Hypothesis: A tentative explanation about the observed phenomenon which can be tested, and often takes the form of an "If… then…" statement.

El was frowning as she opened the door trying to figure out who would be visiting at this time of night. It lightened as soon as she did.

Max's smile was awkward, her free hand shoved into her sweatshirt pocket. The other hung at her side, holding her cane, which had already been collapsed. "Hey. "

"Hey," El agreed. Max relaxed slightly when she did. El's attention shifted to the driveway where Lucas was still waiting in the car. "He's not coming in?"

"No, he just gave me a ride and wanted to make sure you were here before he left," Max shrugged, "So…?"

Her eyebrow raised, and El blinked before it dawned on her what Max wanted. She stepped out of the way. "Right. Come in, no one else is here, but they won't mind."

Joyce preferred if they asked before people came over, but it would be fine. Hopper wouldn't mind. Especially since it was Max. He liked her.

Max just nodded, stepping into the house and taking off her shoes well El closed the door. There was a second of hesitation before El reached over to take Max's hand and lead the way to her room. Not that Max needed the help, she'd been over enough to make her way through the house on her own. El just liked holding her hand. She missed it.

Reaching her room El started towards the bed, but to her surprise Max didn't come with. Instead she let her hand drop, staying near the center of the room. El frowned again. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, it's fine." Max had shoved her hands in her pockets again, cane swinging from the strap around her wrist. There was a beat. "I owe you an apology."

"You do?".

Max nodded. "Yeah. For avoiding you."

El blinked at the bluntness of the statement. Despite deciding that was the only logical conclusion, there had been part of her that hadn't really believed it. That thought she was just imagining it. But no. She'd been completely right. Somehow it was both vindicating and disappointing.

El let out a breath. "It's okay."

"No, it's not," Max shook her head. "And I'm sorry, I was just- my head was in a weird place."

That was understandable. Max's head did that sometimes, and when it did she needed space to work through it. Sometimes it took time. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Her voice wasn't as confident as normal. El tilted her head, but didn't interrupt. "I just- I want you to know that it had nothing to do with you. Or what you told us."

This time El didn't answer right away, watching Max closely. The stiff way she was holding herself. Hands still in her pockets. Despite the intention clearly being the opposite, all the statement really did was confirm El's suspicions. Max wouldn't have brought up the confession if it wasn't relevant. "It started before that. But after I told you I like girls it got worse."

"Okay, so maybe it had a little bit to do with what you said."

El's stomach sank. She looked away. Tried to ignore the empty feeling the comment left behind.

"But it's not what you think."

There was a slight hesitation, but El nodded. Max was always honest, even when people didn't want to hear it. She loved that about her, she never had to guess or worry she was misinterpreting. Max said what she meant. But right now what she was saying also didn't make much sense. "What is it then?"

"I- it's hard to explain, but I-"

El stepped forward, hand going to Max's arm, stopping her as she squeezed slightly. Contact usually helped Max. She hoped it would right now. "Come sit."

Max let herself be guide over to the bed and sat down on the edge, some old instinct shifting her so they were facing each other. El gave her arm another small squeeze before letting go. "Take a breath. Then explain."

Again, Max did as she was told. Her hands appeared from her pockets, but fidgeted with her sleeves. Her shoulders were still tense.

"I don't mind that you like girls, I'm actually really impressed that you're so confident in it and figured it out so quickly." Max's voice was more confident now. Still serious, but closer to normal. That was good. "But the idea of it did freak me out. Not because of you. I wasn't freaked by you, just the concept in general."

"You're scared of the concept?" El was struggling to see the difference. It was still because she liked girls. It felt like nit picking. "But you were okay with the concept when it was Lucas."

"I was," Max admitted. She paused for a moment. "It scared me, but I wasn't scared of you. I was scared of the idea because I- I think I'm the same as you. That I like both boys and girls."

"And that's scary?"

It didn't occur to her how insensitive that might come off until after she'd said it. It just didn't make sense. Why would it be scary? Max had said that some people hated it, that being however she was could be dangerous. But since when did Max care about that? She'd never seemed to care what people thought of her. Her confidence was one of El's favorite things about her.

"Yeah," Max's voice was tighter. El hesitated for a second before reaching over to take her hand. There was the smallest smile from Max which assured her it'd been the right move. It dropped when she started to speak again. "Neil used to say all this stuff about me, and I was scared he might be right about some of it. And if he was then he might be right about all of it. Honestly it still sort of freaks me out, but that's my own shit to work though, I shouldn't have taken it out on you."

Slowly El nodded. "Okay."

She still didn't completely understand. Being scared of Neil and people like him made sense, but they were the problem, not the feelings. But maybe she didn't have to understand completely. Maybe she just had to accept it, especially if Max was already working on it.

