***********

As they reached Max's jeep, Liz was relieved to see Maria and Michael already there.

"Maria! I looked everywhere for you. I'm so glad you found Michael," Liz couldn't help but smile at the way Maria pulled away from Michael quickly as they walked up.

"Yeah...and he's...like....completely freaking me out. He and Mr. Loverboy there," she indicated Max walking towards her. "I..uh...hear Max had some major eraser room time today."

Liz shook her head. "Well, I finally think I know what's going on. Alex and Isabel should be here soon-"

"There they are," Maria interrupted.

Alex and Isabel walked up, looking slightly worried.

"What's up, guys?" Isabel got right to the point. "Michael? Oh my god...him, too?"

Michael just grinned and put his arms around Maria's waist. Not to be outdone, Max pulled Liz back against him and began rubbing her neck.

"She's the one," he said happily.

Liz smiled and shook her head in embarrassment, trying to keep her mind on her theory.

"Okay, here's the upshot. In the animal world, different species mate different ways. Some have lifelong, monogamous relationships and some just join together for the purpose of species propagation. Now, since we know nothing about you guys, really, it's just a guess, but something has triggered a drive in Max and Michael for both. They have been after every girl in sight trying to find 'the one', at least that's what they call it."

Michael smiled, "The one."

Liz looked at him, still unused to the new Michael.

"Right. And this 'one' would be their life mate, starting now. So it seems to me the best thing to do is to keep them from being out of the house, keep them from finding some girl who will take advantage of their...condition and become their life mate unintentionally. Alex, can Michael spend the night at your place?"

"Sure. Dad won't mind at all, and now I'll have someone to watch 'Touched by an Angel' with," he shrugged.

"Good. Keep him inside, however you have to. Isabel, you'll have to keep Max in the house all night, too. Iım just praying this will end before tomorrow, or weıll have to come up with a better plan."

Isabel frowned and shook her head.

"I'm pretty sure this will end soon. I don't know how I know, but know that it will. Probably by morning."

Liz smiled. "That's the first good news I've heard all day."

Maria grasped Liz's hand and pulled her out of Max's arms, who let her go reluctantly.

"Excuse us for just a minute," she gave them all a brilliant smile and walked with Liz a safe distance away.

"Do you realize what youıre doing, Liz?" Maria began.

Liz understood immediately and avoided Mariaıs eyes.

"This is the most awesome opportunity to get Max to be yours for life! How can you pass this up?"

Liz sighed, "Because itıs not what he wants. He's told me so. He wants space right now, remember? Doing that to him would just...I would be using him. It's not right."

Maria grabbed her by the shoulders. "Liz, youıre not thinking clearly. He loves you, you know that, he knows that. You ARE the one for him."

"Maria, I don't think you understood what I meant earlier. They are different from us and this...change they're going through is probably just the way their instincts preserve their species."

"Huh?" Maria looked completely lost.

"What Iım saying is that those hormones are kicking in because in their life cycle, it's time to find their mate for the purpose of making a family. Becoming a life mate means also becoming the mother of their children. So tell me, do you feel like being a headline in the National Star?"

Mariaıs jaw dropped. "But, thatıs not how it works for us. I mean, if it's not the right time of the month for a woman, then...."

"I know that, Maria, but if on their planet the male hormones actually initiate the whole process, then it may work that way for them here, even with human girls. What Iım saying is that it's not safe.... And I don't know about you, but I do not want to be pregnant at 16. No matter who the father is."

Liz and Maria locked eyes for a moment, each recognizing the element of frustration and fear in the other.

Maria sighed. "Then I guess we had better come up with a plan 'B', because I don't see Max or Michael giving up tonight," she said slowly.

Liz nodded. "You're right." *********** Liz couldn't sleep. It was close to 11:00 and she had finally relaxed enough to change into her nightshirt and fall into bed. But remembering all that had happened that day made her frustrated. And thinking of Max in those leather pants and that shirt unbuttoned just made her...hot all over.

Fat chance I'll get much sleep tonight.

She pulled her Bio book out and started to read over the latest chapter. After a few minutes, her head drooped and she laid the book in her lap, glad to be falling asleep.

She woke up with a start, blinking and trying to remember why the light was on. And then she saw him. She stopped breathing.

Max was standing there inside her window, just his jeans on. The look of passion on his face was enough to make Liz blush.

