posted on 27-Oct-2001 8:31:46 PM
A Third Version of Me

Prologue: Leaving

“Kyle, go faster.”
Kyle nudged the accelerator the rest of the way to the floor while Maria’s Jetta squealed in protest.
“Faster.” urged Liz.

Maria and Liz jumped out of the Jetta before she was even completely stopped and ran to the Granolith door.
“Let us in.” screamed Maria as she pounded on the rock door.
“Max.” yelled Liz.
“Michael.” pleaded Maria.

“I heard something.” said Michael as he began to walk to the door.
“It blasting off any moment Michael.” said Isabel.
“I don’t think I can go anyway.” Michael begin to walk towards the door and put his hand over the ‘lock’, but before the door opened he realized he was touching the Granolith again.
“What the hell?”
Before he had time realize what was happening the ground began to shake beneath him.
“Were off.” declared Tess.

“No! Stop. You can’t leave. She’s a murderer. Tess killed Alex! Stop!” Liz screamed.
“You guys, we have to get out of here. The whole thing is gonna blow in a matter of seconds.” said Kyle as he pulled Liz to her feet.
“Come on. We have to go.” said Maria as she put her arm around Liz.
“But Alex...”
“Getting ourselves killed won’t help.”

The Long Drive Home

Kyle grasped the steering wheel like it was his lifeline.
Maria and Liz were sitting in the back seat.
“How can you stand it Maria?” sobbed Liz.
“I think I’m in shock.” Maria replied.

“I’m not going to tell my Dad.” piped-up Kyle all of a sudden.
“What?” asked Maria.
“About Tess. I can’t tell him.”
“Oh.” replied Maria.

End Prologue


Part 1: Missing You

Five Years After Departure (Summer of 2006)

“Liz.” squealed Maria, as she launched herself at her best friend.
“You remember me?” joked Liz. “I thought a big time singer like yourself would have forgot about little old me.”
“One CD that sold fairly well doesn’t exactly count as big time. Besides, it nothing compared to what your going to do with your life. I mean, medical science chemistry stuff is a much nobler job than singing. I mean you could find a vaccine that could save a persons life.”

“Well, it’s great seeing you Maria. But can you help me with my stuff?”
“Sure.” agreed Maria as she picked up Liz’s suitcase and walked towards the Crashdown.

Later that day......

Liz looked up at the Evans’ home. It was empty.
The Evans’ had moved away not long after Max and Isabel left but had never sold the house.

I step off the train
I'm walking down your street again and past your door
But you don't live there any more
It's years since you've been there
But now you've disappeared somewhere like outer space
You've found some better place


Liz tried the door. It was locked but the key was hidden under the mat. Before she even realized what she was doing the door was unlocked and she had found her way to Max’s room. It was freaky, the rest of the house was empty, but Max’s room was exactly like he had left it.
Liz looked at the picture of the eight of them at prom stuck in the corner of the mirror. She picked up a pair of scissors and began to stab at Tess’ face. Liz put the picture back in the mirror and left the empty house and walked home.

And I miss you - like the deserts miss the rain
And I miss you - like the deserts miss the rain

Could you be dead?
You always were two steps ahead of everyone
We'd walk behind while you would run
I look up at your house
And I can almost hear you shout down to me
Where I always used to be
And I miss you - like the deserts miss the rain
And I miss you - like the deserts miss the rain


“Hey honey. Where were you?” asked Nancy.
“Nowhere’s Mom.”
“There was a phone call for you. Here’s the number.”

Liz went upstairs and dialed the number.
“Yes, un huh. I’m thrilled.”
Liz set down the phone and began to repack her clothes. She was starting her research job in Oxville next Monday.

Back on the train
I ask why did I come again?
Can I confess I've been hanging around your old address?
The years have proved to offer nothing since you moved
You're long gone
But I can't move on
And I miss you - like the deserts miss the rain
And I miss you - like the deserts miss the rain


-Song is "Missing"


~So, what do you think?~



[ edited 9 time(s), last at 22-Feb-2002 6:28:51 PM ]
posted on 28-Oct-2001 10:59:21 AM
Part 2: Girl Talk

“Hey. Liz, where were you? You were supposed to come to my gig last night and be my groupie.” admonished Maria. “I know it’s just a local club but....”
“Oh, Maria, I’m so sorry.”
“What’s going on? Why are you packing? You just got here.”
“I got the job.”
“Wait a minute. Rewind. Okay, what job are we talking about?”
“The one in Oxville. With all the really cool science jiggers.” replied Liz.
“Did you just put that into Maria speak for me? Cuz usually you’re all ‘the kuozy physicy module thing’. How come I never heard about this job offer before now?”
“I really didn’t think I would get it. Just out of university students don’t usually get top research jobs.”
“Well you did graduate with like a million honours.”

