Hey guys 'n' gals, It's Sunday so here's the next chapter.

Hope you enjoy

Episode 27 - Worst Kept Secrets

Giving herself a stretch, Max shut down her laptop. She'd spent most of the night putting the finishing touches to her heavily procrastinated on English essay. Chloe's onslaught of texts hadn't helped, either. The bluenette was not overly thrilled about not seeing her girlfriend much recently. With her new job at a local construction site and Max's school work, their time together had been brief – mostly a film and snuggle, resulting in a few much wanted make out sessions.

The first week back at Blackwell had flown by for Max, eager for the weekend to come around. Her scheduled tea date with Kate had been postponed by the short blonde on three separate occasions on the count of homework. Something the young time traveler found… odd considering how Kate was usually so on top of things and even Max had managed to keep up to date, with a few short rewinds to catch up on sleep. As for the other recent rewind confidante, Warren had predictably been geeking out over time travel theories, something Max desperately tried to avoid.

Realizing it was almost midnight, the brunette decided to grab a quick shower before sleeping. With no-one else up this late or out partying, she'd have the showers to herself and a full tank of hot water. Grabbing her supplies she went to leave, stopping when her phone buzzed with a message. Grinning, knowing who it would be, she checked it.

Chloe: Hey, hope I got the right number here

Chloe: I'm looking for my girlfriend, maybe you know her

Chloe: short ass brunette, very cute, easily embarrassed

Chloe: keeps denying she has a girlfriend

Chloe: any ideas?

It was rare to have a conversation with Chloe devoid of sarcasm - this one as a perfect example. Admittedly, it had been tough taking full advantage of the newly gained 'girlfriend' status. Both girls had been tired, not that the bluenette would ever admit that. 'Time to reply to sarcasm with sarcasm.'

Max: Hmm sorry, doesn't ring any bells

Max: Maybe I should find her for myself

Chloe: Seriously babe

Chloe: why are you trying to keep me a secret?

Chloe: you ashamed of me?

That wasn't it at all. In fact, it couldn't be further from the truth… but Max could see why Chloe might think that. She just wished she was braver. Like her girlfriend. Everything had changed in such a short space of time, and it felt like she was constantly playing catch up.

Max: you know why. I want Kate to be the first to know

Chloe: then why haven't you told her?

Chloe: she's like right across the hall

Chloe: not exactly long distance

Max: I just… I don't want her to hate me

Max: stupid, I know

Deep down, Max knew Kate would be cool with it. Still, she worried, mostly because of the blonde's religious side. Some people in Kate's position might totally ignore her if they knew she and Chloe were together, or worse. While Max might not care about some opinions, she cared about Kate's. She valued her friendship and didn't want to mess it up. It was a weird limbo state of self-doubt.

Chloe: yes VERY stupid, dude

Chloe: give her some credit

Chloe: she's your best friend

Max: I thought you were my best friend

Chloe: That spot became vacant when I became your…

Chloe: wait, the word will come to me… oh yeah

Chloe: GIRLFRIEND

Chloe: I can't hog all the roles in your life

Chloe: besides, my bet she already knows

Max: not unless you told her

Chloe: not a word

Chloe: I told you I'd let you make the first move

Chloe: but time's a ticking girl

Chloe: mom and david are moving back in two weeks

Max: promise I'll tell her

Max: right now I'm gonna shower

Chloe: shame I'm not over there, huh

Chloe: did I make Maxine blush?

Max rolled her eyes at the insinuation, feeling her cheeks heat up… not that she'd give Chloe the satisfaction. The bluenette just couldn't help but tease. Although, with all the recent changes to their relationship, she might not be totally joking.

Max: Max never Maxine

Max: Still picking me up tomorrow at 10?

Chloe: Just try and stop me

Chloe: you better be ready hippie

Max: I'll be up before you, like always

Chloe: I meant for what I have in store

Chloe: got a whole week of catch up on ;)

Shaking her head, blushing and smiling like a fool, Max was seriously looking forward to seeing her again.

