So I'm going to cut to a few weeks into Max's self imposed rehab. Sorry it's it's going too quick but I need to get to this point in my story.
Enjoy!
I was so high I did not recognize
The fire burning in her eyes
The chaos that controlled my mind
Whispered goodbye and she got on a plane
Never to return again
But always in my heart
It had been three weeks.
Three weeks since he had take his last hit. He flushed the rest of it down the toilet as soon as he got back to the station that day. He hadn't seen Ashley since that night either; he wanted to see her when he was clean, to tell her that she was the reason for this. He felt so low at this point in his life; he had been in bed the whole time; only ever getting up to go to the toilet. He was just to tired all the time and he hated it.
More then once he had been tempted to call someone to help; to call someone to bring some gear over for him.
But he wouldn't, because he wasn't going to let them win. All those who snickered at him; those at work who locked him in the store room, he wasn't going to let them win.
He felt hot, a little too hot so he was wearing no shirt. He was laying on the kitchen floor; he was lucky he supposed, he hadn't thrown up on himself just yet; although, he could feel the nausea creeping up on him. He wanted someone to help him; someone who cold reassure him that this was worth it.
A knock on the door brought him out of this reverie. Slowly; he walked over to his door and opened it.
Ashley looked at him with a state of disbelief on her face "Whoa" She said as she took in his form "Wha-Are you alright?" She asked as she stepped into the house. She only came by to talk about the night they slept together; to tell him that she was still going to marry Harvey because he loved her for her and never treated her like shit. The whole conversation she had planned in her head had blown out the window.
Max shook his head and closed the door "I'm fine" He grumbled as he walked over to the couch and flopped down.
Ashley shook her head "No, you're not" She looked at him and saw his eyes look away; she knew the look, she knew what he was doing "Oh Max" She whispered as she saw his shaking hands "I-I" She tried again "Why didn't you tell me what you were doing?"
Max stood up roughly and walked to his kitchen "Leave me alone" He growled as he poured himself a drink of water. Ashley placed her hands on her hips and shook her head "No. You look like shit serge" She watched as he dry retched over the sink. There was that nausea.
Ashley stood still; as Max closed his eyes and turned to her "What do you want Ashley?" He asked her as he opened his eyes and ran a hand over his face.
Ashley walked over to him "I'm taking you back to my place" She said in a matter of factly tone.
"No you're not" Max stated, pushing past her and making his way back to the lounge. He fell down and closed his eyes, wanting nothing but to go back to sleep.
"Yeah. You are. You honestly think you can deal with this by yourself?" Ashley said as she stood in front of him; pushing his arm to wake him up.
Max nodded "I think I can" He looked at her and saw the look of despair on her face; all he wanted her to do was go away.
"Look, Max. I hate you; you hate me, there's no secret of that. We slept together the once; hoo ha. But, yeah. You've been the biggest prick to me. What was your nickname for me oh yeah, an air head barbie. But I don't care about that shit at the moment Max. Because you're my sergeant, you're my partner. And..." She took a deep breath in "...You're my friend. So get your lazy ass off this damn couch while I get your shit. You're coming back to my place so I can keep an eye on you" She turned on her heel and walked up the stairs to pack a weekend bag for him. Throwing as much stuff as she can in one bag.
Max called up the stairs after her "What about Harvey?" He asked, using the wall to support himself. Ashley walked down the stairs with a bag over her shoulder "Well if he doesn't like it then he can go stay at his house" She stated as she placed one of his arms over her shoulder and led him outside. Ignoring the look she was getting from Max's neighbour "Mind the house will ya?" Ashley called out to the woman as she loaded her kids into the house.
The woman nodded slowly and watched as Ashley placed Max into he passenger seat of the car and buckle him in; her herself moving to the driver's seat.
"You're not doing this on your own serge. No matter how much of a pain in my ass you've been" She mumbled as she saw Max asleep in the seat.
When Harvey arrived home; he walked into the kitchen and saw Max asleep in the adjoining lounge room on the couch.
"Who's he?" He pointed to Max as he walked over to Ashley who was reading a book at the circular kitchen table; he bent down and placed a kiss on her head and sat next to her.
Ashley placed her book down and looked at her fiance "He's my boss" She said in a hushed tone. She threw a worried look at Max as his eyes flew open and he threw the contents of his stomach into the red bucket next to him.
"Is he okay?" Harvey asked in an equally worried tone, watching as Max fell back onto the couch and went back to sleep.
Ashley shook his head "No, he's not. He's um...Shit Harv. He's suffering from withdrawal. He was a cocaine addict" She whispered as Harvey's face dropped.
"And he's your boss. As in...You're boss. Your police boss" Harvey stuttered as he heard Max moan in pain.
Ashley nodded and raised her eyebrows "Yeah. I mean, I thought it would be a good idea to keep him where I can watch him. Keep an eye on him" She said.
Harvey shook his head "I don't like it" He mumbled as Max once again threw up.
"Nor I. But he has no one else" Ashley said as Max blew out a breath and rubbed his hand over his face; slowly sitting up and taking in his surroundings; "What am I doing here?" he asked, looking over at Ashley and Harvey.
"Making sure you don't suddenly drop dead on me" Ashley said as she walked over to him and crouched down. Harvey saw something in Ashley's eyes when she did this that he couldn't really comprehend, whatever it was, he didn't like it one bit.
Harvey stood up abruptly "I don't want him here" He stated suddenly; finally realising what he had seen in Ashley's eyes.
Love.
"What?" Ashley exclaimed, standing up and walking over to Harvey. Max looked between the two and shook his head "I don't-" He blew out a breath and tried again "I don't want to come between you two" He said, making his voice heard.
Ashley turned to face him "Tough" She stated before turning back to Harvey "You have no say in who comes in or out of my house" She said.
Harvey shook his head "I do when it's a drugged up copper!" He yelled "Do your bosses know about this? About who they have working for them?" He asked, pulling out his iphone.
"You call them, and I guarantee that that will be it for us" She pulled off her engagement ring and held it in front of her.
Harvey shook his head and placed his phone back into his pocket "I'm not staying here"
Ashley threw her hands up in the air "Fine! Whatever!" She called out as Harvey walked out of the house with a slam of the door.
Max sighed dejectedly "I'm sorry Ash" He said in a sincere tone.
The younger woman shook her head "Don't be. Um, I think...I think this has been a long time coming" She said sadly as she sat down next to Max on the couch "I mean, I love him. I love him so much but...I'm not in love with him"
Max nodded and clutched his stomach "How long does this go for?" He asked as he let out a small wince in pain as his back started hurting.
"A while. Don't worry; you've gotten through this far. It'll be okay" She rubbed his back and closed her eyes; a small tear trailing down her face when she remembered the last time she did this for someone "And hey; after this, we can go back to you being the annoying, unemotional sergeant and I can go back to being an airheadded DC" She laughed.
"Ashley. I really don't mean it. You're a brilliant officer. And a good partner" Max looked at her and saw the worry in her eyes.
Ashley shook her head "You're making it out to feel as if you're dying" She laughed as Max turned back to the bucket "I feel like I am" And he once again threw up.