99 called the Chief to let him know that she found Max
and that she was going to stick it out with him
through the next couple days of his withdrawals. It
would take a couple days for the drugs to run their
course through his body, and she wanted to make sure
he was absolutely safe and out of harm's way. She also
asked him if he wouldn't mind bringing some clean
linens, blankets, food and coffee to the motel. The
place wasn't exactly the Taj Mahal.
"Just be careful, 99. From what the doctor told me about this drug, it can produce delusional flashbacks." The Chief knew 99 could handle herself, but because it was Max, he wondered if her judgement would be clouded if she had to restrain him, in case he became violent.
"I know I'll have my hands full right now, Chief, but I'm the only one he trusts," 99 reasoned.
"Ok, 99. Oh, and you should know that the security guard that Max shot will pull through. Luckily, the bullet just grazed his side."
99 gave a sigh of relief, "Thank God. That's one thing Max doesn't need --- murder charges being brought up against him."
"Might have been easier to deal with than what he's going to go through. See you later, 99."
99 hung up the phone and looked over at Max. He was starting to stir in the chair. She needed to get him into bed. 99 gently shook his shoulder, "Max, do you think you can help me get you up?"
"Where we goin'?" Max asked, slurring his words with half-open eyes.
"Over to the bed," 99 grunted, as she lifted his semi-limp body under her arms.
"I hardly know you, Miss, but if you insist ..." Max said as he glared lustfully at her.
99 just smiled at Max and got him over to the bed, where he collapsed onto his back. 99 leaned over him and began to undress him. First his shirt, then his pants. She thought he'd be more comfortable without clothes, especially when the night sweats started hitting him. She slipped Max under the blankets, put his head on the pillow, and dimmed the lights. She knew that the first wave of his withdrawals were going to hit soon, so she made him as comfortable as possible.
"Joining me? Plenty of room in here," Max leered, as he patted the bed.
"I think you should sleep now. Maybe later?" 99 winked.
"Ok ... later ..." Max nodded, as he slipped off to sleep.
99 watched Max sleep for a while, when there was a quiet knock at the door.
"Who is it?" 99 asked against the door.
"It's the Chief," came the reply from the other side.
99 opened the door and the Chief walked in with the supplies she asked for over the phone.
"How is he?" the Chief inquired, looking over at the sleeping Max.
"He's coming down off his last hit. But his body is going to start craving that drug again, and when he doesn't get it, its going to be rough."
"Don't you think he should be in the hospital where they can handle him, 99?" the Chief asked.
"Chief, he's been through so much. He needs someone that's going to help him through this rough stretch, someone he trusts."
The Chief nodded. He agreed that 99 would be the best candidate, but again worried if something should happen. "Just call me, if you need help."
"I will," 99 said, as she hugged the Chief.
After the Chief left, 99 sat in the armchair, just staring at Max. Knowing that the withdrawals would hit him soon, she needed to sleep now, while she could.
It wasn't very long after she started to doze off that he began screaming. Max awoke in pain. It spread into his muscles and bones, pounding in his skull and shooting through his spine. Every part of him hurt at the least provocation, and soon he was writhing on the bed in his agony. His system wanted that drug.
"arrrrggggggg," Max moaned through gritted teeth.
99 was quickly on the bed, holding him and trying to calm him.
"I need it ... Please, just one pill ..." Max pleaded weakly. "Oh God, please ... just one ..."
"There are no more pills, Max," 99 told him firmly.
That wasn't the answer he wanted to hear as he began to thrash around, trying to get up. He fought against her hold with all the strength his body had, but eventually gave into it and gave up the fight. Exhausted, Max lay in the bed breathing hard and moaning.
"I promise you, I'll be with you all the way," she whispered in his ear and stroked his forehead. "It's my turn to protect you now." She closed her own eyes. "I hope you'll let me."
After Max settled down, she got up and walked toward the table. Max followed her with his eyes as far as he could and then finally closed them. He started to hear the voices in his head, as they told him he was a bad person and not worthy of love or kindness, like this woman was giving him. They taunted him in his head until he could barely take it. They pushed him back and forth and back again until he didn't know where he belonged anymore. Before she knew it, he was yelling out in fear and pain. 99 was back, holding him and trying to calm him. He cried for another hour, asked her to kill him and put him out of his misery then finally fell asleep.
