xtremeroswellia (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
xtremeroswellia) wrote2000-03-11 05:03 pm
xtremeroswellia) wrote2000-03-11 05:03 pm
Roswell Fic: You Were Meant For Me (14/25)
Author: X_tremeroswellian
Email: faithboscorelli1@yahoo.com
Disclaimer: Oh, how I wish they were mine...Oh, and any and all references to Mr. Raddish are my tribute to Kara and Emily, who created him and write a wonderful series of fics called "Roswell Elementary" that everyone should read.
Author's Note: I began writing this back in February, and it was based off a few early spoilers for the rest of the season that I read back then. After watching "Tess, Lies and Videotape," I realized that this story falls into place with that plot. Here's the rundown. Let's just say that in T,L and V, Max and Tess kissed but Max didn't get any visions. Liz still saw them kiss. Max went to Michael's apartment and he and Michael still fought but didn't end up finding a video camera, although for this story we'll say that Michael went ahead and kicked Max out of his apartment. Shortly afterwords, Max and Liz break up and Max starts dating Tess. This story picks up about two weeks after the M/L break up, and there is much tension among the six of them...
Spoilers: Up through Tess, Lies and Videotape, the rest is just my guess of what could have happened in the season finale, but didn't.
Dedication: To Sarah, Majik Karma, Mel, Linda and Abs for all the feedback! :)
Feedback: Please...and be critical if you feel the need...I can take it.
Special Thanks to: Majik Karma, who helped me work out the entire plot of this story by listening to me ramble on about it for three hours straight over the phone one night. :)
One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven | Eight | Nine | Ten | Eleven | Twelve | Thirteen | Fourteen | Fifteen | Sixteen | Seventeen | Eighteen | Nineteen | Twenty | Twenty-One | Twenty-two | Twenty Three | Twenty Four | Conclusion
"Let love be without dissimiculation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good."
-Romans 12:9
You Were Meant For Me (Part 14)
Liz stuffed her third hour books into her locker. She had dreaded fourth period all morning until she finally convinced herself that it just wasn't worth going.
She closed her locker and leaned against it for a moment, trying to relax. Her mind wandered to the dream she'd had the previous night. Her grandmother had died months ago, but the dream she'd had was so real. If Maria were there, she'd probably tell Liz that her grandmother was trying to give her some message from the great beyond.
But Maria isn't here, Liz realized as hot tears stung her eyes. Maria was friends with Tess now.
Losing Max to Tess had hurt bad enough...but Maria had been her best friend for almost nine years. They were like sisters. They did everything together, talked about everything...Now she was gone, too.
Liz didn't get to dwell on it for long because she heard footsteps approaching her and she turned to see who it was. Great, she thought dryly. Just what I needed.
Tess strode right up to her until she was standing directly in front of her. Every muscle in Liz's body tensed as she stared right back at Tess. Tess may have Max and Isabel and Maria believing that she was a nice person, but Liz didn't buy her act for a second. And no way was she going to allow herself to be intimidated.
"Leave us alone, Elizabeth," Tess hissed, glaring at her. "Me, Max, Isabel and Maria. We don't want anything to do with you."
Liz held her ground, her eyes flashing as she felt the rage building inside her. "You don't scare me, Tess."
Tess leaned in closer to her. "I should," she whispered harshly.
"If you want a fight, you're going to get one," Liz snapped, struggling to control her anger. Go ahead and attack me right here in the hallway, Liz thought. Give me a reason to really pull out your hair one strand at a time.
They glared at each other for a long moment. Then Tess whispered again, "You've been warned." Then she turned and walked away.
Liz stared after her. When Tess disappeared, Liz leaned back against her locker for support. She felt really tired all of a sudden. What she really needed was some water. Cold water to calm her down. Yeah, she thought. That's what I need. She pushed away from the locker and hurried to the girl's restroom down the hall.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liz gripped onto the edge of the sink as she closed her eyes and waited for the dizziness to pass. Then she turned on the cold water and splashed two handfuls of water on her face, letting the coolness soothe her anger.
When she rose up and glanced in the mirror above the sink, she caught sight of a figure in the corner of the room, huddled in a defensive position. Her eyes widened as she realized who it was. Liz whirled around. "Isabel?" she asked tentatively. She didn't even look up. Liz bit her lip. She didn't know whether to get Max or Michael or Alex, or if she should stay and try to figure out what was wrong.
Well, gee, Liz, she chided herself. Max, Michael and Alex can't really come into the girl's restroom, now can they?
