Hey Everyone!
It's Thursday! And as promised, I got up bright and early before school in order to post the chapter you've all been anticipating for!
I'll leave all the other bullshit at the bottom.
So, go on! Read! Enjoy!
P.S. I do not own a thing relating to Suits
Holy shit.
Max couldn't believe she dodged a bullet.
Granted, that was a crappy shot, but she dodged the bullet nonetheless. Max looked up to see Oliver moving closer to her. On instinct, she stood up and threw something hard and metallic at him, nailing him right in the head. It stopped him for a moment, until he came charging back at her.
Jocelyn Harris came to her at that moment, Max remembering when she was fourteen, and her mother showed her how to southpaw punch. Although Max was a righty, everyone suspected people punch with his or her right. With her fist clenched properly, she powerfully swung at Oliver, getting him right in the temple. She went back at him again, throwing a right at him. It hit him squarely in the face.
This time, Oliver went down.
She didn't hesitate as she grabbed her phone, ended the call, and ran down the hallway of Pearson Hardman. She turned her head to see Oliver right on her tail. She swerved through hallways, cutting corners and crawling under things when she noticed she had lost him. That was when she kicked off her shoes, the ones Harvey bought her, as she sprinted towards the elevator. Max soon found out that there was no power on the elevator. She turned her head in all directions before she spotted the printer room. She ran into the room and was about to lock the door when she stopped herself. If Oliver came across a locked door, he'd know she was in there. So she hid between two copy machines in the corner.
She pulled out her cellphone.
'Harvey Specter, you better answer your phone.'
10:45
Harvey grasped the railing with all of his might as the SWAT teams were trying to get the cameras online again, in order to see if the area was clear for entry. He just lost her, he just lost his life. Max was gone. She was unresponsive on the phone before the line went dead. Harvey wasn't a praying man, but he hoped with everything that Max was still alive. She couldn't be gone. Harvey didn't remember how he lived without her. She was everything to him. She couldn't leave him, not like this. They were supposed to be in France, with their children and fine wine. They were supposed to grow old together. They were supposed to stay together. She was supposed to be alive.
Harvey's phone vibrated, and he pulled his head up, forcing the tears back where they came from. With a heavy heart, he opened his phone, checking his messages.
His heart stopped.
Maxine Harris: 'Harvey Specter, you better answer your phone.'
What?
'Max?' He typed back quickly.
Max looked at her phone, seeing that Harvey responded. She rolled her eyes.
'No, Mike.'
As if his heart was put together again, relief washed over him. She was still here. He scolded himself for not realizing sooner that his girl was a fighter. She was tough. Harvey called to Lowe, who came over to him.
"Specter, now's not the time-"
"She's alive," Harvey cut him off, showing his phone to Lowe, "She's texting me."
"How do you know it's her?"
"I just know," he said, going back to his phone. He typed a message, and sent it back to Max.
She sat uncomfortably as Max checked her phone. Clearly Harvey wasn't in the mood for jokes.
'The gunshot. I thought you died.'
She held a gasp back. Oh, Harvey…
'I'm okay, babe. I'm hiding.'
'You're not in danger?' He responded quickly.
'No. I'm in the printer room near the elevator between two copy machines. Oliver is somewhere in the office.'
Harvey smiled before relaying the information to Lowe, who changed the route of infiltration. Harvey responded back.
'The cameras are down in the office. Can you see him?'
She paused for moment, looking over the heap of metal. As soon as her head popped up, a bullet flew by her head. She turned to see Oliver reloading his gun. She took the chance and ran out the copy room, charging straight for the woman's washroom. Another bullet flew by Max, but she was too high on adrenaline to register it. She got to the washroom easily, slamming the door shut, and locking it behind her.
It was then when she noticed the blood.
She looked at her arm, seeing the newly large bullet hole on her left bicep. She lifted her right arm towards the spot, applying a bit of pressure. Max hissed in protest as she yanked her arm away.
Shit. He got me.
She barricaded herself in one of the washroom stalls, pulling her phone out as she listened for Oliver. Harvey was frantically texting her, waiting for a response.
'Max? Everything okay?'
'Please respond babe.'
'I heard gunshots. Please answer back.'
'Max, I swear to God if this is a joke, this is not the time.'