For the next two days, 99 went through hell with Max. Seeing him struggle and in constant pain, battling his addiction, took its toll on her. She was exhausted, only resting when he slept, but not for any long periods of time. 99 carried the basin of tepid water to the bathroom, and refilled it with cool water. She stretched slowly, longing for sleep but too worried to do so, even if she could allow herself the luxury. She started to think the Chief was right, that she needed help and couldn't handle him anymore. 99 tried holding back the tears, but failed. They streamed down her cheek and soaked her sweater. She rubbed her hands across her face and head and tried to control herself. She had to stay in control. She was the only one in control, after all. Max needed her now more then ever before. She was convinced that she was the only one who could really help him.
For twelve hours straight, it was one nightmare after Another.
"Please ... no ... don't ...," Max whimpered. The images filling his mind were cold and cruel, threatening him with every torture imaginable. He'd awakened several times, distraught and confused, half demanding and half pleading that they leave him alone.
At one point, Max was awake, exhausted beyond empty, and looked woefully up at 99. "Water?" he asked in a horse voice.
"Yes, Max, I'll go get you some," 99 answered, still crying silently. Max could only nod in response, finding it too difficult to say anything.
99 re-entered the room, clutching a glass tightly in her hand. She helped Max sit up slowly, and bit her lip when Max let out a low growl of pain.
"Max, tell me what you're feeling?"
Max said nothing. All he could feel was the room spinning around --- his stomach churning, his body shaking. He broke out into a cold sweat as 99 helped tip the glass to his lips. He took only a sip when, at that point, he had to close his eyes. Even the dimmed lights in the room were just too much for him to handle.
99 continued to nurse Max in her arms, wiping the wash cloth over his face. She prayed to anyone above that was listening, to please let Max pull through this ordeal. Still the tears poured down her face. She was unable to stop them. The man she loved was lying in her arms, in real pain, and there was nothing she could do about it.
Readjusting the washcloth on Max's forehead, she could feel the heat radiating off his head. Max was well into his third day of withdrawals when a horrendous fever struck him. 99 drew in a sharp breath, "Oh God, he's burning up. How much more of this can he take?" she thought to herself. The chills and sweating were constant. Then the fever dreams hit him. At first 99 tried to soothe him with her touch or her voice, answering when he called her name; and, at first, it seemed to work. For a few moments he would relax, his fists and jaw unclenched. But eventually, he slipped past the point where her voice could comfort him. Responding instead as if she were calling for him, he would shout demands to know where she was, to have her returned to him.
"NO! You're not going to take her away!" he called out, his arms wildly swinging at an invisible force. "You're not going to take her. Get away from her! ... 99, get away! RUN, 99, RUN!!"
"MAX, MAX!" 99 yelled out over the screams. "It's all right ... shhhh ... I'm not going anywhere." 99 held Max's arms down, and repeated her assurances over and over again, hoping it would calm him.
"It's ok, Max. Shhh. I love you; I'll never leave you. Never." Something in her voice reassured him that she was ok and, with an incoherent mumble, Max sank back into a thankfully dreamless sleep.
With his fever still rising, 99 needed to cool his body down. Taking the blankets off, she made cool compresses and placed them on different spots of his body. But when he began to shiver violently, 99 stopped. His teeth were chattering and he curled into a ball reflexively, attempting to preserve as much heat as he could. 99 thought for a moment about how she could possibly help keep him warm. In the movies, it was usually body heat, she thought with a snicker. But, science could actually back her on that one, so she thought no more. She quickly undressed herself, and slid her soft, warm body up against his, holding him close. She didn't allow her embarrassment to intrude. Drawing the blankets up around them she held his shivering body around her arms. She slowly moved her arms and legs, rubbing her flesh onto his, generating as much warmth as she could, without disturbing him. It seemed to work effectively as she, herself, melted in the warmth of their union. It wasn't long before they both drifted off into a cozy sleep.
