A/N: Sorry if the formatting of the story is weird, Fanfiction added a whole bunch of code into it and I had to go line by line to pull it out. Please review! I started my fanfiction writing after reading the series for the 6th or 7th time but now I am running out of steam. Each of your reviews makes me so happy and encourages me to finish this story! More of Aspen's POV coming up! Look forward to finding out all about how Maxon is finally rescued from the Great Room!

MAXON'S POV

Outside the Great Room I found Justin, my mother and my father. My father was scowling, as usual, although I felt a small pang of relief when I realized my decision today would actually please him. One less thing to worry about. My mother, on the other hand, looked like she was bursting at the seams with happiness.

Maxon," she gushed. "You look so handsome. I can't believe the day is finally here! I am so proud of you." I looked into her eyes as she straightened my tie. She had known I loved America for several weeks, and I could see the joy it brought her. In the spirit of her birthday promise, she had constantly seen the good in America and had repeatedly pointed out how good she thought we would be together. I swallowed, a lump in my throat, as I thought about how disappointed and confused she would be when I announced my choice

"Thanks, Mom," I said, hugging her tightly. I took a step back, unable to make eye contact again. I turned to Justin, "Did you find one?"

Of course your majesty, I think you will like it." He stood expectantly, waiting for me to open the small blue box. Instead, I shoved it into my pocket

"Thank you, Justin."

"Maxon?" Kriss smiled shyly as she approached me. I could see the questions in her eyes, but I chose to ignore them. I'm sure she wondered why I hadn't talked to her after… the events… in the hallway. But I couldn't bear to have that discussion a minute before I had to

"You look beautiful, Kriss." I heard footsteps behind me. "Far too lovely for a scruff like me." I choked out a laugh, realizing I had made a similar joke to America at the Halloween ball.

"Your Majesty," America said, almost whispering. My heart stopped and I could feel my face flush, emotions barely controlled. I closed my eyes briefly to focus before nodding my head in her direction, my eyes remaining on Kriss

"It's time," I announced. I looked toward my mother and father, who seemed oblivious to the drama unfolding a few feet away. Smiling at my mother, I motioned they should go before us. I watched them walk down the aisle to the platform, and looked to Kriss, taking her hand. "Shall we?"

As we walked to the stage, I could feel America's presence as she followed closely behind. She was so near, her dress brushed against my heels. The weight of her presence made me feel like I was drowning, but I walked on, smiling at the crowds

When we reached the platform I allowed Kriss to take the steps before me, using my hand to steady her. Reaching the top of the stairs, I instinctively turned to America

She was beautiful. My breathing stopped as I took in her distraught face. The urge was overwhelming to reach down and kiss her until the past was erased from both of our memories. I snapped out of it and reached for her hand to help her up to the stage. Deciding it was better to refrain from looking at her again, I turned my attention to Kriss

I managed to continue polite conversation with beaming Kriss while simultaneously focusing on my peripheral vision, where I could see America surveying the crowds. She loves someone else, I thought to myself. You were just a bump in the road of their love story, one they will laugh about years from now. At that thought, I glanced over and saw her watching none other but Officer Ledger

What was he doing here, anyway? Quickly, I realized I had never actually informed his superiors of a change of orders. That would have to be remedied when we were done here

Noticing a pause in the conversation, I turned to America. "Trying to arrange a time to meet later?" I snarled

She snapped her head toward me, pain in her voice. "No, of course not." I felt like my chest was being ripped open as I looked into her eyes. The pain of her choosing someone else was too much to bear. But to see some of that pain in her own eyes… I stopped the hopeful thought before it began. She was probably just worried about my threat of sending her beloved to die or of them being separated. I meant nothing to her.

"It's not like it matters," I distanced myself from her, wanting it to seem like I didn't care about whatever was going on between them. I wanted her to think I was happy about this turn of events, that I could now live my life with Kriss. "Kriss's family will be here this afternoon for a small celebration, and yours will be here to take you home. They don't like for the last loser to be alone. She tends to get dramatic. You can keep that house if you want. It's been paid for. I'd like my letters back though." The hours that had passed since I left her room this morning seemed like a lifetime ago

"I read them," she whispered "I loved them."

I careened at the thought of her reading my letters and laughing at my openness, my… devotion. "Don't know what I was thinking."

"Please don't do this. Please. I love you."

"Don't. You. Dare," The rage I had been holding onto returned full force. Those words were far too painful to hear. I had poured my soul into hers only to find that she had thrown it all away. She didn't love me and I wasn't going to let her ruin what was left of my life. Perhaps this was some last-ditch effort to save her guard. "You put on a smile, and you wear it to the last second."