Liz took a deep breath and walked over to her. "Isabel?"
Isabel still didn't say anything, she didn't even move.
Liz stared at her for a long moment. Then she knelt down and reached out and touched her arm. "Isabel?"
Isabel blinked and her eyes focused on the girl kneeling beside her.
"Um, Isabel--are you all right?"
Isabel staredi nto the girl's deep brown eyes. A spark of recognition struck a chord somewhere within her. "Liz?"
"Yeah, it's me. Are you okay?"
Isabel continued to stare at her. Memories exploded into her mind.
*"I'm not trying to take him away from you. I could never even do that." *
*Liz and Alex at the hospital as Isabel took Alex's blood to replace Max's with it.*
*Liz and Isabel painting their toenails in the quad at school.*
Liz is my friend, Isabel realized, her eyes widening. And suddenly she started crying.
Liz stared at her in shock. "Isabel, what is it? What's wrong? Please tell me."
"I don't know--I can't fix it. Liz, I'm really scared!"
Liz put her arms around her. She and Isabel had never been close friends or anything, but little by little the past few months, Isabel had started to lose some of her iciness towards Liz, and had started to trust her as a friend, not just as the girl who knew her biggest secret.
Liz was overwhelmed by the feeling of terror. Not just fear, but pure terror. "Please help me, Liz," Isabel whispered.
Liz's mind flashed back to the night that Max had come to her, and had spoken almost those exact words. A shiver ran down her spine. "What are you afraid of, Isabel?" she asked, her voice stronger and more steady than she felt.
"The emptiness," Isabel whispered.
She didn't know what Isabel meant by that, but right now, she knew she had to find Michael. Or Max. "Isabel, let's go find Michael and Max, okay?"
"No! No, please!"
"Why not?"
Isabel's eyes darted around the room. "It's out there!"
Liz swallowed hard. Okay, Parker, stay calm. Stay in control, she commanded herself. She took a deep breath. "What do you want me to do?"
Isabel stared at her. "Call my mom. Please. She has the day off. Have her come and get me."
"Okay," she agreed. "I'll be right back and--"
"No!" Isabel grabbed Liz's arm. "Don't leave me here alone. Please!"
She stared down at Isabel. Never had she seen this girl lose her calm, collected manner before. Liz was scared. That's okay. I can be scared. I just have to stay in control of the situation, she thought. "Okay, Isabel. Come with me, and I'll call your mom, okay?" she said gently.
Isabel nodded and stood up, holding onto Liz's arm. Liz lead her out into the hallway, and to the payphone. She dug in her jeans pocket for some change and inserted it into the coin slot and picked up the reciever. She dialed the number without hesitation.
"Hello?"
"Mrs. Evans?"
"Yes?"
"Hi. This is Liz Parker."
Diane blinked in surprise. "Hello, Liz. How are you?"
"I'm okay. Um, actually, I'm here with Isabel. She wanted me to call you and see if you could come and pick her up. She's not feeling well."
"Are you at school? Is she all right?"
"Yeah, we're at school. I think she may have the flu or something," Liz lied.
Diane's worry increased tenfold. Isabel had never been sick before. Not once. "I'll be right there, Liz. Will you stay with her until I get there?"
"Yeah, sure."
"Thank you." Diane hung up the phone. She didn't know how she knew it, but her daughter was safer with Liz there with her.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liz turned to face Isabel. "Your mom's on her way. I'm going to stay with you until she gets here, okay?"
"Thank you," she whispered.
Liz nodded and lead them to a bench outside in the quad. They sat down. Liz was greatful that the rain had halted for the time being because she REALLY needed the fresh air right now.
"Liz!"
She turned to see Alex coming towards her. She waved at him and then glanced up at the sky as a ray of sunshine burst out from the clouds.
Alex stared wide-eyed at Isabel and then looked at Liz questioningly. Liz shook her head slightly and Alex sat down on the other side of Isabel. "What's up?"
Isabel gave him a small smile that quickly dissipated. "My mom's coming to get me."
"Is everything okay?" he asked in concern, searching her eyes.
When Isabel didn't answer, Liz said, "She's not feeling well."
"Is she okay?"
Liz met his worried eyes. "I wish I knew."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael was sitting on a table in the quad when his gaze landed on three figures not far away. Liz, Alex and...Isabel?
He rose to his feet and headed for them, squinting against the sky. All three of them looked up. "Hey."
"Hey, Michael," Liz answered uneasily, glancing at Isabel.
