Hey guy's

It's Sunday and as promised here is another chapter...Don't faint, you're not dreaming, and here's a shocker, the NEXT one is looking to be ready for next Sunday too. 3 deadlines in a row, what's going on O.o.

Anyways, enjoy, pay no attention to the title, it's just for show.

Chapter 35 - Fallout

Somehow, Max managed to get to her feet. Panting, she gripped onto the pink strand. As tight as she could. Once again, she found herself traveling the rope-like structure. Ahead was a nearly endless pink road, countless colored lines intersecting her own then veering off on their own course. Her past. Behind her, the pink roadway was fading. Her future.

Not that there was much of a future without her blue-haired punk.

Wandering through the wasteland of her most treasured memories, she was reminded of the nightmare she had endured right before facing down the storm. Moments that made her smile weakly, some that made her cringe and others… just flat out blush.

Before she got too lost in reminiscing, another pain surged through her head, making her stagger. They really weren't letting up, not that she had expected them to. Once recovered, her gaze fell on a familiar scene. What felt like a lifetime ago now.

Warren, Kate, Chloe and herself sat around a table at the Price residence, surrounded by papers and pens.

The night we came up with a plan to save the people of Arcadia. Max smiled wistfully, almost wishing she was back there. A surprisingly simpler time. We succeeded though… not that this helps. That was also the night I broke the barrier. Of course, they're going to be watching every move I make. What I need is a distraction.

As she fondly examined the image, another began trying to occupy the same space. Max herself. This time, walking on a familiar multi-colored highway of threads. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't bring both images into focus simultaneously.

Wonder why that is… wait a second. If I can't see them both at the same time, can they?

Without a second thought, she touched the dining room memory. Piercing white flashed as everything came into focus, frozen in time. Kate was opposite, typing away on her phone. To her right was Warren with several lists of numbers. Checking her pockets, Max felt the burner phone they would later use to get the word out.

Finally, her eyes fell on Chloe. stood to her left, eyes full of mischief as usual. Taking a moment to get her bearings, she noticed how much stronger she felt. At least in this body, I'm not… dying. Although my head still feels like it's on fire.

Shaking the thought from her mind, she grabbed onto Chloe's hand. The bluenette gasped as she shifted to Max's time, Kate and Warren still frozen. A strong thud made Max groan, capturing the bluenette's attention.

"Uh… Max, what's going on?" Chloe questioned, passing a sideways glance at the others as she moved closer.

"H-hey Chloe," she stammered, hoping her heated cheeks weren't too obvious.

This was her Chloe; the one she had kissed a thousand times, given everything to. That thought made her cheeks heat up even more. None of that had happened yet, though. For a moment, she allowed herself to get lost in those blue eyes she knew so well.

Raising an eyebrow, Chloe gave her a confused look. "Uh, Max… are you okay? You're acting a little… weirder than usual."

"No. I mean, yes. I'm-" A sharp inhale swallowed up her words, head throbbing as she cradled it.

The blue-haired punk's expression shifted to concern. "Max, whatever happened, you can tell us without hurting yourself."

"I can't…" Max replied weakly. "Just… you're going to have to trust me, Chloe. Don't tell anyone about this. Not Kate, Warren, not even me. Do not even think about it. Do you understand?"

Something suddenly clicked. "Wait. You're from the future?"

"Yes. Past me, or current me I guess, is a little busy." She held up her hand to prevent questions. "You'll find out all about it soon enough, I promise you, but right now I need your help."

Chloe nodded slowly. "Okay, what do you need?"

"Help me to the kitchen," she instructed.

Helping Max to her feet, the punk supported her weight all the way to the kitchen, stopping by a cabinet, the brunette opened it retrieving a small first aid kit receiving a questioning stare from the punk but saying nothing. When she reached the sink, Max signaled for the punk to stop.

"So I guess you're not gonna tell me what happens," Chloe theorized, a little annoyed. She was always kept out of the loop.

Max sighed. It felt awful to hide things from her, but what else could she do? "I can't Chloe. As much as I'd like to, I can't. I can't change the past."

That made no sense whatsoever to Chloe. "Then… what are you doing here?"

Max looked up at her with a soft smile, "Changing the future…" hopefully, she replied shakily as she retrieved a sharp knife from the draining rack.

