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.

11. Bandages

It felt like this one took longer than usual, and while I don't have a timetable I'm working by, I still want to apologize for your wait. I hope this one is worth it. I just haven't had as much time to write this month, hopefully that'll change. We'll see! As always I appreciate hearing from you, so don't hesitate if you have something to say!

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

"Chloe!" My heart hammers in my chest as I jerk into a sitting position. I've lost her, I know I've lost her. The room is dark, and I'm on something soft. The fog of sleep begins to break, hastened along when I hear a groan beside me. A hand gently touches mine, pulling my attention to the form beside me. I blink a few times trying to focus.

"Max...? What's wrong?" Chloe asks me, her voice thick with sleep, and tinged with confusion.

Relief washes through me, and, I can't help myself as I practically throw myself on her, pressing my face into her neck, and breathing her in. The tears fall unbidden, but it's okay because she's alive. Her arms encircle me slowly, and she holds me gently to her, her fingers carefully twining into my hair. She makes soft shushing noises as I cry out my relief into her neck. Everything was so messed up, everything is still messed up, but she's here. I can face anything, as long as she's here, as long as we're together.

A few deep breaths, and I start to pull myself together. Chloe's solid presence helps to dispel the remnants of memories from a time that never happened. I love her so much, and after what happened, what I saw, I need to tell her more often. I need her to never doubt it. I need to do better in general, make sure we remain a partnership. These thoughts cause sorrow to stab at my heart, as a wave of guilt washes through me. It's time to do some growing up Max.

"I'm so sorry Chloe..." I whisper into her neck. "I fucked up really badly. I just... I love you so much, but I need to do better. I'm going to do better. If you... can forgive me, I can prove it to you. I need you." The last part comes out so vulnerable, so raw, that a small part of me balks at being so open. The rest of me is simply telling me it's okay, because it's Chloe.

"Max..." she uses her hands to guide my face into a position where we could look each other in the eye. "I'm still mad at you, but... I do forgive you. I love you too Max. I can't even imagine what it must have been like for you, in that other... timeline or whatever. I don't know what I would have done in your place, but we're here together now."

"Forever." I assert softly.

"Forever." she agrees quietly, and leans in to press her lips to mine.

Her soft lips to mine, I don't want this moment to end. I guess with my new ability to freeze time, I could keep it from ending, but it wouldn't really be a moment anymore. I press in a bit more insistently, needing more of her, needing the comfort of her solid form. She was here, and alive, and I wasn't dreaming. She hesitates a moment, but she returns my affections, slowly matching my fervor.

My heart pounds in my chest, and I take one of her hands and place it over my heart. I reach out to place mine over hers, and can feel that her heart is pounding in time with my own. We're alive, and in sync. Her lips part, and I don't hesitate to take her up on her invitation. Our tongues dance together gently, perhaps a little desperately considering everything that had been going on recently. I need this, and I guess Chloe does too. We'd just had a fight, and well... I had a hand in Chloe's death, the other Chloe. Her being alive felt like a miracle. For Chloe though, well Kate was... dead, and maybe Chloe just needed to feel alive. Grief is a weird thing sometimes. Is this a form of denial? Are we facing things, or hiding from them in each others arms? I'm not sure it matters. We're here now, together.

Chloe's hand shifted from over my heart to cupping my breast. My eyes, which had drifted shut, snap open, and I stare down at her. Her hand moves a little hesitantly, but it does feel nice. I try to stifle that feeling as I pull back a little. Chloe's eyes open slowly, and she stares up at me with a mixture of confusion, fear, and a little guilt. I smile down at her, trying to be as reassuring as possible, despite my growing nervousness. I lean in to steal one little kiss, before taking a deep breath to speak.

"Are you... sure?" I bite my lip, steeling myself when her hand shifts a little, sending a pleasant little tingle up and down my spine. "I... I mean I of course want this, but I... I mean I know everything's been so fucked up. I don't want you to... do something because you're hurting, and regret it later. I want you to... to be ready on your own time." the butterflies swarming in my stomach cause me to bite my lip again as I look away nervously. I've never been this shy, well... I haven't been this shy in a long time, but this is Chloe. It's special, and I don't want to fuck this up. My recent track record hasn't been great on that front either.

Watching Chloe's face as she processes my question is almost funny. Her brows furrow for a moment, like she might start yelling at me, then her eyes go soft, and then quickly slide into uncertainty. She shakes her head, and sighs. "I... don't know. I'm alive, and you're alive, and what happened to Kate could happen to either of us... and it just makes me think about, you know, not wanting to have any regrets. No missed opportunities. Live in the moment, or something..."

