Chapter Two- Listen to 99 because Max won't tell you the whole story
99 lye her face flat on her desk- she wanted very much to crawl back into bed- to be alone! Suddenly she was disturbed by a loud nock on her door. Could people be a little quieter, she had such a headache! Her head shot up, her heart racing. Maybe it would be Max.
"99, Chief needs you, says its urgent." Larabee informed.
"Okay." She sighed calmly realizing she had no other choice in the matter. She slipped her ballet flats back on and walked down the hall. She'd spent her morning thinking about Max, and all the things they'd have to say to each other about how they changed their lives once she saw him again- if she ever saw him again.
Of course she knew they would- he was her a partner and best friend. But a little over a month had passed since the cabin and they'd barely been able to talk to each other. The morning that they returned to Washington after Valentines Day had been one of the most awkward days of 99's life. She and Max couldn't say what they needed to say and they tried to remain aloof while trying not to let other people notice the highly unusual distance between them. They had planned a romantic dinner that evening, just the two of them, but then at last minute the Chief sent her to San Francisco on an unrelated mission. When she came back she had looked forward to finally settling things with Max, to seeing him again. That day she made every effort to talk to him, but something always foiled her plan. She noticed that Max didn't seem to make the effort to come and talk to her. Hurt, she decided that it was best to just let it go for a little while; things would work out- eventually, just as she had always told herself that their first kiss would happen- eventually. That day had been full of awkward unsettled stares between the two spies. The next day Max was sent away on a top-secret mission that even she could know absolutely nothing about.
"What is it Chief? Oh…Max." She said almost shyly.
"Hi 99, it's been too long." She smiled and they quickly turned their attention back to the Chief, trying to act as dear friends and nothing more.
"I know, it's a little unusual not to have 86 and 99 together, isn't it?" The Chief seemed almost to apologize. "But we'll fix that- remember when I sent you two the mountains?" He asked.
The question made Max and 99 nearly squirm in discomfort.
"Yes Chief?"
"Well, I'm sending you out…."
"To lunch and a matinee Chief?"
"No Max, to check up on a KAOS meeting about the munitions lab, just outside of town. I need you to try and interpret what they mean, they will be talking in code for the better part, and moreover you must, must record everything you hear."
"Using my shoe recorder Chief? I'm wearing it now."
"Yes 99, that will work fine."
Max and 99 had a little bit of time to themselves before they had to sit in on the KAOS meeting. They nervously climbed into the phone booth elevator together. 99 wrapped her arms around him and kissed his lips quickly.
"Hello 86."
"How have you been 99?"
"Missing you."
"Oh you too love."
"Max we have to talk."
"I know, but let's get this over with first, okay- I want to have as much time to talk at once as possible."
99 was thinking that that might not happen anytime soon. As a result they didn't say a word to each other as they drove across town to the abandoned warehouse. They only stared at each other when they were sure neither of them would notice. They ditched the car several blocks a way and focused their attention on breaking into the heavily guarded warehouse.
"I know we need to talk." Max suddenly spoke as they finished climbing over a high brick wall. Why hadn't he said anything in the car? Why now?
"Yes Max, we really do." She put her hand on her forehead, exhausted.
"99- are you okay?" He tilted her head to look into her face. "Because you don't-"
"I'm fine Max-"
"Honey I-"
"And KAOS is planning." Max and 99 ran and hid behind a wall of boxes and scrap metal several feet away once they heard the KAOS agents enter the room. 99 wished she wouldn't have had to run so suddenly. It made her feel like she was going to be sick. She wasn't really listening to what the agents were saying; she couldn't believe she was so flustered she couldn't do her job. She felt Max grab her hand and begin to pull her along when she heard the KAOS agent's footsteps head toward them again.
"Max-I've got to tell you something." She whispered.
"Wait a minute 99-" He practically dragged her alongside him, deeper into the dark warehouse. She tried to breathe deeply; hoping it would make her feel better. She tried to put away her own thoughts as she; still clinging to Max's hand listened to the conversation they were recording.
"You hear that 99, Washington state, up near the Canadian Boarder!" He whispered almost a little too loudly at the end. She forced her hand over his mouth and held it there; hoping he wouldn't accidently bite her like the last time this had happened.