Max opened his eyes a slit and looked around the room. Morning had come, his fever had broken and he actually felt better. Weak, but better. He moaned and shifted, trying to roll onto his stomach, but something was keeping him in place. Max felt the movement beside him, as he realized he wasn't alone in the bed. Then his eyes grew wide open. Gripping the blanket, he pulled it from his shoulder and looked down. He was completely naked and there was an arm around his waist, curling over his stomach from behind. "Oh God ...," he muttered, freezing up. He looked around confused, and tried to remember the events from last night but realized everything was a blur.
He carefully reached down and lifted the arm, sliding it off him and looked over his shoulder. A dark brown head was resting against his bare back, soft warm breath against his skin. A soft, feminine sigh emitted from the form and the head moved, mouth pressing against his shoulderblade.
The body behind him again moved slightly, the arm going back over his waist.
Max carefully shifted onto his back and raised himself on both elbows, gazing down at the woman beside him.
Slender shoulders, sculpted lips, and beautiful long brown hair greeted his awakening. 99 was in his bed. And ... Max raised the covers slightly and then hastily lowered them ... as exposed as he was.
" 99 ...," Max whispered. "99, wake up."
99 slowly opened her eyes to find Max staring right at her. She smiled with a sleepy grin but then realized the compromising position she was in.
"Max, ohhhh, ahhhhh," 99 stumbled, as she brought the covers up around her neck. "How are you feeling?"
"I don't know. You tell me," Max said as he shot a look at her arm still around his waist.
99 quickly removed her arm and slid over to the other side of the bed.
"You're probably wondering about all this ...," 99 started to explain. Max just waited for her to continue with a grin.
"You've been going through withdrawals for the last three days. Nightmares, pain and a high fever. You needed the extra warmth ..."
Max leaned on his arm and just stared at 99.
"If you're expecting something more to this explanation ... that's all there is. Nothing happened. I was just trying to keep you ..."
Max smiled and lay back down.
"Ok, believe what you want," 99 said, as she started to retreat off the bed, keeping covered the best she could.
But before she could leave, Max grabbed onto her arm. "Wait, 99. Don't go. Of course I believe you. You've only been trying to help me. In fact, you saved my life," Max said with genuine sincerity. "I know I haven't said it before, but I will now. 99, ... I love you." Max brought her back next to him and closely snuggled his body next to hers. His arms wrapped lovingly around her body as he leaned over and softly kissed her lips. 99 closed her eyes and savored the moment. Both were contented to lie in each other's arms for as long as time would allow.
THE END
"Just be careful, 99. From what the doctor told me about this drug, it can produce delusional flashbacks." The Chief knew 99 could handle herself, but because it was Max, he wondered if her judgement would be clouded if she had to restrain him, in case he became violent.
"I know I'll have my hands full right now, Chief, but I'm the only one he trusts," 99 reasoned.
"Ok, 99. Oh, and you should know that the security guard that Max shot will pull through. Luckily, the bullet just grazed his side."
99 gave a sigh of relief, "Thank God. That's one thing Max doesn't need --- murder charges being brought up against him."
"Might have been easier to deal with than what he's going to go through. See you later, 99."
99 hung up the phone and looked over at Max. He was starting to stir in the chair. She needed to get him into bed. 99 gently shook his shoulder, "Max, do you think you can help me get you up?"
"Where we goin'?" Max asked, slurring his words with half-open eyes.
"Over to the bed," 99 grunted, as she lifted his semi-limp body under her arms.
"I hardly know you, Miss, but if you insist ..." Max said as he glared lustfully at her.
99 just smiled at Max and got him over to the bed, where he collapsed onto his back. 99 leaned over him and began to undress him. First his shirt, then his pants. She thought he'd be more comfortable without clothes, especially when the night sweats started hitting him. She slipped Max under the blankets, put his head on the pillow, and dimmed the lights. She knew that the first wave of his withdrawals were going to hit soon, so she made him as comfortable as possible.
"Joining me? Plenty of room in here," Max leered, as he patted the bed.
"I think you should sleep now. Maybe later?" 99 winked.
"Ok ... later ..." Max nodded, as he slipped off to sleep.
99 watched Max sleep for a while, when there was a quiet knock at the door.
"Who is it?" 99 asked against the door.
"It's the Chief," came the reply from the other side.
99 opened the door and the Chief walked in with the supplies she asked for over the phone.
"How is he?" the Chief inquired, looking over at the sleeping Max.
