T

Best Laid Plans
Part 3

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. :)

Liz was sitting down on her lawn chair, on her balcony, writing in her journal for the first time in what seemed like forever. She was still trying to figure out where this happy glow she was feeling was coming from. Definitely NOT from spending time with Sean she thought! But still…

Her though were interrupted by the phone ringing… at 2:30a.m.?!?! ‘Who would be calling me at this time’ she thought as she grabbed the receiver and answered “Hello?”

“Ohmygod! Liz what were you doing with Sean!? I mean, what were you thinking!!! Sean comes home all smiles and won’t say anything except that he was out with you! Why would you *willingly* do anything with Sean!” started Maria. “We were looking everywhere for you!”

“Whoa, Maria, calm down. First off I was just hanging out with Sean, not that it’s any of your business” why was she feeling so defensive, thought Liz, “and besides, who was looking for me and why?”

“Everyone was looking! Listen something happened between Max and Tess…” began Maria.

“I know” interrupted Liz “ I saw them kiss. Why does everyone think I need to know that?” anger was creeping into her voice.

“Kiss?” cried Maria “He never said anything about a kiss!! No, Liz I’m talking about Tess going postal and trying to kill Max with some Czechoslovakian Kung Fu. And before you ask – yes, Max is fine, we used the healing stones on him, and he’s back to normal. Or what passes for normal around here.” She grumbled.

Liz felt ice in her chest, she was having trouble breathing, “She… she tried to kill Max?” The words came out in a whisper.

“Yep, left a big ole hand print on his chest where she tried to knock him all the way to Czechoslovakia, if you know what I mean. But don’t worry Liz, she won’t be trying again. Tess left.”

“Wait Maria. What do you mean left?”

“She’s gone, amscrayed, flew the coup. Left Kyle this note…”

“Maria!” Liz cried, “She can’t leave!! We have to get her back! Remember future Max?”

“Oh God Liz, that’s right! I forgot! Listen, everyone is meeting at the Crashdown this morning at nine to decide what to do if you and Tess were still missing. Don’t worry, I’m sure she’ll turn up.” After a few more calming phrases to her friend Maria hung up and started hitting her cedar oil.

‘This can’t be happening’ thought Liz, ‘I pushed Max away so he and Tess would get closer, so the world wouldn’t end. She can’t leave. She can’t be gone. If she is then all of this was for nothing…’

Unable to stop the tears from coming, and overcome by a feeling of hopelessness Liz collapsed on her bed crying.