Where time and space meet

by Fractaldoll

An AU in which the girls experiences have had different effects on who they've become. Gifted with strange abilities Both Max and Chloe will find their lives are far from boring. Rated M for mentions of drug use, and prostitution.

10. Where the heart is

So, this one's come out a little short. I feel a little bad about that, but it just felt done. I had nothing else to add to this chapter, so I'm just not going to force it. The violence portion of this chapter I'm not sure about. Violence isn't exactly my thing, and so I'm really not sure if I went too far, or not far enough... I don't know, let me know what how you feel about it. I hope everyone had a happy new year.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Max ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We sit in Rachel's cute little car, just down the street from the main Prescott building. Nathan is on his phone talking to someone important about bringing me in as a volunteer recruit. I listen in quietly, unable to help myself, as I stare up at the imposing building that hides my Chloe somewhere in it's depths. I'd give anything to just wake up in her room again, with her beside me. All of this just some stupid dream, a nightmare of missing her. I very well may give everything soon, just to get her back. This entire life, the lives of my parents, and maybe even Rachel's life, all wiped away again just for Chloe. I know it's selfish, but I love her. There's just no other choice I can make if it comes down to it.

"...Yeah, she's coming in. She wants to join, but... she wants to meet someone important." Nathan rolls his eyes at something being said on the other end.

"Yes... well, she also wants to see The Gateway." "I don't know." "I don't know." "Yeah.. she knew her." Nathan's eyes flick nervously over to me, and I briefly wonder if he's planning to betray us.

"Well just have an extra security team ready, if she's planning some kind of revenge thing, or whatever, and you'll be able to take her down first. We have the home field advantage right? There's not much she'll be able to do." He gives me an appraising look, briefly, like he's wondering if that's actually true. I just narrow my eyes at him in return.

"I don't know... that's more your area isn't it? I just sense them, and dream a little bit of the future." He looks over at me again, giving me a pleading look. My brows furrow a bit, confused by what he's trying to ask me.

"I'll also be bringing in the Amber girl. They're a package deal. I don't know.. friends, dykes... why the fuck do I care why?" This wasn't the fucking plan. He was supposed to just get me in let me hide I was going to wipe this all away. I consider just rewinding right now, and roughing him up a little before he makes the call, but he gives me another pleading look, and I take a deep, quiet breath, and decide to just trust him for now.

"Look, I got you two who are willing to just come in and talk about joining up peacefully. My Father's going to love that, especially on top of all that good news about the Imperious Project... Besides how much trouble could a couple of girls be?" I shoot him a glare, and he gives me an apologetic smile.

"Yeah, I'll bring them in tonight." He hangs up the phone, and slumps back into his seat. He let's out a relieved sigh, but I don't let him relax for long.

"What the fuck was that? That wasn't the plan Nathan." I decide to play it aggressively, get up in his face a little. I close the distance between us, or at least as much as the space in Rachel's car would allow.

"Dude just.. chill." he puts his hands up defensively. "I figured it'd just be faster and easier to tell him we were coming, and just go in. It's not like he'll know what you can do without testing... so we still have the element of surprise. If not.. you just rewind back here.. right? If you disappear we go with your original plan. Easy."

I frown at him, eyes narrowed as I try to consider how this might turn out to be a double cross. Unless he was talking in code the whole time though, I'm really not certain he gave the person on the other end any information they could use specifically to stop me. The presence of extra security might pose a problem, but maybe not, if I pay attention, or if Nathan and Rachel can cause enough of a distraction, when the shit hits the fan. Of course I did promise we'd protect Nathan, so that makes this more complicated. Still, while I didn't tell him the retries weren't actually unlimited, being able to rewind Is a distinct advantage. I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Fine... The simpler this is, the harder it will be to screw up, at least in theory."

He grins triumphantly, though it doesn't last long when I shoot him a glare. "I'm putting a lot of trust in you right now... Please don't make me regret it. I want us all to walk out of this one... you, me, Rachel, and... Chloe."