Max was still hesitant. "You're not- I don't know, mad? Upset?"

"No," El squeezed her hand. Max's shoulders slumped. She was smiling a little. Which made El smile too. "I'm glad you explained."

"So we're good?"

"We're good," El agreed. For a second she just watched her. The slow way Max's whole body seemed to relax, her smile softening as the anxiety disappeared. Took in the feeling of their hands clasped together, no sign of Max trying to pull away this time. After a second, she took a risk. "Do you want to stay over?"

"Yeah, that would be really nice."

The smile Max was giving her was enough to make any of El's lingering uncertainty disappear. They were fine. Sooner rather then later they were sprawled out on the bed, Max tucked into her side as El read excerpts from the magazine she'd been saving for just such an occasion. For the first time in weeks everything felt right. Maybe it wasn't everything El had wanted, but if they still got to do things like this, then it was enough.

Lucas was pretty sure he realized what was going on before either of the girls did. Which wasn't really surprising. He loved Max, and El for that matter, but neither of them was exactly emotionally intelligent. Max had a habit of of avoiding anything she didn't want to be thinking about. She would internalize everything, waiting till she either came to a conclusion or couldn't hold it in anymore before she said anything, and even then there was no guarantee she would actually share it.

By contrast, El didn't have any problems saying what she was feeling, the problem was that she didn't always seem to recognize what the feelings were, or that what she was feeling was different than anybody else. Even when she did, she didn't always have the words to explain what them. More than once Lucas had seen someone completely miss what she was trying to say simply because she didn't say it in the way they expected. Which meant comments about her emotions some times went unnoticed by people who weren't used to the way she spoke. Sometimes it seemed like they went unnoticed even by her.

So it sort of tracked that of the three of them Lucas would be the first to put it together.

It had taken awhile for Lucas to notice it. Max and El had always been affectionate with each other and after Max woke up they'd been almost inseparable. Which made sense, Lucas understood the urge to spend every second they could together. For Max it was about needing the extra support, and wanting to make sure she didn't slip back into the depression she'd had before, but for him and El it was something more. They'd lost her. For months they'd shared that grief, been in a constant state of limbo where they were never knew if the next moment would be the last, if they needed to cling to their memories of her or could plan better ones for the future. When she woke up it felt like a miracle, a second chance they hadn't even realized they needed until it was to late, and that neither of them wanted to waste a second of.

So when they started holding hands under the table or laying in the other's lap, he hadn't thought much of it. If anything he was glad they were so close, that they had each other. Max always seemed more excited when El was around, more optimistic. And for her part El always seemed more comfortable with Max there, confident in her own opinions and identity. It was like they were made to fit together, their strengths filling in for the other's weakness.

Slowly things started to become more obvious though. The way El was taking longer and longer to braid Max's hair, hand slowly running through it well Max closed her eyes, content to lean against her knees as she waited. It was in the way Max would refrain from complaining when it's El's turn to pick the movie and she landed on a romance, but also wasn't afraid to tease her if the movie ended up making no sense. He could see it when the two were waiting or him after games, sitting together on a bench, turned towards each other as they spoke in hushed whispers, and El's small smile when Max stole fries off her plate and she pretended not to notice.

But the final sign was so subtle that even Lucas almost missed it. They were in Dustin's living room, and Lucas was in the middle of a heated debate with him and Mike, well the girls were in their own conversation. Max's laugh had cut through the room and Lucas hadn't been able to stop himself from glancing over, already smiling. He'd been expecting the bright grin that usually accompanied a laugh like that. The one that always made him feel like things would turn out okay, because if Max could still smile like that, how could they not? The expression he saw instead made his own smile falter. The half, hesitating, smile, the start of a blush, so light most people probably wouldn't even notice it. It was an expression reserved solely for him, one that usually made his stomach flutter, waiting for the kiss that almost always followed. Except this time it wasn't directed at him, and in return El was watching her with pure delight. Even across the room Lucas couldn't help noticing the way her eyes lit up, excitement and admiration all wrapped in one expression.

Lucas had swallowed, and looked back at Dustin, determined not to let anything show. It was their moment, he wasn't going to ruin it, and the last thing he was going to do was force them to talk about it with everyone else around. It wasn't until that night, when he was alone, that he fully let himself digest it, work though everything he'd seen over the last few weeks. Hell, the last year really, and come to terms with what it meant. It might not be his favorite conclusion, but whether he liked it or not wasn't relevant, that wouldn't change the facts no matter how much he might want it to.