"Uh, Max..." Blue eyes focused on the blade, metal glinting.

"I think it was yesterday that you asked me how it was I haven't bled out yet." As she spoke, she removed the bandage from her right hand, revealing an angry red mark. It looked days old.

"Wait… you only did that a few hours ago!" Chloe exclaimed, staring at the mostly healed wound.

"I know." Max shrugged, unfazed. "Turns out I heal quickly, but only while time is moving which... is inconvenient."

"What do you mean by that, Max?" The worry in Chloe's voice was clear.

"Don't worry about it," she muttered, taking a deep breath then letting it go. "Um, have you ever heard of a blood bond?"

A memory filtered through. Nathan sat in the Two Whales Diner. A blood oath between Rachel and Frank.

Chloe's eye went wide as she slowly responded, "Yes, I've seen the film. Why?"

"Of course you have," she paused, eyeing up the blade in her hand. Another breath later, she pointed the blade's tip at the red mark on her palm. "I… want to do one." She aimed a small smile at the punk. "With you."

"Wait!" Chloe grabbed her wrist before she could pierce the skin. "What the hell, Max? Have you gone insane?"

"I really wish I knew the answer to that one, Chloe…" she sighed deeply, blue eyes focusing on her childhood best friend. "I need to do this. We need to do this."

The blue-haired punk frowned, considering it. "It would be easier to know why we have to do this but… I trust you, Max. Even if this seems crazy."

Max let out a breath she didn't even realize she'd been holding. "Thank you, Chloe. Really."

After everything the brunette had done, Chloe could only trust her. That didn't stop her from feeling uneasy. "Just… are you sure about this?"

"About what it'll do? No." Max bit her lip, averting her gaze. "There is a reason, though."

"Which is?" Chloe asked, unable to constrain the question.

Shaking her head, Max's grip on the knife tightened. "I wish I could tell you… but I won't risk changing everything that's already happened."

Banishing the flickers of doubt as best she could, Chloe nodded. "Okay. Have to admit, you've got me curious now."

"And I've probably already said too- aghhh!"

A mind crushing throb shot through her skull, enough to make her eyes water. She staggered, feeling the Watcher trying to push forward. By her count, she was holding three realities at a standstill. Given how difficult it had been keeping one timeline in place before, her power had evolved so much.

To her credit, the punk was already there to support her until she recovered, "Max…"

Shaking her head, Max wiped tears off her cheek. "Sorry, pushing myself, as usual." She forced a grin, earning an eye roll. Glancing at the knife, she continued, "If it's any consolation, I already know you're going to do this. When I… past me comes to, you have a bandage on your hand. You didn't even give me a chance to ask why." She let out an amused humph. "Now I think about it, your reaction to the state I'm in... will be in, makes sense. And I know you can keep this secret, because you already have."

Chloe smirked. "If you tell me anymore you might as well spill everything."

"I don't have the time." When she saw Chloe roll her eyes at her wording, she let out a small chuckle. "This time I literally don't have the time."

"I get it, I think… It's just..." Blue eyes flicked to the blade. "I don't have a good experience with kni- FUCK!" Pain surged through her hand, a thin red line of blood welling up in the palm of her hand. "You bitch! I wasn't ready."

"Sorry, Chloe," Max mumbled, wincing as she pressed the bloodied point of the blade into her own wound, piercing the skin. "If it's any consolation, this will remove that target painted on your back." Hopefully.

Trying to ignore the faint throbbing, Chloe pushed aside her annoyance. "So the universe is really out to get me then."

"Yes." Taking hold of the punk's hand, she pressed their wounds together. "Good thing I've always got your back, huh?"

"My guardian angel," Chloe stated fondly, squeezing her hand.

Max smiled softly. And so much more.

After a few moments, the girls parted their hands. Using the first aid kit, they set about bandaging the wounds.

"So… can I ask how far you are?" Chloe asked as she dressed Max's hand.

Giving it some thought, the brunette gave a casual shrug. "Little over a month or so."

"We get out of Arcadia bay then," the punk concluded, relaxing slightly.

"Yes. Come back, too. Arcadia survives, and so do we," Max winced slightly as the punk finished applying her dressing, pressing down firmly to make sure it was on.