He visibly blanches, and I suspect he knows something about Chloe he's not telling me. I could push him again, force him to tell me what he knows, but... I'm not sure I want to know. I'm not sure I can handle knowing right now, and I'm not sure I'd even let myself believe whatever he tells me, depending on what he says. She's still alive, I'm sure he wouldn't hide something that big... but I'm so worried about what state I'll find her in when we get there. There are things worse than death in this world, I just hope she's not subject to any of them. I know what I have to do if I can't save her, and I'll do it. She is my number one priority now.

I give him a hard look, until he starts squirming in his seat. I sigh softly looking away. "I know there's something you're not telling me... but let's get this over with. It's time to end this."

"Come on Rachel... Let's go." I reach forward a put my hand on her shoulder gently, as she starts the car up. She's tense, we all are really, but she's clearly feeling it more than the rest of us. I give her shoulder a little squeeze trying to impart whatever comfort that I can, trying to let her know I'll try my best for her like I promised if things go badly. She's done her part, and I do owe it to her to at least try. She pulls back on to the road, and drives us the rest of the way towards the Prescott building.

The Prescott building looms over us ominously. It would look like just any other building in any other city, if Arcadia Bay was just any other city, and it was built up among other buildings of it's kind. The way it just towers over the trees surrounding the property makes it feel more like a witches tower in a fairy tale. Maybe it kinda is, considering what horrors may be going on in there right now. People with supernatural abilities being recruited, potentially under duress. Mysterious projects with ominous names, probably creepy experiments on unwilling subjects, and somewhere in there my very own princess to rescue.

I feel like I'm in over my head, but I have no choice but to keep pushing forward now. I have to get to Chloe, I have to make sure she's okay, that everything will be okay again. This was supposed to be my perfect world. We were supposed to be together, and I was supposed to be a better person for it. Instead I got this, and I don't even get to remember all the good parts of this timeline either. How can everything have gone so wrong? How can I have fucked up so epically? Even if I use the photo jump, we won't be able to escape this. We'll either have to run away together, or fight, because this is way to big to just keep our heads down and wait out. Then again, if I can save Chloe here, and now, maybe we can tear this down from the inside today. I just don't know.

We walk together calmly up to the backdoor, Nathan in the lead. I'm a bundle of nerves inside right now, and I suspect at least Rachel is as well. We have to make it look good though, we're supposed to be volunteers after all. There's no turning back now though, not that I would. Chloe's in there, and I need to get to her.

Nathan takes out an I.D. Badge, and scans it at the sensor by the door. It beeps, and the little light turns green as the door unlocks. He pulls it open, and motions us inside. It would almost be gentlemanly if not for the sour look on his face as we step inside in the stark white hallway leading directly to an elevator. I wonder if we're going to take the elevator I snicker to myself, causing both of my companions to give me an incredulous look. I just give them a sheepish grin and shrug, as we start down the hall to the elevator door.

Nathan swipes his badge over the sensor by the door again, and we wait for the elevator to arrive. There's really nothing to look at as we wait, this part of the building seems to be closed off to everything except this elevator. It's really kinda creepy, like something from a horror film or something. Maybe there are zombies hidden deep inside the facility just waiting to escape and feast upon the... yeah okay, that's really dumb, even for me. I sigh softly, starting to fidget when the elevator dings, and the doors slide open. We all step inside quietly, almost somberly. We're getting close to the end of this now, and it's not likely to be a happy one.

There's only one button on the panel inside the elevator. Apparently it only goes to one place. I wonder if this is the only way in and out. That could be a problem if we need to make a quick escape, even more so if Chloe's unconscious or something. Or if they cut the power. Or both. My nervousness rises as the elevator begins to descend. I've got a bad feeling about this, but what other choice do I have? Photo jump now, and not even try to save everyone? No, I owe it to my parents, and Rachel to try and do this in a way that guarantees their safety. I already plan to make myself a monster to save Chloe if I need to, there's no reason to do so prematurely. I'm worrying myself sick over this. Come on Max, you just have to do what needs to be done, save the guilt for when you have the luxury of time. I did not just think that...

