When Max returned to her room, she tossed her bag onto the couch and sat down heavily on the bed.

Wowser, it feels like weeks since I've been alone in my own room...er, without some urgent thing to look up or some life-or-death situation in front of me, that is, Max thought, her eyes drawn to the mesmerizing motion of her laptop's screensaver, what do I even do? I've got...twenty minutes or so until people start showing up. Hmm...I haven't taken an emergency photo lately...I should really be keeping up with that, particularly with the creepster creeping around.

She took out her camera and glanced around, finding an interesting pattern among the shadows on her wall. She snapped the photo, wrote the date and time on it, and slid it into the emergency photo slot in her bag.

Okay...now what? Max thought, I guess...I could do some research on that old post office building that Chloe and I are supposed to break into tonight.

Max moved to her desk and woke her computer, scanning Arcadia Bay on Google Maps and finding the building Chloe had described. Max propped her chin up with her hand and zoomed in.

Just a typical Arcadia Bay building...couple of stories, couple of doors, Max thought, not that interesting. Huh, doesn't feel like there's much I can do about this mission right now.

She lazily moused around on the map, tracing paths to the Two Whales, to Chloe's house, up to Blackwell, and out to the lighthouse.

Hmm...I wonder what we'll do after we're done with this craziness tonight. I wonder if…

Max's thoughts wandered to Chloe's kiss at lunch. It had been so gentle...so surprising...and so sweet. At the same time, it was...very different from what Beta Max's journal entries had to say on the subject. Max thought about those detailed descriptions and felt butterflies in her stomach.

I wonder if Chloe will want to do that tonight, Max thought, and...if we did...would it be like Beta Max described? I...hope so, a tingle of adrenaline shot through her and she chuckled nervously, or maybe we'll be too tired...but then again, Chloe and previous me did make out right after breaking into and out of the Prescotts' house. So tonight could be the night for us. And...um...now that I think of it, Chloe will eventually want to do more than just make out.

The butterflies sensation intensified and Max glanced around the room.

Why the hell am I so nervous? she thought, Chloe obviously wants to have sex...with me. And...huh...I don't think I've ever really thought about it before. Do I want to do it? I think...yeah...I do. I love being close to Chloe...and sex means getting even closer...like, really close. Although...hmm, how would we...um...do it? My health classes definitely never covered that.

Curiosity tugged at Max's brain and she opened an incognito tab on her screen, pausing for a moment before shrugging and typing, "how to have lesbian sex." She scrolled through the search results, biting her lower lip and opening some promising-looking blogs. She scanned through a couple before finding one that had a list...with diagrams.

Okay, Max thought, starting to scroll through, this looks helpful for someone as clueless about this as I am.

She leaned close to the screen, looking at the first suggestion in the list.

Well, she thought, that looks simple enough.

She scrolled further.

Huh, that too...this really isn't that different from what I do to myself...just doing it to Chloe instead...which...yeah, I like that idea.

She scrolled further.

Oh, I do not think I'm quite ready for that, Max thought, blushing.

She scrolled again.

Aaaand if I'm not ready for that last one, I'm definitely not ready for that one either, she thought, although...it does look like it could be really fun.

She shuffled in her seat, feeling very warm and biting her lip again. She scrolled down further.

Wowser, that looks really intense, she thought, that's...I think I'd be okay trying that.

She leaned in closer and scrolled further.

Okay...that's just a different way of doing that other one, she scrolled, and that too, she scrolled, and that too, she thought.

She scrolled again and her eyes widened.

And that requires accessories, she thought, huh...was there a list or something that covered that kind of stuff?

She started scrolling back up to the top...then she froze as a gentle knock sounded at her door...and the door clicked open.

Kate's voice came from the door, "hey, Max, I know I'm a bit early…"

Max slammed her laptop closed and spun around in time to see Kate, one foot into the room, jump into the air.

"Oh...I'm sorry," Kate said, stepping back, "I can come back if you're doing something."