"I'm afraid we're not alone gentlemen." Came the voice of one of the agents. They heard a collection of guns being drawn. Max looked at 99 with wide eyes and she began to feel sicker. But it was then that Max saw a way out through a hole in the side of the building near them, obviously unseen by the KAOS agents. Without warning to her he pushed 99 ahead of him and they made a run for it. A chorus of footsteps pounded behind them as they emerged into the spring sunlight; they ran into the bushes where they hoped to not be spotted.
"Max, there's something I've got to say." She announced once again as gun shots began to fly toward them.
"I know we've got a lot to talk about; but don't you think that this isn't really the time- we need a more romantic spot too." Max held his gun steadily in his hands, not wanting to fire back unless absolutely nessesary.
She smiled and whispered, "Max, if something should happen, there's something you really should know."
"Hey, there they are!" One of the men shouted.
Max surprised 99 again by taking her hand and running toward the gate, shooting and killing several KAOS agents in the process. He certainly had waited long enough- but she knew his reasoning for that; by this time their ammunition had been mostly been exhausted and they would be able to get away. She was glad, she had been morbidly afraid of getting captured and tortured on this assignment; that's exactly what they didn't need right then. Max and 99 didn't stop running until they reached the car, much to her dismay.
"We've got the recording; we've found the lab; another step toward case closed! Right 99?" He asked as he placed his jacket in the back of the convertible after taking it off. She gripped onto the side of the car with both hands and looked down at her feet in an almost focused kind of way- he knew she hadn't been listening to a word he'd said.
"99?"
It was then that she couldn't help but get sick- all over their shoes.
"I know the case isn't really over; but you didn't have to get that upset over it 99." Max rubbed her back as she folded her arms on the side of the car and lye her head on her arms.
"Oh Max." She was upset and exhasparated.
" It's okay 99, it's just a case."
"I'm-"
"It'll get done like any oth-"
"Oh Max, I'm pregnant!" She burst looking up at him; he noticed tears streaming down her beautiful cheeks.
"99- your, your-"
"Yes Max-" She took both his hands in her own. "I'm having your, our baby."
"Uh, ah, gahh, are you sure it's my-"
"Yes, you're the only one I've ever, well, you know Max."
"Oh 99, I wish you would've told me that sooner! I wouldn't have let that night go so far, I would've waited to marry you first."
99 was nervous yet elated by his sweet words, and so surprised by how well he had been able to pull himself together, it was so unlike him. Yet she still didn't know how he really felt.
"But 99 a baby- a baby with you- wow." He moved in to kiss her lips.
"You don't have to kiss me right now Max, the morning sickness." She whispered gently. He hesitated their noses touching, he wanted to kiss her on the lips because he'd missed it so much, and he wanted to show her his support- and love. Instead he kissed her forehead.
"Come on 99, what do you say to a nice quiet romantic lunch in addition to a nice quiet romantic dinner." She smiled, she honestly felt too sick to eat much of anything, but she knew that soon she'd feel so much differently, maybe even by the end of the day.
She was relieved to climb back into the passenger's seat of the car. She closed her eyes as she heard the engine start.
"Max-"
"Hum."
"Are you happy about the baby?" She had to ask, he didn't notice that she rubbed her flat stomach carefully with her left hand.
"Yes, 99 I, I, uh-" He passed out, his head hitting the steering wheel and causing the horn to honk in a continuous chorale.
"That's my Max." She reached over and pat his back.
Max felt really embarrassed that he passed out when 99 told him she was pregnant. How dependable, how good would he be for her or the baby if he went and did that all the time? As he watched his beautiful partner eat from across the table his mind couldn't help but wander to the fact that his child, his son was inside her, and she was eating for him too.
"I'm sorry I passed out 99."
"It's okay Max, I understand you were just nervous."
"Are you nervous too love?" He inquired reaching across the table to take her hand. She grabbed it instantly and nodded. "It's okay, I'll always be here and we can be nervous together." She laughed.
"I had hoped so Max, I just wasn't sure if you wanted to- if you would stay."
"Of course 99, nothing could keep me away. I love you."
"Oh Max I love you too." He kissed her hand. "I wanted to tell you in a way that was more peaceful more memorable and romantic, I'm sorry. It's just that if something should've happened, I wanted you to know that you were going to be a father."
"I'll always treasure the memory of how you told me 99, and plus I agree, you had to tell me then. I would've done the same thing."
99 giggled, thinking of the possibility of Max being in her position.
"You'll treasure it even though I threw up on your shoes."
"Of course, speaking of which, how are you feeling?"
