A/N: Just when I thought I was done with Maxon, I get a request to write this scene :)

I tried to focus on the reports in front of me, but being in the garden with the Elite was distracting. My eyes wandered to where America and Kriss sat at the other end of the garden. America looked dejected, she was slumped with her chin in her hand. I wanted desperately to talk to her, but the last two times we had really spoken she had asked to go home. No matter how selfish I was being, I couldn't let her go. The thought of her leaving for good was enough to shatter me. The moments yesterday when I didn't know if she was safe were torturous, and when I finally plucked the nerve to hold her in my arms, I almost broke down. She had to forgive me eventually, right? Only a little more than a week ago she said she was ready to be mine; could she really give up so quickly? Once she found out Marlee was safe, she wouldn't hold that against me. I hoped.

Turning my attention back to my papers, I made a note in the corner. Something about this paperwork about New Asia wasn't adding up. I had mentioned it to my father but he dismissed me, as usual. Exhaling sharply, I shuffled through the papers, pretending like anything I said or did would actually matter. I looked back at America. She was watching me intently. I smiled and waved. Her eyes grew wide but only Kriss waved back at me. America deflated into her seat.

I sighed, turning back to my papers. She had to forgive me.

I thought back to the few hours I had spent with Kriss. She was kind, a steady choice. I knew she would support me and care for me...

But even thinking of her made me feel guilty.

I loved America.

As hard as I had tried at the beginning, I couldn't get her out of my head. She made me feel alive, challenged, inspired… like I was worth something. She didn't care about the crown, in fact, she had made it clear she would have preferred me without it. But she had barely spoken to me for what seemed like years, and every time she ignored me it was a knife in my back. As much as I wanted to spend every waking second trying to win her over, I couldn't risk shutting out the other girls. I hated considering it, but if America walked out for good, I would have to marry one of them. At the moment, Kriss seemed like the best option.

Lightheaded at the mere thought of a life without America, I decided I needed some water. Walking to the refreshment table, I stifled a groan as Kriss and Celeste intercepted me, pasting on my most convincing smile.

"Good morning, ladies. I hope you are enjoying this beautiful day."

"It would be better if I was spending it with you," Celeste crooned, running a hand on my arm.

I laughed, "Ah yes, well running a country stops for no one, not even two beautiful girls like you."

My father bellowed something that included my name and I cringed. "Well, ladies, I'd best be getting back to work. Enjoy the rest of your…"

"Rebels!" A guard yelled, "Run! Rebels inside the palace! Run!"

My heart sank. Not again! Two attacks in such a short amount of time was unprecedented.

My mother was running towards a secret entrance. "Follow her," I turned to Celeste and Kriss. Celeste bolted.

"I don't think I can," Kriss said, pointing at her ankle.

I had forgotten about that. I scooped her into my arms and headed to the nearest guard.

"Run!" I placed Kriss in his arms. He was looking at something over my shoulder. "Run!" I commanded. He turned and obeyed, following after my mother.

Elise and Natalie ran past me as the sound of gunshots reached the gardens. Rebels were swarming only feet away and a group of guards surrounded me, shooting at the rebels. My father, surrounded by his own pack of guards, barked orders while gathering his papers. I looked towards the palace, searching for America's red hair, but she hadn't snuck past me.

Turning around, I saw my worst nightmare.

America was running into the forest, chased by a group of rebels.

"America, no!" I yelled, "Come back!"

The rebels were nearly on top of her. She glanced back, terror filling her features.

No.

This could not be happening.

Wake up, Maxon.

I had to save her. If she died, my life was over.

I started towards her but was jerked back by my neck. "Let me go," I growled at my father, who was dragging me backwards by my suit coat. I watched America run in a zig zag towards the forest and was overwhelmed with terror.

Bullets flew everywhere.

"Stand down," I screamed, breaking free of my father's grasp. "You'll hit her. Cease fire." I was choking on agony at the thought of America hurt, by my own soldier's bullets or at the rebels hands. I watched her run farther away from me. What would they do to her when they caught her?

The sound of gunshots broke my concentration, and I saw a guard kneeling, attempting to shoot the rebels. I launched myself at him, grabbing his collar, furious he would risk America's life. "I said stand down!"

"Forgive me, sir," He replied and I let go of him. I ran my hand through my hair, pacing as I watched America disappear into the forest. I was on the verge of exploding. It was all I could do to not grab a guard's gun and race after her. My breaths were quick and shallow and I thought I might be sick.

My America.

Alone.

In danger because of me.

What kind of sick punishment was this? I had never been more terrified. The walls were closing in around me. I was panicking, thinking of every worst case scenario, of America injured, dying… lifeless on the forest floor.

I snapped my head up, looking at the guards surrounding me and my father protectively.

"Get her. Get her now!" I screamed. If there was a time to show I had inherited my father's temper, it was now.

My heart had been ripped from my body and was hiding in the woods. Would I feel it if they killed her? I wanted to turn back time and tell her everything, beg for her forgiveness. Had I lost my chance to do so while she still lived? My world collapsed in that moment, everything that had seemed so important minutes ago dissipated.

"Maxon, go to your mother," my father ordered.

I spun around, staring at him. "You can't be serious. How am I supposed to sit in some safe room while America's missing? She could be dead." Saying the words out loud was a punch to the stomach and I doubled over, sick at the thought of the woman I loved being returned to me in a body bag. I was spinning out of control, frantic. So dizzy. I wanted to run after her. I wanted to collapse on the ground in despair. I wanted to scream and cry and break down completely.

My father pulled me up roughly, shaking me. Anger coursed through my veins, focusing my frustration on the person who deserved it most. If not for my father's temper, I would have proposed to America after Halloween and she wouldn't be in danger now.

"Get it together." He snarled. "We need you safe. Go. Now."

I was shaking with unspent rage. This could be the moment I had prepared for. I was ready to take him down. I wanted him to fight back, to hurt me. I had never deserved it more than I did now.

Out of the corner of my eye I could see the guards preparing to go into the forest to find America, and in that instant I knew if I fought my father it would only delay her rescue.

Instead, I pulled myself from my father's hands and stormed towards the palace.

I steadied myself against the door to the hidden entrance, looking behind me one last time. My father was talking to one of the remaining guards, but the rest of the group was gone, running towards the forest.

Gone to find America

America was gone.

A/N: What does Maxon do while he is waiting to hear about America? Why isn't he waiting at the palace door when she returns? Don't worry, I have some ideas, but I would love to hear yours! I am going to be posting these chapters in rapid succession so be sure to follow or favorite!