October 13, 2013, 7:48 p.m.

"NO!"

This wasn't the first time that Max had experienced the flow of time slowing down to a halt, then beginning to rewind faster and faster. Still, it didn't make her any more prepared for it when she saw the speeding car hit Rachel and she lifted her hand instinctively. Everything around her blurred into an incomprehensible mixture of quickened motion and sound in reverse.

Usually, when Max had used her powers, she'd stayed stationary while the world rewound around her. This time, however, she was caught up and pulled away from the scene, just like the first time, when she had witnessed Chloe being shot by Nathan in the Blackwell restroom and just seconds later she'd found herself in Mr. Jefferson's classroom.

Max gasped and her body jerked against the car seat as the flow of time returned to normal. "Whoa!"

"What happened, Max? Are you alright?" Victoria asked with a concerned look on her face.

The brunette didn't answer, she just stared at her hands dumbfounded. My powers, they are working again! I… I saw Rachel being hit by that car and… She looked around her. We're back in the Mini, but that means Rachel's still alive!

"Max, you look like you just saw a ghost." Victoria pulled the hipster out of her thoughts.

"I… I'm fine," Max said hastily. "It was just a bad dream."

"If you say so," Victoria said doubtfully. "Anyway, we're here. Welcome to LA, Max!"

"Uh, thank you," the brunette blurted. We need to hurry! If we make it to the junction in time, we can still save Rachel!" She unbuckled her belt and opened the door.

"You seem to be in a hurry," the blonde remarked as Max barged out of the car.

"I… uh, I need to…" Max mumbled, glancing at her feet.

"Oh, I see. I think there was a Starbucks at the junction back where we came from." Victoria pointed at the same junction where they had seen Rachel. "You go ahead. I'll lock up and follow."

"Thanks, Vic!" Max closed the car door and headed towards the junction. I have to make it to the other side of the street before Rachel arrives at the crossing, she thought as she took half-running steps among the people on the sidewalk. First Chloe, and now Rachel. Max couldn't help but wonder at the similarity of the circumstances under which she had first encountered the two girls for the first time. Is destiny trying to not-so-subtly hint to me that I should just mind my own business?

The lights had just turned green for the pedestrians to cross the street when Max reached the junction. She cut the last few yards by stepping off the sidewalk to catch the people already walking on the crossing. Great, Rachel hasn't arrived at the crossing yet! I made it in time!

-ooo-

Rachel broke into a run when she saw that the pedestrian traffic light ahead had turned to 'Walk'. Rachel was still roughly thirty feet from the crossing, and it would take several minutes to wait for the next opportunity to cross if she missed this one. The 'Walk' signal was already blinking when she reached the crossing. She was just about to step out onto the street when a young, chestnut-haired girl about her height stepped in front of her. Rachel cursed in her thoughts and took a step to the side, when the girl suddenly addressed her.

"Rachel Amber?" the girl asked shyly.

"Yes?" Rachel answered curiously and stopped, letting out a frustrated huff when she saw that the light had turned red.

"My name is Max Caulfield," the mousy-looking brunette said. "I've come to see you."

"You're Max Caulfield?" the hazel-eyed girl asked, amazement at the realization flashing briefly across her face before changing to a nonchalant, slightly curious look. "You're Chloe's friend?" she continued more reservedly, measuring up the girl with her eyes.

"Chloe has told you about me?" Max asked back.

"Yes, she has told me about you," Rachel answered, trying to keep her cool, while her mind was racing. What is she doing here? How did she manage to find us? What does she want? "Well, you have found me, Max Caulfield," she remarked suggestively, "but something tells me that you haven't come all the way down here for just little old me. I believe your objective lies elsewhere."

"You're right," the freckled girl said embarrassedly. "I've come to look for Chloe."

"Well, look no further," Rachel responded. "Chloe and I are living together," she said, sounding maybe a little more stressed than she actually meant to.

