They were at the hotel still. They'd all seen a realtor in town and had found a house that suited them for know. It had 40 acres in land so they'd build a second and third house on the property, so that they'd all have room. They'd close escrow in a weeks times.m For the time being they wanted to stay together. He didn't know if it was because they hadn't seen each other in so long or if it was just a natural thing for them. They'd gotten used to being together. It was safer non the less.
The girls seemed to like the quiet town and spent most of their time together, which gave Michael time to discuss his plans with Kyle. And although Kyle didn't like the plan, he knew in the long run it made sense and if anyone had to do it, it would have to be Michael.
"So, when did you want to make the trip?" Kyle asked him.
"I can't keep putting it off. I know we haven't been here long but this has been a long time coming." He hesitated. "I don't know if I should leave you with the girls."
Kyle laughed. "Don't chicken out, Michael. We'll be fine without you. You'll only be gone a couple of days and you won't be far. If an emergency comes up, you can be here within an hour or two. We have to know where Max will stand if Zan finds us. He has to know about Parker and you're the only one who can talk to him." Kyle wasn't telling him anything he didn't already know. "You want Liz to do it?"
"What? Of course not! This is my thing. I should have done this a long time ago."
"Then go, Michael. Just go. I'll cover for you. I'll explain when the time comes. And Lord help you if Liz finds out what your doing."
While the girls were in town, Michael made his way out of town once more, hoping Kyle could handle it all. He dialed the familiar number and waited.
"Michael. I'm in Sacramento now. Where are you?" Max still sounded a little worried.
"I'm heading south. I'll probably get to Redding before you. Call me when you get there." Michael was nervous as hell.
"And you're sure you can't tell me what this is about?"
"Max, there's a lot we need to talk about and a lot we can't do over the phone. It's too personal."
"If you say so. Hey, before I let you go, have you talked to either Isabel or Kyle? They were supposed to call me last week and never did. And last I spoke to them, they sounded pretty weird."
"Yea, they're fine. Just spoke to them. Something came up but like I said better speak in person. Seething major happened. We're in trouble."
"The agency-?"
"No. Not them. One of our own. Due time Max. See you in a couple hours."
The next 3 hours were the most terrifying hours of his life. He didn't know how Max would react to the news.
He met up wit Max just outside of Redding. He hadn't seen his brother in a long time. A mixture of happiness and terror struck him once again.
Maxwell embraced him and for a second, Michael felt calm.
"Michael, it's been a while. How you been? What made you leave? And what the hell happened with Isabel?" Max sat on the hood of his car.
"I'm good. I had to leave. I haven't been myself for a long time and I was ready to find what I needed. I'll tell you about it but before I do, Isabel is fine. She's with Kyle. They had to leave town." Michael hesitated. He didn't know if he should just start of with the Zan situation or star from the beginning. "Max, has anyone approached you? Anyone of us for example? And if so, did they act a little off?"
"Michael, what the hell are you talking about? Are you talking about a shifter?" Max was quick to be on his feet. His stance took one of somebody waiting to battle. He was tense and looking around.
"I don't think he's here. I don't think he followed me. He found Isabel and Kyle. That's why they left. I thought you'd be harder to find because you don't stay too long in one place. Max, sit down. We have a long story to get through. Believe me, I don't think he's around here."
"Do you know who it is? What he wants?'"
"Yes. Like I said, long story, Maxwell."
"Ok. Go. What happened?"
"It actually started a long time ago. Look, when I start this, just shut up and don't interrupt. At one point you might have the urge to hit me and you can swing. I won't stop you. But let me get through this." And so he started. And true enough, when he got to the part about having sex with Liz, Max took off like a snake and was on him. Michael apologized and was impressed when Max let him continue without saying anything.
"That's why I left, Max. I left just like you did. I left to find her. But I knew where to look. She was-"
"You found her?! You found Liz?! Where is she?! Is she here?!" Max demanded.
"I found her and no she's not here. She's safe. That's why he's here. Ok, getting ahead of myself. Like I said, I found her. But Max-" he hesitated. He was about to tell his brother he and Liz had a child together. "We have a son, Max. Liz had my son and kept it from me. She had her reasons. One of them was that she was terrified what Kyle and Isabel would think or say. And she was terrified of you finding out. I don't agree with it. But I can remove myself from it and see why she thought she was right." He rambled because he didn't want to look at max's reaction to his son. "His name is Parker. He's real smart. He can already control his powers. I'd love for you to meet him, Maxwell. No matter how angry you are at me, how much you hate me, I can promise you that you'll love him."