"No, Kate, it's okay, I'm sorry," Max said, her voice unusually high, "you just startled me. I was...um...reading something and all of my attention was there. You just surprised me."

"Are you sure it's okay?" Kate said, clutching the door.

"Yes, of course," Max said, managing a smile, "come in."

Kate stepped slowly into the room and walked over to sit on the couch.

Okay...next time I'm researching anything private...especially something that private, I need to remember to lock the damn door, Max thought. Max pushed what she'd been reading out of her mind...a task made far easier with Kate staring at her.

Max quietly released a breath and said, "I'm glad you came to the photography class today."

"I'm...I'm glad I came too," Kate said with a small smile, "I decided to make it part of my healing process. Separating the class and the subject from...from the instructor."

Not the easiest thing to do, Max thought, absentmindedly rubbing her right wrist.

"I know it's difficult to make that separation," Max said, "I think...a big part of it is owning it; your photos are your art. The classroom is our classroom. The subject is our subject now. I'm just glad they were so quick to erase all of his stuff from the school."

"Me too," Kate said, nodding, "I just couldn't stand to see it everywhere."

"And I can't believe I used to admire those pieces so much," Max said, "it all looks so different now, knowing what was really behind it."

"You seem to have thought a lot about this, Max," Kate said, "are you...doing okay?" Kate said.

So like Kate, Max thought, concerned about others even when she's in the middle of her own struggles.

"Yeah, I'm doing okay," Max said, "it's really sweet of you to ask. I'm working my way through it...can't say I haven't thought about trotting down to the jail and giving that asshole a verbal tear-down."

Kate opened her mouth to respond but another knock sounded at the door and they heard Brooke's voice say, "Warren, just open the door."

"But what if she's changing or something?" Warren's voice responded.

"We're all friends here, don't worry about it," Brooke's voice said.

Max and Kate smiled at each other and they nodded; they'd continue their conversation later.

The door edged open slowly and then swung open in front of Brooke's outstretched hand.

"See, it's Max and Kate, fully clothed," Brooke said, stepping in.

Warren grumbled something and followed Brooke.

Alyssa walked in moments later, a pair of books in hand.

"Hey, Alyssa," Max said, gesturing at the books, "what are you going to read?"

"Poetry and fiction," Alyssa said.

Figuring that that was all she'd get out of Alyssa, Max looked around at the group. Brooke and Warren had taken seats on Max's bed and Alyssa sat next to Kate.

"Thanks for helping us out with this," Max said.

"No problem," Warren said, "besides, this is way more exciting than what any of us are normally up to."

"And I'm really curious why these private investigators are following you around," Brooke said, "and, of course, how you and Chloe intend on getting into their office…"

She gazed at Max expectantly...as did the others.

"Er...just trust us," Max said, "um...Chloe has...certain skills."

Max cringed internally as she said that, realizing that Chloe would have certainly pulled a dirty joke out of it. But with Max's current audience, it was taken without innuendo.

"Okay, Max," Brooke said, "inquiring minds won't dig too deep."

"So...speaking of inquiring minds, I wasn't paying that much attention at lunch," Alyssa said, "what's the plan again?"

"Er...it sounds like you'll be out in front of the the building the PIs are using as their headquarters," Max said, "watching to make sure they don't come back while Chloe and I are busy in there."

Again, Max cringed internally and thought, if Chloe were here, none of these accidental innuendos would go unnoticed.

"And...Brooke and Warren will be keeping an eye on one or both of the PIs via car and...maybe drone?" Max continued.

"Got my keys," Warren said, patting his pocket.

"And I've got my drone," Brooke said, "um...not here, of course. It's in Warren's car. Speaking of which, I can't exactly follow a car around long distance with it."

"Yeah," Max said, "I'm not sure how much distance the PIs might cover. Maybe Chloe has more news."

"Yeah, I hope she's gathered enough intelligence," Brooke said.

"She's surprisingly thorough," Max said.

