Summary: What if Max and Liz did not patch things up after 'The End Of The World' and what if Kyle was the only one who knew what had happened. Future fic
Note: Please, since i don't usually write UC tell me what you think!

Secrets and Desires

The minute I entered the room I saw him. Through the entire crowd, he was the first one I saw. So I guess I should have been prepared to meet him face to face, but I wasn't.

Come to me now
And lay your hands over me

I saw him walking towards me, his eyes locked onto mine and I felt panic rise in me. What would he say? What should I say? Somehow, ‘sorry' didn't sound appropriate and knowing him, he wouldn't stand for such a short answer.

Even if it's a lie

As he came closer, my breath caught. The past seven years had been kind to him. He still looked like I remembered back in high school. The mere presence of him made my heart ache with a dull throb that I had managed to contain, but never to eradicate.

Say it will be alright
And I shall believe

It had been seven years since I last saw him. My last memory of him was of him standing in front of the Crashdown, watching me drive out of his life. I remember tears streaming down my face once I was sure my car was out of view.

I'm broken in two

I hope his memory of me is better.

And I know you're on to me

He finally came to a stop in front of me. He just looked at me for a minute before he held out his hand. The first strains of a song came on and I had to keep back tears when I realized what song it is.

That I only come home
When I'm so all alone

“May I have this dance?” he asked, as if the past seven years did not happen. As if we were still two soul mates.

But I do believe

I wanted to say ‘no'. Maybe remind him about the past but I couldn't bring myself to do so. Instead, I nodded and placed my hands in his.

That not everything is gonna be the way
You think it ought to be

Once we were on the dance floor, he wrapped his arms around me, holding me close as we danced to my favorite song. I held him back, trying to erase the lost years. We danced slowly, trying to preserve each moment.

“You look beautiful.” He whispered to me.

“Thank you.” I managed to say. I placed my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes, trying to get lost in his arms. He had other plans.

It seems like every time I try to make it right
It all comes down on me

He pulled back a little so that he was looking into my eyes. “You disappeared.” He said.

Please say honestly you won't give up on me

I averted my eyes, the pain radiating through my body. “There was no reason to stay…” I told him.

And I shall believe

“We could have worked it through.” He insisted. I didn't answer him but just continued to dance. He didn't push it and just held me closer.

And I shall believe

“I couldn't forget, Max…” I whispered to him. I looked up at Max and he looked puzzled.

“Couldn't forget what, Liz?” he asked.

It was easy to avert his eyes while dancing. I looked around the room as I replied, “Your destiny. I couldn't ignore-forget-it.”

Open the door
And show me your face tonight

Max didn't say anything but just kept looking at me. He twirled me around and I felt tears prick the back of my throat.

Why did it have to be this song? Another song, but not this one.

I know it's true
No one heals me like you

“This was our wedding song.” I whispered to myself.

“What did you say?” Max asked, startled.

And you hold the key

I glanced up at him quickly, realizing he heard. I briefly contemplated lying to him again but I had been lying for so long. No one knew what had really happened and I was tired of keeping it a secret.

Never again
would I turn away from you

“This was our wedding song.” I smiled a little at the memory of future Max dancing with me on my balcony. “We danced to this song on our wedding day.”

“Liz, what do you mean?” he asked in shock. “We didn't get married. You left me!”

I'm so heavy tonight
But your love is alright

I laughed a little when I realized that I was getting my wedding dance…again!

“We did, Max. We did get married.” I told him, my mind far away. “I know we did. We were nineteen and we eloped. We went to Vegas and got married. Then we called Maria, Alex, Isabel and Michael and then…then we danced.” I looked at Max smiling as I remembered what future Max had told me. “We danced all night.”

And I do believe

“Liz, what are you talking about?” He demanded. He held my face gently. “How do know you all that?”

That not everything is gonna be the way
You think it ought to be

I gazed into his brown eyes and I felt trapped. I didn't know what to tell him. I had been lying for so long that I forgot at times, what was real and what really happened. I considered telling him the truth, about what really happened but then I saw Tess over Max' shoulder.

It seems like every time I try to make it right
It all comes down on me

Tess! My throat felt choked as I realized I could never tell him.

“That's my fantasy Max. That was my fantasy, nothing more.” I lied, tears in my eyes.

Please say honestly
You won't give up on me

“Liz!” He breathed.

And I shall believe
I shall believe

“Max?” I heard Tess call. We both turned to look at her. She suddenly saw me and exclaimed, “Liz! What a surprise!”

I nodded and stepped out of Max's arms. Tess instantly wrapped herself around him pointedly. Max gave me a painful look and I had to look away.

That not everything is gonna be the way
You think it ought to be

“Liz!” I heard Kyle's voice.

Kyle came and placed a kiss on my cheek. “I've been looking for you. And I find you here with Max. Why doesn't that surprise me?” he joked good-naturedly.

It seems like every time I try to make it right
It all comes down on me

He knew Max was here. He was the one who convinced me not to run out of here the minute I saw him. He tightened his grip around my waist in support. He knew how hard it was for me and I was grateful of his support.

Please say honestly
You won't give up on me

“Kyle!” I heard Tess say softly.

“Hey Tess. Long time.” He replied.

And I shall believe
I shall believe

“You married Kyle…” Max replied in a stunned voice, as if he couldn't even begin to acknowledge it. He looked at me searchingly.

I managed a small, sad smile. “And you married Tess.”

“How long?” Max asked.

I shall believe

“Two years.” I told him. I gripped Kyle tighter as I saw the look on his face. Kyle just held me comfortingly; making sure Max or Tess didn't notice my grief.

I shall believe

“It didn't have to be this way.” Max said softly, still looking heartbroken.

Please say honestly
You won't give up on me

“Yes, it did. It was the right thing to do, and I always do the right thing…don't I?” I replied, my voice choked, before I turned around.

I shall believe

“Goodbye Max.”

I shall believe

Then, holding Kyle's hand tightly, we walked out of the room. I could feel Max' gaze scorching my back but I kept walking without looking back. Kyle kept whispering. “Keep going Liz, don't cry right now. You did the right thing…”

I shall believe
I shall believe

His encouragement kept me from bursting into tears right there and then. It wasn't until we were in the car that I finally let go. Kyle didn't say anything but just held my hand through out the ride home.

I shall believe…

The End