"The surgery was a success." Even with those words the surgeons expression didn't add up. "..unluckily the puncture to her jugular vein was too dire, she suffered from internal bleeding, blood which she lost was substantial-"
"Doctor, what are you saying?!"
"I'm sorry to say... your daughter didn't make it."
Max watched as Alison's parents broke down in front of him. He would have too but his will advised to keep strong, for her. His hands were clenched into a trembling fist.
He felt empty - his mind replaying the last thing she said to him.
'I love you Max. Always remember that.'
She was happy. Though even through that happiness Max detected guilt. He had forgiven her - but she didn't forgive herself.
She was the purest soul Max had come to known - she was firm and stood strong for her beliefs - a tad headstrong but that's what he loved about her.
And now she was gone-
"Max..." He felt a firm clasp of a hand to his shoulder. "I'm sorry."
Max had nothing to contribute to the typical phrase thrown around once one looses a dear one. Though he appreciated his father's effort in making sure he was coping, mainstreamed level.
"Super President Kickbutt was informed of the incident and enlisted the help of the Z Force, to help capture whoever did this." Hank informed. "The authorities were told to keep a handful of this contained as it will make it easier for the Hero League to fluently deal with this."
Max nodded as his father directed him home.
- Line Break -
He had locked himself into his room. Luckily, the family was adamant to giving him some space - including Colosso who decided to recline with Billy for the time being.
Giving Max enough time to drown himself in sorrow.
He'd sit and stare at his phone. Sliding through images of him and Alison. Deleting image after image once they were clearly imprinted into his mind. Not minding the tears that'd hit the navel end of his device.
He felt so lost and empty - paining him when he stared at her smiling face, yet knowing she didn't exist in reality anymore.
She was gone.
The remainder made him throw the phone into the wall - probably broken.
- Line Break -
"Mom, you sure?"
"Yes honey, its natural between the two of you. The bond you share is beyond measure, I think you're the only one who he can confide and find comfort in."
She nodded.
- Line Break -
The room was dark - in undertone with the mood - contrast to living up to its pronounce as a lair - a dreadful lair.
Using her phone as a source of light, Phoebe carefully stepped down the small stairs.
A small hic made her direct her phone's light trajectory towards his bed.
Nostalgia inundatedly flooded her being as she saw him.
Approaching silently she shut her phone off once she positioned herself next to him.
"Max."
He didn't respond. Without his heed Phoebe wrapped an arm around his back and laid her head on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry Max." she started, tears rimming at the corner of her eyes. "I'm so sorry." she whispered.
Trembling hands planted themselves on both sides of her face. She looked up through her blurry vision and was able to make him out.
Guilt and regret reflected on his face - he was broken.
The end of his finger tips drummed on the base of her neck - an action she knew very well.
And she'd do anything to uplift him, even if she'd go against her morals to do so - willingly or not - driven by lust or not.
Not too long and his lips were on hers.
The first nanoseconds that passed, she didn't respond, hesitance running its course unless he regains his temporarily vacated sanity. When he didn't, she indulged herself in returning his affection.
This time everything was nurtured slow paced.
He took his time in feverishly minding her equal alertness in case he was doing anything too rash and conceited.
A mild pause and Max pushed her on her back, his lips brushing against hers, trading feeling - their cheeks drenched with tears, brushing against one another, reflecting guilt and sorrow.
He relented, lifting himself up. Phoebe anticipated, feeling small beneath him. She watched him clutch the hem of his shirt. She mimicked his actions, and unstrapped the hook laces of her entire dress leaving her clad in black lacy panties with the matching bra.
He seemed to be stunned in silence as her hands moved, automatically unstrapping her bra and cascading it to the floor leaving her chest bare.
He didn't move. She helped him remove his shirt completely - planted her hands firmly on his back and pulled him into her - feeling her breasts flatten against his firm chest.
She captured his lips and daunted on feeling alone - knowing whatever they were to do would be beneath the sheets. Her thighs felt warm as his hand palmed her neck and tenaciously kissed her with longing.
Their real session of love began the moment her hands fiddled with the belt hem of his pants.
- Line Break -
"-Marcus Ray claimed to have seen a blue flashing at the exact spot Alison was murdered. Suffice to say she almost made it home. Travesty being her killed a few meters away from home."
"Bring him in for further questioning." Evelyn said to the agent who nodded before turning to Hank. "Where's your son?"
"In his lair."
