Title: Perfect
Author: Brynn
Email: Glitter513@aol.com
Disclaimer: These beautiful, amazing characters are sadly not mine.
Rating: PG-13
Summary: One week Post-Destiny Liz seeks comfort in Max's arms one cold night.
Category: M/L to the max
Author's Note: I took a short break from "Stepping Forward" (which by the way-should I continue?) because I was lying in bed and came up with this idea. A perfect resolution to the M/L separation and gerbil-free-what more could a dreamer ask for? As always, I THRIVE off of feedback.

Another sleepless night for Max Evans...here I am lying in my bed staring up into the black abyss that is my ceiling, doing the same thing I have for the past week-thinking of and yearning for Liz Parker. I could go into how excruciatingly painful it is to lose your second half but I think my feelings for Liz are abundantly clear. I told her I loved her. In that van we shared words and kisses and most importantly...our hearts. I pledged my life to Liz Parker, I told her I would give up everything to spend the rest of my life to be with her. After our destiny was revealed I looked at her and told her she meant everything to me. I know she believed me. But even that couldn't stop her from walking away. And just like my life began that day I saved Liz and revealed my secret to her, my life ended the day she left me at the cave. If you love something set it free...what a load of bullshit. Speaking of BS, don't get me started on destiny...

I hear the somewhat regular late night tapping on my window. Michael has his own apartment now yet after his and Maria's break up he still comes to sleep on my floor sometimes. I understand-laying on a futon in that empty room would only me remind me of what I am-alone.

I slowly get out of bed clad only in my boxers and open the window, "Michael-"

"Max, its me."

Liz...just hearing her voice makes me weak in the knees. When I'm done swooning I regain my ability to think-what the hell is she doing her?

"Liz? What are-"

She climbs inside, "Max, will you hold me?"

"Of course, whatever you w-"

She sits down on the corner of my unmade bed "You know those nights where you just lay in bed and think about every one of your problems?"

Do I.

But she doesn't wait for my response to continue. I suppose it's quite obvious I haven't slept a wink. "Because I was doing that tonight. I just couldn't help but think about everything-my grandmother, my slipping school grades, my distance from my parents, not to mention protecting you, " then she nears her voice to an almost whisper "and Michael, and Isabel, and...Tess." The last name is barely audible. I think she knows I want to hear it just about as much as she wants to speak it.

"Funny, all I can think about is you."

"Max, you shouldn't say such things, this is harder than you could ever imagine." She's referring to staying away from me. I can't help but wonder why she's even trying. She's denying the inevitable.

"I've always been honest with you Liz, and I'm not going-"

"Will you just hold me Max?" she pleads with me, "the only time I ever feel safe, the only time I can forget everything...the only time I have hope is when I'm in your arms."

She is wearing slides, cotton drawstring pants, and a sweatshirt, which she peels off, revealing a white thinly strapped tank top underneath. I can't help but stare at her beauty. She's so natural. Here, in the middle of the night, the moonlight reflecting off her ivory skin-I've never been more assured of why I love Liz Parker.

I'm reminded of her request as she lies down on the left side of my bed, before motioning for me to follow. Slowly I make my way under the covers and to Liz. I wrap my arms around the girl I love. She gasps at the contact of my bare upper body. I notice my heavy breathing.

"Max, its okay. You don't have to be nervous around me."

"I'm not nervous... I'm happy."

"Me too, Max. Me too..." she whispers and her words float in the still hair for minutes, maybe hours, as we lay in each other's arms. I rub my hands gingerly up and down her bare arms, covered in goose bumps from the walk over. I receive soft caresses on my shoulders and neck. We're surrounded by our love for each other, its almost palpable. One minute is much too long without her touch, 168 hours is unbearable. This is exactly what I missed.

Suddenly she stirs and her voice pierces the silence, "Max-will you kiss me?"

"Are you sure?" I want nothing more in the entire world then to kiss Liz but I want to give her time. It's taken undeniable strength for her to stay away from me. I just want to be certain she's ready to let the wall she's placed between us diminish. But at this point there's no preventing it. Laying here in her embrace is even better than I remembered. And here, after the longest seven days of my life, it's paradise.

"I thought that you holding me would be enough but all I'm reminded of is how we're supposed to be apart. I don't want to be apart anymore."

"Liz, I can't do this without you. I feel so...so empty. I don't have the will to keep going without you."

"I don't think I can deny the one thing in the universe that makes me happy," she takes a deep breath, "Kiss me Max. Love me."

"I always have and always will."

"You promise?"

"With all my heart."

"I love you..."

And then I lay a confirming kiss on her lips. It's soft and tender, yet reeks of passion and overwhelming love.

"I think it worked," she says in my ear as I work my way up her neck, "I've forgotten that anything exists but you."

"And you," I add.

She smiles, "I'm tired Max."

I kiss her again briefly, "Goodnight Liz."

"Goodnight Max."

She nestles her face into my chest and I wrap my arm across her protectively. Soon I hear the regular breathing of probably the first good sleep Liz has had in days. I yawn, mission accomplished. As I drift into my own stage between dreams and full consciousness I realize that the future's uncertain but as long as I have this one moment I can at least get through tomorrow. I realize that considering all Liz and I have been through, we could either end up forever separated or together til the end. Something tells me that it will be the latter. Something tells me that Liz and I will be okay. Nothing this perfect can be taken away. I breath in Liz's sweet smell and sigh at the feeling of her soft, flowing hair cascading across my stomach. I fall asleep content that for at least now, everything is perfect.

THE END