The door to the elevator opened with a ding, showing us another stark white hallway, this one broken up by closed doors along it's length. The hallway ended in a large set of double doors, and that seemed to be where we were heading. The hallway is silent except for our footsteps, adding to the creepy atmosphere that the stark whiteness of the hall produces all on it own. I don't want to be here, and I hate thinking of Chloe being in a place like this. Is she scared, is she crying out for me? Is it better or worse if we find her alone? There's nothing to focus on to keep my mind from wandering, all I can do is imagine the horrors Chloe might have faced, might be facing as we make our way to the double doors at the end of the hall.

We pushed through the doors, and into a large room. There were four, armed men dressed much like soldiers waiting for us inside. The room had a desk with a computer on it set up in the center, and the sides where sectioned off with hospital curtains, obscuring whatever was behind them. A man stood up from behind the desk. He had a pair of hipster glasses, and a Goatee. Mr. Jettson, or something like that? The photography guy? What in the fuck is he doing here?

"Mark?!" Rachel exclaims incredulously. I guess they're on a first name basis.

"Rachel." he nods her way, with a smug ass smile on his face. "And you must be Max..." he turns his attention to me and it's all I can do not to retch. The interest in his eyes is disgusting.

"We're here to talk terms, or whatever, but first I want to see Chloe." I place my hands on my hips, and glare up at him. I probably look like a child, trying to look tough to him, if his amused expression is anything to go by.

His amused expression just got more intense, like this all was so very funny to him. "Are you sure you want that Max? She's not exactly how you remember, but her dedication to our cause is... undeniable."

"Where is Chloe?" I ask again more forcefully.

His mask slips a little, and he frowns at me. " Listen you little cunt, I'm in control here, we do things My way!" He pauses then, takes a deep breath, and puts back on his smug little smile. "I'm sorry Max, that wasn't cool. It's been a stressful day, but I suppose it's about to get better now that you and Miss Amber have decided to join our little... family."

He turns and points to one of the little sectioned off areas. "She's right over there... she might even still be waiting for you. It's so hard to tell..."

I narrow my eyes at him, and slowly make my way over. I stop outside the curtain, taking deep breaths, and trying to steel myself to whatever I might find when I pull the curtain back. I can feel his eyes on me as I stand there, I could swear I can even feel that little smirk of his too. Chloe's here though, and she's alive, so maybe there's still hope. My hands tremble as I reach forward to pull the curtain back. I'm not sure I'm ready for this, but I need to know what kind of state she's in. I can't stifle the gasp that escapes my lips when I see what was hidden behind that curtain.

There was Chloe what was left of her. She was covered in wires and tubes that ran over, and through her entire body, attaching her to various machines of arcane purpose. Her arms, and legs were missing, her head shaved. She had her eyes closed like she was sleeping, but her face... oh her face, was twisted into an expression of pain. My heart shatters in that moment, my eyes fill with hot tears, and I start to move forward to, touch her, to help her, I don't know what, but the sound of laughter behind me pulls my attention into a white hot point. Jeffershit.

"I did warn you she'd changed... she's a work of art now." he smiles at me like this is the funniest thing in the world.

"Get. Her. Out. Now." my voice quavers with barely contained rage.

His face goes still for a moment, as he stares at me. "I told you, I'm in charge here, you don't get to make demands." the smile crawls back across his face. "But I'll forgive you this time, since you're so... distraught. As for letting her out..." he turns his back on me dismissively. "I can't. The machines are the only thing keeping her alive now."

I see red, and something inside me clenches as my heart, already broken by what I'd seen breaks again. Pain lances through my head, though it doesn't compare to the pain in my chest, as the world freezes in place around me. I don't have it in me to marvel at this latest development, my vision narrows taking in only those who hurt my Chloe. As the fire burns inside me, I want to hurt them, I want to destroy them.

I move towards the guards first, and it's like trying to push through water. Blood streams from my nose, as I reach them. I grab the nearest one's gun, put it close to his face, and fire. The bullet freezes as soon as it leaves the barrel, and I let go of the gun watching it freeze in place as I move to the next, and the two after that, repeating my grim task. Taking the last guards knife, I turn to look at Mr. Jefferson.