Evelyn looked around. "I suppose Phoebe is in there with him?"
"Yes,"
"I need you to fly over to Central Avenue and check out the perimeters, camera footage would help us solve this case immensely."
"Can't you send one of your guys?"
"They aren't invulnerable as you are - and they don't possess flight as you do at any chance of an attack. They aren't capable of bending steel-"
"... Point taken."
- Line Break -
"Hey."
He opened his eyes. A travesty of sadness washing over him. Finally acknowledging the small hair collecting at the base of his face.
"You should shave."
That voice was Phoebe's. He lifted himself up to see her sit next to him.
"The irony... how the roles are reversed." he offered.
Phoebe smiled, before entangling her hand with his. "Are you feeling alright?"
His eyes lost their sudden gleam to them. "Yeah... I'll manage." With that said he directly looked into her eyes. In search of- "Did.. something happen yesterday?"
Her eyes opened more. "You mean you don't-"
"I remember the Alison part, but it feels like I'm forgetting something else."
She momentarily looked away, her face warming a bit. "A lot of things happened yesterday." she replied. "... a lot of things."
He sighed before looking the other way. "Yeah, yesterday's events gave me a very clear spectral view on life. Living it, we grow in ignorance of impedance that comes along with it, yet forsake the cherishment-"
His inspirational words were brought to an end when he felt lips to his cheek.
"Phoebe."
"Don't go all angsty on us Max. We're all here with you - for support, not to forget she wasn't the only one that loved you. We all love you - we still do."
I do.
Max shook his head and smiled at her - before frowning. "Did Barb put you up to this?"
"Busted."
"So, you spent the night here?"
"Not necessarily."
"That's not an answer."
"W-Well.."
Max was about to prod further when a knock resounded on his door.
- Line Break -
"The Villain League wouldn't gain anything out of this. Alison wasn't even directly involved with the Hero League nor have anything of value or that causes potential mass destruction to garner an interest from the Villain League. So they're out." Max offered.
"He's right. The Villain League wouldn't risk unnecessary exposure." Colosso added.
"Then who could have done this?"
"I can hack into the Detainment database, conjure up any data on releases from within last month."
"That could help, its a start." Evelyn nodded.
"Don't forget the blue flash. That's another mindful conjurance we can't ignore." Hank said.
- Line Break -
"Colosso,"
"Yes."
"Ever heard of the name Hemphis Duran?"
"Of course, he was once aligned with the Villain League when I was still a joint of the League back in the days. Kid disappeared a year after he joined, no one could find him. We all thought he died somewhere since its impossible to stay hidden for that long without leaving a trace. Why?"
"... Apparently he was arrested 2 years ago for money laundering and impersonation, then released a few months back to never be heard of again. He simply just vanished. Says here, ever since his release, the authorities hadn't had a shift with him since then."
"Surprising to know the brat was in HiddenVille all along." Colosso commented before perching into his cage. "Though its understandable considering he perfected the vanishing act."
"Why?"
"He had the ability to manipulate minds of non-supes."
"... Hypnosis?"
"Yes, he'd trick you into allowing him to sleep with your wife just for the fun of it. To the point of being able to manipulate the president himself if he so desired to."
Max crossed his arms.
"What is it? You think he was the-"
"I don't think so. He's too apart from the distorted plot of the entire situation here. Though I'll keep him in mind if something viable may be able to connect him to all of this."
- Line Break -
"So when's the funeral?"
"In about a month. Her parents decided to prolong the date since relatives from across the country will all be attending."
"Is her family really that big?"
"I'm not sure, I've only met her parents and her grandmother, the rest I have no idea."
Phoebe smiled and threaded their hands on the restaurant table.
He looked at her, smiling thinly. "I remember how our holding of hands makes a certain someone feel loved." he joked bluntly, causing her to sputter momentarily.
She blushed and sent him a sheepish-apologetic look. "... Max, I'm sorry for-"
He squeezed her hand, making her look up. "Don't fret. I'm flattered you feel that way about me. Even though its wrong.. and weird.. its kind of - sweet, in a non platonic sense of course."
His words made her blush. "Since we're on this topic, would it be alright if I... if I-"
"You what?"
"... I get to kiss you now and then. Not regularly! But if you want to its fine with me. But can I?"
With her feelings now on the open - and his awareness of it - she was blatant with her flirting, which became and occasional habit for her.
"You're pushing your luck Phoebe."
