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Acting
the Part – By Kazza PART 7 “Don’t move!” Buckley shouted, pointing a gun straight at Max. “No!” He yelled back crouching down to tend to Liz. “I said don’t move, and you, drop your gun!” Buckley said issuing the words to Michael. “Yeah, and if I don’t?” Michael whipped back. “I’ll blow your friend’s brains out, now drop the gun!” He insisted. “Do it Michael.” Max said quietly as he cradled Liz’s head in his arms, her life was too important not to conform. A few seconds later, the sound of the gun being dropped onto the stone floor rang out. “That’s better, I’m glad you understand me now.” Buckley replied sniggering, before lowering his gun.
“Oh I don’t think so!” Another voice shouted. “What?” Buckley said looking up in surprisement. Isabelle was standing at the entrance to the cave, pointing a gun straight back at him. “I’m not afraid to use this, now put your gun down!” Isabelle yelled. “Looks like we’ve got ourselves a stalemate babe.” Buckley chirped back. In the time Isabelle distracted him, Michael scooped down and rescued his gun from the floor, picking it up and pointing it back at Buckley. “Two against one, I like these odds! Max, get outta here!” Michael said to his friend. “I’m not leaving you.” Max replied. “She’s hurt real bad, she needs help, now get the hell out of here.” Michael insisted, and Max reluctantly agreed. Scooping her up in his arms, he slowly walked passed Michael then Isabelle and headed for bright sunlight outside. Michael, keeping his eyes locked on Buckley, saw his hand twitch and go to move his gun to point at Max’s back. “Don’t even try it!” Michael hissed. “Oh my god Liz!” Maria yelled, as she saw Max walking towards her. “Where’s Isabelle?” Alex asked “Take her Alex, keep her alive till I get back.” Max insisted, before heading off back to the entrance to the cave. “You won’t use that.” Buckley said mocking Michael. “Oh no? What makes you so sure?” Michael replied. “’Cause
you’re just a kid, this is just a game to you.” “Ok Michael, time to go.” Max said putting his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “You move and I’ll blow your brains out!” Buckley hissed. “I very much doubt that.” Isabelle replied, taking aim and firing two shots from the gun. For a split second, Max couldn’t tell what she had aimed at, then he realised as he heard the guard’s gun scuttle across the floor. Isabelle had shot Buckley’s arm that had been holding the gun, forcing him to drop the weapon. The second shot had pierced his leg, making sure he couldn’t follow them even if he wanted to. “Come on Michael!” Max insisted, grabbing his friend’s arm and pulling him away. Grabbing a stunned Isabelle as they ran passed, they started running out towards the others. Alex immediately started the engine of the jeep as soon as he saw his friends. “Let’s go!” Michael yelled hopping into the front seat of the jeep. Isabelle, Maria and Max all squeezed into the back, with the lifeless Liz lying across their laps. It was a tight squash, but nobody cared, Liz was back with them in body if not in spirit. As he sat down, Max gently lifted Liz’s head. She was extremely pale, her lips had barely a hint of colour in them. Placing his hands on Liz’s stomach, Max proceeded to make the connection so he could try to mend the damage. As he searched for the bullet, he followed the trail of destruction it had made inside Liz’s body. The damage was serious, it had ruptured her spleen, shot through one of her kidneys and cause massive internal bleeding. Finally locating the bullet, Max dissolved the metal and then started to work on mending her organs. The bumpy desert road made concentrating difficult, but Max was determined not to loose focus, he wasn’t going to loose Liz now he’d finally got her back. Using even ounce of strength he had, Max repaired the internal damage inside Liz, then fell back and hoped her blood loss wasn’t too severe. It was one thing to mend her injuries, but giving her more blood was something only the doctors could do. If they took her to a hospital doctors would ask way too many questions, like how she’d lost so much blood but had no apparent injuries. Of course if it came to it, Max knew he wouldn’t