Max cringed inside yet again and thought, oh come on...is that really innuendo? The Chloe influence in my brain has obviously expanded...a lot.

"And finally," Max said, shaking her thoughts away, "Kate is going to be me."

Kate grinned.

"Who do you think Chloe's going to get as her decoy?" Warren said.

Max shrugged and said, "I have no idea. My guess is that someone in her...um, network...may look enough like her to…"

At that moment, Max's door swung open and Chloe stepped in.

"Alright, boys and girls," she said, "I present...my doppelganger."

She stepped further in and a scowling Victoria stepped in after her.

Brooke's jaw dropped, Alyssa dropped her books, Warren slipped off of the bed, and Max's eyes went wide.

"Hi, Victoria," Kate said.

Victoria nodded at Kate and said, "I would have preferred to have had far less of an entrance."

Chloe put an arm around Victoria's shoulders and squeezed, saying, "oh, come on, I think it suited you just fine." Victoria looked intensely uncomfortable until Chloe released her.

Chloe stepped over to Max and whispered, "big win in Operation Gooey Center, huh?"

"But...how?" Max whispered back.

"Since most of you look like you caught your parents fucking or something," Victoria said loudly, drawing Max's attention, "you must be wondering why I agreed to this."

Chloe grinned and everyone else nodded.

"Well, Arcadia Bay's most offensive punk here told me that PIs have been following her and Max around...and that Sean Prescott may have hired them," Victoria said, "Chloe then asked if I'd be willing to help distract them from some breaking and entering by playing dress-up. The whole idea's hilarious so why the fuck not? Besides, I find more reasons to hate Sean Prescott every day and if I can do something to ruin his little games, I'm in. Even if it means hanging out with all of you for a few hours."

"Thanks, Victoria," Max said, smiling, "that really means a lot."

A smile tugged at Victoria's lips and she said, "yeah, sure."

"Awesomesauce," Chloe said, "now that we've got this hella sweet team assembled, it's go time. Scully followed me back here in her grey car. I also found out that they have a second car. Red one. Here are photos of both with the license plate numbers." She handed pictures to Brooke and Warren.

"According to my shady friends," Chloe said, "one of these goons follows Max and I around. The other one sticks close to the center of town...drives around the block every once in awhile to avoid looking too suspicious. So, Kate was spot on."

Chloe gave a thumbs-up to Kate and Kate grinned.

"So...it sounds like I'll be settling my ass in town and using my drone to keep track of...um...Mulder?" Brooke said.

"Yep," Chloe said.

"And I'll be following Scully in the grey car?" Warren said.

"Yep," Chloe said.

"And Scully will be following Kate and Victoria?" Warren said.

"Yep yep," Chloe said.

"How will we do the switcheroo?" Max said, "between you and me and Kate and Victoria?"

"Ah," Chloe said, "so...Victoria and Kate will drive over to the music shop first. I got my future boss to let us use the store for this. It's fucking amazing what people will help you out with when you mention that you're doing something anti-Douchecott."

Victoria smirked.

"Then, after waiting a few minutes, you and I," Chloe said, ruffling Max's hair (Victoria raised an eyebrow), "will drive to the music store. We'll hand over our clothes to Victoria and Kate, they'll put the wigs on, and drive off in my truck. Then you and I sneak over to PI Town."

"Er...I should probably point out that after we give our clothes to Kate and Victoria, we'll probably draw a lot of attention wandering around Arcadia Bay in our underwear," Max said.

"Dude, we'll bring a change of clothes...I've got my ninja clothes and you've got your...um...sorta ninja clothes," Chloe said.

"My ninja clothes?" Max said.

"Oh right...Beta...I mean...shit," Chloe said, glancing around.

"It's okay," Max said, "what were the ninja clothes?"

Everyone stared at them.

"You're going to...you know?" Chloe said.

Max nodded.

"Er...other you had really dark jeans, a dark purple shirt, a black hoodie, and some obnoxiously bright pink gloves," Chloe said quickly.