So, yeah, Lucas had seen the writing on the wall. He knew what was coming. But he wasn't going to be the one to bring it up. At least not yet. It was probably silly, and definitely selfish, but if this was all going to fall apart, if he was going to end up loosing her, then he was going to hold on for as long as possible first.

"Okay, so here's what I was thinking," Max kicked off her shoes before heading to the couch. She knew the Sinclair's house as well as her own. "We agreed on sci-fi, so I'm proposing we watch New Hope, then Wrath of Khan, then Empire, and if we're still awake end with Spock."

It had taken a remarkably short time for things to snap back to normal. After the conversations with both El and Lucas it was like a weight had lifted off Max's shoulders and they were able to just go back to how things had always been. Over the last few days though something had felt… off. She didn't know how to explain it exactly, it wasn't like Lucas was doing anything different really, but something about it felt different. Like his laughs cut off a second to soon or he hesitated before kissing her. So when he'd suggested a movie night, just the two of them, Max had been quick to agree.

Lucas hummed "I suppose we could do that…"

"Come on Sinclair," Max groaned. The offer was generous in her opinion, it meant they would definitely watch at least two Star Wars films verses possibly only one of the Star Trek movies. It was obviously weighted in favor of Lucas's preferred franchise, but after countless movie nights devolving into debates about the merits of their preferred series, she was willing to bend a little if it meant they actually watched something this time. Besides, whatever was going on with him, hopefully putting him in a good mood would help dispel it. "It's more then fair-"

"No, no, it's not that. You're totally right, that's a super tempting offer," Lucas agreed quickly, but there was an eagerness in it that made it clear he knew something she didn't. "I was just thinking, since I went through all the trouble of going to get it, we should probably schedule in time to watch [i]The Voyage Home[i]."

"No way." It had been over a year since the movie came out, and Max had been waiting not-so-patiently for Family Video to finally get it in. Movie theaters weren't her favorite anymore, there were a lot of distractions, it was hard for Lucas to fully explain what was happening without others telling them to be quiet, and some of the sound effects could be overwhelming at that volume. They still went on occasion, but for something as important, and sound effect heavy, as Star Trek they'd both rather wait till they could have the ideal experience. "I thought Dustin had first dibs?"

His insistence on not watching it in theaters had been sweet. Of course he'd claimed it was because it would drive him crazy to know what happened without anyone to talk about it with, but Max knew the truth. It was a quiet act of solidarity. One that she appreciated more then she'd ever say. She knew Dustin would prefer she didn't anyway. She didn't have to. They both knew already.

"He did, which is why I bribed Robin a few weeks ago to set it aside for me as soon as it came in. Without letting Steve know." Max heard hm crossing to the TV and the VCR powering up. "Just do me a favor and don't let the others know we've already seen it, okay? I don't want to listen to Dustin complain about how he's been betrayed or whatever if he finds out I got it first."

"I can manage that." As tempting as it would be to brag about. "You're the best."

"Oh really?" There it was again, that slight offness. The comment was light and teasing, but there was something more to it too, something she couldn't quite place. "I've got El beat out?"

Everything about the comment made it clear Lucas wanted her to take it as a joke, and Max knew how she was supposed to respond, but for some reason the words stuck in her throat. When she did find them, the teasing was slightly off. "I don't know. I'd say you're probably about even."

Lucas waited just a moment to long, then, "Cop out."

"Hey, cut me some slack here, that's a complicated question." The teasing was closer to what it should be now, but still not quite right.

"Yeah yeah."

The couch shifted as Lucas sat down. Max fidgeted with her sleeves, trying to ignore the awkwardness that was still hanging between them. But of course that didn't work, and after a few seconds she sighed. "Sorry."

"It's okay." The comment wasn't nearly as confident as it should have been.

Max took a breath. "It's just a really complicated question."

"Yeah, I know."

"Like, I really like hanging out with both-"

"Max." Lucas's hand was on her shoulder, his knee banging into hers as he shifted to face her. Normally Lucas was more careful then that, especially with her knees, but right now his brain must have been on other things. Which was fine, so was hers. "It's okay, I know."

Despite the sudden actions, his voice was soft. There was a weight to it that seemed to go deeper then anything they'd said so far. An understanding that only Lucas was capable of, and underneath that, defeat.

"Then you have the advantage because I'm totally lost about what we're talking about anymore." Her brain was already racing ahead though, coming to the answer unbidden. But he couldn't know about that, could he? Of course he could. Sometimes it seemed like Lucas knew her better then she knew herself, something that was both wonderful and terrifying.

"Pretty sure you've got some idea." There was a sigh, but his voice wasn't angry or judgemental, if anything it was sad, which was somehow even worse. "Even you aren't [i] that [i] emotionally stunted."