"Terrible." She admitted, "but so happy I really want this baby so much, especially since it's ours."
"How long have you known?" He asked remembering that he was supposed to have gone to see 99 alone as soon as he got back to CONTROL, but; he'd been detained by the Chief instead.
"Actually just this morning. I've been sick for two weeks or so now though. And I've suspected it for a little while."
"Who else knows?"
"Just the doctor at CONTROL, but you would've known before him, had you been here."
"I'm sorry about that too 99, I wasn't here when you needed me."
"It's okay, you're here now. I just don't know how to-" Suddenly they were interrupted by the ringing of Max's shoe phone. He ignored it.
"Don't you think you should answer it Max?"
"No, work isn't important right now, we've got a lot to talk about still, and a great evening ahead of us."
"Listen, if it's the Chief and he wants us to go defuse a nuclear arsenal tonight, I think we better just tell him the truth- it's not like he won't have looked at what the doctor wrote in my file anyway- because I know that he will."
"Your probably right 99." Max sighed as he leaned down to pick up his phone, "but I'll be firm, no nuclear arsenals!"
Max and 99 went into the Chief's office hand in hand, they were curious to see if he'd notice and they still didn't know what he wanted to talk to them about. 99 swollowed, hoping her baby wasn't the issue just yet. She didn't think CONTROL had a policy on babies, but she was nervous they'd make up one that wasn't too fair, it wasn't a woman's world after all. She took comfort in knowing that she loved the Chief like a daughter as she clung somewhat anxiously to Max's hand.
"I hadn't heard from you since I sent you out this morning and I just thought I'd congratulate you on another excellent breakthrough, and give you a warning."
"A warning?" 99 questioned.
"Well yes, you see, sit down." 99 was glad that Max didn't release her hand even when they sat.
"It appears that the KAOS agents who were after you earlier today are still looking for you for some reason. Namely the fact 99 that you lost your purse." He took it out of his desk and handed it to her.
"Oh." 99 said, embarrassed.
"Since they know where you live I figure it's best if you stay elsewhere, just until this clears up."
"Okay Chief, um-"
"You can stay with me tonight 99- I'll take the couch, that is." He quickly covered.
"Thanks Max." She couldn't help but smile.
"I can't believe he didn't notice." Max admitted as they got in the phone booth elevator.
"I think maybe he did and he just was waiting for us to say something." She kissed his nose softly.
"Feel better?"
"After lunch yeah, I think I just needed to eat something. Speaking of which, I need to go and buy some crackers before we go back to your place; I've been having such strange cravings lately."
"Yeah, I, I don't really have any real food left at my apartment." He admitted nervously.
"That's okay. Where are we going tonight Max?" She asked as she held his arm, lying her head on his shoulder as they walked.
"That 99 is a surprise."
"Oh well then how am I supposed to prepare?"
"Don't worry 99, you're beautiful the way you are, but you may want to brush your teeth, because there will be kissing." She laughed.
99 wondered weather or not Max was really a KAOS agent when he tied a blindfold around her eyes. They had just gotten in the car and she had no idea where they were going. She would have to confess that this made her a little bit nervous. The sun was about to set. A calm warm wind whipped through 99's hair, the first of spring. Max turned on the radio, a soft music of Etta James added to the romantic mood that 99 already felt. Max parked the car and unwrapped 99's blindfold.
"Oh Max! It's beautiful!!"" She whispered as he helped her out of the car. She hadn't noticed that the cherry blossoms had just began to bloom, the light breeze caused them to shower down over them. Max and 99 walked arm in arm into the park with a little picnic basket. She was thrilled that he was so very romantic. She didn't know quite where he was leading her, but he figured that was also a surprise.
"I thought we'd eat with honest Abe." He stopped when they reached a soft patch of grass under a tree that looked upon the memorial to the former President. By this time the sunlight had given away to the gentle and pure shine of the moon. Max and 99 could still see each other perfectly, as though it were day.
She was about to sit on the grass when he lye out a blanket for her, it was a beautiful white blanket that 99 thought looked more like a tablecloth.
"Oh Max, this is beautiful." She looked around as she accepted the wine glass Max gave her.
"Oh Max, this is lovely, but I can't-"
"No 99, this is apple juice."
"Oh Max." She smiled, that was so sweet.
They made a toast wrapping locking their arms and sharing their drinks.
"To the baby, who I love very much, and to you, who I find breathtakingly gorgeous."