Michael looked at her. She looked terrified and exhausted. He noticed the cloudiness that covered her eyes. "Iz?"
She looked up at him, her expression nervous.
Isabel and nervous. Two words that weren't natural together. A surge of anger coursed through his veins. Tess did this to her. To her and to Max. I will stop her, he thought.
He felt more than heard her approach.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liz felt Isabel's hand tighten on her arm at the same time she felt a wave of coldness sweep over her. She glanced up at the sky, which had returned to its mass of solid gray clouds and was blotting out the sun.
Then she saw her.
Liz rose to her feet, Isabel standing next to her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Alex reach out and take Isabel's other hand.
Tess stopped a couple of feet from them. "Isabel, Max and Maria and I are going to lunch. Come with us."
Liz wasn't sure how she knew, but she knew beyond a doubt that Isabel didn't want to. She stepped in front of her, blocking Tess from her. "She doesn't want to go with you, Tess."
Tess glared at her, moving closer.
Suddenly Michael was right next to her. "Is there something you wanted?" he asked coldly.
"I want my friend Isabel to have lunch with me," she replied, her eyes never leaving Liz's.
"I don't think she wants to," Alex said, his tone flat as he felt Isabel increase her grip on his hand.
"I don't care what you think, dork!" Tess bit out harshly.
Liz stared her down, her eyes so cold Tess actually took a step back. "You're not wanted here. Leave," she commanded.
"Is something wrong here?"
Liz turned to see Mrs. Evans walking up from behind. Isabel let go of Liz and Alex and ran to her mother. "Mom!" Diane wrapped her arms around her daughter, holding her protectively.
"Hello, Mrs. Evans," Tess said sweetly, smiling at her.
Diane glanced from Tess to Liz. "Liz, is everything okay?"
Liz turned to look at Alex and Michael. "Yeah, she's just not feeling well."
Diane glanced down at Isabel. "Honey, why don't you go wait in the car, okay?" Isabel nodded and hurried away. Diane watched her go, and then turned back to the others. "Hello, Michael."
Michael smiled and nodded his head at her.
Diane looked at the other boy. "I'm sorry, but I don't know your name."
Alex stuck out his hand and she shook it. "Alex. Alex Whitman," he said quickly.
She smiled, liking him immediately. "Nice to meet you, Alex. Would you three excuse me? I'd like to speak to Liz for a moment."
Tess smiled at her again. "I'll see you tonight at dinner, Mrs. Evans."
Diane's eyes darkened momentarily as she caught the flash of hurt on Liz Parker's face. "Actually, we'll have to do it some other time. Phillip and I are planning a nice evening alone with the family."
Michael couldn't help smirk at Tess as she agreed and then walked away. Then he and Alex went in the opposite direction so Mrs. Evans could talk to Liz.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diane watched as Tess walked away, and then turned her gaze to Liz. Her eyes softened. "Thank you for helping Izzy."
Liz nodded. "It's not a problem."
"I've been worried about her and Max lately." Liz flinched at the mention of Max's name. Diane noticed. "Liz, I don't know what happened with you and my son, but he'll come around. He still cares for you very much."
Liz managed a small smile. "Thanks, Mrs. Evans."
Diane hesitated for a second. Then she reached out and pulled Liz into a hug. "Don't give up on him. He needs you. They both do," she whispered.
Liz hugged her back, unsure of what to say, and not even completly sure what Diane meant. She wasn't sure if Diane really knew, either.
"Take care of yourself."
"I will," Liz promised. She watched Diane walk away. Then she sat down on the bench, more confused than ever.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria sat in uncomfortable silence across from Max as they waited for Isabel and Tess. She took a moment to study him. His dark eyes were a shade darker than usual and they seemed almost...cloudy.
Definitely brainwashed, she decided. She hoped that he and Isabel hadn't given Tess any clues to their real identity.
Of course, Maria thought, if they had, they'd be in some government lab right now.
The thought sent chills down her spine.
Tess walked up and smiled at her, and then kissed Max. "Hi."
Maria forced herself to smile and to resist the urge to reach out and throttle the stupid bitch. "Where's Isabel?'
"Oh, she wasn't feeling well. Your mother came and picked her up," she said to Max, who frowned.
"I should call home and make sure she's okay," Max said worriedly, standing up.
"No, Max. She's fine," Tess said sweetly, gazing into his eyes.
He sat back down. "I'm sure you're right."
Maria's eyes narrowed. No way would Max be talked out of checking on his sister if she was sick unless he was being controlled. And if he wasn't concerned about Isabel being sick after what happened to Michael, then that was even worse.