“Yeah. All my dreams of being a scientist are coming true. It’s what I always wanted.”
“Yeah. And I’m gonna be a big shot singer some day. Just like I wanted.”
“Not even a little modest are we?” joked Liz.
“Ever feel like this getting to be who we wanted to be....that it’s payback for all the crap we’ve been through. Like some kind of weird karma thing.”
“Maybe.” replied Liz.
“It’s not good enough though.”

“Maria are you okay?” asked Liz as she gasped at her sobbing friend.
“I think the shock just wore off.” sputtered Maria, through her tears.

“Maria, I have to go get something.” Liz snuck down the stairs and grabbed a big tube of ice cream and two spoons out of the freezer.
“Up for some double chocolate mint?”
“Not even that will help me.”
“Then your hopeless.” said Liz as she set down the ice cream.
“That doesn’t mean I don’t want any.” retorted Maria as she grabbed her spoon and began to dig into the ice cream.

A few hours later.....

“Remember when Alex dressed up like the cop? I thought I was going to die laughing.”
“And the time Michael tried to convince Kyle that he had X-Ray vision.”

Maria and Liz were sprawled out on Liz’s bed with a half devoured tube of ice cream between them and several photo albums lying open.

All of a sudden Maria jumped off the bed and ran to the radio and turned it up full blast.
“They’re playing my song!”she squealed. Even though she had heard her song on the radio several times before it never ceased to amaze her that they actually played it.

When can my heart beat again
When does the pain ever end
When do the tears stop from running over
When does "you'll get over it" begin
I hear what you're saying
But I swear that it's not making sense
So when can I see you

When can I see you again
When can my heart beat again
When can I see you again
When can I breathe once again
And when can I see you

When does my "someday" begin
When I'll find someone again
And what if I still am not truly over
What am I supposed to do then....


-song is “When Can I See You Again” by Babyface

“Maria, that song makes me bawl every single time I listen to it.”
“You know, he let me see him before he left. Sometimes I wish he hadn’t of. It would make things so much easier.”
“Huh?”
“Michael. He let me see the flashes. They were amazing. How can a normal person compare?”
“They can’t.” replied Liz.
“Damn czecks. I warned you they would ruin it for us.”

End Part 2

~My parts will get longer as I go on. It's just they want to be divided up into these little parts. I really can't help it much.~
posted on 1-Nov-2001 8:36:04 PM
Part 3: The Work World

“You’re sure you can’t stay a little longer?” asked Nancy as she hugged her daughter.
“No Mom. I don’t think it would look well for me if I missed the first day of work.”
“Bye honey.” said Jeff as he grabbed Liz into a bear hug. “If you need anything you call us.”

Liz looked back to wave at her parents one more time before she got into her car and drove to the DeLuca residence to say goodbye to Maria.

“Hi Liz.” greeted Amy. “I’m sorry to tell you but Maria’s not here. Her gig was moved a day earlier. She wanted to call you but she had to be on her flight early this morning.”
“That’s okay.” said Liz as she turned to leave, but before she got back in her car, Amy came running back out of the house.
“She left a letter for you though. Here it is. I almost forget.”

Liz thanked Amy and put the letter in the car. She might need some Maria cheering up later if things at work didn’t go well.

Two Days Later........

“Are you the new intern?” asked a tall woman in her late 40's.
“No, I was hired for medical research.” replied Liz, feeling like she was two feet tall.
“Ohh. You’re awfully young aren’t you?”
“I’m 22.” replied Liz, feeling more like she was 12.
“That is awfully young.” replied the woman, more to herself then Liz. “Oh well, Welcome to our team. You will be working right over there.” said the woman, pointing to a door in the middle of the hallway.

“Hi, I’m your research partner.” greeted a man in his early fifties. “Let me show you what we’ve been working on and then we can get down to business.”
****

Liz plopped down unto her bed and picked up the newspaper. She had the difficult task ahead of finding an apartment that she could afford that didn’t totally suck. She couldn’t just stay at the motel forever. But instead of circling more ads, Liz picked up Maria’s letter. She definitely needed some Maria encouragement after the day she had.