Max was so still. It didn't look to Michael like he was breathing but he left him alone. His instincts told him that much.
Finally, after a couple of minutes of silence, Max asked, "Did he expose us?"
"What?! No, Max. Liz and Ava were perfect in explaining things to him. Like I said, he's smart. He's not why we're here. Look, I know this is a lot but its nothing compared to what you're gonna hear. I need you to listen again. You might want to sit down again."
"I'd rather stand. Finish your story, Michael."
And, so Michael explained Zan as best he could. What he'd seen and what he'd heard and what he knew Zan was capable of doing.
"I don't believe it, Michael. If you're right. Zan, Future Max-whatever! That's me! And no matter how angry I might get I would never do that. I would never hurt Liz. Michael, that's me from the future. I-"
"A different future Max. And he's stuck here! He didn't get his happy ending and everything here is not what he wanted so he's pissed. He's you at your worst times 10 because he's been isolated. He's worked himself over with hatred and anger."
"I would never-"
"You've hurt people, Max. If they don't agree with you, you walk over them. I've seen it. You did it with Kal, Nasado, Isabel."
"I would never hurt, Liz!" Max exploded.
"Max, Liz was terrified of you before she left. Do you not hear what's going on? You suffocated her. Do I believe you would hurt physically hurt her? Unintentionally, yes. I know you love her or loved her at one point but she's become and obsession and nothing more. Zan, let Tess kill Alex to get the future he wanted. The only reason he is here was because he was selfish. He wanted Liz, and a child with Tess. He wants power. You might say you don't want it but you always rise when a leader is needed. And you're quick to give demands. There are similarities but he's not you and you aren't him. And you won't turn out like that if you finally let go of Liz and let go of whatever anger you're holding onto."
"He tried to kill Liz?"
Michaels throat hardened. He couldn't breathe. Yes, he had almost lost Liz. "Yes," was the only thing he answered.
"Why? I don't understand-"
"He's crazy, Maxwell. If he can't have her then nobody will."
"Where is he?"
"Hopefully, lost. He'll catch up to us but not any time soon. We have time."
Instead of heading back to Adin, Michael and Max stayed up talking. They caught up in their time missed. Max wasn't sure he could trust that Zan as they called him was to blame for why they were on the run. He was convinced it was someone else. Someone who had taken the appearance of-them. He was angry at Michael but didn't bring up with situation about Liz or Parker, which was what Michael really wanted to talk about.
"You'll always be my brother, Maxwell. But, you have to know, I love her too. I've loved Liz for a long time. I wouldn't have slept with her or hurt you like that if I didn't."
"Drop it, Michael". Max warned.
"I just wanted you to know."
They slept in their cars. It was freezing cold but they were too tired to drive anywhere. The heater stayed on in the car the whole night making it comfortable.
The next day they discussed what they would do about the shape shifter. Max refused to call him Zan. Max wanted to meet up with the group. Michael wasn't sure about that. Isabel and Kyle would be fine meeting up wit Max but he couldn't make that decision for Liz or Ava.
"I know you still don't understand. Liz wanted to get away from you for a long time before she left. You were creepy and she couldn't deal. I don't know why she stayed so long. She used to say it was because she had no one else and she didn't and to leave us. But, Max, she wanted t be away from you. I'm not saying this to be an asshole. I just want you to understand why I'm not sure I can invite you back with me."
"Then why call me? Why call me if I wouldn't be able to see anyone?"
"Because-because I still love her. And you needed to know about what I'd done. You needed to know. I owe you that much. Right? And because of Zan. That's why I called."
"I need to see her, Michael. If all you're saying is true, then I need to hear it from her and apologize. I won't give her any problems. And if I can't handle it, I'll just leave. But I have to see her. I won't ever accept it if I don't."
Michael was utterly lost. He didn't know what to do but he did agree with Max. What other way would Max fully understand.
He text Kyle that they would be back in town the next morning. He decided it was safer to sleep on the decision more than anything. "Ok, we'll leave in the morning. Your right. You have a right to see your sister and meet your nephew."