"Spoilsport." she sighed. "Its just, I never get to see you relaxing or taking time to yourself. You're always on your computer, hacking firmware or in coalition with the Z Force of finding whoever murdered Alison that I see less of you everyday - not just me, but your friends too."
She twiddled with his fingers. Having the desire to simply yank him from the other end of the table - but relented, knowing he wouldn't appreciate such a gesture, including the whole Alison ordeal.
"We understand you feel its obligatory to bring your girlfriend's killer to justice but it doesn't mean you have to stop living your life in the process. I'm pretty sure she wouldn't want that."
"Wow, that's deep."
She rolled her eyes. "I mean it Max. I practically had to beg you to come."
"You suggested that if I didn't come with, we should get naked and sleep on the bed touching one another." he said in a deadpan manner. "That's what you said."
"Well it did work."
He chuckled. "Anyway-" he was stopped as his phone vibrated. Retrieving it from his pocket, he read the message.
Get over here! We found something!
"I have to leave." he informed standing up.
"But Cherry and Oyster are on their way."
"Sorry Pheebs, they found another lead. I'll see you later?" he asked sliding his arm into the loop of his jacket.
"... Alright." she replied as he turned to leave. "Are you just going to leave like that?"
"What do you mean?"
"... Can't you at least bid me with a tiny goodbye kiss?"
He sighed. "I don't think that's a good idea."
She pouted.
"Seriously Phoebe." he groaned and leaned over to plant his lips on her right cheek. Which would have been what it was if she hadn't made the slight turn of her head causing their lips to meet.
She caressed the side of his face and rendered the kiss in the categorical sense of love - she sucked on his lips, breezing into his shocked standstill.
Retracting, she smiled bashfully. "I guess I got carried away."
He cleared his throat. "I-I'll see you later." He hurried out of the restaurant.
- Line Break -
The Z Force, set with perimeters inside the Thundermans' household's living room - the regular occupants, absent.
Everyone was watching a feed. A very interesting one.
Max narrowed his eyes. "Colosso."
It was a wordless inquiry which Colosso quickly caught on.
"T's Duran. Definitely him, I'd recognize that face anywhere."
"Where did you get this footage?"
"The surveillance camera right beside the Marsh Facility, there's an alley south of their barricades, down HiddenVille Central street." Evelyn notified.
"When was-"
"October 9, at exactly 02:57:33 - midnight."
"That's a coincidence." Max remarked.
"What do you mean?"
"Our school's farewell party was on the 11 of October," he narrowed his eyes. "... 2 days after this footage was captured on surveillance camera, the same day Alison ditched me for another guy." He turned to the others. "Witnesses at her crime scene state they saw a flash of blue." he pointed to the footage. "Although the footage is in black and white,"
He forwarded the video, now displaying the identified Hemphis Duran seemingly standing by himself, as if conversing with himself, holding a small box against his side.
Max filtered with the settings of the video player to lighten the darkness feigned over the entire scene - and gestured the rest to lean closer - before clicking on the play button. "Watch."
The video played, with Duran standing still for a moment, before stepping back - the video ended.
"Did you see that?" he asked moving to step back and regard Evelyn.
She nodded. "That was a definite flash."
"Meaning whoever that was, was responsible for outing Alison." Colosso added.
Max nodded. "Question is, why?"
Evelyn placed her hands behind her back. "We have a solid lead. All we have to do is apprehend Hemphis Duran."
Max nodded, before a thought struck him. "Hey Colosso..."
"You got something?"
"What's Duran's natural hair colour?"
"... What does that have anything-"
"Just answer the question Colosso!"
Colosso visibly flinched. "Black - a deep black."
"Alright, what's the style he'd constantly accustom his hair to, when attending important events that require formal wear?"
"Laid back."
"Shit."
Slightly confused, Colosso asked "What's the matter?"
"Remember the video of Alison kissing some random guy, that video that went viral?"
"Yes, you-" Colosso paused. "Oh, I get it now."
"Is it of importance?" President Kickbutt chimed in.
"Duran was the one kissing Alison in that video." Colosso said.
"What does that mean?"
"My break up with Alison wasn't coincidental, it was planned. It was all a ploy to distance her from me."
Colosso caught on. "Furthermore, when the two of you got together a week later, it probably hindered their plans, and were probably forced to remove her?" He finished unsurely.
Max and Evelyn stared at the bunny.
"I'm just saying."
Evelyn turned to Max. "He may have a point."