Two months later.......

“The work week is finally over.” thought Liz to herself happily. She was getting along much better with her co-workers now that she had proven herself to them, but she was really looking forward to the weekend. And going out and seeing some people her own age.
***

Liz looked around at the people in the club. It wasn’t really her scene but for some weird reason she had this feeling that she would find someone there.

“Come on Liz. You aren’t going to meet the man of your dreams in some stupid bar.” she chided herself after the fourth drunk man in his late 30's tried to pick her up.

Liz was about to leave when she heard a commotion going on in the back room.

"That's the fourth glass you've broken this week! I tried to be nice, but no more. You're fired! And don't give me your sob story. This time it's final." roared a voice.

Liz watched as the obviously disgruntled employee stormed out of the back room and headed for the door.

For some reason Liz’s eyes were drawn to him. There was something awfully familiar about him. Was it? Could it be?

“Wait!” Liz pleaded.

The man turned around and looked at her inquisitively.

End Part Three

posted on 8-Nov-2001 6:27:04 PM
Part 4: What Happened To You?

“Who are you?” the guy asked.

Liz felt her cheeks turn scarlet red.
He looked so much like Max, but closer inspection she saw that he had a darker complexion and a shaved head marred by a long scar.

“I’m so sorry. I thought you were someone I used to know.” murmured Liz, finally facing the man’s face. Those eyes......she would know them anywhere....... “Max?”

“You know me?” he asked.

“You don’t remember me?” asked Liz, feeling as if all the air had suddenly rushed out of her lungs.

“Don’t be insulted. I don’t remember myself either.” replied Max, flashing his trademark smile.

“Huh?”

“I suffered a nice head wound. Knocked my memories right out of my head.”

“How?” asked Liz, when she finally recovered her speech.

“I figure this scar has something to do with it but I can’t be sure. I went to a hypnotist to try and find something out about myself but he told me I was delusional. So if you know who I am, could you please tell me.”

Liz studied Max for a few seconds to make sure it was really him and her eyes weren’t playing tricks on her before she began to speak. “Your name is Max Evans.”

“And?” asked Max impatiently.

“You’re from Roswell, New Mexico. We went to high school together.”

“What did I do after high school? Do you know?” pressed Max.

“You moved away before our senior year.”

“Where?”

“I don’t know.”

“Who would?” asked Max.

“I could make some calls and track down your parents.” offered Liz.
“Okay, that would be great.” replied Max, nodding his head.

“How can I get in touch with you again?” asked Liz.
“Oh, here’s my phone number.” said Max, grabbing a pen. “Do you have a piece of paper?”
“No.” replied Liz.

Max looked around for a slip of paper, but none was in sight so he picked up Liz’s hand and jotted down his number on her palm. Liz wondered if he felt the jolt of energy in the air when he touched her.

Liz walked out of the club dazed and sat down in her car. Her head was spinning. She had visioned a day when she would see Max again, played out all the possible scenarios, but none of them had been quite like this.

Liz sat in the car for a few minutes before picking up her cell phone.

“Hello?” came Maria’s voice on the other end of the line.
“Hi, Maria, it’s Liz.”
“Oh, hey Liz, great to hear from you. How’s your job going? Good I hope. I wish I could talk longer but I have to select my band today. I really thought I could get away with playing for myself but I just could never stick to learning an instrument.”
“Maria, I need to talk to you.”
“What? Is something wrong?” asked Mara. “If you need to talk you know I’m here for you. But if it’s not that important than maybe it would be better if you called later and we could have a real long girl chat then.” ‘No I am not wearing that’ came Maria’s voice from the background.
“I saw Max today.” blurted out Liz.
“What?!?” asked Maria as she dropped the sheet music she was holding and brushed her assistant out of the room.

End Part 4

IMPORTANT NOTE:
I have noticed that there is another story by the same name on the board so I am changing the name of this thread to "A Third Version Of Me" in a couple days.
And sorry it took so long to get this part out. Real life interupted.