It was meant as a joke. Max didn't take offense to it, but she also didn't smile. Her hands were still fidgeting with her sleeves, trying to channel her nerves anywhere but into her voice. "It's not what you think."

Lucas took a deep, even, breath, and automatically she mimicked the action. "Okay. Then what is it?"

"I don't know."

"Max, come on. I've seen the way you guys act around each other, the way she looks at you, the way you smile." A small squeeze to her shoulder. "It's okay, I'm really happy for you. Both of you."

"No, Lucas-" immediately Max reached over to grab his free hand, holding tight. "-that's not- I love you."

"Max-"

"I'm serious," She interrupted, shaking her head. "My feelings for you haven't changed at all, but it's like there's this parallel feeling, different, but just as intense."

"Okay?"

Max couldn't exactly blame him for being confused. If she didn't even understand, how could she possibly expect him to? "I don't know how to explain it."

"Try." His voice was so soft, encouraging, despite the obvious sadness. "Please."

Max let out a breath. She'd been trying to figure it out for weeks and hadn't been able to come to any sort of answer. But she wasn't the only one invested in it now, she had to try. Lucas deserved that much at least.

"It's like, I feel the same but for different reasons. I love sitting in your room talking about comics just as much as movie nights with her. Your arm around me is just as comforting as the feeling of her playing with my hair. It's all like that." Which made the whole thing so goddamn confusing. "And I know it's different then how I feel when Dustin and I talk about videogames, or Will throws his legs over my lap. El used to be in that same category, but at some point it became more then that. I'm not even really sure when."

Another pause. Logically Max knew it was probably a good thing, it was better if Lucas was actually listening to what she was saying and taking the time to process it rather than just responding with emotion. But god was every pause terrifying.

When the response did come, Lucas's voice was careful, measured. As if he was still working through it even as he spoke. "So, you still love me. You just also have feelings for El?"

Max swallowed, but nodded.

"So- what does that mean for us?"

"I think that's up to you." As if the whole situation wasn't scary enough. "I still want to date you, but I understand if you're- I don't know. Upset or something."

"I don't want to lose you," Luas started, which was enough to make Max relax a little, even if he was following it up a second later. "But I also don't want it to just be because you're scared, or because I'm the safer option."

"It's not," She assured immediately, grip tightening on his hand. She needed him to know that, needed him to understand that much at least, even if the rest didn't make sense. Even if it all still fell apart. "I love you. You're not a second choice or a default or anything like that. I want to be with you."

"But you also want to be with El?"

Slowly Max nodded again, but as soon as she did she was speaking. "But it doesn't matter. I love you, if you're still willing, and you're not worried about it, than that's enough."

"I want you to have more than just enough." His voice is steadier now, but almost detached. Thoughtful. "And I don't want you to end up regretting it, or constantly wondering about if you'd picked her instead."

Her instinct was to reassure him that none of that would happen, but the comment hadn't had any insecurity in it. It had been closer to analytical, like he was talking though a math problem, just laying out the pieces he needed to find the answer. Max deflated a little. "So what do you want to do?"

"I want to keep dating you," he assured first, lacing their fingers together, holding tight. "But I also don't ever want to hold you back from what you want."

"You're not-"

"I know, but-" the slightest hesitation, "-this is going to sound crazy."

"Can't be crazier than most of the things we do," Max attempted to tease.

"Fair enough." Lucas chuckled, and that by itself made Max feel a little better about the whole situation, even with the small pause that followed. "What if you dated both of us?"

Max blinked. "What?"

"Just, hear me out, okay? It's like an experiment, right? The problem is you like both of us, and it's obvious El likes you, and I don't want you to end up regretting anything later." Lucas paused, waiting till Max had nodded before he finished. "So, if you like both of us and we both want you to be happy, then we would all be happier if you dated both of us."

Max hesitated. She wasn't sure what she was waiting on, but whatever it was didn't come. Finally she asked "You'd be okay with that?"

"I think so." There was obvious hesitance despite it being his idea, but it also didn't seem like he was going to back down from it. "Just keep talking to me about it. Make sure I know what's happening."

"I can manage that." It was the absolute least she could do. "But you have to do the same, okay? If you change your mind, or you're not comfortable with it, or anything. You tell me"

"Okay."

The knots in her stomach weren't completely gone, but they were slowly starting to unwind, enough that Max offered him a small smile. "But not right now. Right now I'd really like to just watch Star Trek."

"That sounds perfect." Lucas moved to start the movie, giving Max a moment to calm herself down. When he came back she was more then happy to lean against him, the comforting pressure of his arm around her shoulders making the rest of her nerves disappear almost instantly. This was safe. They were okay.

"I love you."

A kiss was pressed to the top of her head. "I love you too."