I laugh softly, and lean in to steal a quick kiss. "Mm... well I know all about living in the moment." My good humor of only moments ago dying down quickly as I speak. "I've made so many mistakes just... not thinking about anything other than right now."

"Well... it's not good to never think of the future, but it's no good to only think of what might happen too." Chloe shrugs, and takes my hand, lacing our fingers together. "We've just got to find the right balance I guess. But you know... right now? It's maybe not such a bad time to live in the moment. I'm here, you're here, we're young, and alive, and I love you Max. So what do you say Mad Max, you ready for this adventure too?"

My heart swells, and I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes. I don't deserve her, I don't deserve this. "Chloe... I-I don't deserve you... this. I... killed people."

She leans up and kisses me softly. "Max... you went through something terrible, and you had to make a horrible choice... That doesn't make you bad, or evil, or anything. The fact that you're agonizing over it just proves that. I don't know what's going to happen... but I can't say that we won't have to make those kinds of choices again." she kisses me again, and some of the tension melts out of me. "But this time... we'll do it together."

I feel fairly sheepish right now. Here Chloe is putting things in perspective, and being all calm about the fact that we might have to fight, and kill again, maybe even soon. I'm supposed to be the bad ass here. Still deep down the sound of gun fire, and Rachel screaming still echoes, and fear of what I'm capable of bubbles just below the surface. I take a deep breath, and put on my brave face. Chloe is right though, we have to be ready for what may come next, and we can't let it keep us from living our lives. I sit up straddling Chloe's hips, pull my shirt up over my head, and toss it away, before leaning back down to capture her lip with my own. For right now, I choose to live in this moment.

I can feel the heat radiating form Chloe's cheeks as we kiss. A kiss that grows deeper, and more desperate by the moment. I need her, and if her kisses are any indication, she needs me right now too. She pushes me back to my shock, and disappointment, but only long enough to tear her shirt off, and toss it away somewhere after mine. I hope they're together right now, enjoying a moment much like ours. Her hands move immediately to my chest, and I can't help but laugh at her eagerness. I lean down again, capturing her lips, as I slide my hands luxuriously up her sides. Her hands cautiously explore my breasts, sending little jolts of pleasure through me, and increasing the heat building in my core. She's in experienced, and uncertain, but she has her own likes and dislikes to draw on for inspiration, and well I'm more than happy to nudge her gently in the right direction.

When one of Chloe's hands leaves my breasts, and slowly begins to caress down my front, I reposition myself so I can look deeply into her eyes, as my hand does the same. Her hand slides slowly down the front of my boyshorts, and I copy her actions, with a little smirk. We make love for hours, until we're both finally too exhausted to do anything other than to fall back to sleep in each other's arms.

I awake to Chloe gently trying to pull away from me, so I strengthen my grip on her, keeping our naked bodies pressed together, and mumble sleepily to her. "Mm...nope. No leaving me."

Chloe laughs softly, pressing back into me gently. "Okay... but only for a little bit, I really have to pee."

I laugh softly as well, trailing kisses across her bare shoulder. "I Guess that's a good enough reason to let you go... this time." I release my grip on her, and slowly pull my arms back towards myself. "I'm going to need to get up and grab a shower soon anyhow."

Chloe twists around to face me. Her cheeks color lightly, as she gives me a devious little grin. "Well... you know, I need to take a shower too, and we should be doing our part to conserve water... for the environment. So we should probably, for the environment, take our showers together."

I laugh softly, and lean in to kiss the tip of her nose. "Well... you know how much of an environmentalist that I am... so of course I have to agree, for the environment. It'll be really tough for me... but I'm sure I can endure the horrors of sharing with you, for the environment."

Chloe sticks her tongue out at me, and smacks me lightly on the arm. "Asshole."

"Yeah, but I'm your a... uh... never mind." I quickly abort my retort, much to Chloe's amusement.

She leans in and gives me a quick kiss, before shuffling out of bed. She stands there looking around for her shirt, and panties, while I just openly stare at her in all her glory. She spots what ever she's looking for, and bends down to pick it up. I suppress the urge to try an embarrass her, and instead just bask in her presence. She slips into her panties, and shirt, and turns back to find my eyes trained intently on her. Her cheeks flush softly, and she shakes her head. "Take a picture... it'll last longer."