I fight my way through the air, over to him, and stand staring at him for a while, the rage burning inside my chest, angry, and heart broken tears streaming down my cheeks. I look at the knife, and the lash out, slicing through the Man's mid section, leaving an unbleeding slit through his belly. I stare at him a bit longer, and then do the same to his throat. He won't live long, but it won't be pleasant for him either. I let go of the knife leaving it in mid-air, as I make my way back to Chloe's side.

A hallow emptiness begins to fill my chest as I reach up to touch Chloe's cheek, a numbness that spreads through me slowly. The pain in my head worsens until the world starts moving again on it's own. I can hear the bodies hit the floor, and Jefferson gurgling his surprise and dismay. Rachel screams, and Nathan laughs wildly, and brokenly. All of these things wash over me to no effect as I my hand rests gently on Chloe's cheek. Her eyes slowly blink open.

"Max...?" she says softly, confused. She sounds so out of it, and a pang of guilt, and pain makes it's way through the numbness inside me. "Max... you're...here..."

I try my best to smile for her through my tears as I stroke her cheek gently. "Yeah... I'm here baby, I'm here."

She smiles almost beatifically. "I love you... Max. I'm... sorry."

I shake my head. "No, no no... don't be sorry. I'm sorry it took so long to get here."

"Max... I'm glad I got to... see you... one last time." She winces, her eyes fluttering closed for a few moments. "Hurts..."

"What... no, what do you mean one last time?" my brows furrow as the panic begins to rise inside me.

"Max... please... turn off, the... machines." she begs me with her eyes, the pain behind them plain to see.

"Chloe I..." she shakes her head, or tries to, her head barely moves as she interrupts.

"Max... please. This isn't life. Let me... go on my own terms." she looks so small and frail, and in so much pain right now. I nod slowly, I'll do it. For her, I'll do it.

"Thank you Max... I... love you." I lean in slowly, and give her one last lingering kiss. Her lips move weakly against mine, causing another stab of pain, and guilt to fill my chest.

I pull away, and do what I do best. Destroy things. I smash bits of machinery, and tear out cords. I don't really look at what I'm doing, I couldn't see through the tears in my eyes anyhow. I smash, and smash, an tear, until Chloe finally goes completely still, and I collapse to the floor next to her. There's a hole inside me that's trying to pull the rest of me in, a sucking wound that feels like it'll never go away. I scream, trying to release everything inside of me, and it's not even close to enough. Nothing will ever be enough again.

I feel hands on my shoulders, arms sliding around me. Rachel. She gently pulls me up, holding me close like, well like a real friend. I turn into her, pressing my face to her chest, and begin wailing. She just rubs my back gently, making soft shushing noises, as I try to release the never ending torrent of suffering inside me. She doesn't let go as I break apart, she just calmly holds on trying to keep me together.

"The photo Max... you can still use the photo." she speaks softly into my ear, her tone gentle. In my grief I had nearly forgotten the photograph. I can still go back, and fix this, fix all of this.

I take a few deep breaths, and pull away from her. "You're right... the photograph. I can fix this."

Rachel steps back, chewing her lip nervously. I know she's afraid of what might happen next, of what her fate might be after I do this. I pull the photo out of my pocket slowly, and look up at Rachel for a moment. "If this timeline persists... Take care of whatever Max remains behind. She's going to need you." I lick my lips, and look down towards the photograph. "If it doesn't... I just hope you believe my warning." I begin to focus on the picture in my hands until I'm drawn into it once again.

"Whoa dude are you okay? Did you dazzle yourself with the flash?" There's laughter in that voice, but also a hint of real concern. It's Chloe, thirteen year old Chloe. I'm back in the past again.

"Uh... yeah I'm alright, just yeah.. the flash got me." I laugh and it sounds empty to my ears.

She gives me a skeptical,concerned look." Are you sure dude? You don't sound so good."

"I uh... sorry, I just have a little bit of a headache, I'll be okay Chloe." I give her a tired smile, and purses her lips but brushes it off.

"If you say so..." Clearly trying to move on, she snatches the picture from my camera, and gives it a look. "This one's a keeper, so... I'll keep it!" she laughs tucking it into her pocket.

I smile at her, probably staring, but I don't care right now. I've missed her so fucking much. Chloe puts her hand on my shoulder, misinterpreting my mood, and giving me a sympathetic look. "Look Max, you should just forget about those assholes okay? If they give you anymore shit you just tell me, and I'll set them straight. I got your back sista."