hesitate, but he just hoped Liz wouldn’t need it. Placing his hand gently on her stomach, Max closed his eyes, the feeling of her chest slowly rising and lowering under his hand comforting him as he tried to recoup his energy after healing her. “Max, we’re here.” Isabelle said quietly, as her brother dozed on the back seat. “What? Oh ……….. I guess I must have fallen asleep.” He said, quickly looking at Liz and making sure she was still breathing. “Here, let me help you with Liz.” Alex offered. After getting her out of the jeep, Max insisted on carrying her up to her bedroom. Isabelle had objected, trying to get him to let Alex or Michael help, he looked so tired after all, but Max would have none of it. He needed to be close to Liz, he was subconsciously afraid something would happen to her if he left her for even a minute. Laying her gently down on her bed, Max propped a pillow under her head, then started to undo her shoes. Carefully, one at a time, he untied the knots that were in the laces, then removed each shoe and sock, gently resting her feet back down on the bed afterwards. Then he laid on the bed beside her, putting his arm under her neck and drawing her close to him. Redness was slowly beginning to flood her cheeks, covering her previously deathly white complexion, giving Max confidence that she was slowly coming back to him. She was still alarmingly cold, even though she was still wrapped up in his leather jacket that Maria had placed over her in the jeep, so he hugged her tighter, hoping to share some of his own body heat. As he watched her sleep, he couldn’t help but notice how fragile she was, with her still pale complexion and dark hair matted around her face, she looked like a china doll, and Max was still slightly afraid of breaking her. “Come back to me Liz, I need you.” He whispered, moving her tangled hair away from her face and kissing her damp forehead. Michael, Maria, Isabelle and Alex, were sitting in the lounge, talking quietly about what had happened earlier that day. They had all subconsciously decided that Max needed time alone with Liz, her disappearance had hit him very hard. They all knew Max would come and get them if anything happened or Liz woke up. “Boy am I glad that’s over with, playing James Bond isn’t as much fun as I thought it would be!” Alex joked, trying to lighten the mood of everyone. “Yeah, I hope Liz is ok, she looked pretty ill when Max brought her out.” Maria said worriedly, moving closer to Michael. “Max wouldn’t risk her life. If she wasn’t ok, he wouldn’t have hesitated in taking her straight to hospital.” Isabelle replied quietly. “I can’t even begin to imagine what hell she must have been through over the last few days.” Maria said shuddering at the thought. “Don’t think about it, it isn’t worth it. It’s all over for Liz now, you don’t have to worry.” Michael said sensing her fear and putting his arms around her to comfort her. “But is it really all over? I don’t think our lives are ever gonna be the same Michael. It was only his arm I shot, he can still come after us.” Isabelle replied as she started to shake. “Hey, it’s ok. You can’t think like that, you’ve got to stay positive Isabelle. And if he does come after us again, then we’ll all be here to pull together, just like we did with Liz.” Alex replied pulling her close to try to calm her. The words were easy for him to say, he was used to calming Maria or Liz down. But in truth he was scared, what Isabelle was saying was right. Buckley could come after them again if he wanted to, he knew too much, but they were powerless to do anything at that moment. As she slowly flittered her eyes open, Liz took in her surroundings, it was familiar, her room. For a second she thought she was dreaming, but it felt way too real. As she closed her eyes again for a minute, she took in a deep breath of a familiar smell, Max. Her eyes sprung open again quickly, and she turned her head to look at him. His arms were wrapped tightly around her, he was sleeping, looking very peaceful. Liz found it hard to believe that she was finally in his arms again. “Hi.” He whispered opening his eyes and looking down at her. “Hi.” She croaked. “Are you ok, do you have any pain at all?” He asked concerned. “No, I think you probably took care of all that, although I don’t remember much.” She admitted. “You don’t need to remember.” He replied kissing her forehead. As she laid in his arms, Liz felt safe and relaxed for the first time in a long time. It didn’t matter where she was, if Max was by her side, Liz knew everything would be ok. “A drink, I could
