~ chapter 10 ~

The six people who returned to the table were not the same as the ones who left. Correction. Four of the people weren't the same. Michael and Maria were still as in love as before only slightly out of tune in their predictions for the final outcome of the evening.

Michael wiggled his eyebrows at Maria and gave her a hidden thumbs-up to suggest that he'd managed to get through Max's thick skull. Maria shook her head slightly as she slipped into the seat next to him to let him know she'd hadn't faired as well with Liz.

Tess still felt that cold stare prickle against her back and an intense fear ripping through her. She slid down into her seat a bit distracted and detached from the rest of the group. She wondered who he was. The man in the booth. Something about him seemed familiar. It was the eyes. Not the color, but the coldness. They were blue, but there was such a contrast to Ben's crystal aquamarine eyes that sparkled with warmth. No. The stranger's eyes were lifeless and void of emotion. And it gave her the oddest sense of déjà vu. A scary sense.

Ben noticed the immediate change in Tess and eyed her carefully amazed that Max didn't pick up on the distress she was trying to veil in her pretty blue eyes. Then again, Max was too busy watching every little move Liz made as she headed toward the table. For someone so confident and in control of herself, Tess suddenly seemed at a loss…vulnerable. It was an emotion Ben couldn't imagine her feeling too often. Not the way she'd handled herself so far. A sudden urge to protect her came over him. Unsure of where the emotion was coming from and remembering his place as another's finace', Ben turned instead to Liz who had just rejoined the party with a large smile on her face.

"Hi, guys!" Liz announced her presence perkily. Her smile widened as her gaze swept over the group. "I'm so sorry about that little…scene. I guess it's just all the wedding preparations that are getting to me, you know? There's still so much to do and so little time to do it. Cakes to order. I'm still not sure about the dress and of course, we have invitations to send out. It's just so overwhelming." She slipped into the seat next to Ben and reached up to caress his face. "Sweetie, I'm so sorry if I upset you. Everything is fine now." Liz leaned up and gave Ben a kiss. A long, intense one.

Max blinked his eyes and looked down uncomfortably while Tess was abruptly brought back to the present when she saw Liz's lips attack Ben's. Something didn't seem right. That wasn't like Liz to just... Tess glanced over at Max and saw the pain in his eyes. Then she glanced back at Liz still kissing Ben. Her eyes brightened instantly. Well, she had to hand it to Liz Parker. The girl knew how to make a point. Maybe it was time Tess took her cue.

"What the hell is she doing?" Michael whispered to Maria as he watched Liz attack Ben with a fervor he hadn't believed was capable from someone as 'perfect' as Liz Parker.

Maria shrugged her shoulders and whispered back. "She's trying to prove she doesn't love Max." Tilting her head to the side. "Now can you explain what she's doing?"

Michael's eyes drifted across the table to a mirror image of the scene he'd just witnessed. Tess was equaling Liz's eagerness for Ben with a kiss of her own as she pulled a surprised Max to her suddenly and wrapped her arms around his neck. A smirk spread over Michael's face as he leaned over and whispered again. "Trying to prove she does."

This evening was definitely taking an interesting turn. Michael and Maria looked at each other and grinned when Tess let out a deep moan as she continued to assault Max causing Liz to momentarily loose focus when she heard the sound. She pulled back from Ben and shot a glance in Max and Tess' direction before a flare of anger flashed in her dark eyes. Returning to her previous position with added vigor...attached to Ben's lips and running her hands through his hair...Liz attempted to outdo Tess with a moan of her own when she move to slip onto Ben's lap.

Just when Michael and Maria wondered how much more of this they could take, all lip contact was suspended when the food finally arrived. Both Tess and Liz eyed each other as Tess pushed back the hair from her face and Liz smoothed her dress when she slipped back into her chair, both trying to right themselves after such strenuous activity. Neither Max nor Ben would make eye contact with anyone.

Instead, Ben cleared his throat and his face was flushed with embarrassment while his mind was whirling with possible explanations for Liz's sudden burst of affection. His eyes drifted to Max and suddenly he understood when he took note of his reaction. Max's eyes were glued to the table and his hands were clenched around the sides of his chair while his jaw worked feverishly to hold back any emotions he couldn't afford to show. Max wasn't really sure who he wanted to strangle most...Tess, Ben or Liz. Tess for breaking the ground rules they'd established earlier. Liz for kissing Ben right in front of him and Ben for...well, Ben for just being alive at this point.

Silence hung over the table as each were lost in their own private thoughts until Maria couldn't take any more. "Ok. Now that the kissing duel is over, I think it's safe to say it was a tie." She deferred to Michael for his opinion. "What do you think, babe?"