"Fuck.. I should have taken a picture." I bite my lip trying to hold my laughter in, as Chloe's cheeks blossom into a full blush.

"You're such a perv..." she shakes her head, and heads for the door.

"Maybe, but you love it." I laugh as she heads out into the hall, and towards the bathroom, ignoring me.

I take a deep breath, and stretch out on the bed for a moment. I fill my thoughts with Chloe, pushing down the terrible things inside still waiting to come out again. I also had to pee, so I roll out of bed, and pull on my panties, and a shirt. I take a few moments to prepare an outfit for the day, I might as well, then I head out into the hall to wait my turn.

Chloe opens the bathroom door, and startles finding me there. I laugh softly, and step up to kiss her cheek. "My turn...then I'll prepare Our shower."

She slips away her cheeks a little flushed, and a smile on her face. The fact that she's smiling is a bit of a relief, considering everything. Once less thing to worry about, at least for as long as it lasts. I do my business, and then go to prepare the shower like I promised. I strip down as I wait for the water to heat up, occasionally testing it with my wrist until I'm satisfied. Chloe still hasn't come back in yet, which leaves me feeling uneasy. I'm just about ready to run out there naked to find her, when she slips into the bathroom, and stops to stare at me. My cheeks heat up a little, as I suddenly feel shy. Trying to cover my self-consciousness, I pantomime taking a picture at her, and step into the shower. She follows shortly after, and we engage in a shower rendition of the night before.

We head downstairs hand in hand, the smells wafting out of the kitchen too much to ignore. We can hear Joyce in the kitchen before we can see her, and as busy as she is, she stops and turns to us when she hears us approach. She gives us both a private little smirk. "Good morning girls... I'd ask how you slept, but I know you didn't really do much sleeping last night."

Chloe's face goes so red it's practically purple, and my face feels so hot, I'm surprised my head doesn't just burst into flames. Joyce looks extremely amused by our reactions, and for our part all we can do is stand there awkwardly, still holding onto each other's hands. Joyce finally rolls her eyes, and sighs. "Honestly girls... I remember what it was like to be a young woman in love. Still... if you're going to be carrying on under my roof, you need to be more considerate of the other people living here. Now go on, breakfast is almost ready." she gestures towards the dining table with a spatula.

We both start to shuffle off towards the table when Joyce speaks up again softly. "Not you Max... I'd like it very much if you'd give me a hand for a minute." Oh shit...

Chloe pulls away from me slowly, or hands remaining in contact until the last moment. She gives me a little encouraging smile as she settles down at the table. I take a deep breath, and head back over to were Joyce is waiting for me. I try and keep my voice from trembling when I speak. "What can I help you with Joyce?"

Being back in Arcadia Bay has seen me backsliding on all the things I've gotten good at. Lying, putting up a strong front, basically being a bad ass. Maybe it's just that I'm not so angry anymore. Chloe helps balance me out, let's me feel like I really can be vulnerable now. Ultimately it's probably a good thing, but I can't help but feel like this might be the worst time for me to let myself soften up. Get it together Caulfield, change isn't always a bad thing.

"Now Max... once again, I know you're a grown woman, and I know you need space to make your own mistakes, but I tried really hard to get a hold of you yesterday, and you Promised me, you would keep me informed as to your whereabouts." She keeps her voice down, but the disappointment in her tone cuts me like a knife.

I can feel myself wilting, as I look down at the floor, my whole body just sagging. "Joyce... I... I know, and I'm sorry. I just really needed to go clear my head. After the... fight, and Kate, and... my parents, and Chloe.. and.."and I was blubbering, and crying, and not making any sense at all, as everything just came bursting right back up to the surface.

I could feel arms around me, as Joyce pulled me in for a hug, and then again as Chloe came over to hug me from behind. I was wrapped up in so much love, and it just made me cry even harder. So many mixed feelings. I lost my family, and Chloe, and then I found her again, and was welcomed in as part of the family. Then I threw that all away, and brought my old family back, but at such a high cost. Too high. One night wasn't going to make that all better, but... I wasn't doing it alone, and that made me cry too. Good tears, to join the sad ones. The moment was mostly bitter, but at least there was some sweet to help make it bearable.

Joyce pulls away first, to ensure breakfast doesn't burn. Chloe remains holding me from behind, her warmth a steadying presence for me. I twist in her arms, and wrap my one around her as I begin to calm down. I press my face into her shoulder, and just breath her in, sniffling occasionally. She turns her head pressing her lips to my ear, and gives me a little kiss, before whispering softly. "Are you okay now?"

