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(Flashback: late spring 2013, continued)

Chloe's thoughts were all over the place. The thousand things she had in her head all came out at the same time. "You're safe here, Rachel... there is police guarding the hospital… they can't hurt you anymore. I just want… I thought I'd never see you again… and then Max came back… Frank Bowers… Blackwell… David… we found the shed... they're in custody."

Rachel smiled at the sight and sound of Chloe rambling on. Finally, she interrupted Chloe. "We have so much to talk about. And we will talk about all of it. I want to know everything, including hearing about your friend Max. You were best friends for a long time, weren't you? That's what I remember you told me. Are you going to introduce me?"

After about ten minutes of little nothings, Chloe suggested that she should get the doctors. "I don't want to leave you alone even for a minute, Rachel. But I guess the doctors should know so they can have a look at you. And I should call your dad. I'll be back really soon, I promise."

Chloe ran over to the doctors, who rushed over to Rachel's room as soon as they heard the news. Chloe made a few phone calls and frantically texted Max about Rachel. Max replied to Chloe's messages, "wowser, I'm coming over".

Chloe then tried to return to Rachel's room but the nurse at the door wouldn't let her in. Chloe got agitated and demanded to know why they were not allowing her in.

"We have to run more tests now that she is awake. We really don't mean to keep you away from her", the nurse replied.

Chloe didn't like being frozen out yet again, but knew she had to let it slide. Instead, she decided to wait for Max and Rachel's father.


Max arrived not much later and immediately asked Chloe how she was handling the latest developments.

"I'm tripping balls here, Max. They say she will be OK. Please stop me if I try something crazy. You know, she recognized me, she remembers me."

"I'm so happy for you, Chloe. But what happened to you? That looks like a nasty bump on your forehead, Chloe. You fell out of bed or something?"

Chloe told Max about how she had smashed her head against the door upon seeing Rachel awake. Max could not quite suppress her laughter, which annoyed Chloe but not too much.

"The worst thing is the wait", Chloe said. "I just want her to get better. I don't know if she still wants to go away with me, I'd take her anywhere. I so want that future Rachel and I talked about three years ago. I guess I'm not really sure what's gonna happen. And we don't really have money anyway."

Max listened to Chloe and just let her vent her frustrations and express her feelings. It was obvious Chloe needed someone to listen to her right now and Max was going to do just that, and give encouragement where needed.

"I just can't stop being selfish, can I Max? We didn't even talk about you and your future yet. I mean, surely that photography course is going to be delayed or cancelled now?"

"I guess so, Chloe. I have no idea yet what I'm going to be doing in the future, but I've already started looking at alternatives. Maybe Seattle again, or San Francisco, maybe even Los Angeles. Mrs. Grant has asked me and Mr. Jefferson's other students to come to Blackwell tomorrow to discuss the future. Change is coming to Blackwell, there are rumors all over. Some students saw principal Wells leaving after a meeting with some important looking people."

"Right now, I'd ask you to come with Rachel and me to Los Angeles, Max. I mean, it would be awesomesauce to be able to hang out with both of you. I guess time will tell if that's gonna happen. But you got your own stuff, your school and career to worry about."

"Chloe, I can't tell you how much I'd want to go to L.A. with Rachel and you. I want to see you happy, Chloe. Maybe we can even go on adventures if we ever get there? Los Angeles has some nice art galleries and places for exhibitions where maybe I'll be publishing my work one day. And I've heard some good things about the bookstores too."

"You're such a nerd", Chloe grinned. "And I wouldn't want it any other way. I admit I had some feelings for you in the past, but different from what I feel with Rachel."

"I so understand and I guess I'm flattered", Max laughed. "I'm glad we are talking right now and having a nice time, just the two of us. We'll have to keep waiting for the doctors, and any news they might have about Rachel."

"I'll never forget that kiss you gave me, Max. I mean you didn't even hesitate, it was so unlike you. I really needed it at the time, and it made me realize just what a good friend you are and always will be. I guess we're both to blame for those five years. I was sitting around waiting for your messages, and they never came. I could have messaged you at any time, but like you I guess I just didn't know what to say anymore."

"And that will never happen again. Those five years did go by very fast, didn't they? I am so looking forward to serving as First Max to Captain Chloe again. What role will Rachel get? Admiral? Pirate queen? Because I think she's definitely going to go with you this time. I so want that for you. Your happiness is foremost in my thoughts."

"Max, right now I'm thinking of how Rachel and I could sustain ourselves. I'll have to work, maybe as a waitress like mom, and I don't think it's a bad thing. I might have to work on my people skills a bit. Maybe one day I'll have my own tattoo shop or something. But it's going to be difficult. I don't have any kind of diploma and neither does Rachel, we screwed that up in the past few years."

"Chloe, I will talk to Mrs. Grant about that. Maybe it's a good thing to involve Rachel's father? Let's see what can be done. Because I do believe that after all that happened they owe you, and they owe Rachel too. I will do anything to help you both. I'll guilt trip them if I have to. I have enough time anyway, considering school's out for the time being. And if you ever become a waitress, I'm going to come over and check it out."