As Max reached to unfasten his jeans, Liz leapt from the bed, sending her book flying.

She grabbed his hands and stopped him.

"No, Max," she said as firmly as possible.

He looked at her, confused. "But you're the one. And it's time."

"I know, and-"

Maxıs eyes regained their sparkle. "And you're playing games..." he said in a deeper voice. He moved towards her with a suggestive smile.

Liz started to back away.

"Um...." she tried to clear her sleep-clouded mind and remember what plan 'B' was, but suddenly Max grabbed her arms and pulled her to him.

She smelled his cologne, his warmth...how she loved that smell.

But she wanted to pull away, knew how dangerous it was to let him have control...

Then his lips on hers made her forget everything. They were passionate, demanding and searingly hot. She wasn't used to this side of Max. He had always been so careful, but now...

His hands slid down her body and began to pull up her nightshirt, his fingers caressing her bare thighs.

Liz was on fire, in a way she had never felt before. Plan B....plan B, she thought over and over desperately.

Just as Max's hands began to slide up her panties, Liz remembered. PLAN B!

She pulled his hands away and pushed him onto her bed. He looked momentarily surprised, then grinned.

I have to do this, she thought desperately.

Liz turned to her nightstand and grabbed the needle off her nightstand. She put her hand behind her back.

He reached over for her other hand and pulled her down beside him.

"I'm so glad it was you," he whispered, his eyes intense and full of love. "I always knew you were the one."

Liz gulped, feeling in the depths of her heart that she was about to betray him.

She tried to focus her mind on the Max she knew and loved. She knew he would want this differently.

So as he rolled over on top of her, she put her arms around him, and stabbed the needle into his backside. She winced as he grunted in pain.

"What was that?" he grimaced.

Liz had tears in her eyes as she kissed him.

"Nothing...I love you, Max. I always will."

And then he slumped over her, unconscious.

What have I done?

Liz laid there for a long moment with one hand covering her face as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Finally she felt strong enough to roll him off of her. She took a moment to look at him, so strong and so helpless at the same time. She only hoped that when he came to his senses, he could understand why she did what she did.

Isn't that what he would've wanted her to do?

Suddenly, she realized she wasn't alone in the room. Isabel was just closing the window behind her.

Liz wiped her eyes as Isabel straightened up her jacket and crossed over to the bed.

"I broke a nail climbing that stupid ladder. Max is really going to pay for this. Oh, looks like it worked. I hope Maria is as good with a needle as you are. Alex just called. Michael got him drunk and then slipped out on him. One guess as to where he's going."

They exchanged glances.

***********

The clock read 11:55.

Maria was wishing those last five minutes away with everything that was in her.

For some reason, 12 midnight seemed like a deadline. Isabel's assurance that the guys would be normal in the morning had to mean *something*, right?

Maria pulled her teddy bear close and waited. She hadn't changed into her pajamas. In fact, she had put on a sweater and a coat over what she had worn to school. She didn't trust herself, not where Michael was concerned.

One look from those eyes and I'm toast, she thought dismally. And we'll regret it the rest of our lives. I mean, would I actually have a baby? Or would it come out an alien thingee? She shuddered at the thought.

And how the hell is it that an alien can turn me on like this? How stupid is that?

A noise at the window made her freeze. Yep, there he was, climbing in. Locks mean absolutely nothing to this man...Oh no.

Maria looked at the clock desperately. Still 11:55??? Oh no.

Michael was moving toward the bed in the darkness, not saying a word. Maria didn't dare speak first. She scooted all the way to the wall as Michael sat down on the bed.

In the moonlight, his face looked transformed somehow. The smile on his lips was warm and sweet, not his usual sarcastic grin.

"You're the one, and itıs time," he whispered.

Maria sat up on the bed, trying to figure out how she was going to get to her nightstand...on the other side of the bed.

11:56.

Finally, she lunged for it, but Michael caught her before she got far enough. Before she knew what was happening, she was laying in his lap, his full lips pressed against her cheek, her neck...her lips.

She sighed at the heat his touch generated and felt herself slide into oblivion. There was no way she could stop this. She just couldn't make herself want to. He unbuttoned her coat as he continued to explore her mouth with his. As his tongue gently slid inside, Maria threw her arms around his neck.