She puts her fists up, and makes a couple play jabs. "I'll kick All their asses, nobody messes with my Ma...in girl Max." her cheeks flush a little, and she laughs a little nervously. "Alright well Maximus Prime, I gotta go before mom gets pissed at me for being late." she grins, rolling her eyes. "I'll call you later, maybe we can hang after dinner?"

I nod, and she starts to turn to leave. "Chloe wait." She turns back to look at me, her brow perks curiously, and I bite my lip.

I step up to her and get up on my toes to kiss her cheek. I just need to. She's here, and alive, and I'm about to be gone for a long time. It's a bittersweet moment. "Um... thanks for, being my hero." I step back, and look down at my feet.

"AlrightwellIgottagobye! Calllandhangoutlater!" I look up to see a red faced Chloe quickly make her escape. I can't help the tears that escape as I watch her go, nor the sad smile that plays across my lips. Hopefully everything will be fine this time around.

I head down the little hallway slowly, and by pass our answering machine all together. Goodbye Mom, and Dad. I love you...even though I'm trading you for Chloe. I hope you understand. A sniffle escapes as I sit down in front of the computer, and do a quick search to find it again. A website that would let me send a e-mail at a future date.

I write Rachel a long letter, telling her who I am, about myself. I slip in the things she told me to tell her to convince her I know things, and then, I write all about everything that happened here in this timeline. I beg her to not only save herself, but to do whatever she has to to keep Chloe safe, get her out of Arcadia Bay if she has to, just keep her safe until we can meet again. Once It's all set I turn off the computer, and head up to the top of the stairs to cry, and wait for time to catch up with me again.

The world slowly comes into focus, and I blink away the last vestiges of my confusion. I look around slowly, trying to figure out where I am. The junkyard shack. The place has my personal touches, everything looks just the way I remember. Just to be sure though, I look down at myself. Toned, punked out, and I've got my jacket, that much is back to normal at least. I get out my phone, a cheap piece of junk again, and check my contacts. Chloe is there, and all of our recent texts, and a bunch of new ones from Joyce as well. Relief washes through me. She's alive, oh Chloe... you're alive. I have to see her. I Have to see her now.

I run out of the shack, recklessly flying through the junkyard to my Jeep. And it is my Jeep, everything is looking good for being back to the way it was. That leaves me with a sudden pang of guilt, and loss as I remember the price my parents paid for this to be possible. My footsteps slow as I approach my jeep, weighed down by my thoughts. I don't stop though, I have to get to Chloe. I start up the jeep, and drive towards the Price house, towards Chloe.

- Chloe -

I lay in bad on my side, staring at the wall. Right now I'm just numb. The grief has been coming in waves, interspersed with periods of shocked numbness, or sleep. What's worse is I'm so mad at Max, but I'm also worried because I have no idea where she is. I haven't worked up the strength to put aside what she did, to check up on her, and mom hasn't managed to get a hold of her either. Everything swirls around inside my chest, leaving me sick, and tired. A sob escapes my lips as I turn over to stare at the ceiling instead. Even though I'm so mad at her, I wish Max was here. My eyes slowly drift closed.

I'm alone in a dark place, and I have no idea how I got here. Stumbling around for a little while, I find nothing to indicate where I am, just darkness, and the floor beneath my feet. A distressed voice begins to make it's way through the darkness. I can't quite make out what they're saying, but they sound like they're in pain.

Spinning until I have some sense of the direction the voice is coming from I take off through the dark to find them. I need to find them, is all I know, all I feel as I dash through the darkness. The voice slowly becomes louder, more distinct. My heart shatters in my chest when the voice becomes clear, it's Kate, and she's calling out for help. I have to find her. I have to help her.

Rushing faster now, sorrow and fear giving me wings, I barrel through the darkness following Kate's cries, until another sound stops me. Someone else calling my name, calling for my help. Something about that voice reminds me of when I was little, of playing pretend with Max. I realize two things then, the second voice is Max, and that even though I can't see anything, everything feels like it's so much bigger than it should be. They both call out again, and I make a choice. I run towards Max.

