She absolutely amazed him. It was as easy as that. Liz Parker was simply the most incredible person in existence. She was beautiful, open minded, accepting, loving, warm, friendly…there were a million different adjectives that Max could use to describe her…but none of them seemed quite enough to him as he stared at her in wonder and marvel.

Over the course of the afternoon, Max has sat beside Liz, talking intimately with her about anything and everything possible, no subject left unbreached. There were no more secrets between them since she found out about her alien heritage, and it felt freeing to know that he could be so open with her.

For a long while they talked about him, about his alien side…what he could do, what he knew about himself…and Liz's scientific fascination, her need to know all there was to know about him warmed Max's heart.

Max knew that they had known each other before…that their hearts were connected because of their previous relationship...but all the same, it was incredible how new this all was to him, like getting to know her for the very first time. Their hearts may know each other, but all the same…Liz was the most fascinating new aspect of Max's life.

His heart danced at the sound of her pleased giggle when she asked him to demonstrate his powers for her. For reasons unknown to Max, he grabbed a large, flat rock from the ground beside him, closed his fist around it, and rearranged the molecules, changing it into a single white rose…made out of stone.

Liz gasped in amazement at the sight of it, and then giggled happily as he presented it to her.

"Thank you, Max…they're my favorite." She grinned, fingering the smooth petals in amazement. "I'll keep it forever."

Much too soon for either of them, the afternoon sun began to fade into evening…and it wasn't long before Max knew he had to take Liz home before her parents began to worry.

Max slowly walked Liz back to the car, taking great pleasure in the little things, like opening the passenger door for her, and shutting it behind her before making his way to the driver's side.

The sunset had painted the sky a beautiful collage of reds and oranges, which stood out against the rock formations that jutted angrily out of the desert floor, creating a beautiful backdrop for Max and Liz as they sped down the desert highway towards town.

It wasn't long before they were sitting in the Chevelle in front of the Crashdown, staring dreamily into each other's eyes…neither wanting to be the first to say goodbye.

Finally Max sighed unhappily. He didn't want to start the relationship on a bad foot with Liz's parents, so he got out of the car, and crossed around to let Liz out. Unconsciously he took her hand as he helped her out of the car…barely able to realize what he did before he found himself experiencing another time and place…

The morning air was cool, chilly as Max and Liz sat in the jeep beside each other. He couldn't stop touching her, his hands on her face, her cheek, her jaw, as he kissed her thoroughly.

"Any flashes?" He asked her breathlessly as he pulled away, studying her face as he broke from his daze.

"No." Liz murmured. "You?"

"Don't think so." He grinned. Their sexual haze was slowly fading…their need for each other much less desperate since finding the orb…but still…he wanted her with a passion that almost knocked him over.

Liz held the orb in her hands, turning it and examining it as she softly asked, "Max...everything that we did, everything we felt...was it...was it all just about this...this thing? You know, we don't even know what it is."

"Yet." Max stated firmly, knowing for certain that they would find the answers. He turned and stepped out of the jeep, crossing in front of the car, his eyes never leaving Liz's the entire time. After all that had happened, all they had been through…he didn't want it to ever end. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt so happy, so carefree. He wanted to relish in it forever.

"Max, was it ever just about us?" Liz suddenly asked, startling him with her uncertainties. "You and me? Because a person could feel like they just served their purpose. You know, like being used."

"Is that what you think?" Max asked in shock. He couldn't believe that she would think that…in fact, he wouldn't believe it. His face broke out in mock-seriousness as he continued. "Because you're not the only one who could worry about being used. I mean, some girls would give a lot to see themselves fly through outer space." He broke out in a full-fledged grin, pushing her buttons a little further. "You know, I'm sure it doesn't compare to other things you could be doing, like watching Kyle barf after a beer blast."

His own bravery almost surprised himself. He had Liz had been growing closer for months. They had talked about anything and everything. They had kissed…she had even seen him half-naked. But they hadn't flirted…not once. It was freeing, to feel that he could be so at ease with her. He had been wanting this for so long.

"I can't believe you just said that." Liz exploded in amusement, a huge entertained grin on her face as they crossed the street together towards the Crashdown.

"Why not?" Max wondered.

"Because it really happened." Liz laughed.

"You're kidding me." Max chuckled, barely believing his ears. The things that Liz had been through…she deserved so much better than that. Kyle must not have appreciated the good thing that he had.

"No. I swear. Last summer. It was a really hot night..." Liz started, but Max stopped her with a firm gesture.

"You know what? No, no...don't tell me."

"Okay, so what you're saying is that you saved me from a life of watching Kyle barf." Liz giggled, unwilling to let it go quite yet.

"Liz Parker...I don't think that was ever going to be your destiny." Max pressed, turning to face her, the light mood suddenly changed, as the moment became serious.

"No?" Liz asked him curiously.

"No." Max replied with certainty.

"Okay. Fine. If you know so much, then tell me, Max...what's my destiny?"

"I only know the part I'm hoping for." Max murmured, lacing his fingers through hers as they stood before the door to the Crashdown, preparing themselves for the fireworks they knew were coming.

Summoning both of their courage, Max pushed the door open, and side by side, completely connected like the strong fortress that they were, they stepped inside to face their parents.

"Where have you been!" Jeff exploded the moment they entered the room. "You've been gone all night! Explain yourselves, now." He ordered.