Max: Now you're sending emojis

Max: sleep well babe, I love you

Chloe: see now you've infected me with emoji-itus

Chloe: enjoy your shower

Chloe: And maybe next time I really can join you

Chloe: Love you too

Chloe: 3

"Dork," Max chuckled to herself, putting her phone on her bedside table and making her way to the shower room.

With unlimited choice, she took the middle stall, undressed and washed up. Once or twice, she did feel a little disappointed Chloe wasn't here… embarrassed by that thought when it popped into her mind. 'Damn it… she's so in my head… and I'm not even gonna try and get her out…'

After finishing her shower, she dried herself off and got dressed again. As Max turned the corner into the main hallway, she caught a glimpse of Kate sneaking back to her room, closing the door as quietly as she could. Her hair was down for a change, not in the usual bun. While this wasn't the first night she'd heard Kate out and about after curfew, this was the latest yet.

'Now, let's see what's got Kate out so late…' Determined to get to the bottom of her friend's odd behavior, Max rewound and watched the blonde skip back down the hall. She had such a dorky grin on her face, one that rivaled the one Max had been suppressing all week. Eventually, she watched Kate disappear into Room 218… Dana's room.

She knew Kate and Dana were friends, often seeing the pair chatting away happily. Still… for the blonde to be out this late was suspicious, to say the least. Turning the rewind into a freeze, Max cautiously poked her head around the door. Her blue eyes went wide at the frozen scene: Kate pinning the other, taller girl against the wall, lips locked and hands wandering.

'Holy shit… bad, bad, BAD Max. Such an abuse of power.' Instantly regretting the intrusion, Max shut the door and dashed back to her room. Stunned, she plonked herself down on the bed, guilty as hell. 'Why didn't Kate just tell me? …similar reasons as to why I didn't tell her about Chloe, I guess… Man, this is a mess. Shit… I can't keep quiet about this.'

Getting over her internal debate, Max decided to shoot Kate a text. Thanks to the last couple minutes, she knew the blonde was awake probably just reaching her room now.

Max: Hey Kate you still awake?

Max: we need to talk

Kate: Sure, was only reading anyways

Max grinned to herself at the futile attempt at lying. Not that she could judge her after keeping Chloe a secret all week. 'Guess we're just as bad as each other…'

Max: Doors open

Outside in the corridor, she could hear the quiet pitter patter of feet and a soft knock. Getting invited inside, Kate entered the room looking just a little flushed and joined her. "Hey, Max. What did you want to talk about?"

Clearing her throat, Max mentally prepared herself. "Uh, I've… got something pretty big to tell you."

"Oh, what would that be?" Kate prompted, the hint of a smile tugging at her lips.

Suddenly, all of the brunette's resolve drained away, leaving her stuttering. "I, uh, well… Chloe and I, um… she's kinda my… girlfriend."

"I know," Kate replied, a huge grin plastered on her face at the confession.

Max frowned, wondering how. "Uh, wh-what?"

The shock made Kate chuckle. "You guys are hardly subtle. Chloe especially. Sunday, down by the beach, confirmed it without a doubt. Although, there were hints before then. I guess Warren owes me twenty bucks now. Poor guy seemed to think he still had a chance."

"Huh, you guys were… taking bets?" Max repeated, thoroughly confused by this turn of events.

"Yes, but more important question… WHY didn't you tell me? I thought I was your friend," Kate added, sounding a little hurt.

"You are, Kate," the brunette insisted. "I've been trying to find the right time and… work up the courage. I didn't want you thinking… I don't know…"

When silence fell, the blonde picked up the conversation. "Were you worried about my faith?"

Pulling her knees up to her chest, Max nodded. "A little, yeah. I mean, I trust you and all and I feel so bad for even doubting your support for a second, but… after everything you've been through, I didn't want to make you feel… awkward. Kinda like how I'm feeling now…"

Expression softening, Kate shuffled closer and put a comforting hand on her friend's on the bed. "Oh Max, my faith doesn't tell me who to be friends with. And you're the best friend I could ever hope for. No question." Her assertiveness faltered, giving way to nervous guilt. "Besides, I… have something to tell you, too."

