Never Underestimate Destiny

Part 22

(Sunday November 12)

Liz reached into her locker in the Crashdown employee room, taking out her hair – band antenna. She fitted it to her head, carefully smoothing back her hair.

Lately she'd spent so little time working, it almost seemed strange to there. But it felt good, normal.

There had been so many changes in her life so quickly it was a little daunting, but she wouldn't trade her life for anything. They were in danger, and things were still up in the air, but she was completely happy and optimistic about the future, and she hadn't felt that in a while.

Maria came bursting in through the door, and stopped in surprise. "Liz!"

Rushing to her she hugged her tightly. "You're working?" She asked incredulously, taking in Liz's uniform.

Smiling Liz nodded. "Yeah, I took a couple of shifts this week."

Maria lowered her voice. "I just thought with all the stuff going on, that you wouldn't have time." She leaned in, whispering, "I mean, Lonnie and Rath are coming soon aren't they?"

"In about a week, probably," Liz confirmed.

"Aren't you worried?" Maria asked.

"Yeah," Liz agreed, smiling as she thought about the incredible power she, Max and Zan shared. "But I feel okay about it. I think we'll be ready."

Maria's eyes narrowed as she looked at her friend. "What is going on with you? You seem really . . . different"

Instantly Liz was on guard. She knew Maria was perceptive, and she'd heard that having sex changed you. Could Maria tell?

Liz didn't like keeping her relationship with Max and Zan a secret, but they'd agreed they wouldn't tell yet. Not to mention, she had no idea how to explain to Maria that she loved both of them, and was sleeping with both of them.

Eventually it would come out, but for now she wasn't going to say anything.

"What do you mean?" Liz asked as calmly as she could. "Different how?"

Maria cocked her head to the side. "I don't know," she said, her eyes raking over Liz's entire body. "It's like you're lighter, happy."

Clapping a hand to her mouth, Maria gasped. "Is something going on with you and Zan? It is, isn't it?" She rushed on without waiting for an answer. "I've seen the way he looks at you, and all that time you've spent with him training. He made a pass at you didn't he?"

Liz instantly shook her head, hating lying to Maria. "No."

"Oh!" Maria gasped. "Then you must be back together with Max. You were never that happy, expect when you were with him."

"No, Maria," Liz denied, "it's nothing like that."

Maria straightened up, her eyes never leaving Liz. "Well, it's something."

Liz shrugged. "We'd better get to work," she said, quickly changing the subject.

"Right," Maria said, still looking at her friend. "I'm sure I'll figure it out."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Tess paced back and forth in the park across from Max's house. She'd been there for a while, but he was nowhere in sight. She just assumed he was in his room and she wanted to be near him while she was thinking.

His room was in the back of the house, so there was no chance of seeing him unless he came out, but that was okay. It was probably better for her to be alone while she was figuring things out.