really use a drink right now.” She
said starting to sit up. “I want to do it
Max, are the others here?” “Ok, let’s go and see them.” She said swinging her legs over the side of the bed and gingerly standing up. After waiting for a few seconds to compose herself, Liz slowly walked out of her bedroom to where her other friends were waiting. “Liz!” Maria shrieked, throwing her arms around her friend and nearly knocking Liz off her feet. “I’m ok Maria.” She said trying to calm her friend. “Hey Parker, you really scared us there.” Alex added hugging Liz gently. “I scared myself as well. Thanks you guys, for everything.” She replied. “Don’t even go there Liz, it’s totally not necessary.” Michael said rubbing her arm. “Liz, I’m so glad you’re ok.” Isabelle added hugging her. “Ok, now that you’re alright, I think you could probably do with some space. Come on guys let’s go.” Isabelle replied. “But I don’t want to go.” Maria protested. “Come on babe, let’s leave the two love birds to it. Maybe we can catch a movie or something.” Michael offered. “Woah! Michael Guerin offering to take me to the movies, I must be dreaming!” Maria joked. “Have fun guys.” Liz said “Don’t worry about mum and dad, I’ll cover for you, you don’t have to come home tonight.” Isabelle said quietly as she hugged her brother. “Thanks Is, I owe you one.” He added before their friends disappeared outside. “Just you and me then.” Liz said pouring two glasses of juice. “Yeah, something like that.” He replied, taking the glass from her. As he stared back as his beauty, he was overcome by her amazing strength and will to survive. He knew she had been through hell, making the connection to save her meant he saw everything they had done. Yet here she was standing in the kitchen as if nothing had happened. Her resilience and ability to adjust to any situation or danger that came their way was more than he could ask. “Oh god Liz, I am so glad you’re back.” He said pulling her into his arms once again. “I know.” She replied quietly. “Knowing me has really screwed up your life hasn’t it.” He said resting his chin on the top of her head. “You’ve said that to me way too many times Max, you’re wrong. Knowing you has made me a better person in every way possible. I would never ever go back to before I got shot. I took things for granted back then, everything was either black or white, no grey area. You opened my eyes to a whole new world, one that I don’t ever want to leave. I knew right from the start it wouldn’t be easy, but my love for you is so strong that all the pain and tough times are worth it.” “How can you say that, after what you’ve been through over the last few days.” He said stroking her hair. “Thinking of you
was the only thing that got me through those days.
I would never have betrayed you, no matter what they did, I just
couldn’t. We have a connection
now, a link that can never be severed, no matter what happens.
Don’t you see Max, we’re meant to be together.” “I’m not going anywhere.” He whispered, tracing her jaw line with his finger. Unable to contain himself any longer, he rested his finger under her chin for a moment, then gently moved her face up, bent down and captured her lips with his. It was a soft sensual kiss that sealed everything they had just said. In that moment, Max understood the enormous river of love that flowed thought Liz’s every vein, love for him alone. When he used to watch her from afar, Max used to dream of what it would be like for Liz to accept him for who he was, wholly and without question, yet never in his wildest dreams did he think it would be this good. Her unwavering, unconditional love for him, her whole hearted trust and belief completely amazed him as he held his one and only love in his arms. “I don’t deserve you Liz, you are too perfect.” He whispered. “No Max, I
don’t deserve you.” She replied drinking in the warmth of his body.