"Other you?" Brooke said. Warren's brow furrowed.

"Was that from...er...apartment hunting?" Max said.

"Yeah," Chloe said.

"Um, what the hell is going on?" Victoria said.

Max ignored her and said, "I probably didn't wash those yet but they might be okay. If not, I'll find something else." She shrugged.

"Ah, got it...and, um, you'd better do the thing before we get mobbed here," Chloe said.

Warren looked up and said, "hey, wait a second…"

"Sorry, Warren," Max said, "I promise I'll let you in on the secret again at some point."

Max rewound before anyone could respond, watching the last thirty seconds play out in reverse around her. She stopped.

"...um...sorta ninja clothes," Chloe said.

"Oh yeah," Max said, "I'll have to check if I washed them."

"Ninja clothes? What the hell do you two get up to?" Brooke said.

"Now, that's private between us," Chloe said, snaking an arm around Max, "but it usually involves running around in more than just underwear. Well...usually."

Victoria's head tilted and her eyes widened.

"Wait a second," she said, "are you...you're actually…"

"Oh yes," Chloe said and Max nodded, grinning sheepishly.

"Shit...then seriously, why the fuck weren't you in the shower together this morning?" Victoria said.

Max blushed furiously and Warren started coughing.

"Anyways," Max said, "about the plan..."

"No, you do not get to change the subject yet," Victoria said, "when did it happen?"

"Had our first date last night," Chloe said.

"Have you gotten busy already?" Victoria said with a sly smile.

"Damn, Victoria," Chloe said, putting a hand on her hip, "that's normally the kind of question I ask."

"No kidding," Warren mumbled.

"Um...so before we go down that particular rabbit hole...," Max said.

"Oh, so there is a rabbit hole to go down?" Victoria said, smirking.

"It's a very shallow rabbit hole," Max said.

"You and Chloe looking to dig it deeper?" Victoria said.

Max stood with her mouth open as Chloe howled with laughter.

Max glanced around the room: Warren was shaking his head, Brooke sat with an awkward smile frozen on her face, Kate was looking back and forth between Victoria and Max, her mouth slightly open, and Alyssa had cracked open one of her books.

Okay, Max thought, there's no way I'm going to win this verbal sparring match and Chloe is of no help. Different tactic.

Max looked at Victoria, shrugged, and winked.

Victoria smiled, looking satisfied.

Huh, Max thought, looks like that worked...sometimes it's the simple things.

"Okay, now that we've gotten super deep into my and Chloe's personal lives, anything else before we get going?" Max said.

"How are...damn, still trying to get past what just happened," Brooke said, "um...okay...how are we communicating?"

"And how am I getting blue hair?" Victoria said.

"Oh," Kate said, "and how am I getting Max's pretty hair?"

"I'm glad...you...asked," Chloe said, still catching her breath from laughing, "here."

She reached into a bag at her feet and began pulling out items, starting with walkie talkies that she handed to Victoria, Brooke, and Alyssa (who looked up from her book for just a moment to take it). She then pulled out a blue wig that looked remarkably like her own hair, handing it to Victoria. Next came a brown wig that looked...less like Max's hair.

"Sorry," Chloe said, handing the wig to Kate, "this was the closest I could find...the style is about right and the color isn't too far off...should work...as long as we can get it over Kate's gigantic hair."

"Oh, that shouldn't be too hard," Kate said, "I can let it down and tuck it into the back of my shirt. As long as the PIs don't get too close, they shouldn't notice."

"Awesome," Chloe said, "and I think this means we're ready. Victoria, do you know where the music store is?"

"The one a block away from the grocery store?" Victoria said.

"Yeah," Chloe responded.

"Yes; ready to go, Kate?" Victoria said.

"Yep," Kate said, standing, "this should be fun. Want me to bring any music, Victoria?"

"Um...I already...sure, what do you like?" Victoria said.

"I love classical music," Kate said, stepping out into the hall.

"Er...okay, I guess I could go for that," Victoria said. She stepped out and closed the door behind her.