[ edited 1 time(s), last at 8-Nov-2001 6:29:40 PM ]
posted on 22-Jan-2002 7:57:57 PM
Hello Readers,
I did post a short part 5 but it was lost in the shift.
I didn't have it saved anywhere else so I guess there will be a new part 5 some time in the future that may or may not be like its predecessor. I haven't given up on this fic though, and it's top priority as soon as I finish 'My Secret Reputation'. Thanks for your patience.
Robyn
posted on 24-Jan-2002 6:07:11 PM
Part 5:

Partial transcript of telephone conversation between Liz Parker and Maria DeLuca on November 23, 2006:

Liz: I saw Max today.
Maria: As in Max Evans?
Liz: Yes.
Maria: As in thee Max Evans?
Liz: No, the other one.
Maria: I’m sorry. It’s just....Wow.
Liz: I know.

Maria: Well you better give me all the details before I start asking a million questions.
Liz: Well I just sort of stumbled upon him and...
Maira Is Michael with him?
Liz: Maria!
Maria I’m sorry. I’m not big on patience.
Liz: I don’t know if he’s with him.
Maria: You didn’t ask? Liz, if you were really my friend you would have asked.
Liz: Maria, you can stop your rant. I didn’t ask because Max couldn’t tell me. He’s got amnesia.

Maria: He doesn’t remember anything?
Liz: No. I told him I would find his parents for him. But what do I do then? They think he’s dead.
Maria: I don’t know chica. I wish I had your problem.
Liz: And he doesn’t even know that he’s special. How do you tell someone something like that? Maybe I should just let him figure it out for himself.
Maria: Liz, you cannot let him figure it out for himself. Even I know that that’s a bad idea.
Liz: I know that. But what do I say?
Maria: I don’t know. If Michael was here in a half amnesiac state, I would just take him in my arms, kiss him and hope that stupid flash thing works and restores all his memories. Then I’d slap him and tell him to never go away again.
Liz: I can’t exactly just go up to him and kiss him. Plus I’m a complete stranger to Max, the kiss wouldn’t mean anything so the flashes wouldn’t work. Besides, he’s probably married to Tess by now, or whatever the Antarian equivalent is.
Maria: Well, if he is, she sure didn’t do a good job of taking care of him if he’s wondering cluelessly around planet Earth.

TBC
posted on 22-Feb-2002 6:24:09 PM
Part 6:

Liz looked at the article on her computer screen. She had found a website for Mr. Evans firm and scrolled down until she found the phone number. She jotted it down and turned off her computer.

She sat down beside her phone and pulled it off it's base and dialed. "Hello?" came the voice from the other side.
"Hi, may I speak with Mr. Evans?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Evans just left for the evening. Would you like to schedule an appointment?"
"I have something important to tell him. Do you think you could give me his home number?"
"I'm sorry. I'm not at liberty to give that imformation."
"Oh." With that Liz hung up the phone.

She looked down at the phone number still visibly written on her hand and dialed the numbers.
"Hello?" comes a female voice from the other side.
"I'm sorry, I must have gotten the wrong number."
"Who were you trying to dial?" asks the voice.
"Max Evans."
"Yeah. I think that's what he said his real name was. It feels so weird to call him that. I always just called him Scarface."
"Oh." replies Liz.
"Well, Sc...I mean Max, isn't home right now. But you must be the girl who is trying to track down his identity since you called him Max. You're her, right?"
"That's me." replies Liz.
"So, you got any leads."
"I hope so." replies Liz.
"To tell you the truth, I'm almost scared of him remembering who he is. I mean, what if he has a wife somewhere and once he remembers her he'll be gone."
"Yeah." replies Liz.
"But I suppose it will give him some roots. The poor boy is so shiftless. He can't keep a job. I hate to think what would of happened if I hadn't of found him when I did."
"How did you find him?"
"He found me. We were passing each other on the street and then he turns to me and asks me who he is. I thought it was some kind of weird pick up line at first."
The voice on the phone laughed happily recalling the memory.
"Well, I'll call back later." replied Liz and she quickly hung up the phone.

She picked up the phone again and dialed Maria's cell phone. "Hello, Maria DeLuca speaking."
"Hi, Maria, it's Liz."
"Hey, what's wrong? You sound like you were run over."
"Funny, that's how I feel too."
"Ouch. So, details."
"When I called Max, oh I mean 'Scarface', this bimbo answers the phone."
"Ugh." sympathizes Maria.
"And then proceeds to tell me how she was there for him in his time of need and how romantic there meeting was."
"Double Ugh."
"I hate her."
"Let it all out chica."

TBC