"We're….we're sorry." Liz fumbled, staring at her father like he was a complete stranger. She had never seen him so angry before.

"Jeff…calm down." Nancy insisted, trying to soothe her husband's fury. "Liz…sweetheart, we're very disappointed in you. Sneaking out is wrong in and of itself, but sneaking out and staying out all night is completely unacceptable."

Max spoke up bravely for them both, glancing at his own parents, before meeting Liz's father square in the eyes.

"We're sorry…we know that nothing we can say can really excuse our actions…but we missed each other and we wanted to spend some time together. It's my fault really. I came by last night and asked Liz to go out with me…I just wanted to see her. It wasn't her idea…I just pushed until she said yes. We went out to the desert to stargaze. We really didn't mean to stay out all night…that was an accident. We just fell asleep. We came home as soon as we woke up this morning. We didn't…do anything."

Max blinked, shaking his head as he returned to reality, his mind refocusing as he tried to separate the past from the present in his mind. His eyes were finally drawn back to Liz's face, who was staring up at him with a bright grin on her face.

"That one wasn't half bad." Liz mused happily. "I could deal with flashes like that more often."

"Me too." Max agreed…trying not to let his mind linger on the feeling of his lips devouring hers as they were in the flash…it had felt so real…even if he and Liz hadn't kissed.

Glancing down, Max suddenly realized that their hands were still connected…the flash had ended, but they were still touching without any consequences. He breathed a sigh of relief, with the newfound knowledge that the flashes only came the first time they touched…not if they lingered in contact.

Smiling happily, Max squeezed her hand tightly as he helped her out of the car, and walked her to the front door of the café. They stood there staring at each other for a long moment, their faces glowing from the flickering lights of the Crashdown sign, before with a sigh Liz whispered a soft goodnight, slipping her hand free, and disappearing through the double doors.

~~~~~~~~~~~

9/13/01

I can't even begin to express all that has happened today…to start with I've fallen hard…for Max. I already knew it yesterday, but today just proved it for me. It turns out that the flash from last night was shared…he felt it too… Apparently Max and I are the keys to each other's memories…every time we touch physically, we touch mentally too, and experience another incredible moment together.

I can't get enough of him…saying goodnight to him tonight was painfully hard. It took every ounce of willpower in me to walk away, because I already need him so desperately.

And we haven't even kissed yet.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Liz…are you up there?"

His voice startled Liz from her thoughts, and her heart lurched for a moment, before with a pleased smile, she set down her notebook, and made her way to the edge of the balcony. Peeking over the edge, she saw Max standing there, staring up at her with a dreamy gaze.

"Hi." She greeted him happily.

"Hi." He grinned back. "Can I come up?"

"Yeah, sure!"

She watched as he gripped the bottom bars of the fire escape, easily pulling himself up the ladder.

"What's up?" Liz asked him easily, as he stood across from her staring at her with resolve.

"I couldn't sleep." Max admitted. "I couldn't get you out of my head…I just needed to see you one last time tonight."

"I'm glad you came." Liz breathed softly, her heart racing at his words.

"Me too…I just…Liz?" Max stumbled over his question, finally sighing and taking another step towards her with determination. "I need to…" He tried again, but his words failed…so instead of asking, he just acted, reaching towards her, and cupping her face with one hand, as he firmly brought his lips down to meet hers, taking Liz completely by surprise.

She reacted instantly, naturally, reaching up and wrapping her arms around his neck, sighing against his lips as she surrendered to his kiss…and the images that came rushing through her mind.

"I'd better go." Max's deep voice rumbled uncertainly.

"Why?" Liz asked him curiously…the only thing she could think to say other than begging him to stay.

"Because if I don't go right now, things are going to change." Max admitted, his eyes burning into Liz's.

She couldn't pull her eyes away from his as she asked in a dazed voice. "Change, how?"

Max smiled hesitantly before responding.

"I'm going to have to touch your hair...because it's so soft..." He breathed, reaching up and running one hand through the silky strands of hair that he had only dreamed of touching before tonight. "…and I'd have to tell you that...no matter what we go through, it's all worthwhile for me because we're together." Max exclaimed.

Liz's breath caught in her throat at the determination in his gaze. As it was she could barely feel anything other than the gentle way that his hand ran through her hair…it was almost worshipful.

"And then?" Liz asked weakly.

"And then...I'd have to do this..." Max declared breathlessly, as he cupped her face, leaned in, and gently let his lips slide across her own. It was soft, brief…a new experience for him, and he pulled back, gazing into her eyes to make sure she was okay. Her eyes shined back into his with such passion, that he had no choice but to lean back in, capturing her lips more possessively this time, as he tenderly devoured her mouth with his own.

The images faded away from their mind's eye, but Max and Liz weren't distracted. Their attention was entirely focused on their present embrace, as Max held Liz close to him, refusing to let her go, his lips moving hungrily over her own.

Liz moaned his name against his lips, opening wide and giving him access to plunge his tongue inside her warm depths, tasting her, drinking it in as she responded with a sigh to his every thrust.

Their passion eventually slowed, as their kisses became more innocent again…until finally Max pulled his lips away, staring down into her eyes in amazement, as his hand stroked her silky hair.

"Wow." He murmured happily, before capturing her lips once again.