I nod, pause, and then shake my head. " I don't know..." I respond just as softly. "Probably not, but I'm better with you here."

She smiles and kisses my cheek, and I feel like maybe I can keep going for a while longer. A weight on my shoulders, and in my chest lifts just a little. I tighten my grip on Chloe briefly, and then release, leaning up to kiss her cheek in return. She smiles again, and I'm certain that if I spent the rest of my life doing nothing but trying to make her smile, it would be a life well spent. Her fingers lace through my own, and we turn to make our way to the table.

Joyce turns to us then, giving me a worried look. "Max...I'm-" I hold up my hand to interrupt her, and shake my head.

"No. it's okay Joyce. I-I have a lot going on in my head, but... It's not an excuse for how I've been behaving. I'm going try my best to do better. I'm going to... to do better." my voice comes out a little shaky, prompting Chloe gives my hand a little squeeze.

Joyce smiles at me, and nods. "Well that's mighty grown up of you Max. I don't expect you to be perfect though... just that you try your best, and I believe that you will."

I give her a watery smile. "Thanks Joyce."

Joyce hums positively, as she turns back towards the stove, and Chloe leads me by the hand to the table. We settle down next to each other like always, my hand in her lap. She leans over and kisses my cheek softly, before leaning her head on my shoulder. Just having her here, close to me is soothing, her presence helps me to calm down again. I'm grateful that she's here, probably more than she'll ever know, no matter how many times I may try to recount the events that took place in that other timeline.

Joyce comes in a few moments later with two plates with pancakes, and bacon, extra bacon for Chloe. She sets them down in front off us and smiles. "Alright girls, I have to go to work. Behave yourselves while I'm gone. I'm sure you still have lot's of making up to do anyhow." she gives us a playful little smirk as she turns to head for the door.

Chloe's cheeks turn red, and I can't help the laugh that escapes my lips. "Will do Joyce. Have a good one."

I nuzzle into Chloe's neck gently as Joyce leaves, just enjoying the fact that we can be close. She sighs, sounding fondly exasperated, but doesn't stop me, just tilts her head to give me better access. I give her hand a squeeze, gentle nuzzling turning into little kisses. Chloe stops me when I give her neck a little nip, gently pushing me off, with an amused expression.

"We should eat before it gets cold..." she says while picking up her fork.

I grin over at her, and waggle my eyebrows suggestively. "I was definitely thinking about eating something... but I doubt I'll have to worry about it getting cold..."

Chloe snorts with laughter, her cheeks flushing brightly, as she pushes me away playfully. "Max! Gross... just shut up and eat your breakfast."

"It's definitely not gross Chloe..." I say as I move in and nip her earlobe, before dodging away, and laughing maniacally.

Chloe wrinkles her nose at me, her cheeks flushed, but she does start laughing too. Score! We share a look for a few moments, before we both turn to our breakfasts, and begin eating. Joyce never disappoints. I missed her cooking almost as much as I missed Chloe while I was in Seattle. A time I'm suddenly morbidly grateful for. After all if I didn't go then Chloe would be... I take a deep breath, and push it all back down. Maybe it's not the most healthy response, but I had a good breakfast to eat, and I didn't want to worry Chloe anymore than I already had. I plan to let it out, I just want to have more control over how, and when. Still... suddenly breakfast doesn't seem so appetizing.

Chloe keeps giving me concerned looks as I pick at my breakfast, not that she's exactly eating with gusto either. I guess all we've done so far is put some bandages on our wounds. Bandages are a good start though, right? That's what you do in first aid right? I reach over, and entwine my fingers with Chloe's, and draw as much comfort from each other as we can. She looks over at me, and I look back. She's here, with me, and that's the most important thing. I give her hand a little squeeze, and try to finish off my breakfast. It's easier with her hand in mine, being connected to her like this. Her solid presence grounds, and comforts me. We can make it through this, I know we can. As long as we are together, we can do anything.

The rest of breakfast passes pretty quietly. We both eat slowly, but I finish, because Chloe's watching, and I have a feeling she finishes for the same reason. We get up from the table, and take our dishes to the kitchen. I wash, and she dries. It's still quiet, and a little somber, but it's really comforting just to do something mundane together, despite the recent events.