It had been so long...

Michael sat her up in his lap, pulling off her coat. She was a trifle embarassed at the layers she had on, but they only stopped him a moment. Within seconds, her sweater and shirt were off. She was only wearing her black silk bra and her pants.

Michael kissed her neck all the way down to her chest and Maria could hardly catch her breath.

As he reached behind her to unfasten her bra, she grabbed his wrist.

Michael looked at her, mildly surprised at the interruption.

His watch had caught her eye...11:59 it said. Her clock was slow! Only one minute to go!

With that extra boost, Maria knew she could make it. She found the strength to pull away from him to the other side of the bed.

He smiled and pulled his shirt off before beginning to crawl towards her... then suddenly he stopped.

He blinked several times and looked around as if he couldn't remember where he was.

Maria was stunned at the change in him. She grabbed his arm and sure enough, his watch read 12:00.

She breathed a shaky sigh of relief and sat for a minute before sliding off the bed to grab her shirt. When she turned around, she almost laughed to see Michael already asleep on her bed.

Some lover, she thought rather unfairly.

Then she walked over to call Alex and tell him not to worry. Michael could stay at Maria's, he was through for tonight.

***********

Max and Michael didn't return to school for two more days. They were both running high temperatures and had a curious tendency to blush or retreat into silence morbidly when questioned about their behavior that day.

Isabel did her duty as a sister and tormented them with stories of their behavior. Not that they needed to hear them. Unfortunately, they could remember every detail.

Their excuses eventually ran out, and they returned to school, very, very quietly.

***********

When Liz walked to her locker on that morning, she wasn't surprised to see Max there, or to see him looking so uncomfortable. But she still swallowed nervously as she approached.They hadn't seen each other or talked since that night.

What is he thinking? Is he mad because of what I did? Or just embarassed? Should I apologize or not?

She still had no answers, even after two days to prepare for this.

Max looked up at her only briefly before looking back down at the ground.

"Hi," he managed.

Liz smiled at him hesitantly. "Hi."

Oh, something's wrong. Why won't he even look at me?

Liz sighed. Why do we have to do this in the hallway?

Flora Sanders suddenly appeared at Maxıs side. Liz glared at her.

Max glanced at Flora out of the corner of his eyes, then blushed to the tips of his ears.

"Hi, Max. Are you still looking for 'the one'?" she smiled at his discomfort. "I'm free this weekend if you are."

Liz jumped in, with a syrupy sweet smile.

"Flora, haven't you heard? That was just a sociology experiment. I can't believe you bought into it. Max must have done a pretty convincing job of changing his personality. Either that, or you're just desperate."

Flora was momentarily stunned, but managed to shrug Liz's barb off nicely.

"Desperate? For your leftovers?I don't think so," she looked Max up and down. "He's not half as interesting without those leather pants on, anyway. Buh-bye."

Liz saw the humiliation in Max's eyes and she flushed hot.

"That's it," she threw her books down and started after Flora.

Max grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

Liz grunted in protest. "Max!"

But when she looked at his face, still beet red, she realized he didn't need more attention brought his way. Not for a while.

Liz blew out a breath of frustration and bent down to get her books. Max quickly dropped to his knees beside her. As she reached for her notebook, he grabbed her hand.

She looked up at him, but he was still looking at the floor.

"What is it, Max? It's me, remember?"

In response, Max raised his eyes to look at her slowly. They were churning with emotions, so many that she couldnıt begin to read them all.

Lizıs frustration grew as Max still kept silent, his hand squeezing hers as they knelt on the hallway floor.

Liz was bordering on tears when she finally broke the silence again.

"Max, did I mess up," she whispered. "Did I ruin everything?"

The fear in her eyes finally moved Max to speak.

"No. I-I am so sorry," he whispered as he let go of her hand. Then he gathered up the rest of her books for her. As they stood, he leaned in close.

Liz took the books from him and looked up into his eyes, waiting.

"You did just right, but...Part of me...wishes you had just...wanted me more or-" he whispered.

Liz interrupted him with a shake of her head, trying to keep her voice low. "No, thatıs actually quite impossible. I just couldn't...I couldn't take advantage of you like that, that's all."

Max's eyes closed in relief for a moment, then he brushed the hair away from her face and looked deeply into her eyes. "You are an amazing person, Liz Parker."