Michael shrugged his shoulders. "Oh, definitely a tie." He looked over at Maria who was expectantly eyeing him. "What? Did you want a detailed analysis?"

"NO!!!" The unanimous shout startled Michael and Maria as they turned to see four heads shoot up and four pairs of eyes with looks that could kill trained on their faces. Max and Liz exchanged glances the same time Ben and Tess did before looking away uncomfortably.

Michael put his hands up in an attitude of surrender as he leaned back. "Okay. Okay. Return the daggers to their sheaths please. Sheesh! Being married is a helluva lot easier on the nerves, I can tell ya that right now." Pointing to the plates in front of them Michael shrugged. "Since the War of Face Sucking is over and we've declared a tie, why don't we do what we came to do? Come on, folks…dig in."

Suddenly, food became the most important thing on the planet. Or at least it did for the six people at the table since none of them said a word. Almost simultaneously, they just picked up their forks and dug in to their food with the all the gusto their turmoiled emotions provided. The meal progressed in much the same way. An occasional request for more salt or Tabasco sauce broke the silence, but that seemed to be the extent of their conversations. Stolen glances and bare brushes of the fingers when a condiment was passed spoke volumes and became the rule of the evening instead.

Although seeming a bit forced, Liz finally did her best to start up a conversation as the meal began winding down to a close. "So, Maria. Why couldn't Alex make it again?"

"Oh, he was pulling a double shift at the clinic." Maria answered as she stuffed a forkful of rice in her mouth.

"The clinic?" Tess asked her curiosity piqued. Not that Tess was interested in Alex or ever had been really, but she did have an interest in all things medical.

"Yeah, Alex has decided to become a psychiatrist. Right now his working on his medical degree. Part of that is working at the local clinic. That's where he is tonight."

"Oh. And I thought it was because he was trying to avoid Isabel." Tess remarked before turning back to her meal.

"Isabel?" Ben asked his expression confused then brightening suddenly. "Oh, wait. She's the other one that was in the room today right? The model. Where is she anyway?"

"She had some big promotion to attend." Michael explained. "She said she might try to catch up with us if she gets out early."

Silence fell over the table once again as each person sat lost in their thoughts. Liz couldn't help but wonder if her kissing Ben earlier had the effect on Max she had been shooting for. It was hard to tell since he had barely spoken a word since her return. And his expression was once more veiled behind a calm mask of reserve. The way it used to be all those years ago. Before he let her see into his soul. Before he connected with her and opened every part of his life to her. Even his deepest, darkest secret.

Liz's heart silently longed for those days. The days when she could look into his eyes and know everything he was thinking and feeling. In all of her life, it had been the truest thing she'd ever known. Their love. That oneness she found when holding his hand. Or leaning her head against his shoulder as he wrapped his arms around her. Sharing a smile. Her gaze drifted to his handsome face and she sighed. It was a longing she both cherished and cursed herself for.

"So, Max. What do you do?" Ben asked deciding now would be a good time to see if Max truly deserved the yearning he saw in Liz's eyes every time they drifted to his face. Which had been quite often during the dinner. Ben was trying to keep a note of agitation out of his voice, but try as he might, it was getting more and more difficult. Not because of the events earlier. Although Liz's brash show of affection had definitely put him on his guard.

It was more because of the subtle looks and unexpected connection these two obviously had. It was unnerving to say the least. Not that he hadn't expected it. He had actually. Pretty much since the moment he'd heard Liz whisper Max's name but especially since his talk with Tess. It was just hard to admit what he'd begun to come to grips with earlier. There were still a lot of powerful emotions floating back and forth between these two and Ben was completely at a loss as to how to stop them. Maybe he shouldn't even try.

Liz refused to look at Max when Ben directed his question to him. There had already been too many slip-ups tonight already. If she was going to pull this off, she couldn't risk looking into his eyes for too long. Instead, she reached for her soda and waited to hear that velvety voice as he recounted what he'd been doing all these years without her.

Max set his drink down before answering Ben. "I'm a paramedic."

"Well, that must be an interesting field. Why don't you tell us about how you got into it?" Ben prompted as he stabbed his fork into his plate and took another bite of his meal.

Max shrugged his shoulders and glanced around the table before beginning. "Well, there's not much to it. The schedule suits mine. I like the adrenaline rush that comes with some of our rescues. And it seems I have a natural...uh...talent…in the healing arts." Max's lips curled upward in a secret smile and he paused when he saw a faint smile flit across Liz's face. He knew in that moment she was remembering that day at the Crashdown. The day he saved her life and they both began to really live.

"Have you ever saved a life?"