"You would, wouldn't you? We'll see. And Max, I was thinking, if you see Kate, could you ask her to stop by? I think it would help her and Rachel if they could talk about what happened to both of them? You helped save them both, Supermax."

"I don't see myself as a hero, Chloe. I am just trying to do what's right, even if it doesn't work out sometimes. All those weird moments in the recent past, these dreams I've been having. I can't even count the number of times in the last few weeks that I felt like some scenes just repeated themselves over and over again. And that storm that hit the coast yesterday, it was in my dreams too."

"I guess we'll never know what all of it really meant, Spidermax. And thanks for talking with me here, I really needed that. Let's go see if anyone has news on Rachel."


Several hours later, late in the afternoon, Chloe and Max talked with the Ambers about Rachel and her condition. The doctors were very busy with more tests and scans. Snippets of positive feedback filtered back to the waiting room, filling Chloe with hope. Then one of the doctors showed up, and asked them all to join him in Rachel's room. Chloe asked if Max could come with her and the Ambers said they would be very happy if Max would be there too.

In the meantime, Chloe's mother Joyce had also arrived, after finishing her shift at the diner. Chloe couldn't help but feel that a big decision was about to be made.

The doctor detailed the results of all the latest tests and scans. "Everything we said before has been confirmed. We are all of the belief that given enough time, miss Amber will make a full recovery. Now as discussed before, there is need for both physical therapy and light therapy. Miss Amber will be put on a highly nutritious diet, and we recommend it to be followed like it's the gospel. Her body has had to deal with significant doses of drugs. It will take some time before all the effects wear off. But there is no doubt she will need to keep clean from now on."

The doctor then explained they would keep Rachel in the hospital for at least another week, depending on further progress. But if Rachel recovered as expected, there would be no objection against her going home after that week.

Rachel, her parents, Chloe, Max and Joyce looked at each other. James Amber broke the silence. "What is most important now, is what's good for Rachel. The thing is, although our house would be very suitable for her to work on her recovery, it might not be the best place psychologically speaking. I think it would be best to let Rachel decide where she thinks she would prefer to start working on her recovery."

"I thank you all for being so concerned about me", Rachel began. "I suppose it shouldn't be an easy decision. But like dad says, I don't think I could handle being at our home right now, maybe that will change at some point in the future. Now that I think about it, if it is even remotely possible, I'd like to go with Chloe to her house. That is, Chloe, if you have room for me and you still want me to be with you."

Tears were welling up in Chloe's eyes. Rachel still wanted to be with her, she could hardly believe it. "There's nothing I want more, Rach. Nothing would make me happier to be able to help you recover. I don't know if we can do it, mom?"

"Oh my…", Joyce sighed. "I'll have to call David because we'll have to make some adjustments. Chloe, I think your room can fit both of you. Two girls in the house is going to take some getting used to. Especially in this situation. But with hard work, I believe we can do it."

"I promise I'll do anything to help, mom. I have all the time in the world right now. Maybe you can even teach me how to cook properly?"

"There will be a time for that", Joyce replied. "I just… I can't express just how happy I am right now. It seems like only yesterday I'd lost you, Chloe. I didn't know how to handle the situation with you and now all of a sudden it turns into this? Of course we will let Rachel stay with us, if that's what you both want."

Rachel and Chloe both confirmed the decision. James Amber was visibly moved and said he happily supported the decision, Rose said she too would gladly help out. The Ambers promised to contribute financially, and that they were available at any time, if needed.

James Amber suggested to Rose that they should start packing some of Rachel's belongings and bring them over to the Price residence. He then confirmed he had managed to hire a lawyer to help prepare Rachel for the statements she would need to make to the police.

Rachel pointed out she was feeling tired. Everyone said their goodbyes and only Chloe and Max stayed behind. "I can't stay long either, Chloe", Max said.

"You're not going anywhere until I introduce you to Rachel", Chloe replied.

"Rachel, this is my childhood friend Max Caulfield. She saved my life these last few weeks. She inspired hope in me and helped us to find you. You're one of my heroes, Batmax."

"I'm so glad to have been able to help you, Chloe. I was really worried about you, and seeing you two here together warms my heart like nothing else has ever done. I can almost feel your happiness. And Rachel, if you are half as awesome as Chloe says you are, I'm sure things will be alright, no matter how difficult it might get in the next few months."

"Max Caulfield, I'm really happy to finally meet you. You are a true friend of Chloe, and that means you are a true friend of mine. I'm convinced we will see each other often these coming times."

"Chloe, Rachel, I gotta go now. I'd love to talk all night but I have to speak with your father, Rachel. It's about something I told Chloe about."


After Max left, Chloe and Rachel were alone again. They talked some more about the developing situation.

"Chloe, I really like Max and I can see why you and her are best friends. I want to be her friend too. I'm still trying to get used to the idea that you and me will be back together. I hope you're not angry with me for the way I handled the situation last year. I can't believe I bought all those lies. I paid for the mistake of not telling you what I was going through."