"Oh, good!" the other girl exclaimed in relief, seeming not to have noticed the change in the blonde's tone. "I was hoping that she'd be with you."

"May I ask why you've come looking for Chloe after all these years?" Rachel asked tentatively. "You two haven't exactly kept in touch since… well, y'know." Since you walked out on her, she completed in her mind.

"Yes, I know," Max answered, her cheeks turning slightly crimson. "That's why I'm here. I've come to bury the hatchet."

Rachel didn't respond straight away but kept her eyes on the freckled girl. One trait she seemed to have inherited from her father, James, was her ability to read people; to tell whether they were lying or not. She kept constantly wondering whether it was a gift or a curse, but she couldn't deny that it had been handy on a few occasions. Now the girl in front of her was either an incredibly good actor or she was being sincere. Judging from how she was almost squirming in front of her, Rachel was inclined to believe the latter.

"Very well," the blonde said, mellowing her demeanor and letting out a smile. "How did you manage to find us? We haven't exactly been open about our whereabouts."

"We found your picture in a magazine ad," the brunette explained. "We were able to get your contact information through the publisher."

"Ugh, that blasted ad!" Rachel frowned. "How did you manage to get the information from the publisher-" She stopped when she realized. "What do you mean 'we'?" she had time to ask when another girl appeared at Max's side. "Victoria," the blonde said coolly upon recognizing the girl.

"Rachel," the pixie-haired girl reciprocated with a matching tone. "It's been a while."

"Not long enough if you ask me," the hazel-eyed girl said, staring straight into Victoria's eyes, before she turned to face Max. "A word of advice, Max. If I were you, I'd stay clear of this back-stabbing bitch."

"Back-stabbing…? Victoria huffed, her face turning crimson as she scowled at the shorter blonde. "You got a lot of nerve…!"

"Well, what else would you call a person who tries to take your place in a play by slipping you a mickey just before the curtain call?" The pixie-haired girl's face turned even redder at the remark but the bitter scowl turned into a bashful glance at the freckled hipster. It was only momentary before she managed to restore her composure, but not quickly enough for Rachel not to notice. "You see, Max, this is the type of person you're hanging out with. You'd better watch your back," she said to the brunette.

"I was desperate to get the part," Victoria pleaded her case to Max. "Besides, it was me who ended up drinking that damn tea and passing out, so no harm done!" she retorted at Rachel.

"That doesn't change the fact that you tried to sabotage me. We were supposed to be friends for God's sake!" Rachel shot back, making the other girl turn bashful again.

"Look, Rachel, I admit it was a shitty thing to do," Victoria said, the sudden humbleness in her voice taking the hazel-eyed girl completely by surprise. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry."

Rachel stared at the taller blonde in amazement for a few seconds, before snorting: "Victoria Chase is sorry? Hell must've frozen over!"

Victoria scowled at the remark and was about to say something when Max put her arm on pixie-haired girl's shoulder and gave a pleading look to her. Victoria stood down but kept still scowling at Rachel.

"Look, Rachel, I know you guys have some extra baggage," Max turned her attention to the shorter blonde, "but Victoria has changed. She's not the bitch you once knew."

Rachel looked sternly at the freckled girl and her companion in turn for a while, before she snorted and let her expression mellow again somewhat. "Well, I suppose life's too short to hold a grudge. Let's call it a truce," she said to Victoria and offered her hand to the blonde, who after a moment's hesitation took it. "Max here seems to be a good influence on you," Rachel said as they shook on the newly established truce.

"She is," Victoria admitted.

While still shaking, Rachel leaned forward next to Victoria's ear. "I don't know that you two are up to but remember I'm keeping an eye on you," she whispered to the other girl, smiling.

"Whatever the fuck helps you sleep better at nights," the taller blonde whispered back, also smiling.

"Well, with that out of the way, let me take you to our place. Chloe's probably wondering what's taking me so long," Rachel said to the girls as she let go of Victoria's hand. "She'll be hella surprised when she sees who I'm bringing with me."