Nodding, Chloe packed up the first aid kit and cleaned off the knife, returning it to the drying rack like nothing had happened. "So, what now?"

Max let out a sigh. "Now I have to go back." And hope this works.

As they returned to the dining table, Chloe placed the med kit back in the cupboard. Then she helped Max to her seat before resuming her position, arms stretched to maintain contact. "Guess I'll see you in a month, huh?"

"You'll see me in a few seconds," Max corrected.

Chloe shook her head, smiling. "I mean this version of you, hippie."

"I know what you meant." Allowing herself to grin a moment, Max took a breath her expression turning conflicted. "Chloe… I um…"

"What's up?"

"There's something I'm keeping from you," Max mumbled, glancing up at the now frowning bluenette. "It's… really scary for me. Not bad. I will tell you." That made her scoff. "Already have. Just… give me time. It'll change everything."

So much had and would change between them since this coming Friday. If this was where it ended, part of her would be okay with that. The other part wanted so much more time.

"Now I'm worried." If Max was scared, maybe she should be too.

"Don't be" Max assured as she gave the punk's hand a gentle squeeze, "Oh and sorry in advance."

"For what?"

"You're gonna have to carry me again… twice," she replied sheepishly.

Chloe grinned playfully. "I swear you do it to get out of walking."

"Oh yes, totally planned. Why walk when I can get you to carry me?" Max shot back poking her tongue out.

"I knew it!" Chloe scowled back before giving her a lopsided smile. "You better get back. Not sure the universe can handle two Max Caulfields."

"Pretty sure the universe would break or something if that happened." Brief flashes of her older self from her dream's flickered, ones she quickly pushed back. "See you in a month… ish."

"I'll be waiting," Chloe replied confidently.

Reluctantly, Max let go of her future girlfriend. Chloe instantly froze in place. Passing a final glance over the room, her eyes fell on the petite blonde opposite. A small smile formed.

At least one person gets a happy ending… even if this doesn't work. I'll see you guys soon hopefully.

With that thought, she returned to the colored highway. More images flashed before her eyes. Familiar but with a whole new meaning.

The scene she just left played out just as before, the Max currently sat at Chloe's kitchen table noticed the bandage on her friend's hand. She felt compelled to try and peek under it. "Uh, Chloe…"

Batting the hand away, Chloe assumed a stern expression. "Uh-uh, no. Bad Max. You're more important. Besides, it's just a scratch. So, spill it."

Time flickered, jumping to a little later that evening just as Max came to the end of her explanation.

Chloe appeared in the dining room of her Arcadia home, leaning against the open sliding door as she flicked the excess ash of her cigarette. "Letting me die?" she finished, shrugging. "Hey, I've already accepted that I've got a target on my back. At least I have my own guardian angel to go with it." She passed a grateful grin in Max's direction.

A few more moments passed, each one of the punk seemingly grilling Max for pushing herself too far. This transitioned to later the next day, both sat on Arcadia's beach.

Chloe got settled on her back, cradling the back of her head. "So, what're you gonna do after this hell's over?"

Max shrugged, leaning back on her hands. "I suppose it really depends on a few things."

Turning her head, the bluenette looked intrigued. "Oh, like what?"

Following her lead, Max too laid back - one hand behind her head, the other on her stomach. "The biggest one, what's left of the Bay after? Second, will Blackwell survive?"

"Oh, right. I keep forgetting you haven't actually seen the aftermath yet," the blue-haired punk added thoughtfully as she stared up at the watercolor sky.

The colors blended together in a swirling mass, another scene materializing from their week at her parents. Her father's garage appeared, Max and Chloe sitting in the newly revamped truck.

Joyce laughed. "Chloe you're just as special as Max. Without you, she wouldn't be here. You're kinda her... catalyst," she finished beaming at her.

"See, NOW do you believe me?" Max interjected caringly.

The bluenette shrugged her shoulders. "All I do is clean you up, and look after you when you pass out."

"When I'm at my most VULNERABLE. When I NEED you the most," Max corrected hotly, starting to feel a little frustrated. Where was this coming from?

"Not always," Chloe snapped back, gripping the steering wheel so hard her knuckles turned white.