Sighing, Max couldn't hold the secret in any longer. "Kate, I already know what you're going to say. I… I didn't mean to intrude like that. I was just… curious about why you were sneaking around so much recently."

"Intrude? Max, what are you…?" the blonde began, confused.

"You, seeing Dana," Max explained, instinctively curling in on herself. She felt so awful.

"How did you… know?" Kate asked, looking just a little panicked.

"I saw you, kissing Dana," the brunette admitted guiltily. "Honestly, I… didn't mean to. Not really. And… there's one more thing I haven't told you… how I managed to find out."

Something clicked into place in Kate's eye. "You still have it… your power," she gasped, trying to keep her voice down. "But you said it was because of the storm. I just assumed…"

Max managed a weak smile. "Turns out, Chloe was right. I was born for this. Literally. Are you… mad at me?"

"What? No, why would I be?" Kate answered too quickly, getting a skeptical glance in return. "Okay, maybe a little, but I'm just as guilty of hiding things from you. I was going to tell you on Sunday, but when you avoided the subject of you and Chloe, I got a little… annoyed, I guess. Silly really, after everything you've done for others, for me."

"I guess we're both screw ups in that regard," Max managed in a semi-humorous tone.

"Maybe just a little," Kate agreed, turning back to the more intriguing matter. "Now, what do you mean when you say 'born to do it'?"

'Just when I thought I was all explained out… I guess Kate deserves the whole truth… good thing it's the weekend tomorrow. I'm gonna need the time to get through it all.' Rolling her shoulders, Max nodded to show she was going to clarify. "We're gonna need some tea."

By the time Max had given Kate a summary of recent events, her meeting with Nona and relationship with Chloe – minus embarrassing editions – the sun was starting to rise. A gentle orange glow filtered through the blinds, the soft chirruping of birds filling the air.

"That's… a lot to take in," Kate mumbled, nursing yet another cup of tea. How much caffeine they had collectively consumed that night was anyone's guess.

"Tell me about it," Max agreed with a sigh. "At least I know I didn't cause the storm, and Chloe wasn't meant to die."

"Not that you would let that happen, anyway," Kate gave a thoughtful nod and a knowing smile. "More now than ever."

Letting out a big yawn, Max stretched. "Anyway, that's you up to date on my life. Now, it's your turn to share."

"Me, uh… well, you already kind of know…" Kate muttered, cheeks turning red as she too yawned.

"Nu-uh, you don't get out of it that easily. C'mon, pleeeease," the brunette begged, using her secret weapon, also Chloe's favorite: puppy dog eyes.

"Not much to tell." Kate shrugged, trying to act as nonchalant as possible. "I came back the day after the storm, helped out at the hospital as best I could. That's when I bumped into Victoria checking up on Warren. There were very few people on campus, as you can imagine. Dana and I would spend the evenings just talking about stuff and watching Disney films."

"That's normal stuff, Kate," Max pointed out, feeling a little cheated. "When did you… ya know…"

The blonde blushed, not meeting her friend's gaze. "Friday, I guess. I've spent a lot of time over the past two weeks thinking about what Chloe said. On Thursday night, we did the same as always. Drinking tea, watching films, eating takeout. Woke up the next morning in Dana's room, a first I might add…"

"And, she kissed you?" Max suggested, stopped when she turned even redder, if that was possible. "You kissed her?"

Kate nodded bashfully. "I was still half asleep. I still don't know why I did it, but I'm glad. I've never been so terrified or anxious in my life. Part of me wanted to run and hide…"

"I know that feeling too well," Max muttered more to herself than the blonde. "Honestly, I didn't think you'd make the first move."

"Me neither," Kate admitted, sounding just a little proud. "Luckily, I couldn't run. Next thing I knew, she had her arms wrapped around me and was kissing me back. The rest is… history, I guess."