"You think they'll be okay together?" Warren said, "after...you know...the whole video thing?"

"Yeah," Max said, "I think Victoria feels really guilty about that...they...talked about it already so I think they'll be fine."

Neither Brooke or Warren looked completely convinced but they both nodded; Alyssa continued to read her book.

"Well...do you have everything you need?" Max said to them.

"Yep, just need an Alyssa," Brooke said; they both stood.

"Yo, Alyssa!" Warren said.

"What?" Alyssa said, looking up, "oh...where did Kate and Victoria go?"

"They left after we thoroughly discussed Max and Chloe's sex life," Brooke said wryly.

"Oh...huh...I guess I should pay more attention if I want the interesting gossip," Alyssa said, standing and turning to Max and Chloe, "I hope you guys have great sex. See you later."

She followed Brooke and Warren out, both of whom were chuckling.

The door closed and Max collapsed onto her bed, putting her head in her hands.

Chloe laughed and said, "wow, who would've thought Victoria would be such a riot?"

"Oh my god," Max said.

"Oh, don't worry," Chloe said, sitting next to her, "they'll lose interest. Give it a few days and all of our personal stuff will be private again."

"Fuck, I hope so," Max said, looking over at Chloe, "I...like that people know about us...but the attention gets a little...intense at times."

"Oh, I'll give you some intense attention," Chloe said, winking.

"You are seriously out of control," Max said.

"Very true," Chloe said.

"So when are we heading out?" Max said.

"Eh, maybe five...ten minutes?" Chloe said, "enough time to let everyone get set up."

"Sounds good to me," Max said, "I'll change into new clothes so that I'm not giving Kate the ones I've been wearing all day...and I'll find my 'ninja' clothes."

"Shit, I was so glad you knew about that," Chloe said, "I was worried that I fucked up there."

"Er...I actually didn't know about it...we kind of freaked everyone out and I think Warren started to figure out the truth," Max said.

"Damn...so you rewound?" Chloe said.

"Yeah," Max said, digging into her closet. As she expected, most of her so-called ninja outfit was in her laundry basket. She pulled out the pants and shirt, sniffed at them gingerly, and quickly threw them back in, eliciting a chuckle from Chloe.

"Yo, G, mind if I look this building up and check out some satellite pics?" Chloe said.

"Sure," Max said, grabbing the darkest clothes she could find in her closet and setting them aside, "computer's unlocked."

With her new 'ninja' outfit selected, Max began changing into the clothes she'd be handing over to Kate.

A few moments passed and Chloe said, "so...um...Max. Not to freak you out but...I see that you've been doing some...unexpected research here."

"Huh?" Max said, turning around, her jeans only halfway up one leg.

Chloe was looking over at her from the desk, a nervous smile on her face. Behind her, on the laptop screen...

Max's eyes went wide. She'd completely forgotten what had been on her screen before Kate came in.

"I...I…," Max stammered, her face reddening.

"Don't you dare rewind!" Chloe said quickly.

"No...I won't...I just...," Max said, "this is so embarrassing."

Chloe stood up and walked over, wrapping Max in a hug.

"Max, don't be embarrassed," Chloe said, "my search history is full of stuff like that. You can tell me whatever you want about this stuff. Or nothing at all. Totally cool."

Max felt herself relaxing in Chloe's hug and said, "Thanks, Chloe. I...wowser...I came back to my room and got...curious. I knew that you...that you'd want to be doing that kind of thing at some point. I wanted to find out...you know...what it would actually...involve."

"And?" Chloe said, leaning away to look down at Max.

"And...well...it seems like it'll be fun," Max said, looking away to the floor with a shy smile.

"So...you want to have sex?" Chloe said.

"Er, not right now, of course...but yeah, I think...I mean yes, I do," Max said, smiling, "and...um...you do too?"

Chloe laughed and said, "hell yeah I want to get into your cute pants...but, like I said before, everything at your pace. No pressure...and if you feel pressure, ever, tell me." She held up her hands.

