The last box is in Chloe's hands. She places it on the truck and looks at her mother who's talking to her girlfriend. The punk tucks in her hair. She breathes a sigh, looking at David. She shoves her hands in her pockets.

'Just… take care of her, okay?' she's staring at the ground.

'Like always' the veteran nods.

'And don't forget to show those Blackwell pricks who's the boss' she smiles.

'Can't wait to teach them a lesson!' David smiles, too 'I know we used to fight in the past. I went hard on you sometimes, but it was because I actually…'

'I know, David. It's fine.'

'Max really is a good influence on you.'

'Sure she is' she smiles softly 'You'll be alright, David?'

'Kids fly out the nest, Chloe. We'll be alright. Just don't forget to call when you settled in'

They shake hands as their way of saying goodbye. The blunette slowly walks towards her mother. She hugs her.

'I'm gonna call you as soon as we settled in.'

'That was a promise.'

'I know. I will. Don't worry. We'll be fine.'

'Take care of each other, Chloe.'

'Like always' she smiles as she gets in the car.

She starts the engine. She looks at the brunette.

'You ready, Mad Max?'

'I'm ready' she pushes her head on the punk's shoulder.

The blunette drives off but takes a last glance in the rear-view mirror. She doesn't say anything. She just listens to Max sleeping on her shoulder. The brunette takes travelling badly. She keeps falling asleep on longer journeys. The punk's thoughts are drifting off. She suddenly feels uneasy. Maybe it's because of her mother who she left behind. Or is it because of that Rachel just turned up, totally out of the blue?

'Fuck, no…' she whispers to herself 'I made the right decision!'

'Did you say something?' Max mumbles.

'No. Just… We're almost there.'

'Are you alright?' the brunette rubs her eyes sleepily.

'Yeah' she smiles 'Darren said Matt's gonna wait for us in the parlor's parking lot'

'You sound excited'

'I'm hella excited. He said I'm gonna be surprised!'

'You hate surprises, Chlo'

'Yeah. He assured me it's something great.'

'Sure you're alright? You look a little pale.'

'I'm tired' she smiles 'I was so excited I couldn't sleep well.'

'So we're gonna just try the bed as soon as we set foot in the flat, I presume'

'Hopefully not. I mean… maybe another way' she winks.

'You're incredible, Chloe Price!' she laughs and kisses the punk's neck.

'Careful!' she sighs 'I'm driving!'

'Sorry, couldn't resist.'

'It's fine' she smiles, watching as they leave the Portland sign.

'Can't wait to set a foot in Powell's.'

'You're such a nerd.' she laughs.

'And you totally love this!' she points a finger.

'Point to Mad Max.'

'Your mother really is worried for you.'

'I know' she sighs 'Even David. It's not that I'm gonna get into trouble or anything…'

'Not as far as I'm with you, Price! Don't even think about it! Or at least, not without me!'

'I just love how people believe you were a good influence on me. You were the one who became the boss, Max!' she smirks.

'I think we just kinda balanced each other. It's totally fine. I love this.'

'Do you?' she stops at a red light, just one corner from the parking lot.

'I do.'

'And do you love me?'

'Like, hella'

The punk leans for a kiss. It's like they would be at the beginning of their relationship, being all over each other, grabbing every moment to kiss or being emotional over the other. They laugh as they hear honking behind them and Chloe turns on the left, then immediately to the right, into the parking lot. She stops the engine, looking at the brunette. One last kiss before they get out of the car. They take a few steps when a man shouts at them.

'Hey! Hey you! You're Chloe Price!'

'Never thought anybody would know my name!' she laughs 'Matt?'

'Matthew Morgan at your service'

'I'm Chloe, well said. And this is my girlfriend, Max.'

'I was looking forward to see you! Come in, I'm gonna show you around. You have to know that this is not only a tattoo and pierce parlor' he opens the door 'It's so much more' he grins.

The building is huge. The punk freezes for a moment.

'So we're into the extreme here, you see. I wanted so much more than just piercing and tattooing so I developed the place. We also design clothes, we have some hairdressers, and check this out: we have custom merch, and… skateboards. And the big surprise. A skate park. I heard you used to thrash.'

'Well, I… yeah!'

'Why don't you just grab a board and show how you thrash?'

'Can I? I mean…' the blunette got excited in a moment.

'Sure!'

'I don't know… I mean… I haven't skated in a while.'

'Just go!' Matt hands her a board and rushes out.