She rearranged her features into a small smile. The look of hopelessness and devastation beneath the smile almost broke me. Looking into her sad eyes, I could see the girl I had fallen in love with and my heart was shattered on the floor all over again. My breathing hitched and I shook my head slightly, clearing the thought. It was over. She had chosen and nothing I could say or do would bring her back to me now.

"That'll do. Don't let that slip until you leave the room, do you understand?" I looked into her eyes, intending it to be the last time I ever would. "I'll be glad when you're gone," I lied

I was staring blankly into Kriss' eyes when I heard the crack of gunfire. My heart stopped in that instant, and I instinctually whipped my head around, ensuring America still sat safely sitting on her stool. Pulling Kriss to the floor, I tried to quickly calm her wailing as the chaos ensued.

I stood up and looked around for America, only to find myself face to face with the end of a barrel
Time slowed and I finally found America's eyes. I melted, all of the hours of anger quickly dissipating. Her eyes were filled with fear and compassion. In that split second, I knew. She loved me. Why had I ever doubted her? With that realization, I accepted my death. Overwhelming peace filled me as I turned back to the rebel.

A smile spread across his face, and he turned the gun toward America

Without a moment's hesitation, I leaped in front of her and crashed to the floor

In that moment, there was no pain. As the blood drained out of me, I felt a warm glow envelop me. It was getting harder to breathe and I stared at the bottom of the table under which I had fallen, reminded of my time spent under the stars, America in my arms

At the thought of her name, I careened back into reality. Pain blinded me. I tried to sit up and failed. Looking down, I could see the blood spreading. I had been shot, had I saved her?

Just then her face came into my vision, inches away

"Oh, Maxon," she cried. She pressed something into my bullet wound and blackness started to envelop my vision. I forced myself to stay alert. "I'm so sorry," she said
My arm felt heavy as I reached for her hand. "No, I'm sorry," I said, my breath labored. "I was about to ruin both our lives."

"Don't talk right now. Just focus, okay?"

"Look at me, America."

Her beautiful eyes met mine and it was as if all the pain went away. I smiled, "Break my heart. Break it a thousand times if you like. It was only ever yours to break anyway. I'll love you until my very last breath. Every beat of my heart is yours. I don't want to die without you knowing that."

"Please don't," she choked on tears and I felt terrible for causing her this pain. I reached up slowly, telling her wordlessly what I needed. She bent down and kissed me tenderly. I tried to express everything with that kiss, that I loved her, that I was happy she was alive, that was incredibly sorry for the pain I had caused her… that she could go on without me. I had given all my effort, and I sank back down to the floor

"Don't give up, Maxon. I love you; please don't give up."

I took a labored breath. She loved me. My mind started to drift. My life was hers; somehow, I thought it always had been, that everything that had ever happened has led to this moment, when I could give my life for hers

I was jerked back to the present with America's scream. I tensed, but it was Officer Ledger's face I saw

"Kriss is in a safe room, Your Majesty," he said. I had forgotten about Kriss, but I was glad she was safe. "Your turn. Can you stand?"

I shook my head, realizing there was only one thing I wanted. "A waste of time. Take her."

"But, Your Majesty—"

"That's an order," I said as forcefully as I could manage. It took all of my effort to stare down Officer Ledger. This man owed me his life after the stunt he had pulled. I could see the battle in his eyes as he weighed America's safety against his duty to me

"Yes, sir."

"No! I won't go!" America yelled

I was suddenly exhausted at the effort it was taking to breathe. "You'll go," I said, love overwhelming my voice. If the last good thing I could do on this earth was love this woman with all my heart and keep her safe, I would

"Come on, Mer. We'll have to hurry." Mer. The familiar phrase was widened the hole in my chest. But I couldn't allow myself to be jealous. She would be his now, and I would give my life all over again to see her happy.

"I'm not leaving!"

The tone of Officer Ledger's voice was urgent, and I knew she was running out of time. I reached up and grabbed his collar. "She lives. Do you understand me? Whatever it takes, she lives."

He nodded and I sank back down, watching as he pulled her out from the table

No!" she cried. "Maxon, please!"

I took one last look at her beautiful face, committing every detail to memory. How do I tell her that I love her, I forgive her, to forget about me and live her life with him? "Be happy," I whispered, squeezing her hand once before closing my eyes, sinking into oblivion.

I was suddenly back in her bed and I could feel her in my arms. Her soft scent, the sound of her breathing, the smell of vanilla emanating from the red, curly hair draping over my chest. I smiled, happy to have this moment, and drifted off to sleep