As they crossed the street, Rachel took a moment to assess the two girls that were accompanying her. First there was Victoria Chase. During the last fifteen minutes, Rachel had witnessed sides of the pixie-haired girl that she honestly had not believed to exist. Victoria still carried a certain prestige around her, and Rachel had no doubt that when times called the pixie-haired blonde's tongue was still as sharp as ever. Now, Victoria seemed to make an effort to hold herself back and be on the defensive. Seeing the blonde explain herself to someone, much less making an apology, was definitely a first for Rachel. Undoubtedly, the small brunette walking beside them had something to do with Victoria's changed demeanor.

which brings us to our other subject. Rachel turned her attention to the freckled girl. So this is the much coveted Max Caulfield, Rachel thought as they approached the gate leading into the apartment lot. The brunette was roughly her height, and while she wasn't as curvaceous as Rachel, she had a certain frailty to her that gave her beauty despite her slightly mousey appearance. Yeah… I get what Chloe saw in her. It was also the freckled girl's apparent shyness and awkwardness that made her pretty much adorable as a whole. Despite all the sweetness, or maybe because of it, Rachel couldn't help seeing Max as a potential threat. What are your intentions, Max Caulfield?

"So, how did you get our address from the publisher?" Rachel asked as they climbed the stairs to the second story.

"Through Victoria's connections," Max answered.

"So, moving in the right circles does come with perks," Rachel cast a meaningful smirk at the taller blonde, who scowled in response. Victoria opened her mouth to retort but she bit her tongue and simply let out a short huff. "Well, anyway, this is us." Rachel stopped in front of one of the doors along the aisle. She took her key from her bag and opened the door.

"Babe, I'm home!" Rachel shouted as they stepped in. They got no response, however. "Hmm, Chloe must've gone out, but I'm sure she'll return soon," she said to the other girls. "Look, you're welcome to stay with us if you don't mind sharing a fold-out sofa."

"Um, I think we can manage that," Max said, casting a questioning look towards Victoria.

"I suppose it'll do," the pixie-haired girl said.

Rachel wasn't fooled by the apparent nonchalance of the taller girl. Something told her Victoria wasn't at all displeased by the sleeping arrangements. Rachel cast another glance at the two girls, and then it hit her. No. Fucking. Way! Her eyes grew wider. Victoria's got the hots for Max! Rachel focused on the freckled girl who had stepped into the living room and was inspecting the room meticulously. She has tamed the Queen of Blackhell! Who are you, Max Caulfield?

"It's really nice and cozy in here," Max complimented, still spinning her head around. "I can definitely see you and Chloe living here."

"It's mostly from yard sales, thrift stores and Ikea," Rachel commented, "but we like it."

"It would be so awesome to live in a place like this," the brunette said. "Don't you think, Vic?"

"Hmph, it does seem to have a certain hipster-y vibe to it, so I can definitely understand why you like it," Victoria commented dryly.

"Wow, you really are a good influence on Victoria, Max," Rachel remarked, smirking. "That sounded almost like a compliment." The taller blonde sneered at her.

"Victoria really has changed," Max hurried to defend her friend. "If you knew her like I do-," she was cut short as the keys turned in the lock and the door opened. Everyone turned their attention to person stepping in.

"Oh good, you're back, babe," Chloe said to Rachel as she took off her jacket. "I got worried and went out to meet you on the bus-" She stopped when she realized Rachel wasn't alone in the room. "What is she doing here?" she asked, frowning at Victoria when she recognized her.

"Chloe we got visitors-," Rachel began but stopped when she saw the dumbfounded expression on her partner's face upon recognizing the other visitor.

"Hello, Chloe," Max said timidly to the former bluenette.

Chloe didn't say anything. Instead, she took a few steps back, still sporting the upset expression, before she turned on her heels and running out of the door.

"Chloe!" Rachel shouted after her and was about follow her when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Please, let me," Max said to her and stepped out before she could object.