'I was so confused by how you were acting then. Guess now I know' Max smiled fondly'

As the final part drifted away, Max felt her head growing heavy, the bright vibrant threads before her fading into darkness.

Cold wind whipped at her face. The ground beneath her felt soft and damp like grass. When she opened her eyes, she was met with ominous dark clouds. Sitting up, her breath hitched as she came face to face with an old worn gravestone. Grass surrounded the slab of stone, part of a long row.

What the hell?

As she got to her feet, a crawling sensation formed in her gut. The realization of her location hit her slowly but with the weight of a sucker punch to the face. Arcadia Bay's graveyard.

Am I dead?

That thought immediately evaporated when the now familiar pain shot through her skull. A groan left her lips. As she recovered, a faint sob pierced the air. Without thinking, she followed the sound. Each row of tombstones she passed looked newer, fewer chips and clearer writing. At last, she came across a towering memorial stone. When she read the header, her heart stopped

For those who perished in the storm of October 11th, 2013. Gone but never forgotten.

Panic setting in, Max hastily read through the names. Time seemed to freeze as she came across ones she recognized. Kate Marsh, Warren Graham, Joyce Price, William Price, Luke Parker, Dana Ward, Juliet Watson…

"Wait… how can this…? William. Oh god, that means…"

This was the alternate reality. The one where she had fulfilled her friend's dying wish before erasing it. Or at least, she thought she had.

Still shaken, she pressed forward getting ever closer to the sobbing. She passed by another gravestone, fairly new.

Evan Harris - Born January 11th, 1994. Died July 7th, 2032.

The date threw Max, making her frown. "The storm was… nineteen years ago. What is going on?"

That question was the keynote to her life now. Before she could get too lost in this impossibility, a haunting almost inhuman wail echoed across the graveyard.

"I swear, I will NEVER forgive you for what you've done." The voice was filled with hate and pain, too familiar. Her own, or her other older self.

Shakily she pushed herself towards the voice. If she could talk to her, explain… she had to try. Cautiously she followed the voice, finding a figure kneeling over a grave. Already, she knew whose it was.

Chloe's.

"We'll be together soon, Chloe. I promise," the older girl stopped abruptly, eyes flickering to the heavens, totally ignoring Max before settling back on the gravestone. "I have to go. See you soon"

With that, she stood and took off through the maze of headstones. Fear gripping her heart, Max approached the previously occupied gravestone, eyes falling on the engraving.

Here lies Chloe Elizabeth Price - (Died) MURDERED October 10th, 2013.

The stark black marker addition made Max wince, reminded of her decision in the alternate timeline. I was only trying to help…

She didn't have time to dwell on it, distant footsteps approaching. Snapping her head back, she saw two dark figures. Their presence sent a chill down her spine. Her instincts told her to run . No time to think, she turned on her heel and sprinted back the way she came.

Somewhere behind her, she heard one of the figure's speak, voice hollow and devoid of life. "She's here."

"The Catalyst. Find her," another voice ordered, equally empty.

Both made her flight response intensify.

But Chloe's… gone in this world. This doesn't make any sense.

As she ran, she passed the memorial stone again. Down the back was the word MURDERED scribbled over and over again. Accusing her, judging. It hit her with such force that she stopped dead in her tracks.

"But… I didn't…" she mumbled, her surroundings shifting again.

She found herself on a street. The sound of waves crashed behind her. Burnt out, crumbling buildings lined the abandoned wasteland of a street. Large holes marked the pavement, like a minefield. A battered Two Whales sign laid toppled and broken. The whole town felt just as gray and devoid of life as the cemetery.

Why am I seeing this? What do I have to do? This wasn't her first nightmare walk. There had to be some end in sight… she hoped.

Wandering down the street, an old newspaper caught her eye. Hesitantly, she picked it up and read the headline.

November 23rd, 2014

Nuclear device detonated in New York. Millions dead. America to retaliate.

President Mark Jefferson promises swift retribution after a nuclear device was detonated in the heart of New York City yesterday. This is the latest in a string of attacks, Sweden's capital Stockholm suffering a similar fate earlier this week.

When will this nightmare end?

-insert mic drop here-

Till next week

Peace out