max's behaviour towards Michael. Michael was hugging Liz now. Ava was yelling at Max. This was a mess. Michael was gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear "Liz, you didn't have to do that", "Yes, I did for us. For Ava, she doesn't deserve that.". He sighed, she was so stubborn sometimes. There was only one answer to this.

He hugged her and brought them to the dream plain. 'I love you so much. At Harvard, you're mine', his amber eyes filled with fire for her and his thoughts and emotions swirled around her. She melted and lost it completely at that. She kissed him. He knew he had her in that moment. She was his, feeling her physically surrender into his hug in reality. 'Damn, she had made her choice and it was to give herself to him completely at Harvard.' He regretfully took them back to reality. Their eyes meet in a mutually heated gaze. "Damn, when you make a choice, you go for it, don't you!" he whispered, pushing her out of the view of the others, his eyes roamed over her face. He kissed her desperately, needing her now. She kissed him back just as desperately. "Come on, we need to graduate early.".

With that, they went back inside. Maria was hugging her. Ava came out with Max, a very sorry Max. Max stood in front of Michael and Liz and held his hand out to Michael. "I'm sorry Michael, you have my permission to date Liz and you have never betrayed me. Liz, I'm sorry. You were right.". Michael shook his hand. "Thank you Maxwell.". They hugged and Liz hugged Max. "Right, let's graduate!" Kyle cheered.