I'm running out of time, Maria realized. I have to find a way to stop her. Now.
Email: faithboscorelli1@yahoo.com
Disclaimer: Oh, how I wish they were mine...Oh, and any and all references to Mr. Raddish are my tribute to Kara and Emily, who created him and write a wonderful series of fics called "Roswell Elementary" that everyone should read.
Author's Note: I began writing this back in February, and it was based off a few early spoilers for the rest of the season that I read back then. After watching "Tess, Lies and Videotape," I realized that this story falls into place with that plot. Here's the rundown. Let's just say that in T,L and V, Max and Tess kissed but Max didn't get any visions. Liz still saw them kiss. Max went to Michael's apartment and he and Michael still fought but didn't end up finding a video camera, although for this story we'll say that Michael went ahead and kicked Max out of his apartment. Shortly afterwords, Max and Liz break up and Max starts dating Tess. This story picks up about two weeks after the M/L break up, and there is much tension among the six of them...
Spoilers: Up through Tess, Lies and Videotape, the rest is just my guess of what could have happened in the season finale, but didn't.
Dedication: To Sarah, Majik Karma, Mel, Linda and Abs for all the feedback! :)
Feedback: Please...and be critical if you feel the need...I can take it.
Special Thanks to: Majik Karma, who helped me work out the entire plot of this story by listening to me ramble on about it for three hours straight over the phone one night. :)
One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven | Eight | Nine | Ten | Eleven | Twelve | Thirteen | Fourteen | Fifteen | Sixteen | Seventeen | Eighteen | Nineteen | Twenty | Twenty-One | Twenty-two | Twenty Three | Twenty Four | Conclusion
"Let love be without dissimiculation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good."
-Romans 12:9
You Were Meant For Me (Part 14)
Liz stuffed her third hour books into her locker. She had dreaded fourth period all morning until she finally convinced herself that it just wasn't worth going.
She closed her locker and leaned against it for a moment, trying to relax. Her mind wandered to the dream she'd had the previous night. Her grandmother had died months ago, but the dream she'd had was so real. If Maria were there, she'd probably tell Liz that her grandmother was trying to give her some message from the great beyond.
But Maria isn't here, Liz realized as hot tears stung her eyes. Maria was friends with Tess now.
Losing Max to Tess had hurt bad enough...but Maria had been her best friend for almost nine years. They were like sisters. They did everything together, talked about everything...Now she was gone, too.
Liz didn't get to dwell on it for long because she heard footsteps approaching her and she turned to see who it was. Great, she thought dryly. Just what I needed.
Tess strode right up to her until she was standing directly in front of her. Every muscle in Liz's body tensed as she stared right back at Tess. Tess may have Max and Isabel and Maria believing that she was a nice person, but Liz didn't buy her act for a second. And no way was she going to allow herself to be intimidated.
"Leave us alone, Elizabeth," Tess hissed, glaring at her. "Me, Max, Isabel and Maria. We don't want anything to do with you."
Liz held her ground, her eyes flashing as she felt the rage building inside her. "You don't scare me, Tess."
Tess leaned in closer to her. "I should," she whispered harshly.
"If you want a fight, you're going to get one," Liz snapped, struggling to control her anger. Go ahead and attack me right here in the hallway, Liz thought. Give me a reason to really pull out your hair one strand at a time.
They glared at each other for a long moment. Then Tess whispered again, "You've been warned." Then she turned and walked away.
Liz stared after her. When Tess disappeared, Liz leaned back against her locker for support. She felt really tired all of a sudden. What she really needed was some water. Cold water to calm her down. Yeah, she thought. That's what I need. She pushed away from the locker and hurried to the girl's restroom down the hall.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liz gripped onto the edge of the sink as she closed her eyes and waited for the dizziness to pass. Then she turned on the cold water and splashed two handfuls of water on her face, letting the coolness soothe her anger.
When she rose up and glanced in the mirror above the sink, she caught sight of a figure in the corner of the room, huddled in a defensive position. Her eyes widened as she realized who it was. Liz whirled around. "Isabel?" she asked tentatively. She didn't even look up. Liz bit her lip. She didn't know whether to get Max or Michael or Alex, or if she should stay and try to figure out what was wrong.
Well, gee, Liz, she chided herself. Max, Michael and Alex can't really come into the girl's restroom, now can they?
Liz took a deep breath and walked over to her. "Isabel?"
Isabel still didn't say anything, she didn't even move.