Max nodded. "For now, let's focus on catching Duran, before he completely disappears again."
Evelyn nodded in approval. "I'll send out the best of our agents and alert admitted Hero's in the area."
"Thanks, I really appreciate it."
- A week Later -
"We caught him sneaking out of François' with a handful of jewelry worth 1.3 million."
"How did he manage to do that?" Max asked.
"He convinced the reception he was the store manager." President Kickbutt returned.
"Where is he now?"
"In the QIQ?"
Knowing he wasn't allowed in the Interrogation Quarters, Max made to go back home - and wait for a debrief.
Evelyn offered a cursory glance towards him. "I'm surprised you're taking this well."
He caught on. "I won't be of any help if I was to be a Dumbass right now."
"I like your thinking. I'll see you later."
- Line Break -
Colosso was in human form, in the Hero League HQ, a phone to his ear as he made to leave for home to inform his owner of recent findings.
"Max, President Kickbutt and I managed to get Hemphis to confess everything."
Although the look on Colosso face was spooked.
"It took time but we managed to break him." he informed before gaining a frigid expression. "Max where are you right now?... Home? I want you to leave now! Its not safe! You're not safe!... Stop asking questions and do as I say! Just meet me at the Train station! I don't have time to explain-... Max! Max!"
The line was forcely ended.
"... She got him."
- Line Break -
Max blinked rapidly - trying to fend off the excess invading light into his eyes.
An automatic response of rubbing at his eyes was denied to him as his hands felt - immobile?
He grunted and heard the distinct rattling sound of chains. He focused his vision and took in his surroundings - of what seemed to be a room with plain white walls, a large king sized bed, one door.
"What the-"
"I see you're awake."
That voice.
His intellectual mind deducted the immediate situation at an unrivaled speed - and followed in line of what he kept hidden inside his mind.
"The irony... how the roles are reversed."
His eyes travelled to the wave-start of the voice. Specifically the large window on the right of the bed.
With the light coming from the window - he was provided an ominious silhouette.
The silhouette gained colour as it moved nearer to his enclosed vision.
Dark brown hair - cascaded behind bare slender shoulders - matching eyes peering into his.
"Phoebe."
"Max."
He swallowed - finally acknowledging and fermenting his trust into his gut - knowing never to doubt it again.
"You don't seem surprised."
"Trust me. I am," he returned looking her in the eye. "I just gave up on needless overdramatic reactions."
His façade was up. Phoebe silently complimented him on that.
He hanged.
She stood.
Gazing into one another's eyes.
Amateured anticipation brewing within each passing second.
"Why?"
The question was so simple and vague. Yet the answer on the tip of her tongue was equally vague - but in the most illogical sense.
"... I love you."
He scoffed. "You claim to love me, yet you're blind to see you're the one causing me pain!"
She held herself. "I... was afraid I'd lose you to her."
"You expect me to believe that!" he bit out, clearly glaring down at her.
"No, I don't alright!" she sat down on the bed. And Max had to fend off the curiosity of how soft and comfortable the bed actually looked from his angle.
She didn't have the words to explain what she did - the reasons that sent her to act out to such an extent were unknown even to her. Everything was unprecedented from the very beginning, literally.
"You're selfish you know that."
"I know."
He sighed painfully - everything made clearly aware to him. "But to... to end her." Tears took their time. "It wasn't fair... to her, it was unjust."
"She was unfair to you as well Max."
"In your eyes she was, because you wanted to believe that. I knew her - probably better than anyone. So don't press that she was unjust to me as well."
Phoebe didn't answer him - instead, she loosened the bindings on his arms and legs and levitated him on the bed.
He immediately tried to lift himself up, only to notice his body strength was withered. "W-What, did you do to me?"
She rounded on him and sat next to him. "I shot you with a tranquilizer, your muscles are weakened at the moment, amplified by the bracelet on your ankle. Without your powers to naturally stabilize the fluidity and natural functions of your body. You weaken."
He relented and stared at the wall.
"Max."
He didn't respond
"Do you hate me?"
He didn't respond - a tear escaped his right eye. He felt her entangle their hands - rubbing circles with her thumb on the top of his hand before planting kisses on it.
"I will take care of you from now on. I will cherish you. I will nourish you with affection - I'll love you unconditionally," she paused. Max felt a tickle on his chin and slight weight added to his chest. And the tremor that reached his heart when she ounced the last of her words. ".. and we'll be together - forever - as it should be."
- Chapter End -
