Chloe whistled appreciatively as they drove up the lengthy driveway, bordered by decorative trees. "Gotta hand it to them, the Chases got a noice place."

Max nodded, looking around the grounds as they got closer to the massive house. "I can see Victoria living here. It's…probably lonely."

Chloe snorted. "Only you would see that. All I see is bitchin' parties and hide-and-seek." Max gave her a baffled look. "What? I like hide-and-seek, sue me," she retorted.

Max started laughing at her. "You are the worst hide-and-seek player I have ever met. You start giggling as soon as you're hiding!"

"Hey, never said I was any good at it, alright? No need to hate." She kept her tone playful, but she was exceptionally anxious. Victoria Chase was not known for being friendly with them, and she wasn't entirely sure that a near-death experience was enough to fix that. Then again, she thought to herself, I wasn't exactly an angel before all of this, either. Maybe Max was a catalyst for abrupt personality changes.

She parked the truck in front of one of the two garages connected to the house, staring up with her jaw dropped. "Dude, I just decided. I want a mansion when I grow up." Max scoffed at her, pushing open the passenger door. Chloe followed behind, still gazing at the stone work. It oddly reminded her of an art gallery, which made sense, seeing as the Chases owned an art gallery.

"You sure this is their house and not the Chase Space, right?" The words barely left Chloe's mouth before the front door opened, revealing a familiar petite figure.

In the two months since they had last seen Victoria, there was a definite change in her appearance. Her pixie cut hadn't fully grown out, but it was starting to look a little shaggy. She still wore the same style of too-expensive clothing, but her posture was much less that of a queen bee and more...normal. There was no other way to put it. She looked more relatable than ever, even standing on the porch of a multi-million dollar mansion.

Victoria offered a wave, a half smile just barely visible from the distance. Max took a step towards her, and Chloe grumpily followed.

"Hi Max, Chloe," Victoria said tentatively as they made their way up the steps to the front door. She seemed a little fidgety. "It's, um, good to see you." Her voice went up at the end of the sentence, as if it was a question.

"Hi, Victoria. Thanks for reaching out," Max said kindly. They slipped into the house, Victoria behind them as she closed the door.

The interior of the house was very clean - some would call it boring. It had a modern look to it, but it seemed like every surface was white, in stark comparison to the colorful paintings and photographs covering the walls. An open spiral staircase sat directly in front of them, with a simple metallic bannister running along the upper floor. Before this, the nicest house Chloe had been in was Rachel's, and although the Ambers had a pretty fancy place, it still felt like someone lived there. The Chase household definitely felt cold in comparison.

Victoria stood awkwardly, looking down at her feet. "So, uh, this is my house."

"Doesn't feel like a house," Chloe commented, unable to stop herself. She got a mean look from Max, but Victoria was nodding in agreement.

"It's a very...industrial design. My parents like using it to group new artwork, you know, previsualize what an exhibit would look like in the gallery before taking down what's on display. Using projectors and stuff, no way would they put the real works up." Victoria seemed to be rambling, shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot as she spoke.

Max was now nodding as well. Of course, talking art could change her mind on anything. "That makes sense...although it seems a little strange to do it in your own home." She came across as curious, not inflammatory, and Chloe found herself jealous. Those same words out of her own mouth would have had a very different impact.

Victoria shook her head, looking a little flustered. "Well, I didn't invite you over here to talk art, Caulfield." She started wringing her hands. "Do you mind if we go up to my room?" She didn't wait for an answer, and just started walking towards the spiral staircase. It was surreal, following someone Chloe couldn't normally stand.

The upstairs hallway looked much like the main floor, but Victoria's room was a welcome change. It was slightly larger than the rooms at Blackwell, and she had a couch running along one wall, across from the bed. Although her room was still outfitted with whites and grays for the most part, there were pictures of her and her friends along the walls. It at least felt like someone lived in this room. A particular photo caught Chloe's eye, and she glared angrily back at the black and white image of Nathan Prescott. Even dead, even knowing he wasn't entirely in control of what he did, she couldn't help but hate him.

Victoria took a seat on the bed, gesturing for them to sit down on the couch. Chloe was glad for a little bit of distance. Reflexively, Chloe had slung an arm around Max, which Victoria quickly noticed. "Kate had mentioned you two were an item now. Congrats, I guess."

"Do you talk to Kate a lot?" Max asked politely, although Chloe was pleased to see just the faintest hint of pink as Chloe tugged her a little.

There was a sort of sadness to Victoria's expression. "Not a lot. She's pretty busy, and I still don't feel like I should be talking to her, what with the video and shit."

"You took it down, though. I know that meant a lot to her." Chloe could see why Kate and Max got along so well - they were both way too optimistic about others.

Victoria pursed her lips, but didn't comment any further. "I just wanted to say, in person...thanks." Even with her polite attitude up to this point, it obviously took her some effort to say that.

There was a beat of silence. "For...what?" Chloe asked, noticing Max was not responding.

Victoria rolled her eyes. "I don't know how the hell you two losers knew about it, but Madsen mentioned something about you being right when he...found me." She took a deep breath, steeling herself. "I was still...half out of it, but I remember." A defiant gleam had showed up in her eyes, as if daring them to contradict her. When they both remained silent, her eyes widened a little bit. "Shit, were you..."

"We found that bunker, looking...looking for Rachel," Chloe spoke up, hoping that was enough. It wasn't a lie, after all. "We told David after we found it, that's how he knew it was there." Chloe turned to look at Max, hoping she would back her up, but Max had reflexively closed her eyes. Her fists were clenched tight, and Chloe cursed Victoria silently.