Liz stared at her for a long moment. Then she knelt down and reached out and touched her arm. "Isabel?"
Isabel blinked and her eyes focused on the girl kneeling beside her.
"Um, Isabel--are you all right?"
Isabel staredi nto the girl's deep brown eyes. A spark of recognition struck a chord somewhere within her. "Liz?"
"Yeah, it's me. Are you okay?"
Isabel continued to stare at her. Memories exploded into her mind.
*"I'm not trying to take him away from you. I could never even do that." *
*Liz and Alex at the hospital as Isabel took Alex's blood to replace Max's with it.*
*Liz and Isabel painting their toenails in the quad at school.*
Liz is my friend, Isabel realized, her eyes widening. And suddenly she started crying.
Liz stared at her in shock. "Isabel, what is it? What's wrong? Please tell me."
"I don't know--I can't fix it. Liz, I'm really scared!"
Liz put her arms around her. She and Isabel had never been close friends or anything, but little by little the past few months, Isabel had started to lose some of her iciness towards Liz, and had started to trust her as a friend, not just as the girl who knew her biggest secret.
Liz was overwhelmed by the feeling of terror. Not just fear, but pure terror. "Please help me, Liz," Isabel whispered.
Liz's mind flashed back to the night that Max had come to her, and had spoken almost those exact words. A shiver ran down her spine. "What are you afraid of, Isabel?" she asked, her voice stronger and more steady than she felt.
"The emptiness," Isabel whispered.
She didn't know what Isabel meant by that, but right now, she knew she had to find Michael. Or Max. "Isabel, let's go find Michael and Max, okay?"
"No! No, please!"
"Why not?"
Isabel's eyes darted around the room. "It's out there!"
Liz swallowed hard. Okay, Parker, stay calm. Stay in control, she commanded herself. She took a deep breath. "What do you want me to do?"
Isabel stared at her. "Call my mom. Please. She has the day off. Have her come and get me."
"Okay," she agreed. "I'll be right back and--"
"No!" Isabel grabbed Liz's arm. "Don't leave me here alone. Please!"
She stared down at Isabel. Never had she seen this girl lose her calm, collected manner before. Liz was scared. That's okay. I can be scared. I just have to stay in control of the situation, she thought. "Okay, Isabel. Come with me, and I'll call your mom, okay?" she said gently.
Isabel nodded and stood up, holding onto Liz's arm. Liz lead her out into the hallway, and to the payphone. She dug in her jeans pocket for some change and inserted it into the coin slot and picked up the reciever. She dialed the number without hesitation.
"Hello?"
"Mrs. Evans?"
"Yes?"
"Hi. This is Liz Parker."
Diane blinked in surprise. "Hello, Liz. How are you?"
"I'm okay. Um, actually, I'm here with Isabel. She wanted me to call you and see if you could come and pick her up. She's not feeling well."
"Are you at school? Is she all right?"
"Yeah, we're at school. I think she may have the flu or something," Liz lied.
Diane's worry increased tenfold. Isabel had never been sick before. Not once. "I'll be right there, Liz. Will you stay with her until I get there?"
"Yeah, sure."
"Thank you." Diane hung up the phone. She didn't know how she knew it, but her daughter was safer with Liz there with her.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liz turned to face Isabel. "Your mom's on her way. I'm going to stay with you until she gets here, okay?"
"Thank you," she whispered.
Liz nodded and lead them to a bench outside in the quad. They sat down. Liz was greatful that the rain had halted for the time being because she REALLY needed the fresh air right now.
"Liz!"
She turned to see Alex coming towards her. She waved at him and then glanced up at the sky as a ray of sunshine burst out from the clouds.
Alex stared wide-eyed at Isabel and then looked at Liz questioningly. Liz shook her head slightly and Alex sat down on the other side of Isabel. "What's up?"
Isabel gave him a small smile that quickly dissipated. "My mom's coming to get me."
"Is everything okay?" he asked in concern, searching her eyes.
When Isabel didn't answer, Liz said, "She's not feeling well."
"Is she okay?"
Liz met his worried eyes. "I wish I knew."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael was sitting on a table in the quad when his gaze landed on three figures not far away. Liz, Alex and...Isabel?
He rose to his feet and headed for them, squinting against the sky. All three of them looked up. "Hey."
"Hey, Michael," Liz answered uneasily, glancing at Isabel.
Michael looked at her. She looked terrified and exhausted. He noticed the cloudiness that covered her eyes. "Iz?"
She looked up at him, her expression nervous.