"He's coming down off his last hit. But his body is going to start craving that drug again, and when he doesn't get it, its going to be rough."
"Don't you think he should be in the hospital where they can handle him, 99?" the Chief asked.
"Chief, he's been through so much. He needs someone that's going to help him through this rough stretch, someone he trusts."
The Chief nodded. He agreed that 99 would be the best candidate, but again worried if something should happen. "Just call me, if you need help."
"I will," 99 said, as she hugged the Chief.
After the Chief left, 99 sat in the armchair, just staring at Max. Knowing that the withdrawals would hit him soon, she needed to sleep now, while she could.
It wasn't very long after she started to doze off that he began screaming. Max awoke in pain. It spread into his muscles and bones, pounding in his skull and shooting through his spine. Every part of him hurt at the least provocation, and soon he was writhing on the bed in his agony. His system wanted that drug.
"arrrrggggggg," Max moaned through gritted teeth.
99 was quickly on the bed, holding him and trying to calm him.
"I need it ... Please, just one pill ..." Max pleaded weakly. "Oh God, please ... just one ..."
"There are no more pills, Max," 99 told him firmly.
That wasn't the answer he wanted to hear as he began to thrash around, trying to get up. He fought against her hold with all the strength his body had, but eventually gave into it and gave up the fight. Exhausted, Max lay in the bed breathing hard and moaning.
"I promise you, I'll be with you all the way," she whispered in his ear and stroked his forehead. "It's my turn to protect you now." She closed her own eyes. "I hope you'll let me."
After Max settled down, she got up and walked toward the table. Max followed her with his eyes as far as he could and then finally closed them. He started to hear the voices in his head, as they told him he was a bad person and not worthy of love or kindness, like this woman was giving him. They taunted him in his head until he could barely take it. They pushed him back and forth and back again until he didn't know where he belonged anymore. Before she knew it, he was yelling out in fear and pain. 99 was back, holding him and trying to calm him. He cried for another hour, asked her to kill him and put him out of his misery then finally fell asleep.
For the next two days, 99 went through hell with Max. Seeing him struggle and in constant pain, battling his addiction, took its toll on her. She was exhausted, only resting when he slept, but not for any long periods of time. 99 carried the basin of tepid water to the bathroom, and refilled it with cool water. She stretched slowly, longing for sleep but too worried to do so, even if she could allow herself the luxury. She started to think the Chief was right, that she needed help and couldn't handle him anymore. 99 tried holding back the tears, but failed. They streamed down her cheek and soaked her sweater. She rubbed her hands across her face and head and tried to control herself. She had to stay in control. She was the only one in control, after all. Max needed her now more then ever before. She was convinced that she was the only one who could really help him.
For twelve hours straight, it was one nightmare after Another.
"Please ... no ... don't ...," Max whimpered. The images filling his mind were cold and cruel, threatening him with every torture imaginable. He'd awakened several times, distraught and confused, half demanding and half pleading that they leave him alone.
At one point, Max was awake, exhausted beyond empty, and looked woefully up at 99. "Water?" he asked in a horse voice.
"Yes, Max, I'll go get you some," 99 answered, still crying silently. Max could only nod in response, finding it too difficult to say anything.
99 re-entered the room, clutching a glass tightly in her hand. She helped Max sit up slowly, and bit her lip when Max let out a low growl of pain.
"Max, tell me what you're feeling?"
Max said nothing. All he could feel was the room spinning around --- his stomach churning, his body shaking. He broke out into a cold sweat as 99 helped tip the glass to his lips. He took only a sip when, at that point, he had to close his eyes. Even the dimmed lights in the room were just too much for him to handle.
99 continued to nurse Max in her arms, wiping the wash cloth over his face. She prayed to anyone above that was listening, to please let Max pull through this ordeal. Still the tears poured down her face. She was unable to stop them. The man she loved was lying in her arms, in real pain, and there was nothing she could do about it.
Readjusting the washcloth on Max's forehead, she could feel the heat radiating off his head. Max was well into his third day of withdrawals when a horrendous fever struck him. 99 drew in a sharp breath, "Oh God, he's burning up. How much more of this can he take?" she thought to herself. The chills and sweating were constant. Then the fever dreams hit him. At first 99 tried to soothe him with her touch or her voice, answering when he called her name; and, at first, it seemed to work. For a few moments he would relax, his fists and jaw unclenched. But eventually, he slipped past the point where her voice could comfort him. Responding instead as if she were calling for him, he would shout demands to know where she was, to have her returned to him.