-ooo-

Chloe's heart beat in panic as she ran down the flight of stairs. Max is here! After five years of silence, Max is standing in our fucking living room! She is here, and how do you react? You fucking run away in panic! She slowed her pace to a walk, eventually stopping next to her car, panting heavily after the sudden sprint. What is she doing here? How did she find us, and what is Bitchtoria doing with her?

Chloe's thoughts were buried under the torrent of emotions running through her. Happiness, sadness, desperation, anger, guilt, all trying to surface at the same time, resolving into a severe anxiety that almost made her knees buckle. With shaking hands she dug out a pack of cigarettes and lit up. She inhaled deep and felt the nicotine work its magic as she held the smoke within her lungs. Slowly, she let the smoke escape through the small crack between her lips, releasing a narrow, milky white trail of puff into the air.

As she smoked, her anxiety gave way to a flood of memories. Memories of Max and her playing together, dressed up as pirates, making pancakes, waving goodbye for her father for the last time, Max telling that she was moving to Seattle. Chloe wiped the corners of her eyes with her free hand to dry the developing tears. She had hoped for and dreaded this day; the day that Max would return. She'd thought a million times what she would say to Max if they actually would meet again. Now that she was here, Chloe was still as lost for words as she had been on all those times she'd thought about it.

"C-Chloe…?" Max's voice, maybe half an octave huskier than the punk remembered, said behind her.

Taking a final drag from her cigarette before flipping it away, Chloe gathered all her willpower to force herself to turn and grin at the brunette who was standing a few steps away from her, crossing one arm over the other. "Maxine fucking Caulfield," Chloe said, regretting the F-bomb the moment it escaped her mouth. "How long has it been? Oh yeah, five years! Not a single visit or phone call," she said, trying to sound sardonic. Damn you, voice! Stop trembling!

"I-, I know, Chloe," the brunette said timidly, "and I'm sorry. I know a random text every now and then doesn't make up for having to leave you when you were going through tough times."

"Tough times? That's putting it mildly!" Chloe snorted. "My life was in fucking shambles and you bailed on me!"

"It's not like I deliberately chose to leave for Seattle when you were grieving over your dad," Max said, slightly vexed. "Besides, you didn't exactly encourage me to keep the lines of communication open, the way you told me off." She let out a sigh. "I figured you needed time for yourself."

"Maybe I did, but not a whole fucking year!" the former bluenette shot back. "That's right, it took over a year for you to even text me after you left, and after a few lousy messages you stopped altogether," her voice started cracking. "I-, I needed my friend." A single tear ran down her cheek.

Max closed her eyes and hung her head bashfully before answering. "I know it's not much of an excuse but things weren't easy for me either. Moving to Seattle in that situation was a shock for me too, and our fallout didn't exactly help," the brunette explained quietly. "I had a hard time getting accustomed to Seattle and my new school. My introversion became worse and I was completely withdrawn for a while. I wanted to reach out to you, but I didn't have the courage. I was actually assigned into an IEP at my school. You can imagine what that did to my rep there. I really needed a friend too, but I wasn't in the shape to deal with our break-up. That's why I chickened out after a few texts."

Both girls were now teary-eyed, although Chloe no longer from her own hurt feelings. All these years when she had been dwelling in her misery she had not once considered the possibility that Max could be hurting as well. The realization made the punk scold herself even more for not making a greater effort to reach out for her friend.

"Did you get bullied?" Chloe asked.

"In my first school, yeah," Max answered. "I was basically called a retard by some of the students."

The taller girl clenched her fists in anger at the thought of Max being bullied. "I wish I had known. I would've come to kick their ass."

"I have no doubt," the freckled girl commented, managing a smile. "It got easier when I started high school at Edmonds-Woodway. They had a photography program, so I could focus on that and build up my confidence. I also made some new friends there."

"I'm glad to hear that," Chloe said, realizing she actually meant it.

