Part IV

They lowered their weapons as they saw that she was giving up. One holstered his weapon and started to walk toward her. His hands held zip-tie cuffs, and as he went to grab her arms, she snapped and punched him in the face before taking his side-arm and shooting the other guard in the face. She fired another round into his head spraying blood and gore all over her face and neck.

Her hands wiped at the chunks of flesh around her eyes and nose; her hand reached the door knob and she sprinted down the stairs. She kicked open the door and ran out just in time for the SUV to pull up. The door swung open and she jumped in next to Kaplan and Angie in the back.

"What the fuck happened?" She took the bandana that Rain held out and wiped the blood away from her face.

"Umbrella," it was a quick reply that seemed to answer all questions as she just nodded. Kaplan reached over and yanked at her clothes where the blood was most present.

"I'm fine Kap," she smiled at his concern and he nodded. The drive back was silent; with an occasional sniffle from Angela who got smiles from Alice. Max shifted uncomfortably. She honestly didn't like killing anyone or anything, but she knew it had to be done. Her eyes flitted to the back window where she stared out of; the image of the mens heads blowing open in her mind.

They would have killed her if she hadn't of done it first, she tried to justify to herself. They got out of the SUV and climbed into the vehicle they'd drive back to the warehouse. Somehow Max ended up in the seat next to the driver. Carlos looked over at her, "You alright?"

"Mhmm," she picked at some of the flaking blood on her shirt.

"You did what you had to do," she nodded again and he frowned. They pulled in to the warehouse and he parked behind it; everyone started to file out but before Max could open her door, he grabbed her arm.

"What is it Carlos?"

"You shouldn't feel guilty for what you did. They would have killed you."

"I know Carlos. I'm fine, really."

"You're lying. You're a lot easier to read that you'd like to think, we were taught never to hesitate. They instilled it in us, even if you surrendered, they would have taken you back and then what? Torture you? They would want to know where we are, and when they cracked you, because they'd try their hardest to, they'd kill us. And then you," he grabbed her chin gently and made her look at him.

"But," she tried to stop but he shook his head.

"No buts about it Max. Could you have lived with yourself if you'd given us up? Or what if they'd taken you, you know Rain would never leave you at their mercy," she looked away from him and he patted her shoulder.

"I would hope that you all would move on, leave without me," he sighed deeply.

"None of us would leave you there. We wouldn't be able to do that, just like I know you'd never leave us. Besides, I'd be afraid of Rain if anyone even suggested leaving you behind, that woman is a force to be reckoned with," they both laughed slightly and Max jumped when her side door opened abruptly.

"Jumpy," Rain grinned and picked Max up and swung her over her shoulder like she didn't weigh a thing, "I'm taking this Carlos!"

"This?" Max tried to sound outraged as Carlos and Rain laughed. Rain carried her into the building, laughing as she went.

The others paused as Rain ran by with a yelling Max on her shoulder; Alice gave them a strange look as they passed.

Rain set her down in the shower room, "Strip. Get those dirty clothes off."

"If you wanted me naked, all you had to do was say so," Max grinned slightly but her cheeks went a little red.

"Get naked then loca," Max balked for a moment before complying. Her shirt came off and Rain removed her Umbrella gear. Rain stripped completely out of her clothes in front of Max and smirked, Max trembled slightly and backed up toward the shower. She turned and removed the rest of her clothes before quickly getting into the shower and turning the cold water on.

"Shy?" Rain got in behind her and wrapped her arms around her waist, "Don't be shy around me Max."

Max closed her eyes and leaned back into her; her cheeks still warm from embarrassment and a new feeling creeping into her body. She felt Rain's head rest against her shoulder and she sighed a little.

"You scared me, ya know? I don't like seeing you covered in blood and shit."

"You think I like it?" She mumbled and she felt Rain stiffen before letting out a soft laugh. She kissed her shoulder before grabbing the soap.

Slowly and carefully she washed the blood off Max's body and out of her hair. Max turned and wrapped her arms around her. Her face buried in to her neck and she let out a sigh. She felt safe right here in her arms and Rain let her relax into her.

After a few minutes Rain leaned over and turned off the water. Max yawned and stretched a little; Rain kissed her lightly and got out to get dressed. With a pout, Max followed her lead and got dressed.

She followed Rain out of the makeshift shower, Rain motioned for her to wait a moment and she walked into the sleeping area and Max waited for a few moments before watching Rain walk back out with a blanket and some pillows. She passed the items off to Max and led them outside and into the bed of the truck.

"Oh how romantic," Max laughed and Rain playfully shoved her.

"Needed some privacy," she threw the blanket down in the bed of the truck before offering a hand to Max and helping her up. Rain laid in the bed and got comfortable before pulling Max against her.

"I can't believe you can actually see the stars out here," Max stared up at the sky before curling up against Rain's side.

"Specially with it being Detroit and all, right?" Max nodded and yawned again before resting her head on Rain's shoulder. Max fell asleep within a few minutes and Rain laughed in silence before settling in to get some sleep. Even if her shoulder would be numb by the end of the night.