She rolled her eyes, 'He found me. I was running. Relax, I'm hidden again.'
'Are you okay?'
She looked at her arm, noticing it was bleeding more than it usually should be. She knew the one spot to get shot in and most likely to survive was the arm, but it was bleeding to the point where the possibility of having been hit in an artery was most likely.
'No,' she texted back.
A gunshot bounced off the stall next to her, and in shock, Max dropped her phone. Unfortunately, it landed right in the toilet. Max could see the phone's screen scratch up and turn black.
Shit, shit, shit.
Harvey sent another text for the second time, realizing the wait was a little longer than usual. He began to lose his cool. Max told him that she wasn't okay. Was she hit? Was she bleeding? Had she been caught? Is she alive?
Harvey didn't think a second thought before he went to Lowe.
"Lieutenant!" He shouted, "You need to get in there. Now."
10:53
Another gunshot blew through the bathroom door, hitting the stall beside her. She peeked through the crack of the door, noticing the door was still shut, with a few holes in it. She sighed as she ran a finger through her hair. He was on the other side of the door. She was bleeding more than she should. The adrenaline was wearing off. The fear was creeping through her. The fear of leaving Donna and Rachel was over powering. How it would hurt them. Leaving Mike without having a levelheaded person looking out for him. Leaving her father just as he got his daughter back.
The worst was leaving Harvey. Leaving him heartbroken and destroyed. If she died, she didn't know if Harvey would be able to love again. She couldn't bear the thought of Harvey loving someone else. Max looked down at the phone sitting in the toilet. It was then she realized that she left him because he couldn't tell her he loved her. Maxine laughed at how stupid that seemed now. You had to be a blind man to not notice that Harvey loved her, and she loved him. So what if he couldn't say it? She didn't need to think about that anymore. She didn't need to hear it. She knew that she needed to do everything she could to get back to Harvey.
Suddenly, there was a banging at the door, and Max braced herself. The banging became heavier, and the door was groaning in protest. All at once, the door flew open.
Max screamed.
11:03
Harvey paced frantically in the lobby as he waited for the extraction team to come back. After speaking to Lowe and telling him exactly where Max was, the SWAT team gathered a few men together, and finally went up to Pearson Hardman. His hands clenched in impatience as he waited for the best news he would hear; that Max was okay. He overheard on the radio frequency that there was a package secure. His heart kept doing flips as he watched from across the lobby the elevator lights count down the floors. He eyed each of the officers watching him, making sure he didn't make a run for it. The elevator finally reached the lobby, and Harvey stopped to see the elevator open. Lieutenant Lowe came out first, walking out of the lift. He stood facing the powerful lawyer. Lowe smiled as he turned behind him. Harvey's eyes travelled behind Lowe.
Directly in Max's eyes.
"Harvey," she whispered.
"Max," he sighed in relief.
She instantly ran to him, not caring about her Michael Kors skirt ripping. Harvey walked forward, knowing full well that she should brace himself; otherwise Max would knock him on his ass. As she neared him, she flung herself at him, clutching him to death. Harvey buried his face in her hair, smelling the comforting vanilla. His memory could not do justice to Max's skin, because he could never get the softness of her skin right. She felt perfect in his arms. His heart felt whole. He felt safe. He felt okay.
Harvey's hands squeezed harshly around Max's waist, but that was exactly what Max wanted. She buried her face in Harvey's shoulder, inhaling his scent. She felt Harvey's large hand move from her back to behind her head, stroking her hair lovingly. Harvey holding her was like she felt like a warm blanket placed over her after a cold day in the snow. She had been without his touch for so long, she missed it badly. Now that she had him in her arms, she couldn't help but squeeze tighter. He felt so good. He felt like home. He felt right.
"Yes," she whispered to him.
He pulled back to look at her face, still keeping her in his arms.
Did she just-
"What?" He asked her incredulously
She nodded.
"Yes Harvey. I'll marry you."
His hands clasped onto her face.
"Are you sure?" Harvey asked her.
She nodded, "I haven't been sure about anything else."
