It's been a long while since I did anything. It's actually been two weeks since the contest deadline. I'm always disgustingly busy this time of year. I don't know why I decided to hold a contest this time of year. I guess I'm just crazy. I don't regret it, though, because it was fun. Yes, the results will be at the bottom of the drabble. Skip to there if you like, because this drabble's nothing special.

Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade.

Enjoy!

"And I don't try to hide my tears,

My secrets or my deepest fears."

I Don't Try to Hide My Tears

Max walked quickly, weaving in between people going about their daily business, with his eyes set at the end of the hallway. He passed dozens of white doors before stopping in front of one in particular, fearful of what lay inside.

"Where are they?" He directed his question at Ozuma and Dunga. It was more of an odd way to ask permission to enter the room. They weren't standing on either side of room 431 for nothing, after all.

"In there." Ozuma nodded to the door, never taking his eyes off of the boy who stood out of breath and worried in front of him.

Max thanked them and went to open the door. His hand has just clasped the handle when Dunga spoke.

"Mariam wanted to be alone, you know. That's why we're not in there. She doesn't want company."

"But she needs it," Max insisted.

A "You'll be sorry." sounded as he opened the door and slid into the room. It was stark white, just like everything else in the hospital. Several machines kept tabs on the thin figure in the bed as he lay unconscious. Joseph was frighteningly paler than usual, par from his cheeks which were stained scarlet by his fever. One-hundred and four degrees Fahrenheit – forty degrees Celsius. Needless to say, he wasn't in the best condition. Mariam sat by the side of his bed, loosely holding his hand with her head resting in her arm, facing her brother.

"Mariam."

"What are you doing here?" she spat angrily, lifting her head to look at the intruder. "I told them I wanted to be left alone."

Max felt a shock of pity when he noticed her red cheeks and puffy eyes.

"Go!" she ordered, voice cracking.

Max simply shook his head.

She looked away in disgust.

"You've been crying, Mariam."

"No, I haven't," she denied flatly.

"Then you must have a fever to rival Joseph's." Only Max was stubborn and sweet enough for Mariam. He knew just how to push her buttons and produce a positive result.

"Listen," the Saint Shield stood up and turned to Max, "I know I look horrible. I don't need you making fun of me."

"But, I'm not," he said. "Honest. I was just calling your bluff." When she said nothing he sighed. "Are you gonna tell me what's wrong with him or am I going to have to look at his chart?"

Mariam sat down on the bed dejectedly. "Pneumonia," she muttered, studying her hands folded in her lap. "We were outside at night in the rain walking and talking – just me and him. We both ended up sick with colds, but his only got worse."

Max sad down beside her and held her hand. She didn't pull back, but she didn't tighten her hand around his either. She just sat and stared. "There was nothing you could do, Mariam."

"I could've taken more care of him. I'm his older sister – it's my job. Seeing him lying there, I feel like I've failed him." She gave a small, bitter chuckle. "Why am I telling you this? It's not like you really care."

"I do care, Mariam. I'm your boyfriend, that's my job. I actually probably shouldn't care as much as I do, but I do." He studied her for a moment. "Why do you hide so much of yourself? Your fear for Joseph's safety and your crying about his current situation – it's all kept secret."

"I don't try to." She gave a halfway smile. "Self-preservation, I guess. What little of an image I have has to be kept."

Max smiled and hugged her.

"Why are you hugging me?" she asked stiffly.

"Just hug me back, no questions."

Rolling her eyes, she gave him a little hug.

"Get a room."

Mariam snapped her head around to see Joseph staring accusingly back. "When did you get up?"

"Just in time to see you and your boyfriend tangled up in each other's arms on my bed."

"If you weren't sick I'd hit you for making that sound so suggestive."

As brother and sister argued, Max tactfully slipped out. His work was done.

A/N: It wasn't anything special, once more.

Just to keep you in suspense a little while longer, not that anyone didn't already peek, I wanted to ask a question. Do you guys have any New Year's resolutions I should make for these drabbles? I've gotten off track with my daily routine that I had going, but January starts a new year. Any suggestions?

Anyway, I did have more to say, I think, but I can never remember. On to the contest results, I suppose. It took me longer than I thought to judge. All of your oneshots were spectacular and you made it a really tough decision.

RedWheeler won the poll, so she automatically places either first, second or third.

That being said, I've awarded Kamakaze Jazzy third place for her oneshot elaborating on four kisses Max and Mariam almost shared and one that they did. The format was original and each kiss was original and it's own little gem. It's one that I could definitely go back and reread over and over. She gets a MaxMariam oneshot request as her prize. That's a tad different from what my rules say, but I felt that I had to make second and third place prizes a little different.

RedWheeler has been given second place. I can't really say enough about her oneshot. It was funny, sweet, and cute. Adding Rick, Judy and the rest of the AllStarz was a nice touch – I can hardly keep from putting them in my MaxMariam, myself. The Mariam and Judy rivalry happens to be one of my favorites and it was kept alive exceedingly well in this. She gets a oneshot request also. No restrictions character-, genre-, and plot-wise.

And now for first place. When I read my first place choice, I automatically knew it was going to have to place. It was a really original take on their first kiss, and for that, it won first. So the person who gets two oneshot requests without any restrictions character- or genre-wise, is Kinkajouu. I would never have imagined that Max and Mariam's first kiss would be in a jail cell.

Congratulations to all of you! And thanks to all who entered! Remember, each of you gets a drabble request that you can consider my Christmas present to you. Also, anyone who's reading this can request a drabble, as well, just because I'm feeling generous this Christmas. Though keep in mind that they may be late Christmas presents if I can't kick myself into gear quick enough.

Review?