Kate's cries become a constant wailing, that begins to fall away, as though she were falling down a deep hole. I don't stop, I just keep running towards Max's voice. I have to get to Max, she's calling for me. Those are the only thoughts to fill my mind as I race through the dark. My heart is pounding in my chest, from a combination of fear, and exertion. Max needs me, but when I get there, all I find is a photograph of Max. Despair over takes me, and I wake up crying.

I lay there, letting the pain wash through me, as I stare at the wall again. I wonder where Max is, if she is okay, and if she'd just disappear all over again. Maybe this time forever, like Kate. I shiver as that thought leaves a coldness in my chest where my heart should be. I sit up, and start scrambling around for my phone. I need to contact her, I need to know she's okay. I need her to come back home. I'm still mad at her, but I need her here. I find my phone, and as I go to text her, my door bursts open, and there she is. Almost as if she is summoned to me by my need, Max is here.

She stares at me, her eyes welling up, like she hasn't seen me in a thousand years. Like I might just disappear if she takes her eyes off of me. I kind of hate how happy I am that she's here, even though I was just desperate to get her here moments ago. She suddenly rushes to me, practically tackling me on the bed. She presses her face into my chest, and begins to cry in a way I haven't seen her do since we were kids. It's heart breaking to hear, leaving my chest resonating with her pain, and my eyes stinging in sympathy.

She babbles at me, making very little sense. Half words, and apologies, are all I can really make out as I hold her to me. I'm not sure what happened while she was gone, but this doesn't seem to be entirely about what she did, or about poor Kate. She is apologizing, and it is really hard to stay mad at her when I can see just how broken she is, even if it's not about what happened earlier. I stroke her hair gently, and make soft noises, trying to help her calm down, at least enough to start making sense.

"I'm... I'm so sorry Chloe. I was just trying to... do what was right, and I messed up." Max says softly into my chest. She presses in a little more tightly, shaking her head, as I make a soft shushing noise. "You don't understand... It's even worse than just rewinding away the... the note."

Tension fills my shoulders, as I stiffen at her words. My hands still in her hair, and I look down at her trying to catch her eye. She doesn't avoid my glance, but when our eyes meet hers are filled with a haunted despair. I swallow down my nerves and take a deep breath. "Tell me everything Max..."

"I tried to make everything better Chloe, I... please if nothing else believe that." She shakes her head slowly. "but I fucked up. I fucked up so badly. I found out I can way back in time with a photograph. That I can, I don't know... take over a younger version of myself. I... I went back, and I changed it so we never moved away, I though maybe... I'd be less of an asshole then. But that's...that's not how it works. I don't get to keep any of the memories in between, I just stay me, and everything else changes... but that's... oh dog Chloe... Rachel was alive, but you were... Missing."

She presses her face back into my chest, her arms tightening around me, as she begins a new round of tears. My fingers begin to move on their own, working gently through her hair, as I try to digest what she just told me. She kept her family from moving away, but that happened. So she changed it back? So does that mean... Ryan, and Vanessa? Did she sacrifice them... for me? Does she really believe I'm worth their lives?

She jerks back a little, startling me out of my thoughts, and looks up at me. "Shit... Rachel, what.. about Rachel? What happened to her in this timeline?"

"Um... she's dead. Nathan said so, and we found that file in the creepy torture room thing." I reply softly.

She wilts against me, sighing softly. "I killed so many people... I'm a monster Chloe. We looked for you. Rachel and I. Nathan even helped... it was... weird." she laughs a bitter, humorless laugh, shaking her head. "We... we found you. That photography teacher... he's part of this, he made you part of that Imperious project thing. You were... barely conscious, barely alive... I just, I lost it. I killed him, and... I killed the guards, and then... and then you asked me to kill you too. So I did." the last part comes out as a whisper.

It's all so hard to process, I feel like I'm in shock all over again. This all sounds horribly fucked up. I don't even know what I'd do if it were me. I don't know what I could do. "Max... I, I'm sorry you went through all of that, I don't even know what I would do if it had been me."