"Anyhow, I finally decided to bite the bullet and come to bury the hatchet, if you're willing that is," Max looked bashfully away again. "I'm so, so sorry, Chloe, for being such a shitty friend and shutting you out."

Chloe looked at the brunette. As much as she wanted to be mad at her, she knew she couldn't. "Damn you! Even after five years, you're still Max Caulfield!" She opened her arms. "C'mere!" After a moment's hesitation, Max took the final steps towards the former bluenette and into her embrace, holding her at least as tightly. For a moment they just stood there, both sobbing quietly. Five years ago, life had torn them apart, leaving both broken from the inside. Now, Max had reached out for her to make amends. Chloe knew that rebuilding their friendship would take time and it wouldn't be easy, but anything was better than the state of things up to this point. "Apology accepted, and for what it's worth, I'm sorry for being, well, me."

"So, cold war over?" Max finally asked when they let go of each other.

"Yeah, the wall has come down," Chloe answered with a smile. "It's good to see you again."

"You know, I was supposed to come back to Arcadia Bay, to Blackwell for my senior year, but I gave up on that idea when I heard Mark Jefferson, the photographer that I really admire, had quit teaching there," the brunette remarked.

"You could have always come for little old me," Chloe suggested with puppy eyes.

"To find out you'd left town? Yeah right." Max rolled her eyes.

"Pffft, details!" Chloe brushed it off. They had been together for less than ten minutes and already they were beginning to sass each other like in the old days. "But tell me, what's the deal with you and Miss Congeniality up there?"

"Victoria? She came to my school after she quit Blackwell and returned to Seattle," Max explained. "We actually met when the local Queen Bee prevented the coup Victoria tried to stage by dropping a bucket of paint on her."

"Paint?" the punk asked incredulously. "I wish I had been there to see when someone shows Bitchtoria her place."

"Oh, Victoria was definitely out of her league with Portia van Breen," Max admitted.

"Portia van Breen? Wow, even the name sounds snobby."

"You don't know the half of it."

"Yet here you are with the girl who thinks the periodic table is for keeping a log of your periods," Chloe pointed out. "I mean you're the last person I'd think would be friends with Icky Vicky."

"Victoria and I aren't actually that different," the brunette said. "We are both into photography and we are both insecure, always doubting our talents. I know what kind of person Victoria used to be, but it's because of her insecurity and the pressure she feels from her parents. Do you really think I hang out with her because I want to bask in her favor? I'm with Victoria because I've seen the true person behind that bitchy shell. She really wants to be a better person."

"What, are you now like best friends for life?" Chloe asked half-jokingly.

"I… I'm not sure what we are," Max answered hesitantly. "I think we're maybe something more."

"Oh." The bluenette couldn't hide her surprise, mixed with a dash of disappointment and discouragement. Back when she had been taking the first steps in adolescence, Chloe had already began to wonder her sexual orientation, and also which way Max might sway. Chloe couldn't deny that she'd had a crush on Max back then. Pretty much only the fear that it might ruin their friendship had held her back. Chloe had never gotten the chance to find out whether the brunette might feel the same way before her life had gone to hell. Therefore Max's confession about her being romantically involved with a person Chloe held in low regard hit her like a ton of bricks.

"You look… disappointed," the hipster said with a concerned look on her face.

"Uh, sorry, no, just surprised is all," Chloe hurried to reassure. "I'm really happy for you. I always said you are a good influence on people. If anyone can bring out the best in Victoria, it's you."

"I'd like to ask that you'd go easy on Victoria," Max requested. "She's really making an effort."

"Be nice to Vicky?" the punk asked with a thoughtful grin on her face. "I can't make any promises."

"For me?" the brunette asked with doe eyes.

"You know I never can say no to those eyes, Max," Chloe groaned. "Very well!"

"Thank you, Chloe."

"For you, Maxaroni, anything," the former bluenette said and took the smaller girl into her embrace again. "I'm really glad you came."