Max could tell you over and over again that she loved kissing Harvey, because each time she did, her heart fluttered. But that kiss, the one they had after being away from each other for so long, the one where they thought that they might never see each other again… It was one of the greatest kisses of her life. He pulled her close, holding her tightly as his strong hands warmed her back. Max couldn't help but relax when she smelled him. His cologne, his musky scent... he smelled of expensive, and to Max it was perfect. His lips were the same as they always were: soft, caring, but hungry, needy. He tasted so sweet, like honey. He wasn't going anywhere. Not by a long shot. Max wrapped her arms around his shoulders, hoisting herself up on Harvey. He lifted her easily, gladly holding her in his arms. Max felt like he was holding an angel in his arms. She smelled of vanilla, and the scent of a woman, something he had missed dearly. He missed the intimacy of holding Max, feeling her skin, her soft hair, and her plump lips. She tasted just like chocolate would to a child. His brain was finally at ease; no more worrying, no more hoping, no more pain. Max was in his arms, and she wasn't going anywhere.
Harvey finally knew that.
They pulled away, both of them with contented smiles on their face. Harvey put her down on the ground, realizing that she was shorter than she usually was on a workday. He looked down at her feet, realizing her shoes were missing.
"Now, I'm either hallucinating, or your shoes are missing," he told her in a teasing voice, his arms still around her tightly.
She smiled as she placed her palms on his chest, "When you're running for your life, Harvey, you do what you got to do."
"Those were six hundred dollar shoes," Harvey said in a mocking tone.
"I'll buy new ones," she said, giving him another kiss on the lips. The kiss lingered, with Max giving him short kisses over and over again. Harvey smiled as she pulled away, looking him in his eyes.
"I missed kissing you," Harvey said, leaning down for another peck, "I almost forgot how you felt."
Max shook her head, "so I guess you forgot about what goes on in the bedroom?"
"I could have amnesia and I still wouldn't forget every second of that."
The brunette laughed as Harvey readjusted his grip on her. His eyes moved towards the elevator, and his jaw clenched in anger. Max turned around to follow his eyesight, just as Oliver Klades was stepping off the elevator, handcuffed, with his face badly bruised, and a bloody noise, that most likely was broken. Max should have been scared of him, or angry with him for putting her through that. But all she could feel was pity and sympathy for the old man. Yes, he attacked her, and she defended herself in order for her not to get killed, but she could tell that Oliver was at the end of his rope. He was done with life, and he just… snapped.
Harvey, on the other hand, was absolutely livid. His nostrils flared as he looked at the old man approaching the exit for the lobby. Harvey didn't care if the man was more than twice his age, he could kill him for hurting his girl. The man should have had a brain and realized that it wasn't Max's fault that the case ended the way it did. Hell, it wasn't even his fault. He just was unprepared.
Max could feel Harvey's hands on her back clench in a fist. She put a reassuring hand on his cheek, pulling his eyes away from Oliver. It took a lot more effort that she thought as she forced him to make eye contact with her. She grasped onto his chin, holding it as if he were a pitiful child.
"Harvey," she told him slowly, "I'm okay."
His jaw was still clenched, as he looked down. She jerked his head up, looking him in the eyes okay.
"I'm… okay, Harvey," she said with a comforting smile, "I'm here, in your arms, safe. No one is going to take me away from you. Not even me."
Harvey finally nodded, "Okay."
He pulled her towards his chest, her head safely tucked underneath his chin. Her eyes closed, feeling all her adrenaline leave her body. She listened to her own words, and she was right. She felt safe in his arms. Her eyes fluttered shut, her eyes growing heavier with every minute she stayed in Harvey's arms.
"Excuse me. Ma'am," a man came to her, carrying a duffel bag with the words 'EMT' written on it, "I need to take a look at that bullet wound."
Harvey finally registered that Max was shot, and quickly pushed her at arm's length to see where she had been hit. She softly cried out in pain, giving Harvey a harsh look as she pointed to her arm. Sheepishly, he followed Max and the EMT towards a chair with an empty table beside it. Harvey pulled a chair right beside her, grasping on her hand. The man began working on the wound, with Max barely making a sound. Harvey held her hand the entire time. It was quick when the EMT placed the stitches on her, wrapping her arm up. After giving instructions to clean it, the EMT gave a small smile and left, leaving the couple on their own. Max, who was tired and numb on pain meds, and Harvey, who was just tired.
"Are you high?" Harvey asked as his head rested on hers, which was on his shoulder.
She sighed, "I wish. This would have been a fun experience for you."
