Hey guys! I know it's been forever since I last updated, and for that I apologize. I hope this chapter makes up for at least some of my absence. This would've been posted much sooner, except for the fact that my laptop no longer saves any document and deletes them almost immediately. This has been not only effecting my posts, but also my schoolwork, so I have been mainly focusing on not failing my junior year, so updates will be far and few between. Sorry about that. Now on to the long awaited chapter!

I no own. Flames will be used dispose of my enemies' corpses.

Max's POV:

I tried to jump back, but found myself caught in the seemingly endless tangle of wires attached to what seemed like every part of my body. When I finally gave up, I was forced to look back into the pools of obsidian that were gazing at my face. I soon connected the eyes with a face, and the face with a name, "Fang..?" I said disbelievingly. He just nodded slowly. "What are you doing here? Actually, no, more importantly, how did you know I was here?" He looked down and I noticed a light pink covering his cheeks. Was he, blushing?

"My dad is your doctor, I just found out that you were his mysterious, sleeping patient and I came over as fast as I could."

"Why? I've done nothing but push you away."

"Yes, that may be true, but I still needed to make sure you were okay. Now that I know you're not, I'm not leaving until you are." He looked down at his hands, embarrassed. I suddenly felt bad, I wanted to comfort him and tell him that I would be fine and he just focus on taking care of himself, but luckily I got that under control and was able to yank my hand out of his- just now realizing that he was still gripping it tightly. He looked startled, almost as if he hadn't remembered that he'd been holding it himself. "Sorry..." He mumbled, still looking down.

"It's okay, just make sure it doesn't happen again." He nodded.

"What were you thinking Max? You almost killed yourself, what you did was really dangerous." He looked back into my dull eyes as he spoke, enunciating himself clearly, almost as if he cared what happened to me.

"That's none of your business, Fang," I sneered his name, "Why do you care anyways? It's not like we're friends. And we never will be for that matter." He muttered something under his breath that I couldn't understand. "Excuse me, what did you just say?" I said threateningly.

"Oh, nothing, nothing..." He trailed off. I glared at him, but he just met my stare and held it in his own.

After a minute or two I just sighed and gave up, not wanting to waste my time on this tool who was most likely just trying to get in my pants. Well newsflash mister, it wasn't going to happen- never. I mean, what did I look like to these guys, a bag of meat? Seriously, after the last one... well I just didn't trust the male gender that much, let's just say that. Besides, that was a long time ago, I'm over it... I think. But that's not the point! Why would I want to waste my time building up relationships that weren't going to last, I mean, it's not like I was going to be here much longer anyways. Not if I had anything to say about it. And luckily for me, I do. It's my life, I control how and when it ends- and if it keeps going, for that matter.

Fang's POV:

Max had been quiet for what seemed like much too long, but I mean, I can't complain. This is the most she's talked to me since, like... never. She's never talked to me much. And even though what she's saying isn't what I want to hear, I'm glad I still got to hear her voice at all.

We just sat there in silence, neither of us speaking or making any sound at all. It was almost peaceful. Soon enough, Max drifted off to sleep and I got up and left the room. As I was walking out, I ran into my father. He was breathing, as if he had just run a mile or two. "Uh, Dad? Are you okay?"

"What do you mean, 'Am I okay?', of course I'm not okay, you just ran off with no explanation and didn't even bother to tell us where you were off to! Your mother was worried sick!"

I looked down, ashamed. I had been in such a hurry to see Max that I had neglected to explain my hurry to my parents. "Sorry Dad, I didn't mean to worry you. I just needed to see if she was okay."

He sighed, "It's okay Nick, just make sure it doesn't happen again." I nodded hastily, assuring him that I would do so.

"So.. how is she dad? Will she be okay?"

"You're really worried about this girl, aren't you?" I nodded, "Well, she should be okay, we're not quite sure about her nerve damage yet though. We won't know until much later, unfortunately. However, she will have to attend therapy for quite a while, as well as being put into rehab and given anti-depressants."

My eyes widened, "Rehab? She has to go into rehab?" He just nodded in response to my question.

"For the next two weeks while she recovers physically, she will be under watch in the psych ward. When she is deemed release-worthy, she will then be sent to a live-in rehabilitation center for teens struggling with depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. She will also have to go to daily counseling while there, and be under a very strict medication regimen." I was silent. I couldn't comprehend that Max would be in rehab, and that she'd be gone. She wouldn't be at school anymore, she wouldn't attend daily classes with me, and most importantly, she wouldn't be with me.

"How long will she be in rehab for?" I managed to choke out.

He looked at me sympathetically, "For as long as it takes for her to get better." He patted my shoulder, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to check up on her. You're welcome to go back in when I'm done." I just stood there wide-eyed as he walked into her room. I couldn't to terms with this new information. I didn't even have a release date to look forward to. It was then that I started hoping with all my might that they allowed visitors. I could not go on for an undetermined amount of time without seeing her. It just wasn't possible.

I leaned back against the wall opposite her door and slowly slid down towards the floor until I was sitting on the cold tile. I leaned my head back, closed my eyes, and waited for my next chance to be in the room with her. Even if we didn't talk, at least I would be with her and could watch over her as she recovered.

I strengthened my resolve right then and there- no matter how long it took, and no matter how great the cost, I. Would. Save. Her.

Fin.

Okay, so not my longest chapter, but at least it was something, right? Hopefully I'll be able to post another chapter or two over Thanksgiving break. Then you guys can forgive me until next year, right? Right. Please leave a review telling me what you thought, and feel free to leave suggestions, ideas are always welcome! As well as constructive criticism!

QOTC:

If you had to choose, which superhero would you have defend your crime-ridden city?

My answer:

Superman, foshodi.

~MissunderstoodPoet~