Liz sucked in her breath and waited for Max's answer as she stared down at her plate. Why did that question unnerve her so? It wasn't that others at the table didn't know of Max's healing power. That they hadn't been witnesses to how he saved her life. Maybe it was because Max had done more than just save her physical life that day. He'd saved her soul. Her heart. Her dreams. All of which died the day he walked away from her. Could he do the same for someone else? Had he? Was there someone else out there walking around wondering why a part of them would never live again because his destiny was with Tess?

Having seen the various emotions flitting across Liz's face, Max nodded once. "Yes, I have." He read the sadness in her eyes as easily as he felt the sadness in his heart. She was questioning his ability to touch someone the way he had touched her. Wondering if by chance someone else knew what it was like to see into his soul…to share it…to hold it dear. If she only knew…

Ben's words pulled both Liz and Max back to the present. "It must be a very rewarding feeling knowing you've saved someone's life."

"It's amazing." Max's voice softened to a whisper as his eyes were glued to Liz's face. "The third most amazing feeling in the world."

"The third?" Ben smirked as he reached for his glass. "So what's the second?"

Max's chest expanded as he took a deep breath daring to take the chance of a lifetime. He released the breath slowly his eyes softening with sudden emotion as they remained fixed on the other half of his soul. "Loving Liz."

Ben's eyebrow raised and he blinked at Max's boldness. He certainly hadn't expected that one. His eyes flicked to Liz's face and he saw the beginning of an unexpected smile on her lips as her eyes raised to meet Max's. Ben's next leading question came out in a strangled voice. "And the first?"

Max's eyes flickered with hope as a smile began to light his face. "Knowing she loves me back."

A pin could have dropped in Timbuktu…or the Timbuktu version on another planet…in another solar system…and every person at the table would have heard it. Michael squeezed Maria's hand when he sensed she was about ready to squeal with joy at Max's daring move. Tess' eyes flicked to Ben's face to catch his reaction. Ben just stared at Max and swallowed hard realizing for the first time that Max Evans might be the only person in the world that truly knew what being completely loved by Liz Parker was really like. When his gaze shifted back to Liz, he knew instantly that he was right.

Liz couldn't have concealed her overwhelming love for Max in that moment if she'd tried. Not that she did try. She was too dazed at his words to do anything but sit and stare at him, their eyes locked in a private rendezvous from years gone by.

Their fingers naturally entwined together as their hands touched in search of the last fortune cookie. Liz started to giggle when Max pulled her hand to his lips for a quick kiss. "Trying to steal my fortune, are you?"

Liz shook her head as her eyes began to shine. Leaning forward she let her lips hover over his a moment as a slow smile spread over her lips. "That would be impossible."

"Why?" Max breathed quietly as his eyes moved to focus on her lips.

"Because your fortune is my fortune. Just like your destiny..."

"Is the same as yours." Max finished for Liz. "I do believe that you know." Max reached up and put his hand gently against the side of her face, his thumb beginning its usual caress lightly across her cheek. "Liz?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you have any idea what your love means to me?"

Liz shook her head slightly. "Why don't you tell me?"

"Do you remember that history project we did? Where we had to ask questions…"

"The one where Kyle and you were partners?" Liz tilted her head to the side wondering what this had to do with her question. "Yeah. I remember."

"There was a question…what was the most important thing that ever happened to you. Do you remember that one?"

Again, Liz nodded silently. Max smiled and his eyes softened. "My answer was you."

Liz's dark eyes widened and she gasped. "You told Kyle…"

Max rolled his eyes then chuckled. "No. I didn't tell Kyle that. I lied to Kyle. I told him it was when I was adopted. Just like I lied when I told him I'd never been in love before." Max took Liz's hands in his. "But my heart knew a different answer. To both questions."

"Liz, before you…" Max looked down his eyes darkening with seriousness. "…I lived my life moment by moment. In loneliness. In fear. I watched the world go by thankful when I lay down at night that I'd made it through another day undetected. My dreams were only that, Liz. Dreams. I'd loved you for so long from a distance that I thought that was enough for me. I thought it was the most amazing and yet tortuous feeling in the world because I was too afraid to believe…to hope for anything more…anything real to happen between us."

A slow, charming smile lit Max's eyes as he looked back up at Liz. "But now…Liz, now I really know what the most amazing thing in the world is. Being loved by you. And torture…" Max ran his thumb along Liz's cheek and caught a stray hair tucking it behind her ear. "…torture would be to never see your eyes soften with love when you look at me. Or never feel your lips against mine again. Touching your face. Knowing that somehow I'd lost your heart forever would be the worst torture in the world for me."