"And to my Max, who couldn't be more wonderful." Max smiled at this toast proudly. "I can't believe it's Spring already." 99 looked around at the blooms on the trees.
"Me neither. It seems like just five minutes ago that you and I were in that cabin."
99 blushed, but she knew it had to be discussed.
"I know Max."
"99, I could never stop thinking about it- about you, the whole time we were apart." He brushed her cheek softly with his thumb as they inched closer together.
"Me neither Max." She whispered rubbing her nose against his as they fell into a deep kiss.
"And the thing is I had no idea you were, that you hadn't ever- I would've insisted upon marrying you first. But, I'd dreamed of being with you in that sense for so long."
"Umm, and I you Max." She closed her eyes and kissed his cheek. "Oh Max!" Her eyes fluttered open, she was barely speechless when she saw the ring he slipped onto her finger. "It's beautiful!!" She looked up to him, tears in her eyes.
"I've had this, just for you for a while now 99. I've wanted to marry you since I first knew you when I- I first knew that I loved you. I've been afraid you'd say no. I hate to say that only the baby really made me brave enough to ask, but he did. Wonderful little guy." Max laughed. "So love, will you do it, will you make me the luckiest, happiest man on earth?"
"Oh yes Max! And there's never been a time, even when I first knew you that I would have ever said otherwise!" He pulled her into his arms and they began to kiss.
"Thank you for having me back to your apartment Max." She smiled, standing on the staircase in nothing but one of his dress shirts. He just about dropped the glass he was holding as he looked up at her. "
"Always 99-" He gulped.
"Awe, why so nervous Max, I'm going to be your wife soon."
"It's just that, that a-"
"A what sweetheart?" She asked, kissing his cheek and sitting next to him on the couch. "I love you Max."
"I love you too my darling." 99 giggled into his mouth as they began to kiss. "It's getting late Max."
"I guess you'd better head up to bed, huh?" He'd given her his room to sleep in; he would take the couch.
"Sure Max. Uh, Max, why don't' you come upstairs with me, huh?"
"It's okay 99, I better get to sleep too."
"No Max, sleep with me, just hold me."
"Oh!!" He realized what she met and ran up the stairs behind her.
The next morning he woke up well before 99. He held her closely, he looked down realizing his hand was over her stomach. He smiled.
"Hey little guy." Max whispered, "I'm your Daddy, I love you, and you're going to make a really great spy- I just know it!"
"Max." 99 rolled over as the shoe phone began to ring. "He's not going to be a spy. And please, please get the shoe phone because I have a headache."
"Hi Chief." Max said as he watched 99 get up and run to the bathroom, covering her mouth. "Sure we'll be in soon. What do you have to talk to 99 about? Oh come on, you can tell me. Well okay Chief."
"Does he want us to come in, right now?"
"Yeah." Max said, disappointed.
"Too bad, I don't feel well I just wanted to lye here with you. I enjoyed listening to you talk to the baby Max." He smiled.
"Well, I told you, I'm excited about this baby."
"Me too. But Max, don't you think that maybe, just maybe there's some chance that it could be a little girl?"
"Well sure, I guess. But I think it's a boy!"
"Okay Max; we'll see. But you'd love a little girl too, wouldn't you?"
"Sure, as long as I could call her my little 99." 99 giggled, liking this idea.
"Oh that sounds lovely Max, and I just want to lye here and talk about our baby, plus I'm hungry and I don't feel good."
"Well just lye here then, lets take our time. I'll make you breakfast." He got up and kissed her forehead. "And by the way, 99, maybe you could spend the night tonight too, and, and every night."
"I'd like that Max, let's set a date."
"How about tomorrow?"
"Max, if we're going to have a wedding there are things we need to do."
"That's true 99, like finding a cake."
"And a dress."
"And a best man."
"It doesn't have to be big, why don't we try for late next week, we should do it as soon as possible. And Max, if it weren't for the-"
"I was trying to make that clear too last night 99, if it weren't for the baby I wouldn't be brave enough to ask you now. But after the cabin, I bought this ring, I knew I just had to ask you especially after I knew you loved me. I was working my way up to it and I wanted to do it in the most special, most romantic way I could think of."
"Oh Max, I'll always treasure the way you asked me, it was beautiful, it was romantic, and I couldn't love anybody more than I love you." She kissed his lips lovingly.
So that was it, and there will be more. Oh and btw, if you took the time to read this you can take five seconds to review, please!