"Well, you certainly seem happy... That dorky grin you were wearing is pretty much what I've been hiding all week," the brunette mentioned.

Kate allowed the said grin to erupt. "Unnecessarily, I might add."

Max nodded, unable to protest her stupidity. "I know, I know. I still feel like an idiot for hiding it. Feels really good to actually talk to someone about it."

Nodding, Kate gave her a smile. "It really does... I guess, a promise is a promise," she mumbled, grabbing her phone. She tapped at the screen, hesitating before she gave one final firm tap and breathed a sigh of relief. "There, done."

Max gave her friend a questioning look, uncertain about what had just happened.

"I promised Dana I wouldn't hide it once you knew… I wanted you to know first," Kate revealed.

"Funny, I said the same thing to Chloe about you," the brunette added with a small smile. What did you do?"

"Just, uh, updated my Facebook," Kate said nervously, biting her lip.

Getting her phone out, Max's jaw dropped when she saw the blonde's updated status: Kate Marsh is in a relationship with Dana Ward. "Wowsers… what about your mom?"

Kate shrugged, trying to pretend it wasn't worrying her. "Don't care. Besides, I still have my dad and sisters. I'm expecting a little… friction, but after everything I've been through, I think I can handle it. I'm not going to hide how I feel. I'm happy… really really happy for the first time in ages.

"Makes all the bullshit worth it," Max agreed, eyeing up her own profile. "I… guess I'd better do the same. That way, Chloe might forgive me for falling asleep on her later." She smirked to herself, following her friend's lead by updating her Facebook status. "All we have to do is wait for the Blackwell drama to unfold."

"I don't think there will be much, outside of a few remarks," Kate reassured with a wistful expression. "With everything that's happened lately, I think people are starting to count their blessings."

"Well, I'm gonna be counting the hours till I can sleep," Max yawned, getting to her feet. "Shower time, so I might actually be on the higher end of the zombie scale by the time I get to Chloe's."

"I don't envy you there," Kate grinned getting to her feet, showing the brunette out of her room.

When Max noticed the blonde glancing hesitantly down the hallway, the time traveler shook her head. "You know, I think she'll appreciate waking up next to you."

"She did say I could drop in at any time..." Kate sighed deeply. "But I really need some sleep."

The brunette glanced at Dana's door then back at her. "I know I'd rather be curled up next to someone than alone. Although, If I told Chloe that, I'd never get any sleep here."

"I promise not to tell." Kate grinned, giving the brunette a hug. "Right, I'm gonna go snuggle up with my... girlfriend," she muttered quietly, turning slightly pink. "See you on Monday"

Nodding, Max returned the hug, watching the blonde skip off down the hallway and disappear into Dana's room before hitting the showers.

Max awoke in her room at Blackwell to a loud, echoing thud. Sitting up, blue eyes were met with a darkness, just about able to make out the walls surrounding her. 'What the…?'

Another loud thump shook the wall, a large crack splitting it on the third. One final bang and it crumbled in a plume of dust and debris.

A hooded figure hurtled through, landing in a heap on the floor, coughing and spluttering. "Ugh, that was a close one."

Dumbstruck, Max watched the figure stand. A strange blue glow surrounded them as they raised their hand, reversing the entrance damage. Just like the day she first unlocked her powers, saving her poor camera.

"Should hold… for a while," the figure sighed in relief before flicking the light on.

"Who… are you?" Max asked, looking at them in bewilderment.

The figure was about her height, wearing a dirty torn hoodie and ripped blue jeans. The light blue hue faded, her question ignored. "Is she alive?"

"Who?" the brunette managed, thoroughly confused.

"Chloe," they demanded, pulling their hood down. Long brunette hair with a dirty light blue streak in the bangs, sad blue eyes hiding a deep pain, dirt marks, scratches, and scars.

"Uh, yeah." It took Max a split second to realize she was looking at an older version of herself. "Wait… you're ME?!"

The older Max's expression relaxed with her question answered. "Now, to figure out which one you are. Since you're not totally freaking out, guess you've experienced stranger shit than this."