The girls follow him with excitement. The punk feels the adrenaline rushing in her veins, hopping on the board, trying some basic tricks. She gets on top of the half-pipe breathing heavily.

'Dude, this place is hella awesome!'

'You're very welcome. But you have to prove you're worthy' Matt grins.

'What do you mean?' the punk's eyes widen.

'You're gonna tattoo me tomorrow. That's the ultimate test.'

'Right into the deep water, huh?' she scratches her neck.

'Don't you worry. Darr told me you're great.'

'Did he? I mean, it's cool. Never thought he would actually talk about me.'

'Oh hell, he did! He kept telling me you were his best apprentice ever!'

'Did he?'

'We'll see tomorrow.' he smiles 'Now, get those packs, right? I'll help you with those boxes, okay? And tomorrow you'll prove' he winks.

Arriving at the apartment the man hands the keys to Chloe. She opens the door, then places some boxes. Getting back for another box she looks at the one Matt's holding, immediately taking it over.

'Careful with that! It's Max's hella expensive photo printer!' she sighs 'Sorry. Didn't mean to get intense here.'

'Hey, no offense taken!' he smiles 'Darren told me you can get intense. It's okay. Just settle in, get some rest, and see you at the parlor at nine, okay? Don't forget, from now on, you're not only a piercer and tattooist but a graphic artist, too!' he winks 'See you tomorrow then!' he waves goodbye.

The girls settle in under two hours. The blunette drops herself on the bed tiredly. She sighs, brushing off her face then faces Max on top, smiling.

'Hey there, Mad Max' she smiles as she pulls her for a kiss.

'Hey. You fine, Chloe?'

'Mhm. Why?'

'You're… weird.'

'Tired, that's all' she caresses her left side.

'You sure?'

'Maybe a little bit worried. It's just getting serious, you know? From now on, we're living together.'

'That's the best part' she leans for a kiss.

'Or the worst.'

'What do you mean?'

'What if you won't be able to stand me after a while?'

'I can't imagine that' she kisses her neck'

'You know I can be…'

'Tense? Annoying? Clingy? Irritated?'

'All that'

'It's okay. I'm always unbearable in the mornings. I bitch about life when I feel out of it. We'll be fine.' she cups the punk's face.

'I hope so. I believe you. I love you.'

'I love you, too.' she kisses her softly 'Just give a call to your mom.'

'She must be really worried by now.' she sighs.

'Take your time' she smiles 'I'll get some pictures in the meantime.'

She walks to the computer, still smiling at the brunette who's holding her phone in her hand, gazing back at her.

'Stop worrying. I'm not leaving you. I would be in Seattle if I didn't love you, Chloe.'

'I know. I don't want to tie you down.'

'You're not. Get the mushy shit out of the way and call your mother!'

'Hmm, you're getting bossy. I like it!'

'Like it like it?' she smirks.

'You know, right after this, you could… use our brand new toy on me.'

'Sounds great.' she grins 'Now, call your mother!' she points a finger then she turn to the computer.

The blunette talks with her mother for almost an hour. She would have never imagined she would miss her this much after all fights they had during the past years. Only by this time she gets to understand actually how much they mean to each other. She hangs up the phone and looks at Max, who is checking out the photos. The punk hugs her from behind, kissing her neck softly.

'You doing okay?' she whispers.

'Mhm. I'm almost done. Just checking them out. Look at these!'

'The photos of yesterday' she sighs 'Damn, I really look hella in love!'

'Mhm. I love these. You can be so cute. And you look so happy'

'I'm always happy with you.' she kisses her neck again.

'Can we decorate the walls tomorrow?'

'Sure.' she smiles 'Right after I got home, okay?'

'Yeah. I wanna do it with you.'

'Yeah. But right now, I wanna do something else' she bites Max's neck gently.

'Fuck' she sighs 'I asked you a hundred times not to do that!'

'Well, I can't help it. You turn me on and you know I love your neck!'

'Mhm… now, you promised me something before you called Joyce.'

'Aha. You have to fight for that booty!' she takes some steps back, now staring into the photographer's eyes.

'Oooh, Captain Price wants to fight!'

'You want that booty, take that booty!'

'I'm coming for your booty! Prepare to lose!'

The brunette stands up, staring into the punk's eyes, who's already ready for the attack. They know all of each other's trick though. The blunette loves cheating while Max prefers to play fair. However, it's time to duel!