Of Mice and Men
Part 6

By Prestor John

Disclaimer: All of the standard: Don't own 'em, just borrowing 'em.
Summary: Sequel to “Best Laid Plans”. My AU diverges when Max kisses Tess in Heart of Mine. Tess Left town, Liz told everyone about Future Max to explain why they have to find her, Liz and Max start reconciliation, and Isabelle dream walks Tess, but then can’t contact her causing the group to think Tess is dead.
Category: Other
Rating: R
Authors Note: The continuation of my first fiction. Today is 5/23/01. I started Best Laid Plans right after CYN. I started Of Mice and Men after OTM. Now that Departures has come and gone I’m rethinking the entire direction of this story. I’m going to try and tie the revelation from Departures into the story. Hope you like the way it flows. Many thanks to Fadre for reading and correcting my numerous grammatical mistakes.

When the gang got back from Las Cruces that night, they were surprised when Max told Maria to pull her car around to the alley. When they got around there they found Max’s Jeep and Jim’s truck already there. Max held his finger to his lips for silence as Jim slid under Maria’s Jetta and reemerged holding a small silver box the size of a deck of cards. Max motioned for everyone to get in their cars and began the drive to the Pod Chamber.

After waiting for Jim to catch up (he had hung back to make sure that they weren’t being followed) Max explained about Frank and Jessie and their proposal. Everyone sat through the story. Once Max had finished Alex stood up holding a stack of papers. “I’m sorry. I can’t be part of this. I…” Alex’s voice started wavering and he stopped and swallowed a few times before continuing. “I can’t forgive her what she did to me. Here is the translation Max.” Handing over the papers he headed for the entrance to the chamber.

“I understand Alex.” Max said quietly. Looking around at the group he continued, “I’ve already decided that I have to try. I can’t leave anyone in a White Room. Even Tess. But, I’m not going to ask anyone who doesn’t want to help to join. This will be strictly voluntary.” Looking at his sister, he could tell what she was thinking. Nodding he said, “Go Is, he needs you more.” Giving her brother a grateful look Isabelle shot to her feet and raced after Alex. Max continued “I’m meeting Frank and Jessie tomorrow at the Valenti’s to start planning. Anyone who wants in can be there.”

The group started breaking up, Liz and Maria headed off to a corner of the chamber to whisper quietly. Max and Michael headed back to the Granlith chamber.

“Have you read this?” asked Max flipping through the translation.

“Yea.” replied Michael. “It’s our way home.”

“You don’t sound pleased,” commented Max, looking up from the printouts.

Letting out a sigh, then glancing at Max out of the corner of his eye, he turned to face the Granlith. “I’ve been searching for this for… what? 12 years? I always wanted to go home because I knew that it had to be better than here. But you know what Maxwell? I think I am home now. You, Is, Maria. For me that’s home. Kinda ironic, ain’t it? Now that I can go home, I finally figure out that I’m already home.”

Max smiling said simply “I know what you mean, brother.”

Blushing slightly, and wanting to break the emotional air Michael reached for the printout Max was holding “Anyway, I’m with you on this rescue. Although we can’t let Tess loose after this. After what she did to Alex, she has to pay. And I have an idea for that…”

Meanwhile Liz and Maria were trying to figure out what they were going to do. They both knew that the men they loved were going to try to rescue Tess. However, Alex was their friend and neither of them was ready to forgive Tess. After several minutes of debate Maria summed up their feeling by saying, “Well, we can drive the escape vehicles, and if Tess just happens to fall out while we’re crossing a bridge, too bad, right?”

Laughing Liz exclaimed “Maria!” After they stopped laughing Liz said “You’re right. I’m going to help Max, but what are we going to do about Tess afterwards?”

“Leave that to us.” Said Michael as he and Max reemerged from the Granlith room. “However you two aren’t helping with the rescue.”

“Hold on Spaceboy! If you think-” Maria began, working up her fighting steam.

“If you think,” interrupted Michael “that Max and I will be able to concentrate on keeping our skins intact while worrying about you two! Damn it Maria. I love you and I’m not going to lose you!” Everyone was so shocked by Michael’s declaration that no one said any thing as he grabbed Maria’s hand and headed for the entrance.

“He’s right Liz,” said Max softly sitting down next to her, “I appreciate that you’re willing to help, but I can’t be worrying about trying to protect you and myself. This is going to be too dangerous.”

“Max” Liz started slowly, “If I was the one going off, and all you could do was sit around and worry, could you?” She stared a Max for a second, seeing the internal war. She took his hand in hers and continued. “Maria and I are going. That’s final Max. If I had to stay behind one more time while you put yourself in danger, it would kill me. We’ll cover the outside and drive the getaway cars, or something. But we’re going.” Seeing that Max still wanted to argue, Liz continued, “Besides, there are more important questions, like what are we going with Tess? I’m willing to help rescue her, we still need to keep her around according to future Max, but I’m not willing to let her run free after what she did to Alex.”

“Actually, Michael had an idea about that.” Replied Max, willing to let the subject be changed. “He and I need to talk to Isabelle first, but then… Well, will you come over to my house this evening, say around 8:00? We can talk about it then.”