He looked away briefly. "I don't know that I'll ever live this down, although your sociology cover does give me a slight hope."

They shared a morbid grin before he continued.

"But I know I learned something. Even with my brain tied behind my back, I knew you were the one," his eyes caressed the outline of her hair, her cheeks. "I've always known it. Just give me some more time, please," his eyes and his tone were pleading with her. "All these things...they have to be worked out."

Liz frowned slightly. "Together? or apart?"

Maxıs eyes were serious. "Liz, we may not spend a lot of time alone together, at least for a while. Can you deal with that?"

Liz smiled. "Yes. As long as you don't hand me some more crap about us not being 'meant for each other.'"

Max smiled. "Nope. It's you and me, all the way."

Had Max really just promised her something in the future for them? Liz was giddy as Max took her hand and walked her to her first class. He might not do again for a while, but she was going to enjoy it while it lasted.

***********

Maria had her hand on the handle of her Momıs car when a large, brown hand covered hers. She stopped, feeling his presence behind her.

The silence went on for a few moments, as she gathered herself enough to turn to him.

He looked normal again, but he had kept the earring. Maria tried to stuff down a smile.

Michael frowned at her. "Don't you think you should wait to hear what I have to say before you start laughing at me?"

Maria stopped smiling and licked her lips nervously.

Michael watched and then looked away, squinting his eyes. After a moment of searching for the right words, he cursed.

Maria raised her eyebrows and said, "Let me do this for you, okay?" She walked over to the hood of the car and sat on it. Taking a deep breath, she began, "You want to say, 'Maria, I'm sorry for my imitation of Bill Clinton on steroids yesterday. It wasn't my fault, it was other-world hormonally-induced.'"

"That sounds about right," Michael grumbled.

"'*And* Iıd also like to apologize for sneaking in your room for the sole purpose of ravishing you and making a baby for which neither of us are prepared for. Again, the hormones.'"

Michael looked up, shaking his head. "Can I be through now?"

Maria looked at him, trying to gauge his level of discomfort. "No. 'I, Michael Guerin, also want to apologize for trying to make out with your best friend,' who is, of course, strictly off limits," Maria grabbed his shirt and pulled him toward her. "Right, space boy?"

Michael grinned at her. "You're adorable when you're jealous."

Maria let him go. "Oh, really? How much do you know about Max's exploits yesterday? Do you have any idea who introduced him to the idea of the eraser room?" she smiled coyly and hopped off the car.

Michael stopped smiling. "What?" He pulled her back in front of him. "Details-now."

Maria just pinched him on the cheek. "Ooooo-you are *so* cute when youıre jealous."

"I'm serious, Maria. Did he touch you?" Michael looked close to spinning off into revenge mode, so Maria tried to calm him down.

"It was nothing. He just asked me if I was 'the one,' gave me a little kiss to make sure I wasn't and it was over. Just like you and Liz. Sort of."

Michael was turning it over in his mind so carefully, Maria had to smile.

She put her arms around his waist. "Don't worry, black leather does nothing for me. Now, an earring...that's entirely different," she reached up and gently tugged on his ear.

Michael slid his arms around her waist and relaxed against her car.

"So even after seeing this...demonstration...of the general wackiness of Czechslovakians, you still don't mind being seen with me?"

Maria smiled. "Wait a minute, I thought *you* minded being seen with me, Mr. 'I donıt get intense.'"

Michael looked away. "Letıs just say that yesterday was pretty good way to try out the intense thing, and it wasn't half bad."

"Yeah, but with me or the dozen other girls you tried it on?" Maria couldn't help but still be miffed.

"Hey," Michael ducked his head until she looked at him, "do you see me apologizing to any of those other girls? I couldn't care less about them."

Maria reluctantly gave in. "True. But you *do* owe Liz an apology, right?"

Michael sighed. "If you'll tell me what to say, I'll say it. Deal?"

Maria leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "Deal. Just promise me you'll warn me if you ever feel like spinning a cocoon or finding 'the one' again. I mean, I can handle this stuff, but, geez, a little warning might be nice."

Michael just pulled her to him. "For a chick, youıre pretty cool, you know that?"

Maria sighed, and wrapped herself up in his arms tighter.

This is probably as good as it's going to get, she thought as she smiled. But it's good enough for me.

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