"Where… did you come from?" Max finally choked out, still in shock.

"Right here, actually, although it certainly looks nicer here" she replied. "One word, Timewalker."

The younger brunette gave her a slow nod. "Yeah, that's me… what I am."

"Did you do it?" her counterpart barked accusingly, making Max cower. Getting a confused look in reply, she narrowed her eyes, her voice almost breaking. "Did you… kill my Chloe?"

"What… no, I changed that. It never happened," Max defended, folding in on herself.

"So that's a yes, then," the older Max snapped, balling her fists as she took a breath calming herself. "I thought we lost you for a while… How long's it been?"

"Been since when? Who's we?" the young time traveler asked, totally lost.

"Since we last spoke… in the Diner," older Max clarified, eyes steely.

Max's eyes went wide with realization. "Wait, that can't be... that was a nightmare."

That made the older woman scoff, urgency in her tone. "Believe what you will. Just answer the question."

"Ugh, I dunno. Depends on how you look at it. Maybe three weeks?" Max replied hesitantly, working it all out.

"Why couldn't I find you, then," older Max grumbled, stopping to listen to some unseen person. "You're… serious. Why would you do that?" she muttered to herself, pausing. "Guess it doesn't matter now. Woulda been nice if you mentioned it before… Listen, I don't care which… I know what's at stake. I've seen it, you know," she barked, irritated at her invisible conversation partner.

"Uh, are you… okay? Max cautiously interrupted, a little concerned now.

"Yeah, just… lot's going on." Older Max's gaze fell on the memorial wall, a few recent additions of the blue-haired punk catching her eye, eliciting a watery grin. "How could you do that to someone so beautiful." Her voice was strained and full of pain.

"I..." Max trailed. "I didn't know what I was doing then."

"You should have at least thought about the consequences," her older counterpart shot back angrily.

"I know about consequences. You're not the only one who's suffered you know," the brunette hissed defensively.

"Right, you still have her," older Max snapped back, tears rolling down her cheeks as she pointed to a picture on the wall.

Following the older girl's hand, blue eyes fell on a Polaroid. Chloe wrapped protectively around Max with a very large love bite on her neck, both bathed in a gentle orange glow. "That's only recently. I...lost her. Gave her up would be more accurate," Max mumbled solemnly as images of that fateful choice played out before her.

"What... what do you mean?" the older girl demanded, seeing the sudden change in her younger self.

"I... let her die, to stop the storm... to save this stupid town," Max explained, swallowing back tears.

"You let her die... again?" the older girl barked, tone harsh and eyes icy.

"I didn't think I had a choice, okay. I thought I caused the storm... and it was… the hardest choice I ever had to make. One I regretted every day. I felt dead inside. So yeah, I know about consequences," Max choked back angrily. How DARE she talk as if she didn't know what her choices led to.

The older girl stood there for a moment, absorbing what she just heard. "Why didn't you tell me this?"

"I… you didn't ask," Max defended weakly.

"Oh, so it was a possibility. Any other possibilities you 'forgot' to mention?" Her tone was raised, accusing. "Fine, tell me later, okay. Our time's short." Turning back to her younger self, the older Max gave a slight frown. "Sorry, multiple conversations. Hard to keep track."

"Who are you talking to...?" Max asked. Something wasn't making sense here. Nothing new, she supposed.

"Look, this is gonna be…" Her explanation was interrupted by a banging knock at the door, making her freeze.

Max managed a smirk, sliding off the bed. Only one blue-haired punk would knock like that. "Gee, wonder who that could be?"

"DON'T!" older Max shouted, blocking the door. "It's not Chloe, or anyone you know. I was hoping to get more time. I have to go but… whatever you do, DON'T OPEN THAT DOOR!" Max's older version said passing a nervous glance towards the door

"You just got here… what's going on?" her question was lost to another loud bang at the door.

Walking back over to the once cracked wall, older Max thrust her arm forward engulfed in a gentle blue glow. The crack reopened, reversing to un-mend itself. "You're not awake, Max. You need to wake up now."

