Thanks again for the review!
My sister's currently in labour; but, as I am currently 196km away; I cannot be there. Only dedicate this chapter to you because you wanted me to write it before hand. Love ya.

My first mistake was loving you
My worst mistake was giving you a second chance
Cause you tore me up, and you called it love
You made a fool out of me
My last mistake thinking I wont made the same mistake again

Mistake- Brian McFadden and Delta Goodrem.

It's been a week since Max had come to stay at Ashley's and, bit by bit, he was getting good again. He remembered Ashley being by his side at one am when he was in too much pain to deal with on his own; she had a smirk on her face asking him if he could deal with it by himself now.
He couldn't understand why she was standing by him, after everything he's said to her; everything he's done to her; she still tries to help him.

The next chain reaction of events started when Ashley resumed work at Sun Hill; she had told Mickey and only Mickey that he was at her house suffering it out. The sandy haired man nodded and told her if she needed help with him to give him a call. She smiled and gave him a hug gratefully.
Her relationship with Harvey had only just gotten back on track when she surprised him with a visit at work; still avoiding the subject that she knew would destroy him. She slept with Max.
They went out for lunch and talked over everything. The way adults should do. Ashley thought life was pretty good at that point in time. Well, that was until she got home that night after a long, hard, tiring day at work.

"Max?" She called out as she once again threw her keys into the green bowl and walked into the lounge. Over the past few days; Max had been that little bit more active, he was eating more and didn't look like death warmed up. So when she saw him on the couch, completely zoned out, traces of white powder on her coffee table, she lost it.
"What the hell?" She exclaimed as she walked over to him and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, yanking him up off the couch and pushing him into the cream coloured wall next to it "What the hell is that?" She yelled, pointing to the row of cocaine on her table.

Max shook his head, feeling sorry for himself, but her more so. He let her down; the way he had done so many times before "I'm sorry Ash. I tried. Really I did" He tried to explain, but Ashley wasn't having any of it. She let go of him and looked away; placing her head on her forehead and shaking her head at him "No. No more Max. I-I risked everything so you can get good again. I tried to help you Max. But, like you said yourself, you don't need me helping you anymore" She sounded tired and Max immediently felt guilty.

"I'm sorry Ashley" He called out lamely as he saw her walk over to the kitchen door.
She once again shook her head and looked at him "I don't care" She said gently, he was alright with Ashley when she was mad, he could deal with her then because at least he knew she was feeling something; but when she was like this, a blank mask on her face, he was speechless "I don't want you here when I get back" She said as she walked out the door and slammed it behind him.

Max looked down and kicked the footrest across the room in anger. Why did he have to be so stupid? Why couldn't he have held out just that little while longer? He gingerly gathered up his things and let Ashley's residence, wondering if she would ever speak to him again.

Ashley stared blankly at her computer; she knew that Max would be in at any moment and she needed to get out. She couldn't even bear to look at him anymore. At one stage, she couldn't look away, but now; now things were different.
"DC Cooper" Neil called out from his office as he walked over to her; a cream coloured file in his hands "There was a robbery down on the Jasmine Allen. I want you and Max to lead this investigation" He said; placing the file on her desk.
Ashley shook her head "No. I can't, I'm um...Working with um..." She looked around to see who was in the office "...Mickey and Grace. Sorry Gov" She smiled as Mickey looked up "What?" He asked, confused.

Ashley gave him a 'shut up' kind of look and turned back to Neil. The older man narrowed his eyes "Alright then. I'll give it to Max and Terry then" He said, placing the folder on Max's desk just as the said man walked into the office; a little too happily given the current circumstances.
"Max. Welcome back" Neil gave the other man a hand shake the placed his hands on his hips "How was the holiday?"

Max didn't even throw a glance in Ashley's direction "Could've been better but you know how it is" He smiled as he walked around to his desk and sat down "Morning Ashley" He smiled, he had to try it. The younger woman just rose her eyebrows in a swift greeting. He sighed and looked at the file on his desk "We have a robbery" He stated.

Ashley shook his head "No; you and Terry have a robbery. I'm floating around with Mickey today" She stood up and went to walk past him; but Max grabbed her arm "If you want to know what's good for you, I suggest you let go of my arm" She growled.
Max did was he was told and tapped his fingers on his chair "So how is Harvey anyway Ashley?" He said in a slightly loud voice; trying to make his conversation heard. Ashley's face dropped slightly as a small smirk graced his face "How's he coping with the news that his loving fiance cheated on him?" He said.

Ashley felt someone behind her and was glad when she saw Stevie and Mickey standing behind her "Stop playing your bloody games Max. No one cares" Stevie said in an exasperated tone.
"I'm not playing any games; am I Ashley. I was just asking her a question" Max said innocently.
He felt his heart swell with grief when he saw Ashley bow her head and clench her hands down by her side "Go to hell" She said quietly.
"So he doesn't know?" Max assumed; he knew she was going to lash out at any moment; but he knew that that was better then her not doing anything at all. He knew she was hurting because of what he did to her; but the least he could do was make her take it out on him, and if this was the way to do it, then so be it.

"Wonder what would happen if I told him?" This was the final blow; Ashley yanked him off his chair and punched him in the nose. Blood started to fall freely from it "Come on Ashley. I know how much you hate me. Why don't you show everyone here that. Huh?" He called out to her as she turned her back to him.
Ashley turned around with tears in her eyes and shouter "Because I don't bloody hate you! I'm in love with you!" She said, pushing him into the dark blue wall and walking away.

Everyone in CID stood quiet and still as Max tried to register what she had just said to him. She loved him; she, Ashley Cooper. Loved him, Max Carter. Not Harvey, him.
Neil walked over to Max and said quietly "Go get your nose checked out by the FME"
Max nodded and without another word, walked out of CID, ignoring the glances which his colleagues were throwing him.