We don't even have to discuss it, Chloe's staying home again today. We walk over to the couch, and I leave her to settle there, while I go and put in a movie, neither of us are really in the mood for TV. I decide to put in Blade Runner, of course, and I cuddle up with Chloe on the couch to watch. Being close to her like this, makes it really hard for me to concentrate on the movie, and considering how often we catch each other just watching the other, Chloe is probably having a hard time too. It's not a bad way to pass the time though, we've seen the movie plenty of times, and company is good. Today is hard, but it'll get easier, with time.

- Chloe -

I look down at Max's sleeping face, as the credits begin to roll. She's been really worn out since she came back home the other night. I guess I would be too if I created, and then uncreated? An entire timeline. I'm still blown away by what she did, just so that I would live. If that's not love, I really don't know what is. I reach down, and tenderly sweep some of her hair away from her face. I believe I might have just done the same for her... sorry mom. A little bit of guilt stabs at my chest as I consider that possibility. It's probably better not to dwell on it, I mean I'm not the one with power over time so I'll never be in this position. I lean down and gently kiss Max's forehead. It's not fair that she was put into that position either. It's not fair that we're still in a pretty shitty position as it is with the Prescott Security Services twisted science experiment.

I need to move, I need to keep from being still right now, so I carefully slide out from under Max. I stand and stretch, looking around slowly for something to keep occupied with. There's just not much to do here right now, so I begin straightening up. I'm sure mom would be happy about that, and I'm sure if Max was up she'd make a joke about my use of the word straight. I look back to her for a moment, and smile watching her rest. Maybe we should just run away. Prescott isn't omniscient, or omnipotent for that matter, we could find a safe place to settle down, just the two of us. Mom would be safe, since she has no powers, and no one knows about us yet. I pause wiping down the counter tops for a moment, as I consider what that option would mean.

We'd need some money to start off with, but depending on where we went we might not need a lot. I'd have to give up on finishing high school, but we could both get our G.E.D. and maybe even take some college courses once we're settled in and have jobs. I mean it wouldn't be the ideal exactly... but we'd be together, and safe. Isn't that all the matters? I know I'd miss my mom, but we'd stay in touch, and she could visit. We'd probably have to avoid visits here though, just in case. I have no idea what we'd do exactly for jobs long term, but short term, there's always food service, and retail. Anything really as long as we can pay rent, and buy enough food. I look back over at the couch where Max is sleeping. Maybe we just don't even settle down, we just keep moving around. I bet Max would like that, it's romantic in a rebellious kind of way.

I head upstairs to grab my sketch pad, and some pencils. I try to make my way back down as quickly as possible, I really don't want Max waking up alone right now. I have a feeling she might have a little panic attack if she did. I settle myself on the floor across from her, and begin to draw her sleeping face. She really does look so peaceful right now. The soft scratch of pencil on paper is soothing, as well as the action. I'm glad I can get lost in something I love to do, it really helps keep my mind off of... Kate. A painful crack splits my chest, my eyes feel hot, and my cheeks wet. Damn it.

I didn't even know Kate that long. I mean yes, I really liked her, she was so sweet, and good, and kind... Some of this is probably selfish. She was just a little younger than me, she was Max's age. I'm being forced to face mortality, and that hurts too. The impermanence of life is sad, and scary, and while I've faced it before, it's different when you're forced to confront the fact that it can happen to young people too. That it can happen to you. Then there's also the whole thing with Nathan, and the Prescott business. I feel worse that all my tears aren't specifically for Kate, but at least most of them are. I'd like to think so anyway.

Max's eyes are open, and she's staring at me. I quickly try and dry my eyes, looking away. I just don't want her to see me like this right now, she's been through a lot. She slides off the couch, and settles down on the floor with me. Her arms wrap tightly around me, and she nuzzles gently into my collar bone.

"You don't have to hide from me..." she says softly. "We're a team now... you help me when I'm hurting, I help you when you're hurting, and we hurt together."

Max gets up on her knees, and pulls my head down into her chest, and holds me there gently. She strokes my hair soothingly, as I lose the composure I was desperately trying to maintain. I cry about the loss of Kate, and of how unfair it is that her life was cut short. I cry about how unfair it is that we have a powerful enemy when we didn't do anything wrong. I cry about Max's lies, and the time we didn't have together, and I cry all over again about my father. Right now life just seems so big and terrible, and I need to let it out. Max for her part, just holds me, stroking my hair, and occasionally makes soft soothing noises. Her presence is a grounding force that keeps me from completely spiraling out of control. It's not like I question her feelings for me, quite the opposite in fact, but sometimes I do wonder, if I don't need her so much more than she needs me.