"But… I just woke up…" Max replied, confused. "

"Are you sure about that? Is this where you fell asleep? There isn't anything that doesn't look out of place?" older Max urged.

"Yeah, of cour… no." Her attention turning back the picture on the wall her older self pointed at earlier. "Joyce took that picture with her phone, not a Polaroid," she corrected herself, jumping at the next loud thump. "What's going on? Who is that?"

"Not who... what. Probably several…" the older girl trailed off as a third, distant voice echoed, one they both recognized.

"Max, wake up. You're having a nightmare."

"Chloe," Max mumbled, looking around for her.

Her older counterpart allowed herself a bittersweet smile. "You need to wake now. We'll see each other again, soon…" Her eyes rolled in frustration, turning her attention to the crack. "I KNOW alright," she snapped at the hidden force she had been muttering to before, taking a running jump. "Wake up NOW!" she demanded, the words swirling around Max's head.

Opening her eyes, the young brunette was greeted by a full head of blue hair and a pair of worried deep blue eyes. It took a moment to realize where she was, in her room. No other Max in sight or… any of the other weird stuff.

"Chloe?" Max called out, rubbing her eyes.

The bluenette let out a sigh of relief. "Hey, you okay? That nightmare sounded… intense. Like you were trying to get away from something."

"Um, yeah I… think so. Nothing like that, weird… wait, what's the time?" Max asked, quickly checking her phone to find a torrent of missed calls and messages, all from her blue-haired girlfriend.

"So much for being the master of time. You're like, thirty minutes late," Chloe playfully jabbed, with just a hint of concern lingering. "Good thing Blackwell doesn't have locks, huh? I would've found a way in, though. Nothing's keeping me from my girl."

Feeling guilty, Max exhaled deeply. "Sorry, Chloe. Had a bit of a late night with Kate."

Chloe's eyes narrowed, arms crossing. "Oh, do tell. And you'd better not have been messing around, Caulfield. I don't share."

"What, uh… no, nothing like that…" Max swiftly reassured.

The suspicion faltered, giving way to a grin. "Max, I'm kidding. Don't take it so literally. I mean, you'd be stupid to pass me up for some other chick. What were you guys doing?"

"Talking about… things," Max stuttered, mentally preparing herself. "Uh, time travel, Dana and… you."

"Oh, I can't wait to see how those things all fit together," Chloe announced, waiting for further explanation.

"Well, she found out I still have my powers, which is related to Dana and that in turn is kinda linked to you," Max began, relaying the whole late-night episode: rewinding and walking in on Kate, their conversation and other things.

"You'd better not be shitting me, Caulfield," Chloe managed, still shocked by the unexpected turn of events.

"I'm not. Look at Kate's profile," Max instructed, watching her girlfriend do just that.

"Holy shit! This is… fucking insane!" the bluenette exclaimed. "Wait…" She held her phone closer, staring at the screen blankly before a confused grin tugged at her lips. "I… when did you…?"

"About the same time," the brunette muttered, suspecting Chloe was talking about her own updated profile. "Since Kate knows now… and is obviously cool with it… not much point in hiding it."

"So, I get to show off my new girlfriend then," the bluenette added with a mischievous smirk.

A little worried at how she planned on 'showing her off', Max tentatively agreed. "I, uh, guess so..."

"Good." Without warning, Chloe pounced on the younger girl, pinning her to the bed. The yelp of surprise was soon stifled as lips collided, turning to a satisfied moan. Pulling back, she rested her head against Max's forehead. "C'mon, you can crash at mine. Oh, you might wanna get dressed... unless you fancy running across Blackwell in your dressing gown... which, for the record, I might not be totally against seeing. Although, I'd prefer a private show."

Blushing slightly and rolling her eyes, Max reluctantly got up and - after getting dressed and gathering her things together - headed out of the dorm to the parking lot.

Well there's a few events for you.

Hope you enjoyed it, Things are going to be getting...interesting to say the least.

Till next week

Peace out