"No, don't blame yourself, Rachel, it's not your fault. There is nothing to forgive. Right now, we need to focus on the present. There will be a lot of time to talk about everything that happened. I mean, my stepdad texted me that tomorrow I have to go to the police to give my statement. And I'm sure they will want to hear yours too, very soon."

"My dad will bring his lawyer over tomorrow, and I'll have to go over everything with him to prepare. It will be difficult, but knowing you are here for me makes it easier. I'll have to stay in the hospital for another week, but when they say I can go I will come to your place. We can start over again. I can't wait for that to happen."

"It just feels so unreal, Rachel. Ever since we found you, I've been scared to fall asleep. I don't want to wake up to find you gone again. I guess it will take a while to wrap my mind around all of this."

"My angel Chloe, the thing I missed the most about you is how awkward you always behave around me. The reason I fell in love with you is because with you, I can be myself. Much of my life has been an act, but you changed everything."

"We're kind of like fire and ice, aren't we Rachel? I mean the two of us shouldn't be compatible, right? So why does this feel so good? I'm always looking up to you as if you're royalty or something, I can't help it. You seemed so perfect from a distance, and I was such a loser."

"Don't demean yourself, Chloe. I admired you too, do you know how long I spent looking for a way to introduce myself into your life? Your spirit and your attitude were an inspiration to me. And your awkwardness has always endeared you to me. The others were all so fake, and I acted fake too. But beneath that perfect façade you think you saw, was someone who was desperately trying to break out."

"Probably we can't spend much time together in the next week, Rachel. Apart from the statement I'll have to make to the police, I have to prepare my room. It's a mess right now and it will take time to clean it up. Now it all seems to be happening so fast, and the moment is so near, and yet waiting another week will seem like an eternity. I'll visit here as often as I can."

"An eternity with you is going to be worth it, Chloe Price. This time we're really gonna do it, I promise. If you still want it."

"I want it more than anything else. Once you get better, we're out of here. I feel like crying right now, but I am so happy."

"Chloe, there is nothing wrong with that. We'll probably do a lot of crying in the next few months. But we should laugh too. And we should live. Do things, hang out with Max."

"That reminds me, Rachel. There's this other girl you should meet, Kate Marsh, she's a good friend of Max. Max saved her too. She also had weird pictures made off her by those assholes, against her will. And there's a video too. Like you she was drugged and doesn't remember much of it. It affected her badly, and Max talked her out of suicide. Sorry, I didn't want to darken the mood."

"It's not a problem Chloe. And I'll gladly meet Kate. We can support each other. Oh, and speaking of fire and ice, which you mentioned earlier, please don't spoil season three of Game of Thrones for me, I haven't seen any of it yet because of what happened."

"I'd stay away from fan sites if I were you", Chloe smirked. "There's this huge thing near the end of the season, I won't reveal what it is but you'll be shocked."

"Chloe. All I had for nine months was my imagination. There was no reality but the one that was forced on me. Right now, I think we could both use a little confirmation that this is for real. Come here, my loyal spirit."

Rachel and Chloe kissed each other for the first time in nearly a year. This surely was the start of a new era.


(Present time: 2019)

"Are you alright over there on that chair, Mad Max? You can come sit in between me and Rachel if you want. We have more than enough room. And we swear we won't try anything. Right now, we want to hear about your pregnancy."

"I'll come over if you want, Chloe."

Max sat herself between Chloe and Rachel. "This is actually kind of comfortable. The two of you just ooze such warmth. I almost wish we could do this every day."

"So Max, when did you find out? Was it planned? Chloe and I think it's awesome."

"Max, last week when I was sick in bed, Rachel joked about morning sickness and suggested I call you for tips."

"Seriously, Chloe? That's funny, I wish I'd been there to see your face. And yes, Warren and I actually did plan it. It just seemed like the right moment, and it still does. Speaking of babies, did you two ever think about it?"

"A baby? Us, Max? Are you picturing me as a mom right now? Stop that. Don't laugh. I'm sure that any child of mine would give me the same shit I gave my mom. Karma and stuff. I'm sure my mom would appreciate it, and David would think it's hilarious."

"I think Joyce would love to be a grandmother, Chloe. But I don't mean to mess in your affairs, you and Rachel have been through so much. I can only say that the idea of becoming a mother is something I am looking forward to. It's not going to be easy, but I think it will be so rewarding."

"There's another complication, Max. If Chloe and I were ever to make such a decision, she would probably have to be the one. The doctors told me a few years ago that they weren't sure I would ever be able to have a baby. Maybe we'll never find out, Chloe and I certainly aren't ready now."

"These things take time, Max, many years in our case. But I am so happy for you. Me and Rachel hope that your little pirate will have many awesome friends, and will go on tremendous adventures like you and I did. Those were some really good times we had together. And we'll go to Santa Monica soon, the three of us. It will be hella cool to hang out together. Rachel and I have many happy memories there."


PS

Before they can even think of moving to Los Angeles, both Chloe and Rachel have serious healing to do, physically (Rachel) and mentally (both).