"It's worse Chloe... I couldn't. I couldn't just leave it there. I couldn't live in a world where you were dead. I went back again, and I... made sure not to keep us from moving. I Killed my parents Chloe... and Rachel apparently, and I don't even regret it. You're alive... You're alive and that's all that matters." She gets up on her knees, her hands coming up to cup both my cheeks gently.

I search her eyes for a few moments, and I don't find any regret in them. Guilt certainly, but she maybe really doesn't regret it. The intensity of that revelation makes my heart flutter, and then I feel a little guilty for enjoying that she loves me enough to do the things she did. I take a deep breath, and lean in slowly to kiss her forehead. I know she didn't ask for any of this, none of it's fair, and none of this should have been put on her shoulders. I wrap my arms around her tightly, and she sinks down, laying her head on my chest again.

"I did try to change one thing... I tried to save Rachel. I... promised her I would try. I guess I failed at that too..." her voice comes out small, and broken. I just hold her to me more tightly in response.

"It's not your fault Max... you did what you could. The decisions you had to make were fucked up to begin with." I kiss the top of her head softly. "You're not a monster either. You're just a girl who was faced with some really terrible choices. You are an asshole sometimes, but you try, and you do genuinely care, even if you don't want anyone to believe it." I kiss the top of her head again gently.

"But... people are dead, because of me..." her voice comes out muffled as she speaks directly into my chest. "People are dead, and I would do it exactly the same over again if it meant keeping you safe."

"Yeah... I love you too Max." I say softly as I give her a gentle squeeze.

She looks up at me, her eyes filled with shock, and wonder. "How... How can you, after everything I've done? After everything I just told you about..."

I press my finger to her lips, and shake my head. "Shush... That doesn't matter. I know you Max. I know who you are, and I know that if you had for a moment thought there was another way, you'd have done that instead. You're not a monster, you're just human. I know... it sucks, but that's what you are." I laugh softly, as a ghost of a smile pulls at Max's lips.

My heart fills up with so much love, as I stare down at Max, even as it breaks for everything she's been through. I don't know, maybe it's not healthy to love anyone as intensely as she loves me, but if I'm being honest with myself, I'd have probably done the same thing if I were in her place. Does that mean I've got an unhealthy attachment to her as well? Maybe it's like this for everyone. Even if we are insane, at least we're compatibly insane. I laugh softly in spite of my self, which elicits a curious look from Max. Rather than say anything though, I simply lean in, and press my lips to hers. We exchange soft, salty kisses until we both feel a little lighter, like a little less of the day weighs down on us.

Max, worn out by her ordeal falls asleep on my chest. I just lay there pulling some comfort from her closeness, as I stroke her hair gently, trying to give some of that comfort back to her. I feel a little guilty for letting Max fill my thoughts. I should be thinking about poor Kate, and about what happened to her. She didn't deserve to have anything bad happen to her, she was so sweet, and kind. I sniffle quietly, as another wave of grief grips my heart. Max snuggles in closer against me, but doesn't wake. The warmth of her body against mine seems to help ease some of my sorrow. I'm glad she's back.

I look down at Max's sleeping face, she looks so peaceful for the moment. She sacrificed a lot to be here with me like this. If it had been me, would I have done the same thing, just for this same moment? Mom, and dad... I mean dad is already gone, but could I give him up again, and mom too? I don't know... I mean how do you even make that kind of decision? Max did though... she prioritized my life, over her parents. Maybe it's easier because for her they had already been dead? She had, had time to come to terms with that once, so putting everything back wasn't as difficult? I just don't know. I give her a gentle squeeze. I do know that I love her though. Maybe that's all I really need to know.

There will likely be a funeral soon that I'll need to attend. A pang of sorrow fills my chest at that thought. I guess I should look for a suitable outfit later. I wonder if Max has anything appropriate to wear, or if we'll need to go shopping. Not that I was ever that girl, but it just feels so wrong to have to go shopping for something like this. I reach up to wipe away a few stray tears. Kate deserves to be mourned properly. Justice would be better though, and maybe, just maybe we'd be able to help give it to her. I'm not sure how exactly, but with what Max found out in the other timeline, maybe we could find a way to put a stop to all of this, together.