As he held her, he felt her start to shiver. “A bit I guess.” She admitted. “You need to warm up then, how about a bath?” He offered. “That sounds nice.” She replied realising it had been way too long since she last showered. “You go back to bed and I’ll start the bath then.” He said allowing her to go for the first time since he had got in the jeep with her earlier that day. The water gushed into the deep bath as Max poured half of the bottle of strawberry bubble bath into the tub. As the water reached three quarters full, he switched off the taps and went to find Liz. She was lying on her bed, eyes closed, still wrapped in his leather jacket like it was her security blanket. “Liz, the bath’s ready.” He said gently as she turned her head to look at him. Slowly, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed and sat up. Every bone in her body ached as she slowly started to remove her clothes. Soon all she had left on was her shirt and underwear, but as she took a pace towards Max, her step faltered. Rushing to her side, Max wrapped her up in his arms. “I guess I’m not quite 100% right yet.” She said quietly as Max helped her to the bathroom. “I’ll be right here with you until your 150% better!” He insisted, turning his back towards Liz so she could slip out of her underwear and climb into the bath in privacy. “He really is the perfect gentleman.” She thought to herself as she sunk into the hot water and mountain of bubbles. “You can look now.” She replied looking at him as he turned round and smiling. Throughout her twenty-minute bath, Max sat on the floor by the tub and kept her company. Sometimes talking to her, sometimes just rubbing her cheek with his thumb or moving her hair out of her eyes. Just small gestures, but to Liz these spoke volumes. Somehow making all the pain and torture of the last few days pale into insignificance. As before, when it was time for Liz to get out of the bath, Max turned his back, not wanting to embarrass her by looking. It took at lot of strength and control on his part, knowing she was wearing nothing as he faced the wall, but he respected her privacy, tonight was for comfort and security, nothing more. Once wrapped up in her huge towelling robe, Max scooped her up into his powerful arms and carried her back to her room. As he laid her down on the bed, Liz began to feel sleepy. The bath had done the trick, her body felt relaxed, the aching in her muscles easing. Switching on her stereo for quiet background music, Max joined Liz outstretched on her bed. Encasing his strong arms around her body, Max held her tight as the soft music filled the air.
All the fear
has left me now, I’m not frightened anymore It’s my heart that pounds beneath my flesh, It’s my mouth that pushes out this breath,
Turning her body into him, she rested her head on his shoulder. Softly, she whispered the words of the song into his ear; the words encapsulated exactly how she was feeling at that very moment. She had no fears at that moment, she wasn’t frightened, no matter what they would survive anything, she was wrapped in the arms of her love, her soulmate, and nothing could harm her.
Oh and if I shed a tear I won’t cage it, I won’t fear love. And if I feel a rage I won’t deny it, I won’t fear love. Companion to our demons they will dance and we will
play. With chairs, candles and clothes making darkness in the
day. It will be easy to look in or out upstream or down
without a thought And if I shed a tear I won't cage it, I won't fear love And if I feel a rage I won't deny I, I won't fear love
The fresh scent of strawberry bubble bath filled his nose as he inhaled the smell from her hair. He knew that she was lying in his arms naked apart from the loosely tied robe, but he was more than content with just lying with her entwined in his arms. She had been through way too much that day to even consider taking advantage of her fragile state and doing anything more than just lying together. Peace in the struggle to find peace Comfort on the way to comfort and if I shed a tear I won't cage it, I won't fear love and if I feel a rage I
won't deny it, I won't fear love. I won't fear love... As the song neared the end, Liz finally allowed her heavy eyes to close. “Sweet dreams babe.” He whispered holding her tight against his body. She would sleep well tonight, he was determined, she needed it. He would just lie for a while, holding her, watching her, feeling the rising and lowering of her chest. Sleep seemed like the last thing he wanted to do, he could have lost her, he wanted to just look at her, take in her beauty as she slept peacefully in his arms. In his heart he knew that the path ahead of them would be bumpy, they would forever be looking over their shoulder, afraid of being watched. But as he finally gave into the sleep that washed over his exhausted body, Max knew that no matter what, as long as they had each other, whatever danger they faced, their love would shine through like an ever-lasting beacon of hope. THE
END
Completed on 20th October 2000
If you liked this story, please let me know! Just a few words of encouragement can go a long way!!!!
E-mail me at: Kaznstu@btinternet.com
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