Victoria gave a little gesture with her hand. "I guess...that answers that." Her eyes were watery, but she seemed determined to hide all other signs of weakness. "Guessing your binder must be hidden aw-"

"Shut your goddamn mouth, Victoria," Chloe snapped, fighting the urge to jump to her feet. Instead, she tried to focus on Max, who was shaking, reliving god knows what.

Victoria's eyes suddenly gleamed with malice, all traces of sympathy gone from her face. "Looks like I hit a nerve, Price."

"I'll hit your fucking nerve if you don't back off," she hissed between her teeth, subconsciously shifting so she was in front of Max, partially blocking her from view. This is what she had been afraid of, this is why she didn't want to come - didn't want Max to come. Victoria hadn't changed a bit.

"Where have I seen you so, protective, before? Oh yeah, you and Rachel Amber." A chill went down Chloe's spine as she suddenly remembered the night of The Tempest, how Victoria tried to drug Rachel. "You have a type, Chloe. Apparently, you like drugged damsels in distress."

"Stop it," Max said quietly, but Chloe pretended not to hear her as she got to her feet. Victoria jumped to her feet as well. Chloe's hands were in fists, shaking, trying to talk herself down.

"You can't help it, can you? You're just a magnet for trouble." Victoria smiled viciously, goading her. "I'm surprised Max is still breathi-"

She didn't get the opportunity to finish her sentence, because Chloe had clocked her. Her knuckles smarted from where it impacted against the girl's cheek, but she didn't care. Before she could wind up again, she was tugged backwards by the collar of her shirt, almost falling as she stumbled.

"What the hell is your problem? Both of you!" Max had gotten to her feet, glaring at both of them in turn. Chloe instantly felt ashamed of herself, angry at her own emotions. She fell back onto the couch, holding her forehead. Victoria was still leaning against her bed, touching her cheek, her eyes a mix of anger and sorrow.

"Listen, Maxine, I-"

"No, you listen, Victoria." There was a fury in Max's voice, but underneath it, she just sounded tired. "Yes. Jefferson drugged me." Chloe's head dropped. "He drugged me, tied me up, took pictures of me." Her voice was cracking, but Chloe didn't have it in her to get up, to even look up. She was trying her hardest to not visualize what Max was saying. "I have no idea where the pictures went, and I hope I never have to see them again."

There was a deathly silence in the room, and Chloe could hear Victoria move. She looked up just in time to see her wrap her arms around Max. "I'm so sorry, Max," Victoria said quietly, tears starting to run down her face. "I didn't know."

"I'm sorry, too," came the reply. "I hate that you still had to go through that." Max pulled away, rubbing her eyes.

Victoria cast a glance over at Chloe, looking somewhat embarrassed. "Sorry I was...being such a bitch." Chloe nodded in response, not able to get back onto her feet. Victoria touched her cheek, which was turning red. "Guess I deserved that."

"You were just lashing out," Chloe replied, feeling a little stunned. "I just hate seeing her like that."

"Chloe can be a bit overprotective of me," Max agreed, a slight humor in her voice. "But she's been helping me deal with...all of that."

Victoria sighed heavily, sitting back down on her bed. Max joined her, dabbing at her eyes. "That's most of what Kate and I talk about. Just how we feel about it all." She looked over at Max. "Does she know?"

Max shook her head. "I didn't want anyone to know."

Victoria gave a humorless laugh. "I know how you feel. I'd rather the whole world not know who I am because of that. And, instead, I get to sit across from him in a courtroom and tell the whole world what a piece of shit he is."

Chloe was back on her feet, almost on her toes. "Shit, did they finally charge him?"

Victoria nodded. "Two counts of homicide, twenty two counts of kidnapping...guess it should be twenty three," she added quietly, looking apologetic. A hard look suddenly formed in her eyes, and her lips curled upward. "His precious art came back to haunt him as hard evidence."

"Good," Chloe said, feeling a weight released off her shoulders. She had been avoiding news on Jefferson, just in case Max was looking over her shoulder. It was good to know he was getting what was coming to him. She stopped for a moment. "Wait...two counts of homicide?'

Victoria shrugged. "Rachel and...and Nathan." She said his name with a sad tone, as if he was the victim in all of this. In some cases, maybe. Did Jefferson not tattle that Nathan had been the one to kill Rachel?

Max spoke quickly before Chloe could open her mouth. "How does Nathan play into all of it now?"

Victoria looked away from both of them, obviously trying not to cry. "I don't fucking know. He was in some of the pictures, so he was involved, but..." She shook her head, frustrated. "I know Nathan wasn't the kindest person, but he wasn't a bad person." Chloe held her tongue so she didn't try to dispute that statement.

"I know, Victoria. He...he needed help. He didn't deserve to die," Max said gently. She looked up at Chloe, who stared back into those blue eyes, knowing she would never be as good of a person as Max.

"We could have just lied," Chloe said quietly as they sat in the driveway, truck idling. Victoria waved at them one last time before closing the front door. "We could have convinced her you were never down there."

Max shook her head. "She doesn't trust us enough. And...she's not like Kate. She wouldn't have let it slide." She leaned her head against the window. "Fuck, I hate him so much."

"I know Max." Chloe chewed her lip, reaching a hand out to grasp Max's. "At least he was stupid enough to leave all the proof needed in the bunker. I'm sure the Portland police had a field day with that."

Max's hand was suddenly vice-like in hers. "Chloe, what if he gets off?" It was an irrational fear, but Max was already panicking. "What if it's not enough?"

"Then I'll put him in the fucking ground myself." She slid over, pulling Max close. "He's never gonna hurt you again, okay?"

Max sniffed, snuggling in closer. "Okay." Even through the fear, Chloe could hear the overwhelming sound of Max's trust, and it was all she could have ever wanted.