I tilt my head up to look at her, and she tilts her head down to give me a watery smile. "I love you Chloe." she says softly.

My heart swells in my chest until I feel like I'm going to burst, and I'm crying all over again but for good reasons this time. Before I know what's happening my lips are crashing into hers, and I've pushed her to the floor. She's kissing me back, and laughing, and I find myself laughing too. The joy I feel being with Max is tinged with a little guilt right now, but I can deal with a little guilt, just to be with her. Maybe it's because it's new, or maybe it's because everything else is terrible right now, and we just want to feel something good. Maybe we just have no self control, or we just want to feel alive, but we end up making love again, right there on the floor. It doesn't occur to me till after we're laying there panting and sweaty in the afterglow that there's a sliding glass door pretty much right beside us.

"Max..." I bite my lip my a blushing taking the place of the soft flushing on my cheeks. " We're right next to a big glass door."

She looks over at the door, then back at me, and starts laughing. "Well... I hope none of your neighbors has a line of sight over the fence into this door, otherwise they just got a free show."

I swat her on the arm, and she just laughs even harder. "What? If they're peeping in your window that's their fault not mine... plus I'm not shy about my body, and you definitely have nothing to worry about." she gives me an over exaggerated eyebrow waggle, and I can't help but laugh too.

"Come on Max... be serious..." I scrabble around for my clothes trying to cover myself up.

"Alright... I mean sure it's a little embarrassing, but I mean it's too late now, and it Is kinda funny how carried away we got." she shrugs, and gets up going over to the door, and standing there completely naked, and flipping off the backyard, with both hands.

I can't help but admire her from behind as she stands there, light streaming in around her. Maybe I could get her to sit for me one day, and I could sketch her. She turns back, and grins as she catches me staring. "Like something you see Price?"

My cheeks flush softly, and I shake my head. "You're ridiculous."

"Maybe..." she steps towards me, her expression soft. "But it makes you happy... so I'm okay with being ridiculous." she places a hand on my shoulder, and one on my cheek, and gets up on her toes to kiss me lovingly.

I break away a little regretfully, and laugh. "You're distracting me. I'm still standing here completely naked."

She laughs in return, and shrugs. "Yeah, but no one will be able to see anything but my bony ass... so you're safe."

"Yeah well...maybe I like your bony ass, and want to keep it all to myself?" I stick my tongue out at her.

Max grins. "Oh I know you do, I caught you checking it out earlier."

"I... I was just thinking how I'd like to sketch you." my cheeks flush softly, as she leads me away from the sliding door.

"Mhm..." she smirks at me, but I know I'm in trouble when it blooms into a full grin. "Well... if that's what you want to do, I'd be happy to pose for you, if..."

I bite my lip, looking over at her curiously. "If?"

"If you pose for some pictures for me." she laughs softly. "Turn about being fair play or... something."

"Well... I guess that's fair, as long as nobody every sees them." I laugh nervously.

"Oh? Too bad, I was totally going to use them to become a famous photographer... you were going to be my artistic masterpiece, but I guess if you don't want me to show anyone... I can give up on my dream. For you." she laughs, as I reach out and swat her on the shoulder.

"You're an ass..." I mutter good humoredly.

"So I've been told." she grins at me as we head up the stairs towards my room.

We sit quietly in the Blackwell parking lot, our hands entwined. I'm not sure I'm ready for this, but I've skipped classes for a couple of days already, and I really do need to get back into my routine. Max is being supportive, of course, telling me I can do whatever I need to. More colorfully than that, but the sentiment stands. She's going to be waiting here in the parking lot like usual, and is willing to take me home if I can't handle it today. I really am glad she's here, just knowing she's close by helps, even if I won't see her again until lunch. It does seem like an awful long time though...

"You're sure you're doing okay?" Max asks tentatively, as she examines out of the corner of her eye.

"Yeah... I mean no, but yeah. I'm doing okay enough for school." I give her a little smile, a genuine smile at that, and squeeze her hand. She's sweet to be worried about me.

"Alright, you just.. text me though if you need to-" I raise my hand to interrupt her.

"I know... you'll take me home. You've said it a thousand times already." I lean over and kiss her cheek. " I do appreciate it though. I do."