Isabel and nervous. Two words that weren't natural together. A surge of anger coursed through his veins. Tess did this to her. To her and to Max. I will stop her, he thought.
He felt more than heard her approach.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liz felt Isabel's hand tighten on her arm at the same time she felt a wave of coldness sweep over her. She glanced up at the sky, which had returned to its mass of solid gray clouds and was blotting out the sun.
Then she saw her.
Liz rose to her feet, Isabel standing next to her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Alex reach out and take Isabel's other hand.
Tess stopped a couple of feet from them. "Isabel, Max and Maria and I are going to lunch. Come with us."
Liz wasn't sure how she knew, but she knew beyond a doubt that Isabel didn't want to. She stepped in front of her, blocking Tess from her. "She doesn't want to go with you, Tess."
Tess glared at her, moving closer.
Suddenly Michael was right next to her. "Is there something you wanted?" he asked coldly.
"I want my friend Isabel to have lunch with me," she replied, her eyes never leaving Liz's.
"I don't think she wants to," Alex said, his tone flat as he felt Isabel increase her grip on his hand.
"I don't care what you think, dork!" Tess bit out harshly.
Liz stared her down, her eyes so cold Tess actually took a step back. "You're not wanted here. Leave," she commanded.
"Is something wrong here?"
Liz turned to see Mrs. Evans walking up from behind. Isabel let go of Liz and Alex and ran to her mother. "Mom!" Diane wrapped her arms around her daughter, holding her protectively.
"Hello, Mrs. Evans," Tess said sweetly, smiling at her.
Diane glanced from Tess to Liz. "Liz, is everything okay?"
Liz turned to look at Alex and Michael. "Yeah, she's just not feeling well."
Diane glanced down at Isabel. "Honey, why don't you go wait in the car, okay?" Isabel nodded and hurried away. Diane watched her go, and then turned back to the others. "Hello, Michael."
Michael smiled and nodded his head at her.
Diane looked at the other boy. "I'm sorry, but I don't know your name."
Alex stuck out his hand and she shook it. "Alex. Alex Whitman," he said quickly.
She smiled, liking him immediately. "Nice to meet you, Alex. Would you three excuse me? I'd like to speak to Liz for a moment."
Tess smiled at her again. "I'll see you tonight at dinner, Mrs. Evans."
Diane's eyes darkened momentarily as she caught the flash of hurt on Liz Parker's face. "Actually, we'll have to do it some other time. Phillip and I are planning a nice evening alone with the family."
Michael couldn't help smirk at Tess as she agreed and then walked away. Then he and Alex went in the opposite direction so Mrs. Evans could talk to Liz.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diane watched as Tess walked away, and then turned her gaze to Liz. Her eyes softened. "Thank you for helping Izzy."
Liz nodded. "It's not a problem."
"I've been worried about her and Max lately." Liz flinched at the mention of Max's name. Diane noticed. "Liz, I don't know what happened with you and my son, but he'll come around. He still cares for you very much."
Liz managed a small smile. "Thanks, Mrs. Evans."
Diane hesitated for a second. Then she reached out and pulled Liz into a hug. "Don't give up on him. He needs you. They both do," she whispered.
Liz hugged her back, unsure of what to say, and not even completly sure what Diane meant. She wasn't sure if Diane really knew, either.
"Take care of yourself."
"I will," Liz promised. She watched Diane walk away. Then she sat down on the bench, more confused than ever.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria sat in uncomfortable silence across from Max as they waited for Isabel and Tess. She took a moment to study him. His dark eyes were a shade darker than usual and they seemed almost...cloudy.
Definitely brainwashed, she decided. She hoped that he and Isabel hadn't given Tess any clues to their real identity.
Of course, Maria thought, if they had, they'd be in some government lab right now.
The thought sent chills down her spine.
Tess walked up and smiled at her, and then kissed Max. "Hi."
Maria forced herself to smile and to resist the urge to reach out and throttle the stupid bitch. "Where's Isabel?'
"Oh, she wasn't feeling well. Your mother came and picked her up," she said to Max, who frowned.
"I should call home and make sure she's okay," Max said worriedly, standing up.
"No, Max. She's fine," Tess said sweetly, gazing into his eyes.
He sat back down. "I'm sure you're right."
Maria's eyes narrowed. No way would Max be talked out of checking on his sister if she was sick unless he was being controlled. And if he wasn't concerned about Isabel being sick after what happened to Michael, then that was even worse.
I'm running out of time, Maria realized. I have to find a way to stop her. Now.