Max's standing by the counter, watching how Chloe works. Three weeks have passed since Rachel appeared in the parlor. They haven't met ever since then, but the punk knows they will, sooner or later. As she finishes her work on a man's right calf, she gets rid of the rubber gloves and she starts putting her stuff away. Then she walks up to the brunette, kissing her on the cheek.

'What's wrong, Max? You're spacing out'

'Thinking.'

'About?'

'Lots of things. Projects, portfolio, contests, essays… us' she slowly adds.

'What's wrong with us?'

'Haven't you noticed? Everything is so… quiet. Too calm.'

'Don't you like it?' she kisses her neck.

'It's not that. Our lives have never been like this. When things seem to be fine, we should be prepared for the shit storm.'

'Maybe things are changing for us' she smiles as she gently kisses the photographer.

'Maybe. Hopefully.' she lays her head on the bluenette's shoulder.

They silently stand there for a while then a familiar voice drags them back to reality.

'My dearest love birds! Good to see you haven't changed!'

'Darren!' the tattooist runs up to him for a hug 'The fuck are you doing here?'

'Checking on you. Let's go out tonight!'

'Sure! Max?'

'Sure!' she smiles 'I could take a break from responsibility.'

'Aaaaand I have a surprise!' he grins.

'Your smile is… impish' Chloe sighs.

'Hey! I'm a good guy! Come on, trust me!'

'Okay, okay, Darr. Surprise me.'

'Be surprised!' he opens the door and Rachel walks in.

Max immediately gives her the "I told you!" look.

'Hey!'

'Hey… Didn't expect you' the tattooist scratches her neck.

'Don't look at me, it was Darren's idea!'

'You're so good friends now?' she laughs quietly.

'Not really. Not yet.' she shrugs.

'Give us a minute.' the punk forces a smile then takes the brunette's hand and takes her to the private area.

'Is something wrong?' asks Max.

'That's what I wanted to ask. You okay?'

'Mhm.'

'Sure?'

'Sure. I'll try. I promised you I'll try. It's just sudden a little bit.'

'I know. I…'

'I'll do my best, okay? She'll do her best. We'll be fine.'

'I really am the luckiest bastard in the world' she kisses the photographer with passion.

'Well' she huffs 'if you don't stop now I'm gonna eat you out right here, right now.'

'It's actually very hard to resist…'

'Funny.'

'Sorry. Shall we go?'

'Mhm. Go'

Taking her hand they walk out, they wave Matt goodbye and head to a pub nearby. The sitting order is strict, though. Max sits next to Chloe, Darren next to her, and Rachel next to him. They order some beer and the man breaks the awkward silence.

'How's it going, Price? Long time no see.'

'It's all good. I have great opportunities here. I pierce, I tattoo, I design… It's all great, you know? I really am enjoying it!'

'Matt is more than satisfied with you.'

'Meaning?'

'Don't tell him I told you, but he was more than satisfied with your test work. He immediately sent me a pic of his tattoo. You made a very good first impression' he sips his beer.

'Good to know. And who replaced me?' she grins.

'You're irreplaceable.' he sighs 'A young guy called Mitch works for me now. He's not even close to your work. He's not that bad, but mediocre at his best. He doesn't have that passion, you know? He does it because he knows nothing else. That's his only talent. I hired him because I needed fast replacement, but he's nowhere to you. And' he laughs 'thanks for the photo you left at the parlor.'

'See, it's a reminder of me being irreplaceable' she grins.

'Still sassy, huh?'

'You love it, bastard!'

'Point to Price! Hey Max, how's college?'

'Could be worse. Could be better. Full of stress and deadlines.' she smiles tiredly.

'But still into that, right?'

'I still love it. Boring sometimes. I prefer practical knowledge, you know.'

'Once you finish it you won't even believe it!'

'I can imagine. To travel the world and taking shots everywhere, holding shows in galleries. Sweet dreams…'

'Sweet, indeed, but you truly are talented.'

'Thanks, Darren. Maybe later you could join Chloe when she's travelling with me selling off her designs' she laughs quietly.

'And make some improvised tattoos!' he adds, smiling.

'Sounds like a great plan' Rachel joins the conversation, creating an awkward silence.

'Well, that's a plan' the bluenette nods 'And not that bad. I love the idea and we could live it. It would be hella great.' she sips her beer.

'Did you know that Rachel's working for me?' Darren tries to ease the tension.

'Really?'

'Aha. She orders the inks and needles, makes appointments and all.'

'That's truly great. Thought that you would make it to L.A. though and start modeling.'

'Maybe a little bit later. I still have some things to do.'

'And until then she can raise some money' the man adds.

'Hey, Rachel,' the brunette starts and immediately, everyone stares at her 'you know, I have some project work now. You could help me out.'

'Really?' the bluenette and the blond ask at the same time.

'Really. I need someone who has some experience with posing. And I think we could promote Chloe's cloth designs at the same time.'