"Because now I look forward to each new day because I know I'm no longer alone. I plan for the future. Our future. And dreams aren't just dreams anymore, Liz. They're just reality waiting for the right time to happen. There's no other feeling in the world like knowing you love me. You know, you think I saved you that day at the Crashdown. But the truth is…you're the one who saved me. Your love gives me hope and life. It gives me everything."

"Oh, Max." Liz breathed softly before she took his face in her hands and pulled his lips to hers. The kiss was tender and sweet and full of all the love Liz felt in her heart. When she pulled away tears sparkled in her eyes and one managed to roll down the side of her cheek. "I can only give you everything because you gave it to me first. Don't you know that yet?"

The brightness of Max's eyes took Liz's breath away. She'd never known eyes so full of emotion. So open to sharing everything with her. She'd never known anyone like Max Evans. She knew she never would. Till the day she died, no one would ever come close to owning her heart the way he did. That was a promise and a prediction all rolled into one. She smiled brightly through her tears at the thought.

"I guess not." Max responded when he reached up and wiped away her tear. A playful light came into his eyes and he gave Liz a wink. "Then again…you think I've given you everything because you still haven't seen your surprise."

Liz looked around her at the empty restaurant in confusion. "This wasn't your surprise? You mean there's more?"

Max's mouth dropped open in mock offense. "You're kidding, right?" He leaned forward and lowered his voice. "Liz Parker. I have healed you. You've seen yourself fly through outer space when we kiss and my soul when we touch…and you think the best 'not normal' night I can give you is renting out our favorite restaurant? Either you've lost your faith in me or you've still got so much to learn."

Liz began to chuckle as she reached up and touched his face. "Oh, honey. I'll always have faith in you…so, I guess that means I've got a lot to learn. Do you promise you'll teach me?"

Max tried valiantly to hide his grin and continue his offended air by rolling his eyes. His valiant effort failed. "Oh, alright. I guess I'll have to. But I have to warn you…I'm a very complex individual..." He glanced around the empty restaurant then winked at her. "And that's just the human side of me."

Giggling, Liz absently ran her hand back and forth over his. "So…you're saying it may take many, many years of education…"

"That's the plan." Max remarked as he glanced down at their hands entwined together. "In fact, I don't see why should wait. Just remember I told you to expect anything but normal tonight…" Max got up from his seat and extended his hand. "Come on. It's time for the second phase of making your dreams come true."

"Where are we going?"

"To make a little magic." Max replied cryptically then wiggled his eyebrows.

"Okay." With a radiant smile spreading over her face, Liz slipped out of her seat but pulled back on Max's hand suddenly when he started to lead her away from the table. "Max? Wait. What about the fortune cookie?"

Max glanced at the cookie on the table then back at Liz. His face brightened with a grin. "We don't need it. We already know what our future holds."

"You're right." Liz smiled in understanding. "Us."

"Us. Most definitely…us." Max agreed leaning forward and touching his lips to hers in a kiss of promise before wrapping his arm around her and leading out the door to her next surprise.

Ben's eyes shifted from Max and Liz's intense stare to Tess and he let out a sigh. He expected to see triumph in her blue eyes but instead found compassion. At least she was a gracious winner. And they hadn't even reached the part of the evening she wanted his help on. He honestly wasn't sure he wanted answers to his questions anymore. None of the details seemed to matter in the overwhelming evidence playing out in front of his eyes.

He saw alarm rip through Tess' expression before he heard the voice. "Uh…excuse me."

All sets of eyes turned toward the end of the table to see the man from the booth standing there waiting for someone to speak. Narrowing his eyes, Max took the initiative. "Yes? May we help you?"

Flashing a smile, the man turned his blue eyes on Max. "I hope you don't mind but I noticed there were only six of you and that you had an extra fortune cookie. Would any of you mind my taking the last one? I just love them so much…"

Max glanced at Liz then around the table. Seeing no immediate objection except the hint of fear in Tess' eyes Max reached for the cookie and handed it to the man. "Here. We don't mind at all."

His eyes narrowed again when the man remained at the end of the table instead of returning to his seat. He broke the cookie with a grin then glanced up at Tess. "Ah. The best part. The fortune."

Tess swallowed hard and when she spoke her voice wavered ever so slightly. "W-what does it say?"

Max glanced at Tess concern suddenly lining the edge of his eyes when he saw her hands balled up into fists resting rigidly in her lap. He reached over and put his hand over hers then blinked in surprise. Her hands were ice cold.

The man's voice brought his attention back to the answer to her question. He held the tiny slip of paper up before his eyes and read, "A well-chosen destiny sustains life. Death comes to those who count not the cost and follow blindly to the call of the heart. Choose thou, then, your destiny with wisdom. "

Max's face paled noticeably as he shot Liz a look and heard Tess' sharp intake of breath. "Oh my God. Nasedo…"