"NO! You're not going to take her away!" he called out, his arms wildly swinging at an invisible force. "You're not going to take her. Get away from her! ... 99, get away! RUN, 99, RUN!!"
"MAX, MAX!" 99 yelled out over the screams. "It's all right ... shhhh ... I'm not going anywhere." 99 held Max's arms down, and repeated her assurances over and over again, hoping it would calm him.
"It's ok, Max. Shhh. I love you; I'll never leave you. Never." Something in her voice reassured him that she was ok and, with an incoherent mumble, Max sank back into a thankfully dreamless sleep.
With his fever still rising, 99 needed to cool his body down. Taking the blankets off, she made cool compresses and placed them on different spots of his body. But when he began to shiver violently, 99 stopped. His teeth were chattering and he curled into a ball reflexively, attempting to preserve as much heat as he could. 99 thought for a moment about how she could possibly help keep him warm. In the movies, it was usually body heat, she thought with a snicker. But, science could actually back her on that one, so she thought no more. She quickly undressed herself, and slid her soft, warm body up against his, holding him close. She didn't allow her embarrassment to intrude. Drawing the blankets up around them she held his shivering body around her arms. She slowly moved her arms and legs, rubbing her flesh onto his, generating as much warmth as she could, without disturbing him. It seemed to work effectively as she, herself, melted in the warmth of their union. It wasn't long before they both drifted off into a cozy sleep.
Max opened his eyes a slit and looked around the room. Morning had come, his fever had broken and he actually felt better. Weak, but better. He moaned and shifted, trying to roll onto his stomach, but something was keeping him in place. Max felt the movement beside him, as he realized he wasn't alone in the bed. Then his eyes grew wide open. Gripping the blanket, he pulled it from his shoulder and looked down. He was completely naked and there was an arm around his waist, curling over his stomach from behind. "Oh God ...," he muttered, freezing up. He looked around confused, and tried to remember the events from last night but realized everything was a blur.
He carefully reached down and lifted the arm, sliding it off him and looked over his shoulder. A dark brown head was resting against his bare back, soft warm breath against his skin. A soft, feminine sigh emitted from the form and the head moved, mouth pressing against his shoulderblade.
The body behind him again moved slightly, the arm going back over his waist.
Max carefully shifted onto his back and raised himself on both elbows, gazing down at the woman beside him.
Slender shoulders, sculpted lips, and beautiful long brown hair greeted his awakening. 99 was in his bed. And ... Max raised the covers slightly and then hastily lowered them ... as exposed as he was.
" 99 ...," Max whispered. "99, wake up."
99 slowly opened her eyes to find Max staring right at her. She smiled with a sleepy grin but then realized the compromising position she was in.
"Max, ohhhh, ahhhhh," 99 stumbled, as she brought the covers up around her neck. "How are you feeling?"
"I don't know. You tell me," Max said as he shot a look at her arm still around his waist.
99 quickly removed her arm and slid over to the other side of the bed.
"You're probably wondering about all this ...," 99 started to explain. Max just waited for her to continue with a grin.
"You've been going through withdrawals for the last three days. Nightmares, pain and a high fever. You needed the extra warmth ..."
Max leaned on his arm and just stared at 99.
"If you're expecting something more to this explanation ... that's all there is. Nothing happened. I was just trying to keep you ..."
Max smiled and lay back down.
"Ok, believe what you want," 99 said, as she started to retreat off the bed, keeping covered the best she could.
But before she could leave, Max grabbed onto her arm. "Wait, 99. Don't go. Of course I believe you. You've only been trying to help me. In fact, you saved my life," Max said with genuine sincerity. "I know I haven't said it before, but I will now. 99, ... I love you." Max brought her back next to him and closely snuggled his body next to hers. His arms wrapped lovingly around her body as he leaned over and softly kissed her lips. 99 closed her eyes and savored the moment. Both were contented to lie in each other's arms for as long as time would allow.
THE END