Gabrielle was pulling out all the stops trying to get Max into bed. Max always liked being the one who overcame her defenses so she needed to work that in. 

"Remember the first time we made love? We barely knew each other... it was so intense, I thought I might pass out... oh Max..." 

The memories flooded through her mind. Her heart raced and she felt something so familiar, something she thought she'd never feel again... something she hoped she'd never feel again. She heard Asa's warning in her mind and she realized she had to focus. Focus, Gabrielle, she told herself. Max softly kissed her neck and she pulled back. She looked into his eyes. Just kiss him, don't look at his eyes, her mind screamed at her. She kissed him and the moment they touched, desire overcame her, it was too powerful. Feelings she thought were dead resurfaced. This was a mistake, she had to get out. 

Max was doing his best to resist Gabrielle but she was so beautiful and her touch always sent his heartbeat racing. He wanted her. When they looked into each other's eyes he could see desire and passion but he also saw fear and confusion. Could she be feeling the same way he was feeling, he wondered. Then she kissed him so fiercely, he knew he couldn't say no... so when she tried to leave, he had to stop her. 

When Max turned her around and kissed her, it was all over for her... she couldn't stop now if she tried. She wanted him. Gabrielle forgot about Asa and the plan, all she could think about was Max's lips on hers... she never wanted it to end. Tell him, Gabrielle, she thought. Tell him the truth before it's too late. 

"Max," she said in between kisses. 

"Gabrielle," Max replied. She tasted so good. How could he have forgotten how wonderful she tasted? 

She paused. Her courage failed her. Max gazed into her eyes and said huskily, "I want you, Gabrielle. I've never wanted anything more..." 

And with that they fell onto the bed. Max felt like flames were consuming him. He realized the danger, he knew where Gabrielle could lead him but he didn't care. Just feeling her body against him, it was enough to take his breath away. As they undressed each other, favorite places were rediscovered. Max playfully tickled her back where he knew she had a tender spot. Gabrielle laughed delightedly that he remembered. Under the covers, they let passion take them.

Later, while resting her head on his chest, Gabrielle had the urge to tell Max about the plan. Max was playing with her hair. Before she could say anything, Max spoke. 

"I can't believe you cut it." 

"What? Max, people can't stay the same forever." She looked up at him. She loved it when he smiled at her. 

"I know," Max said, "but I always loved your hair." 

He pulled her into another kiss. He felt that he couldn't get enough of her. Gabrielle's arms went around him and she pushed the voice inside her head that reminded her of the videocamera outside the window. 

"It's been so long, Max," she whispered. "So many years..." 

She wished she could stop her heart from feeling this way. She was dangerously close to ruining everything. Gabrielle told herself she can control this. Max just looked at her and touched her gently, tracing a line from her chin, around her neck and down her back. She couldn't bear to look at him so she turned away on her side. Looking out the window at the camera, she felt a pain inside. He would never forgive her. 

"What's wrong?" Max asked. 

"Nothing," she said softly. 

Max turned her over so she was facing him. She closed her eyes because it hurt too much to look at him. 

"Gabrielle, look at me. Gabrielle..." But she put a finger to his lips and shook her head. So he wouldn't see the tears she just kissed him. Gabrielle could feel the love for him growing inside her. Max's concern was melted away by her kisses. He prayed that she felt the same way he felt. That he was falling for her all over again. And they made love again tenderly.

The morning after, Max awoke and he looked over at a sleeping Gabrielle. A feeling of deep love came over him and it scared him. He leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips. She awoke to his kisses and responded in turn. 

"Good morning," she said dreamily. 

"Good morning," he replied. "Sleep well?" 

"Not especially," she smiled. "There was this handsome man who kept wanting to make love to me." 

"Well, I can't say as I blame him," he said with a laugh and grabbed her in a big bear hug and nuzzled her neck. She laughs, too, but she's a little worried. She hadn't counted on him being this playful in the morning. She half-expected him to walk out while she slept. 

"Gabrielle, can I ask you something?" 

"Hmmm?" 

"Well..." he sighs, "I was wondering if you still... well... if you still hated me." 

"After last night..." she started but he interrupted. 

"Last night was... you know, amazing, but I just want to make sure we're okay." He felt himself hold his breath waiting for her answer. 

She didn't say anything. Already she felt guilty for lying, for marrying Asa, for everything she's been doing. Max misunderstood her silence. 

"Listen, I'm sorry," he said sincerely and when she turned away, he turned her face to him. 
"I'm sorry. I was wrong. I don't really have an excuse for the way I treated you and Al. It was partly because I was so angry at you and I was afraid that if I saw you again..." He trailed off. 

These were words she'd been waiting years to hear but it was also hard because hating Max made it easy for her to go through with this thing. She tried to fool herself into thinking the excitement she felt last night was just the feeling of triumph at having finally seduced Max so that the plan could go forward but she knew better. Last night meant so much more. 

"What were you afraid of?" Curiosity got the better of her. 

After a long silence, Max said, "Of you." She nodded. She knew what he meant. An understanding passed between them that could only happen between two people who deeply cared for each other. 

"And now?" 

"And now, things are different." He kissed her and played with her hair. 

"Some things aren't, Max," Gabrielle said sadly. 

"Like what?"

"Like..." she struggled to put some distance between them. "Like I'm still married and you're going to marry Blair." She said it more to remind herself than to remind him. 

"Oh no. I forgot I was supposed to meet Blair this morning." 

"Well, if you have to go..." 

"No," Max said quickly, "I don't have to go." He felt an awkward fear that she wanted to get rid of him. 

"Max, I think you should go." Why couldn't he be the bedhopping Max that she knew he could be? Why did he have to be so damned charming? 

"Not until you tell me that we can see each other later. I know you said you were going to leave Llanview but you can't go now. Not after last night. What do you say?" 

She smiled. "I don't know if that's such a good idea..." 

"I mean it." After not hearing an answer, Max sat up and crossed his arms.  "I am not getting out of this bed until you say yes," he said stubbornly. 

Gabrielle realized she was in big trouble. Not only was she falling for Max but there was also Asa. What was that video going to tell him about her feelings? 

"Okay," she agreed. "Now you've got to leave. If I'm going to stay in Llanview, I've got to get back to the house before Asa misses me." 

He laughed triumphantly and bounced out of bed. Not even the mention of Asa's name could bring him down off the cloud he was on. As worried as he should be by getting involved with Gabrielle again, he couldn't help himself. Maybe there's a reason we keep crossing paths, he thought. As Max started dressing, he looked over at Gabrielle on the bed and quickly jumped back in. 

"Max! I thought you were leaving," she cried out. Despite herself, she felt her heart leap. 

"I can stay for a little while longer." And he leaned in for a kiss. 

He couldn't control himself when he was with her and before he could help it, he whispered, "I love you." It surprised him. It surprised them both. They kissed again, softly at first, then building to a feverish fire that Gabrielle could never resist. She gave in to her emotions and her desires. She gave in to Max. She didn't want to think about anything else but how she and Max were finding their way back to each other again. Maybe this time it would last, she thought. 

The End (well, to this imaginary scene)