'It sounds… good.' the punk nods.

'Why me?'

'You have experience, right?'

Chloe smiles a little bit. She knows that Max most probably thinks that "Because I promised Chloe that I'll try to give you a fucking chance", but doesn't say a word.

'Well, I have some experience. Okay. We can talk about this later.'

'It could be a kickstarter for your modeling career.'

'Yeah, it's actually… a great opportunity. Thanks'

'God, my lungs are dying! I'm out for a cig' Darren stands up, already searching for cigarettes.

'Wait for me!' Chloe stands up, too 'Be right back. Love you' she kisses Max on the cheek then walks out with the man.

They both light a cigarette then Darren starts to speak.

'Damn this tension. Aren't you afraid these two would kill each other?'

'Oh, come on! They're alright' the bluenette exhales the smoke.

'Max is trying really hard.'

'Yeah.' she smiles 'Damn, I really am a lucky bastard' she laughs.

'You are. This girl is priceless.'

'Uhm, actually this girl has a Price…'

'It was a really terrible pun!' he laughs.

'Why are you laughing then?' she takes a serious expression 'So… You and Rachel. Are you…?'

'No. Come on, she's much younger than me.'

'Not that much. Six years?'

'Yeah.'

'So? It's really not that much, Darr…'

'I find her cheerful and gorgeous. We talk a lot and all, but I don't think there'd be anything between us.'

'Who knows' she shrugs 'A year ago I didn't think Max and I would get together. And now…'

'You're all over her. The always stone cold grumpy punk always melts when Max Caulfield's around'

'Just shut up, Darren!' she laughs 'When did you get laid?'

'Well, I'm… like… who the fuck cares?'

'Come on, dude!' she knuckles the stub 'Get Rachel. Come on, everybody crushes on her a little bit!'

'Yeah' he sighs 'she's beautiful and sassy. The type I love.'

'Good you didn't crush on me' she laughs.

'Everybody crushes on you a little' he smiles 'You're hot, sassy and have a passion for what you do. But all you can see is Max Caulfield.'

'Dude!'

'I know, I know, so… do you think it could work?'

'Guess so. You're handsome with that beard, long hair and chocolate-brown eyes. I guess your style's okay, but I may design some clothes for you' she laughs as she walks in.

'What the fuck's wrong with my style?'

'Nothing, but some refreshment can never harm, huh?'

'What the fuck?' he pulls Chloe back by the shoulder and points at the table where Max and Rachel are sitting.

The girls talking while they're seemingly checking out Max's photos on the digital camera. The bluenette laughs as she walks up to the counter and orders some beers.

'What are you laughing about, Price?' the man frowns.

'They're both trying.'

'Or maybe they actually have mutual interests.'

'Yeah. Photography. What you don't know is that they both promised me they'd do their very best.'

'What the hell?' he laughs as he pays 'You make the world bow, Price!'

'I wish!' she grabs the bottles 'Max is enough for me' she adds, smiling softly.

'Wait' he grabs her shoulder again 'You wanna… don't tell me that you actually could…'

'What?' she holds the smile.

'Could you live the rest of your life with her?'

'Hella yes!' she smiles as she sits next to her girlfriend, gently kissing her cheek 'What you up to?'

'Checking out some photos. We played with the light today. Contrast and brightness and stuff.'

'Cool. You didn't give her a lecture, did you?' she smiles.

'Well, I…'

'I asked her' the blond says 'I'm actually interested. These shots are amazing! I hope one day I could learn more about this.'

'Anytime. Actually I feel inspired for my term project.'

'It was hella fast' the punk laughs quietly.

'I'll truly need help though' she sighs.

'What do you mean?'

'I should ask Matt and some guys in the parlor to help me out'

'You have a very specific idea, right, Caulfield?' the bluenette sips her beer.

'I still have to name it'

'Come on, tell us about it!' Darren winks at her.

'Have you ever noticed that people actually kind of cast the… what would be the right word?'

'What do you mean?'

'Extreme?' the brunette thinks.

'I get what you mean' the punk smacks the table 'Our kind. Metalheads, punks, rockers, tattooed people, the hardcore layer!'

'Something like that' she nods 'We could use your designs.'

'Hella yes! I'm totally in!' she got excited in a split-second 'Come on, guys, you must be part of it! Right, Max?'

'Of course! It would be so awesome'

'Just a reminder: I've never done any modeling before' Darren frowns.

'Who the fuck cares, dude? It will be hella great!'

'I'll help you out with posing' Rachel lays her hand on his shoulder.

'Cool.' he gives her a soft smile.

'Oh come on, drink on that!' the punk smacks the table and orders some vodka shots.

They drink for the project and after Darren tells they head back to Arcadia only on Sunday they set a meeting for tomorrow in the parlor. They wave their goodbyes and head home. As they arrive home the punk kisses the brunette gently.