He lifted his head, "You tired?"
She nodded as she snuggled to his shoulder. Harvey wrapped an arm around her.
"Max!"
The brunette jolted awake at that moment as she pulled from Harvey's embrace to see a skinny blond man running to her. Mike was rushing to her, and Max turned to face him. He slowed down before pulling Max a little harshly, slamming her against him. She would have been offended, had it been anyone else, but this was Mike, and he was an emotional person. She held him tightly, feeling the comfort coming from Mike. Of course, it wasn't the same as holding Harvey, but she felt the love Mike had in the hug. She held her best friend, realizing that she couldn't remember the last time she saw him. The thought scared her.
"Mike," she choked out, feeling a tear leak out of her eyes.
"Hey," the blond said, his own tears in his eyes.
She gave him a lopsided smile, "You really didn't think I'd leave you all alone, would you?"
He gave her a tight-lipped smile, "You're too tough for that."
"Damn straight," she said, lightly punching him.
Rachel and Donna came rushing over, ripping Max away from the boys as the three girls embraced each other. Max couldn't hold the tears back as both Donna and Rachel began sobbing along with Max. Harvey looked at Mike, who looked right back at Harvey, as they backed away slightly from the girls. Harvey ran a hand over his face, realizing that he must have aged at least five years in the past hour. Mike looked just as worse as he did, if not better. The look on the young man's face was the residue of a long morning, with having dealt with Harvey, and also going through the experience of almost losing his best friend. Harvey realized Mike wouldn't have acted this badly if it was Trevor instead.
"Max is your best friend," Harvey told him.
Mike's head shot back, "Yeah..."
"No, I mean, she is. Not Trevor. Yeah, Trevor's got more than twenty years on your relationship with Max, but you've known Max for over two years, and that's a better relationship than the shitty one you had with Trevor."
"I've never heard you say so much to me in one sentence," Mike said, his relax demeanor seeping through.
"I've never had to say that much in a sentence."
Harvey's eyes caught onto the old man running towards them. He instantly realized it was Julian Satan, who must have gotten word earlier, but was stuck in traffic. The powerful billionaire scouted the area, spotting Harvey first, as the girls moved to the opposite corner to talk about something apparently private. The business man was out of breath.
"She's okay?" He asked in an anxious tone.
Harvey nodded, "She's fine. She's not even shaken up."
Julian laughed oddly, "Just like her mother. Lord knows that woman could be calm in an hurricane."
"Mom could be calm in the Apocalypse," Max said tiredly, coming up beside Julian. Instinctively, Julian's arm wrapped around her shoulders as his daughter leaned into his embrace. Her father was still shockingly tall. Max's head was rested on his broad chest, with Julian stroking her hair in a paternal fashion. Harvey looked in awe, here was his girl being held by a man she hated just several months ago. Max had come a long way, knowing full well that she may never forgive her father, but she loved him, that was evident.
"Specter," Lowe called from behind him. Harvey turned and made his way towards the computer screens.
"What is it?" The lawyer came up to the Lieutenant.
Lowe pointed to the computer screens, "The camera's weren't transmitting properly; someone tampered with the connection. But the camera still recorded it digitally on the back-up drive," the screen shifted to Max and Oliver in her office, with Klades just pulling out the gun.
"I don't need to see this," Harvey turned around, only to be stopped by Lowe.
"Yes, you do," the officer said, forcing Harvey to turn around.
The screen fast forward to the point where Oliver began walking towards the window. In an instant, Max whipped out her cellphone, throwing it on the table.
"The phone call," Harvey said.
"It gets better," Lowe told him.
The screen moved past them talking, and slowed to where Oliver raised his gun again. On instinct, Max flung herself to the ground just before the gun went off.
"She dodged the bullet?" Harvey looked at Lowe incredulously.
Lowe only pointed to the screen.
It showed Max getting up, throwing a book end at Oliver. It didn't stopped him, though. Harvey stared at the screen as Max threw a left hook first, then a right hook. Holy shit,Harvey thought. Oliver went down then, and Max ran to grab her phone, and shot out of the office. The screen went to another camera angle, fast forwarding to the part where Max stopped in front of the printer room, went for the door, hesitated, then ran into the room.
"Why'd she do that?" Harvey asked, mostly himself.