"Well, it looks like life turned out all right for both of us," Max said while being held. "You and Rachel are living it large here in LA and I got Victoria by my side."

"Yeah, life is good," Chloe answered, slight wistfulness in her tone.

-ooo-

Victoria stepped out onto the balcony and dug out a cigarette from the pack. She lit up and took a deep drag from it. The distance I'm willing to go for you, Maxine Caulfield! Victoria thought when she leaned against the railing. She really needed some time to herself after having to have to endure Rachel's bitching without being able to shoot back with her full arsenal. After Max had ran out after Chloe, the atmosphere between the two former friends had been awkward to say the least. Luckily, Rachel had refrained from taunting her more, which was good because Victoria wasn't sure whether she would have been able to hold herself back. After a few futile attempts at small talk, Victoria had excused herself and went outside for a smoke.

Victoria did realize of course that she had mostly herself to thank for people's animosity towards her. It was the debt that she was now collecting for all the scheming and badmouthing that she had done over the years to advance her own cause. Granted, Rachel was no angel either; the hazel-eyed girl had her own secrets, and she definitely didn't hesitate to use other people while pursuing her goals. Victoria had always wondered what Rachel saw in Chloe. From an outsider's viewpoint, the two girls simply looked so mismatched, that there had to be an ulterior motive behind Rachel being in a relationship with the punk. To be honest, Victoria had expected Rachel to dump Chloe ages ago, but apparently she had not yet outlived her purpose.

The blonde took another drag of her cigarette and glanced down at the parking lot and found Max and Chloe standing next to a brown dinged sedan. Looks like Max managed to catch up with her, she thought as she stubbed the cigarette and let the last trail of smoke out of her mouth. She was about turn on her heels and leave the balcony when the sight of the two girls embracing each other caught her eyes. She stood frozen at the sight for a few moments, furrowing her brows, before she finally turned her back on them and walked inside.

-ooo-

Frank sat on the saddle of the Harley, taking sips from a bottle of ice cold Corona in his hand. Pretty much every muscle in his body was aching from the day-long ride. His luck had almost ran out at the end when he had lost the sight of the girls when they had arrived at Lincoln Heights. Trusting that this was their destination, Frank had kept roaming the streets of the neighborhood when he had finally seen the blue Mini parked at the side of the street, next to an apartment complex. He had parked his bike on a spot where he had a good view into the yard. He'd picked up a couple of sandwiches and beers from a nearby grocery store and begun to keep watch while devouring the food.

Frank emptied the bottle and put it on the ground. Just then he saw a figure running down the stairs and across the parking lot. Frank smiled triumphantly as he watched the tall, lean girl run to an old Ford Crown Victoria and remain standing there. He opened the second bottle of Corona and took a long swig while keeping his eyes focused on the girl.

There you are.

To be continued...


A/N: Welcome back! It's again been a while since the last update. I was really struggling with the writer's block in the beginning of this chapter and didn't find my flow until recently, when I practically wrote the second half of the chapter in a matter of days. Hopefully the next one won't take as long. I will not be doing any writing until after Christmas, though.

So, Max and Chloe finally meet and it isn't without drama. I wanted to come up with a possible reason to why Max actually tried to make contact after a year, as we have learned from BtS, but then gave up on it. I figured Max's introversy could've been contributing to the fact that she and Chloe didn't part in best of terms. Also Max's time powers are back, this time saving Rachel from a certain death. As we all know, actions come with consequences...

Thanks again for all the reviews! Those are always welcome. You know, it was my second anniversary as a LiS fanfic author on November, and in January it will be one year since I started writing this story. Amazing how fast time has gone. It feels like it was only yesterday when I typed in the first words of 'Obscura', yet when I look at it I feel I've come lightyears from that point as a writer. I'm hardly perfect, though, and I'm extremely grateful to have a person like Crowthorne to fix my idiotic idioms.

Until next time!