"Thanks, Chloe," Max said, "I'm...still a little embarrassed, to be honest."

"Eh, it's sorta karma," Chloe said.

"For what?" Max said.

"You...er...Beta Max found something in my search history," Chloe said, "it was kinda embarrassing for me."

"Oh?" Max said, putting her hands on her hips, "and what was it?"

"Nope, not telling," Chloe said, "you'll find out eventually."

Max smiled, remembering what Beta Max had written in the journal: "how to say i love you" had been in Chloe's search history.

Well, Max thought, I guess Chloe just accidentally confirmed that it was real.

She felt her heart ballooning with feeling...she looked up into Chloe's eyes and very nearly said it…

Wait, Max thought, is this the right time? Is there a right time to say it? I...not now...I'll know when the moment is right.

"Max, you okay?" Chloe said.

"Yeah," Max said, "very okay."

"Sweet, let's get ready to go...you'd better finish putting on your pants," Chloe said.

"Yes, Cap'n," Max said.

"Arrr, ye best be prepared for some badass pirate action, Long Max Silver," Chloe said.

Max chuckled and finished dressing, grabbing her 'ninja' clothes and the last walkie-talkie and putting them in her bag.

"Before we go," Chloe said, "which of the things on this list are you most excited about?" She pointed at the laptop screen.

"Chloe!" Max said.

"What? I'm curious," Chloe said.

"Okay fine," Max said, striding over, "that one." She pointed to one of the first entries in the list.

"Ooh, simple...I like it," Chloe said, "why that one?"

"Um...it seems like a good way to start...it...well...it's kind of like what I do myself," Max said, her face turning red again.

"That's actually pretty intimate...I like the way you think," Chloe said, "it's kind of like I'll be you and you'll be me."

The way Chloe said that, with the definite future tense, brought an intense sensation of butterflies to Max's stomach.

"Okay, what else?...just one more?" Chloe said.

Max tried to muster a convincing glare and sighed loudly. Chloe stared back with what was clearly an attempt at an innocent expression.

Max wasn't at all fooled and couldn't help but smile.

She said, "sure, why not?"

She leaned over and scrolled down, hesitating before pointing at an entry.

"Oh, I like the look of that," Chloe said, "I wonder if you're supposed to go, like, side to side or up and down?"

Max blushed again.

"I guess we'll just have to try it," Chloe said, punching Max's arm, "okay...I'll stop asking you to point out sex positions."

"What about you?" Max said, "which ones are you excited about?"

Chloe looked as if Max had given her an early Christmas present.

"I am so glad you asked. Let's see," Chloe said, leaning over the laptop and scrolling through the page, "I'm totally digging the ones you pointed out. As for me...that one."

"Oh...wowser," Max said, "I'm not sure I'd be ready for that."

"Oh yeah, I figured," Chloe said, grinning, "we'll have to work our way to that."

"Thanks," Max said, ruffling Chloe's hair for a change, "I'm really glad you're making comfort a priority with this."

"For you? Hell yeah," Chloe said.

"And...um...the reverse is true too," Max said, "let me know if I ask for something that you're not comfortable with."

Chloe tilted her head and said, "oh yeah...hadn't thought of that. That's a good point. I guess we have no idea how crazy you'll get."

Max punched her shoulder.

Chloe laughed and continued, "but thanks. Good to know we're both on the same page."

Max smiled then said, "oh, and you have to point out one more...you made me point out two."

"Oh yeah, let's see," Chloe said, scrolling again, "I have to say that I'm very intrigued by this." She pointed to an image.

"Hmm...that...um...seems to require some special items," Max said, "and I'm guessing you don't have those."

"Ha, no," Chloe said, "but hey, we can always pick some up in Portland."

"Oh my god," Max said, "I think I'd die if I walked into a store that sells that stuff."

Chloe laughed.

"Okay, I'm going to step away now," Max said, turning around and pulling more items out of Chloe's bag: a roll of duct tape and a blonde wig.