'You're the best' she whispers as she kisses her on the cheek.

'Am I?'

'You're trying. I'm so proud of you. You want to involve her in your term project. You're giving her a chance'

'Isn't it what you wanted?'

'Yeah.'

'Okay, she's not that bad. She was actually interested in my work.'

'And Darren was worried you two would kill each other. You didn't mess around with time, did you?'

'No' she lays her head on the bluenette's shoulder 'But I thought about that.'

'You said you don't wanna play with time anymore'

'Yeah. That's why I didn't. I wanted to play with it though when we fought.'

'Honey, there's nothing we couldn't work out, right? We're in this together' she kisses her forehead.

'Mhm.' she bites her neck.

'What cha doin'?' she laughs.

'I couldn't resist' she sighs.

'It's okay.' she cups her face and kisses her, gently biting on her bottom lip 'Don't you forget, you're mine.'

'Fuck that' she bites her neck again 'You're mine'

'Oooh, show me your dominant side, Maxine' she tucks into her hair.

'Max' she bites again 'Never Maxine' and again.

'Mhm.' she bites her bottom lip.

'Understood?' she drops the bluenette's jacket on the floor.

'Mhm' she cups her face.

'You like it?' she removes the punk's top.

'Love it' she reaches for Max's jacket.

'Aha, you'd like that' she grins.

'Please' she pulls the jacket by its sleeves.

'Okay.' she kisses her neck as the clothing gets out of the way.

'What's your plan?' she smiles as she gets rid of the brunette's T-shirt.

'I'm gonna fuck you hard.'

'Hmm, really?' she smiles in a kiss as her hands drift on the zipper of the photographer's jeans.

'Oh, yeah.' she unhooks the tattooist's bra 'And you're gonna love it'

'You became the master of teasing and seduction' she sits on the edge of the bed, with Max on her lap, putting off the brunette's jeans.

'Good. I love it.' she kisses her hard.

'Who would've thought?' she smiles as she gets the bra out of the way.

'Not even me' she laughs.

'I don't mind it though' she gently kisses her chest, heading to the breasts.

'Good to hear' she sighs with pleasure as Chloe starts sucking on her left breast.

'I'm the luckiest bastard' she whispers.

'Indeed you are' she kisses her with passion, in the next moment the bluenette's on her back as her girlfriend's getting rid of her pants.

'Why the rush?'

'I want you. Right now.' she kisses her hard while her left hand is already reaching for the strap-on.

'Good.' she smiles then she puffs a little 'And what about me though? Can't I play?'

'Why, you want to play?' she grins.

'Hella yes' the punk gets on top in a split-second, holding the brunette's wrists firm.

'You're so turned on' she laughs.

'Always when you're around' she kisses her wild while she's getting rid of Max's panties.

'Mhm. Never let it change.'

'Hey, Max' she reaches between the brunette's legs 'What is this mess?'

'That's the Chloe Price effect' she wraps her arms around the tattooist's neck.

'Is that?'

'Mhm.'

'I should clean you then' she grins.

'Don't. Don't eat me out. Just…' she blushes 'stay here and kiss me and…'

'Aren't you sweet?' she kisses her on the cheek as her left hand caresses her inner thigh.

'I'm gonna fuck you hard though' she grins and pulls the bluenette for a kiss.

'Okay' she laughs as she pulls a finger on Max's pulsing womanhood, making her tremble.

'Chloe?'

'Hm?' she looks at her as she's kissing her chest.

'Have I told you today that I love you?'

'You don't have to tell me everyday' she smiles softly then whispers in her ear 'I feel it anyway' she licks in her ear making the brunette moan.

'But I…'

'Shut up already. You're ruining the mood' she kisses her while she penetrates with one finger.

The photographer breaks the kiss with a moan. She gently bites the bluenette's neck. The tattooist returns the favor then she goes on with kissing the chest. The movements of her hand are getting faster, making Max becoming louder. She pulls Chloe for a kiss then she decides to sit up, signing that she wants to cum. She wraps her arms around the punk who kisses her neck while caressing her back and fastens the movements of her left hand. The brunette gently cups her face. As they gaze into each other's eyes, Max's hands drift to Chloe's shoulders. Her body's stretching, she gently lays her head on the tattooist's shoulder, moaning loudly, her nails deepen in Chloe's skin. She breathes hard as the bluenette kisses her neck, her cheeks, her forehead, her lips.

'You okay, Max?' she whispers.

'Mhm' she huffs 'Just a second' she lays her head back on the punk's shoulder.

'Just look at you' she caresses her back 'You're half-dead. It's time to sleep.'

'But I want to…'

'Come on' she smiles softly 'We still have plenty of time, right?'

'Yeah, but… then… in the morning?'

'Okay. We'll get up earlier.' she kisses her on the cheek.

'You're the best'

'We're the best'

'And Chloe?'

'Hm?'

'I love you'

'Love you too, Max.'