Lowe responded, "If an intruder comes across a lock door, they know the victim is inside. Max knew that."
"Did it work?" Harvey asked. As soon as the words left his mouth, Oliver came right to the door, stuck his head in, and walked the opposite way.
Lieutenant Lowe smiled, "Harvey Specter, your woman is one of a kind."
His eyes found her at that moment. Harvey could go on and on about how perfectly imperfect she was. How she could be such a badass, and yet be so feminine. The strongest woman he knew was also the most vulnerable. The most outspoken woman he knew was also the most humble. She was perfect; granted, she had secrets that finally came through, and that took a while. Also, Max was sometimes too passionate about things, which ended in her getting hurt. Really hurt. But that's why she was one of a kind.
"Harvey," his perfect woman said against her father's chest, being mumbled by the expensive fabric.
He walked to her, his hand went to her lower back instantly as she pulled away from Julian.
"Home?" He asked her, not missing a beat.
She nodded, resting her head on his shoulder as they began walking slowly. Harvey spotted Ray on the other side of the street, just outside of the large crowd of people.
Shit, Harvey thought. He looked down at Max. The meds were starting to kick in, and she was dead on her feet. Her eyes were slightly drooping. There was no way she would make it to the car.
"Lowe," he called out. The Lieutenant was there in a matter of seconds.
"Can you clear a path?" He pointed to the crowd. The officer nodded, calling out to a few fellow officers as they walked out of the door. Harvey looked at the crowd as there was a small opening they were creating. He looked to Max, whom he thought was just about to pass out. He brushed her hair out of her face.
"Max, I'm going to carry you."
"No."
Even in sleep, she's stubborn.
"I can make it to the car, Harvey," she said, sleep slurred into her words.
"But can you make it through the crowd?" He said, placing an arm behind her knees. Max gave away easily, yet he could feel her protest.
"I'm going to kick your ass later," she mumbled as she snuggled closer to his chest.
He didn't respond as the door was held open for him. Instantly, people starting cheering and shouting and clapping loudly. He looked at them oddly, wondering why they were obsessing over the woman in his arms. He swiftly moved through the human shield as reporters bombarded the couple with questions. As Max was leaning against Harvey's chest, all she wanted to do was to scream at the reporters, telling them to get their noses out of her business. She heard a powerful man shout, "Make way!", before the majority of the noise began to fade. Harvey held her carefully as he placed her in the back, Max easily snuggling to the leather. Shutting the door, he moved around to the other side, where Lowe was waiting for him.
"Thank you," Harvey shook his hand, "Thank you for bringing her back."
Lowe nodded, "You're welcome. Although, if I wasn't here, I'm pretty sure she would have gotten out on her own."
Harvey smirked as he got in the car.
"I'll see you soon, Specter," Lowe said, shutting the door. Harvey looked at Max, who instantly rested her head on his thigh. His hands weaved its way through her hair, feeling the softness of each strand.
"Harvey," Ray said from the front seat, "That was a stupid move, carrying Max. The press is going to eat it up."
The lawyer looked at the man in the driver seat, "What do you mean, Ray?"
The driver looked at Harvey through the rear-view mirror, only smiling before looking back on the road.
"I'll explain later, babe," Max said softly from below, "you'll want to be somewhere you can yell when you hear this."
She felt Harvey relax, finally happy that he was bringing her home, she assumed. She closed her eyes then, the last sight she saw was the clock: it's bright red numbers flashing at her. She had realized that she was held at gun point, was shot at, ran for her life, punched a man twice, reunited with Harvey, Mike, Donna, Rachel, and her father, all before lunch.
Fuck, she realized, I'm really hungry.
11:59
Really people? Really?
I'd kill Max after 32 chapters?
COME ON! HAVE A LITTLE FAITH!
Anyways, I want to that EVERYONE who reviewed! I made a bet with my best friend that I could get up to 280 reviews before Thursday (I know I said 290- I was giving myself a safety net). Now, I am twenty dollars richer (mmmmmm)
Now don't worry; there's still a big chunk of TAOP left. It is possible for me to write out at least 5, maybe 6 chapters.
Unless you guys are in the mood for a sequel? (Even though I absolutely loathe sequels, I just can't get rid of Max. Not yet.)
Let me know in the reviews!
xoxo N.