"Um...what are these for?" Max said, holding them up.

"Oh, those?" Chloe said, glancing over from the laptop screen, "those are for this." She scrolled down and pointed to a diagram that Max hadn't seen yet.

"Chloe..." Max said.

"Sorry, G," Chloe said, "that was just too good to pass up. But yeah, the wig is for me. My hair is hella awesome but it's also kind of a giveaway."

"And the duct tape?" Max said.

"Having duct tape around is always a good idea...right?" Chloe said, shrugging.

"I suppose," Max said, "if I channel my inner Warren, the answer is yes."

"Boom," Chloe said, turning back to the website.

"You sure are enjoying that site," Max said, putting the duct tape into her messenger bag and pulling out her camera.

"Dude, I'm still tripping over the fact that you were looking at this," Chloe said, "honestly I thought you might not be interested at all."

Max, looking through the camera's viewfinder, said, "even after Beta me made out with you like crazy?"

"Good point," Chloe said, closing the laptop and turning around. Her eyes widened slightly and Max took the shot.

"Good expression," Max said.

"Huh, I don't know why I was surprised to see a camera on your face," Chloe said, sticking her tongue out, "but yeah...I don't know...I wouldn't say that you were...um...Kate-ish about sex...but you never mentioned anything so..." Chloe shrugged.

"Yeah," Max said, wrinkling her nose, "my sex life has had a population of one: me. And other than health class and my mom giving me 'the talk', I haven't talked with anyone about it before. I guess that's why I'm shy about it...and I'd never really thought about it very much either. I think I assumed it would just happen...that the opportunity would just present itself at some point. But if I'd actually been a decent friend and kept in contact with you, maybe…"

"Hey," Chloe said, tilting the chair back, "getting close to a danger zone there, Maxaroni. I mean yeah, the last five years have sucked and maybe things would've been better...or even sexier...with us in the same place. But that didn't happen. And it's in the past. And now we're best friends again. And you're my girlfriend...and holy fuck that's insane." She sat with her eyes wide.

"Yeah, no kidding," Max said with a smile. She stared down at Chloe, unsure of what to do.

We're in this weird kind of limbo, she thought, we're dating, technically...but it feels like we haven't quite...let loose yet. Do I kiss her? Right now? Do I...I don't know...pat her head?

"We're sort of in a weird spot, aren't we?" Max said out loud.

"Yeah, no kidding," Chloe said, "kind of feels like we're in neutral."

"Yeah, I'm not sure what to do," Max said, her brow furrowed.

Chloe stood up and walked over, draping her arms over Max's shoulders. Max looked up with a smile, putting her hands on Chloe's waist.

"Nothing," Chloe said, "just keep being you. I'll keep being me. We have that spark; I totally feel it...I guess it just needs the right moment to light up. Boom!" She raised her hands above her head and then back to Max's shoulders.

"I feel the same," Max said, "that spark is burning...it's crazy hot too."

"Clearly," Chloe said, gesturing with her thumb to the laptop.

Max punched Chloe in the hip and Chloe chuckled.

"Okay, lovergirl, we'd better get to snooping...your next biggest skill after taking kick-ass photos," Chloe said.

"Damn right," Max said, "one more thing though."

Chloe raised an eyebrow and Max stood on her tiptoes, planting a soft kiss on Chloe's lips.

"Shit, Max, you're making me wish we weren't heading out of the bedroom right now," Chloe said.

"You are such a dork...which, by the way, is definitely near the top of your list of skills," Max said, picking up her bag.

"Yep yep," Chloe said, grabbing her keys.

"Do you have your wig?" Max said.

"Oh right," Chloe said, reaching down and grabbing it, "mind putting it in your bag until we get there?"

Max stuffed the wig into her bag and said, "it looks like a giant tribble."

"A what now?" Chloe asked, opening the door.

"Ask Warren," Max said, following Chloe into the hall.

They left the dorm and made their way towards the front of the school.