She smiles at me, and turns in her seat to kiss me properly on the lips. "I just... yeah. I get it, stop smothering you." she let's out a self-deprecating laugh. "I love you though. I know you got this... I just wish I could be there more, because you know..."

I lean in and kiss her again, softly. " I know... but you'll be right here, and I'll text or call you if anything happens at all, and I'll even be here to see you at lunch. I'll be safe, and we're in a really public place and everything."

"Yeah... I know." she pulls me in, and hugs me so tightly it actually hurts a little. She let's go rather quickly so I don't need to complain. "Just... have a good day Chloe. I'll be here."

"Hey Max...?" I speak up uncertainly.

"What's up Chloe?" Max pulls back a little, and smiles at me. "Change your mind about school today?"

I shake my head. "No... but I was thinking maybe it'd be a good idea if we considered... leaving Arcadia Bay. Soon. I don't know... if it's a good idea for sure or not, but maybe we can talk about just... leaving. After... after the funeral, of course... whenever they set the date."

Max gives me a long unreadable look, and then smiles at me. " Did you just ask me to run away with you?" She laughs softly, and leans in to give me a little peck on the lips. "Yeah that sounds good. We can talk about that after the funeral or... whatever."

"Yeah. We'll talk more about this then." I smile, and steal another kiss, before I open the door behind me. "I gotta go... but I'll see you soon, okay?"

Max nods, and I can see the pain, and fear behind her eyes as we part. It tugs at my heart, and I have to force myself to keep moving away from the jeep. She will be fine, we both need to start moving forward, at least somewhat, right? Maybe that's just more avoidance, but just doing nothing at home isn't any better. At the very least I should connect with Stella, and Alyssa. If they're not in class I can take Max, and see if they're at the dorms. They knew Kate longer than I did, they have to be hurting so badly right now. We can all be here for each other. That thought in relation to what I just proposed to Max sends a stab of guilt through my chest.

Can I really just run away with Max, and leave things as they are? What if they go after some other girl like they did with Kate? What if it's Alyssa, or Stella next? Could I really live with myself if we just left without trying to do something about it? I wonder if Max would feel the same way if she thought about it. I push through the front doors with my head full of these thoughts, leaving very little space for anything else. Still once I'm inside I manage to make enough room in my head to keep an eye out for Stella, and Alyssa in the halls. Stella is there, but Alyssa is nowhere to be found.

I approach slowly, a little hesitant to disturb her while she, was alone with her thoughts I guess. She looks up at me as I get close, and gives me a strained smile. "Yo Stella... what's... how're you holding up?" I finish lamely.

"Hey Chloe... I'm, you know, here. It's not really easy, but I don't really have a choice if I want to keep my scholarship." she shrugs, looking worn down.

"I... yeah. Where's Alyssa?" I look around curiously, to see if I can spot her.

"She's still shut up in her room. The uh... drugging, and then Kate... well it's hit her really hard." She just sags a little more in place, like all of this was just weighing her down more, the more we talk about it.

"Yeah... I understand. I mean you guys knew her longer than I did but... I really miss her." I speak softly, barely above a whisper really, while fighting back the tears that want to start falling.

Stella reaches out and touches my arm, looking like she's trying not to cry too. I give her a watery smile, and nod to let her know I'm okay. She gives me a tired smile back, and nods her understanding back at me. Maybe Max was right, maybe I should have waited a little longer before trying to get back into things. Still Stella was here because she had to be, so maybe it wasn't such a bad thing to be here, maybe I could offer her a little solidarity. I should take Max and try to visit Alyssa before we leave this afternoon.

The morning passes quietly, somberly even. The usual rowdiness in the hallways is less enthusiastic, and even the usual bullies are taking it easy. Classes are likewise sedate, and even most of the teachers seem to be feeling it. For the most part, even the workload remains rather light, the teachers rightfully assuming there's not as much room for concentration on class work right now.

The mood doesn't really let up by lunch. I end up spending it mostly in silence with Max. She keeps a tight hold on my hand as we both try to eat our lunches one-handed. It's a little inconvenient, but not only is it a comfort to me, but it helps salve the desperation I can see behind Max's eyes when she looks at me. Nothing is okay right now, but we're dealing aren't we? I decide against bringing up my second thoughts on running away just yet. I'll bring it up when we discuss things more fully later.

Max gives me a long, lingering kiss before we part for afternoon classes. It leaves me feeling conflicted. Part of me wants to stay, and just keep going, part of me wonders if that's just not more avoidance, and if I wouldn't be better to cool it for a little while. I don't really want to go to either extreme right now, but I do pull away somewhat reluctantly, because I do have classes to get to.

