Best Laid Plans
Part 5

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 think it’s time we know why she left,” stated Kyle from his seat on the edge of the group. “Last time I saw Tess she was going over to talk to Maxie in the lounge.” Giving Max a look of barely controlled fury Kyle continued “Well Evens? What did you do or say that made her leave?”

Still coming to grips with Liz’s revelation, He barely registered Kyle’s question. “Nothing, we talked.”

“And kissed.” added Maria, “Liz saw you two lip locked like there was no tomorrow.”

“What? Liz?” asked Max looked up at Liz and saw the shocked and hurt look she was gave Maria.

Ignoring this whole byplay, Kyle jumped up from his chair, grabbed Max by his shirt and threw him up against the counter. “Evans! Answer me! WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY SISTER?!”

Alex and Michael, who had jumped up as soon as they saw what Kyle was doing, grabbed him and managed to pull him off of Max. Meanwhile, the rest of the group was stumbling over Kyle’s revelation.

“Sister?” exclaimed Maria fighting back a laugh. “My God Kyle, you said you didn’t know what you felt for her, but sister?”

“OK! ENOUGH!” Yelled Liz as she stepped in front of Kyle and pulled his face down to where he could look at her. “Kyle, this is getting us nowhere. Ok? Tess left. Why isn’t important right now, it may be important when we find her, but right now we need to concentrate on finding her. That’s what’s important right now. Later we can worry about why she left. So let’s just drop this blame game for now, OK?” Turning from him she looked at Isabelle. “Is, would it possible for you to try and dream walk Tess? Maybe get some clues as to where she is?”

Isabelle ran her hand over her hair and looked around, “I don’t know Liz. I’ve always had trouble dream walking Max and Michael. I was only able to do Max when the FBI had him because he was drugged. If she feels me she could probably block me from getting in.”

“Alright” said Alex, “What about non ET methods. Kyle, your dad is sorta Tess’s guardian, right? Could he file a missing persons report?”

“Uh, Yea” Muttered Kyle, still visibly trying to calm down. “He did all that guardian stuff when Mr. Harding ‘abandoned’ her. I’ll tell him to do it.” Kyle then started toward the door but stopped when he passed by Isabelle. He stared off into space for a minute, then he leaned down and whispered in to Isabelle’s ear “If you do get through to her, tell Tess I miss her and want her to come back.” He then left the Crashdown without another look around.