Best Laid Plans
Part 1

By Prestor John

Disclaimer: All of the standard: Don't own 'em, just borrowing 'em.
Summary: My AU diverges when Max kisses Tess in Heart of Mine.
Category: Other
Rating: PG-13
Authors Note: My first fiction, so be gentle and honest. Hell, if you can’t be gentle, just be honest! :) Let me know what you think. Mega thanks to Jayfff & Cobray for beta reading, and to Robin and Fadre for editoral comments and reminding me of the rules of grammar. :)

"I remember our first kiss," said Max, "It was at a party…"

“And I leaned in like this..” breathed Tess. Their lips met, and the kiss grew. Neither noticed the doors opening behind them. Neither heard Liz as she turned around and stormed out of the school.

Damn it! Thought Liz, I knew this was going to happen, I did everything I could so it would happen, so why does it still hurt! Walking as fast as she could away from West Roswell High's Prom, away from the site of Max kissing Tess…

"NO!" cried Max, pulling back abruptly from Tess. "No, I can't." Seeing the shocked look on Tess's face, he quickly looked away and continued. "Tess, those feeling and memories I have for you, and the ones you have for me… they aren't real. They are memories of a life that ended over 50 years ago. We may have been… were, in love in that life, but in this one… it won't work. I mean, yes we've grown closer, over this last year -and I'm glad! You are very special to me. You always will be. Just not in that way. You’re becoming more like family…"

Tess couldn't hear any more. Max was still talking, glancing at her from the corner of his eye occasionally, but she was beyond hearing. FAMILY! As in SISTER! TWICE in one night. She couldn't deal with this. Tess stood up abruptly and began to walk toward the doors Liz had used not 5 minutes earlier. All of the sudden Max was there, grabbing her arm, spinning her around, saying " Tess wait.." Tess was able to focus on his eyes for a second. Those deep brown eyes, filled with such pity and sorrow.

That was the breaking point "GET AWAY FROM ME!" Tess yelled. Striking out with her free arm, she put all the power she could muster into the blow. Max was thrown across the hall, into the bench they had just been sitting on. The force of his flying body knocked the bench over backwards, carrying it and Max to the floor.

Tess continued out the door, oblivious to the fact that Max wasn't moving.