The afternoon passes by even more quickly, my mind wandering more than usual. There are thoughts of Kate, and what happened to her, mixing in with what Max went through, what is, or at least might be going on in town, and of course more pleasant thoughts of yesterdays exercise in life affirmation. I do feel a little guilty thinking about her pressed against me, our legs entwined, while all this is going on, but it's in there, and it's still important to me. It was a big step in my relationship with Max.

Max, and I walk hand in hand to the dorms, and head up to the girls floor. I want to at least try to see Alyssa before we head back home. The noise in the hallway is muted, most of the doors are closed as we make our way to Alyssa's room. Soft music filters out from behind the door as we stop, and I take a deep breath preparing myself. Max gives my hand an encouraging squeeze, before I lift my hand to knock.

"Alyssa... it's uh... it's Chloe, I just wanted to see how you were... doing." I purses my lips, shaking my head. That was a stupid thing to say, it's obvious how she's doing. Max gives my hand another encouraging squeeze, and I relax just a fraction.

Alyssa opens the door slowly, her eyes are red, and puffy, she's obviously been crying. "Hey Chloe... I'm not doing so well actually." she says softly.

I let go of Max, and reach out to give her a hug. "Yeah... I don't think anyone really is."

She sniffles a little, and pulls away. "I just got a message from the Marshes. The police have released the body, the funeral will be in two days. You're coming right?"

I nod. "We'll be there, of course we'll be there."

She looks past me to Max, almost like she just realized she was there. Max offers her a sympathetic smile. "Hey Alyssa, and yeah, there's no way we'd miss it."

"I'll text you the rest of the details later, I just... I want to be alone for a little while longer." Alyssa says softly.

I nod, stepping back out of the doorway. "Yeah, of course. Just you know text me if you need to talk, or Stella. She's worried about you too."

She offers me a small smile. "Thanks Chloe, I appreciate you looking out for me." she closes the door slowly, and then a moment later the music becomes louder.

Max wraps her arm around my waist, and pulls me against her gently. I wrap an arm around her shoulder and we start heading for the stairs. I'll need to prepare my black dress for the funeral, and we'll need to go out shopping to get Max something appropriate I'm sure. She didn't have a lot of stuff with her when she arrived. Lot's of things to keep busy with, and maybe that's for the best. There will be plenty of grieving to go around at the funeral, and not much time to prepare. Does thinking like that make me heartless? Max gives me as little reassuring squeeze, as if she knows what I'm thinking. I don't know, maybe she does, maybe I freaked out she she rewound. I look over at her for a moment, and shake my head, I can't think like that every time she anticipates my needs.

I stop us just outside the dorm, and Max turns her head to look up at me. I smile and lean in to kiss her deeply, and sweetly. I try to put every ounce of my love for her into that kiss. When we pull back, we're both a little breathless.

"Wh-what was that for?" Max asks, looking a little stunned, and bemused.

"It's because I love you." I shrug. "Just after everything... I feel like I need to let you know that, as often as I can."

Max's eyes become a little watery as she smiles up at me. She gets up on her toes, and kisses me again, just as powerfully. "I can definitely get behind that... I love you too, Chloe."

Her words echo in my ears as we make our way across campus back to her jeep. Her words continue to echo in my heart as we drive back home. Having Max with me makes everything so much better, so much easier. If all this trouble is the price I have to pay to have her back, I'm willing to pay it. I'll wear as many bandages as it takes to stay by her side, and I know that she's willing to pay any price to do the same. I know we'll be okay, we'll always be okay in the end.

I look over at Max as she drives, and lean in to kiss her cheek quickly, I don't want to distract her. "I'm glad you're here."

She smile softly. "I'm glad I'm here too. I'm glad you let me come back."

I laugh softly. " Oh come on, you know you'll always be my partner in crime."

"Forever..." she says, letting her eyes drift over to me briefly.

"Forever." I agree, and turn my attention back to the road which seems to stretch off into the distance ahead of us. It feels a little poetic, or maybe I'm just feeling poetic. The immediate road ahead won't be easy, but we'll be traveling it together. That's all I really need. Whatever comes our way, we can face it as long as we're together. Still, I do wish we could just be normal for a little while, maybe when this is all over with we'll manage a normal date or something. I look over at Max, and nod to myself. Definitely worth it.