At the mention in nephew, Michael saw Max take a deep gulp. He couldn't blame him if the tables were turned.
In the morning they set out back to Adin. The closer they got to the small town, the lighter Michael felt. He had a strange feeling of coming back home. He'd never felt that before. And when he'd first gotten a glimpse of the town he never thought he'd ever feel that way. But he'd been wrong. Adin was his home now. His chest rose with pride. He had a home now. And hopefully a family waiting for him.
This phone rang 30 minutes outside of town and when he looked at it, he saw that it was Kyle calling.
"Hey, we're 30 minutes out of town. We'll be there soon."
"I'll let the girls know. We're actually up at the house. They handed the keys over to us this morning. We moved all our stuff. So just come on up. We've already checked out of the hotel too."
"Ok. See you soon."
Max followed him up the the land and to the front of the garage of the house half an hour later. He was proud to show him his home. He was full and pride and the thought made him smile from ear to ear. He parked the car and put on his jacket before he locked it. He watched as Max gave a look over to the outside of the house.
Isabel was the first to come out. The smile on her face and tears in her eyes were enough reason to have Max over today. "Max!"
Max met her with a warm, big hug. "I've missed ti, Iz. You're as big as a house." He jokes, laughing.
Isabel pouted. "I do not."
"I wish you hadn't said that." Kyle appeared from the doorway. "She's going to cry herself to,sleep tonight. How are you, Max?"
Both men approached each other and half hugged each other.
Michael saw Ava, now just outside the door. One hand behind her as if defending someone.
Michael rolled his eyes. "Let him out, Ava."
Ava glanced at him with a fierce stare. She looked confused for a second and then rolled her eyes. "Max." She said without moving.
"Ava." Max barely nodded.
"Ava, let him by. Parker you can come out." Michael came forward and extended his hand. His son appeared from behind his aunt and took his hand.
"I'd like you to meet your Uncle Max." Michael turned to Max, "Max, this is Parker, my son."
Max eyes were wide as he took on the boys appearance. Michael knew the boy was almost the splitting image of him. He had a couple of Liz's traits as well but for the most part, appearance wise, he was all Michael.
"Hi." Parker spoke first. "Mommy said you'd look like Zan. Please don't hurt my Mommy like him."
Max shook his head. "I'd never hurt your Mommy, Parker."
"Daddy, where's Mommy?" Parker turned u to look at him.
"I don't know , Parker. Kyle?" He turned to his friend who was shrugging.
"Parker said she was with you."
Michael's body went rigid and cold. "What?"
"You told me to come home, Daddy. You said you needed to talk to Mommy." Parker was confused.
"When Parker?" Michael's terror showed. He tried not to scare his son. "How long ago did this happen, Parker?"
"He came back to the house alone about half an hour ago. He and Liz went exploring and he showed up upset saying you two were arguing. I didn't think anything of it. Liz was mad when she found out you went looking for him." He nodded towards Max.
"Parker, show Daddy where you last saw Mommy. Kyle stay here with Isabel. Max, Ava, come with me." At that point, Parker started crying.
"It's ok, Parker. It's ok." Michael picked him up and try to comfort his son.
"I left Mommy, with the bad man, Zan. I didn't protect her."
"Parker, listen to me honey. You're still a kid. It's Mommy and Daddy's responsibility to protect and take care of you. You don't have to protect anyone. You just worry about being a kid ok. Daddy will get Mommy back. I promise. Now, show me where you saw Mommy last."
Parker nodded and pointed. After a couple of minutes of walking further into their land, Parker wanted to be let down. He stopped at one point, turned to the house and turned back away from the house and started moving off to the left. "We came this way because Mommy saw a bunny."
Michael thanked aged his son was so smart he could tell how far they'd gone before turning. 15 minutes later, the house being a little small in the background, Parker stopped and said that's where they'd stopped.
"Daddy, you told me to go home, Mommy didn't want to let me go but you said to send flares in the air if I got lost. So Mommy finally said yes. You said, "Liz he can't get lost for God sake, we can still see the house. She was so mad." Tears started forming in his little eyes again.
"Son, Auntie Ava is going to take you home now, ok. Uncle Max and I are going to find, Mommy."