Max sighed, staring at the photo in her hand. It was one of the 'Butterfly' and she didn't want to let go of it so soon.

However...

It was a damn good photo, and it would be an excuse to get Jefferson alone. 

She looked up, staring boredly ahead at the lecture the photographer was giving. She didn't care about the bullshit spouting from his mouth, she glanced at the clock, willing for time to move faster. 

"Max," She looked up, looking into Jefferson's icy eyes, "are you even listening?" He said in an annoyed tone.

The brunette scowled, "Does it look like I am?" She retorted sharply, looking at him challengingly. 

She saw the mans mouth twitch, as though he wanted to snarl, but he only frowned, "Max, I don't know what has gotten into you. Your portfolio is amazing and you have clearly worked hard to get here and now that you are, you're slacking." Concern laced his voice and Max wanted to vomit. "I have tried to reach you, but I am at a loss. I know this may be hasty, but if the people you surround yourself with are holding you back then-"

"Shut the fuck up." Max snarled, her tone filled with venom. Gasps and whispers erupted around her as she surged upward. Her hands slammed on the table and her chair toppled over behind her. "Don't act like you know me or the people I hang out with."

Again, she saw Jefferson holding back his anger, it was subtle, but his jaw was clenching slightly and there was a bit of uncertainty lighting his eyes. 

"Alright, it was only a suggestion. Clearly, you know how to run your life more than I do." He held his hands in surrender. "I misjudged you, Max," He admitted, "and I'm sorry, that will not happen again." There was an ominous promise in his voice that made Max's skin crawl but she fought it away. 

"How about," She grumbled, "instead of worrying about things you have no place in you teach the class." She sneered, "Afterall, that is what they pay you for is it not?" She lifted her chin, a ghost of a smile on her face.

Jefferson blinked slowly, another way for him to control his anger, "It is," He turned and opened his jaws, "Now the-" A ring rang out in the classroom and he let out a sigh. "We will pick up tomorrow. Now, remember, the contest is due by the end of this week and the winner will get extra credit. Taylor, you must turn a picture in and Max-"

The brunette stood and walked up to him, she gripped the tracker tight in her right hand and the photo in her left and passed the latter to the teacher, "Here." She said coolly before she blinked. She hoped her eyes looked daze and she shifted her weight back onto her heels.

"Max?" Mark blinked in confusion as his student started to fall over. "Max!" He gripped her by the waist to support her wait and Max flung her arms around his neck as though by instinct.

She pressed her right hand tight to his neck, letting the tracker stick underneath his collar where it wouldn't be noticed and she dazedly looked up.

"Huh?" She asked, blinking her eyes a few times to really sell her point. She suddenly snapped back, "Oh dog, I'm sorry!" She apologized, though the sorry felt like venom on her tongue. She jumped back, out of his grip,  and stared at her teacher with round eyes.

Jefferson looked baffled, his arms still outstretched and he let them drop. "Are you okay? What was that?" He asked, "Should I contact the nurse?"

"No!" Max shook her head wildly, "No, I just skipped lunch and I guess I just.. got dizzy." She lied easily. 

Mark tilted his head, "Are you sure, I should take you back to your dorm, it's the least I can do." He offered, his eyes filled with concern that Max knew was false.

"It's okay," Max shook her head, "I have to meet someone anyway and we'll probably get something to eat." She smiled at Jefferson and, as sweet and cheerfully as she could said, "I'll be okay!" 

Jefferson's mouth twitched, "Are you sure?" He stepped closer, "I should at least offer you some water..." 

"I'm fine." Max shook her head again, "Really, you don't have to worry about me Mr. Jefferson." She checked her phone. "I really have to blast, thank you for catching me and I hope I win that contest!" She turned on her heel and ran off.

Jefferson watched her, something in his mind weaving. He looked at the picture and all thoughts of suspicion disappeared. Max would for sure have to win, this photo was stunning. But more than that, she seemed to see through his disguise and he couldn't risk having another Nathan running around should she find anything incriminating against him. 

A tremor of worry went through him, Max was close with Rachel, closer than he's ever seen anyone with the blonde. What if she had told Max what he did...

No. Mark composed himself and threw himself a smirk. Scared of a mere child? He mocked himself, No, this was simply a minor roadblock in a bigger plan. He destroyed Victoria's spirit, he had killed Nathan, and he had forced Rachel into silence and submission. He would simply have to make sure Max wouldn't be any more of a nuisance than she had become. 

With a small grin, he set the photo on his desk with all the other half-assed photos the students had turned in because of his griping. 

He glanced back at where Max was sitting and resolved himself. There would be more than a simple extra credit in it, he would offer his student's something they all wanted.

Recognition. 

But in the end, Max would win.

And so would he.

With a quiet laugh, he walked out of his classroom, turning off the lights and locking the door. 

Max sighed, her heart hammering in her chest. 

"So?" Chloe asked as her girlfriend climbed into her truck. 

"It's done." She murmured, "Where's Rachel?" She wanted nothing then to cuddle up and smell the blonde's coconut scent waft around her. 

"With Nathan, did you know that bastard's father hasn't even tried to contact him?" Chloe let out a snort, "Unbelievable, and I thought I had family issues." 

Max snorted and glanced out the window when a girl caught her attention. "Chloe stop." She ordered tersely, making the blue slow down and stop.

"What's up?" Chloe asked, undoubtedly raising a brow but Max's eyes were transfixed on a scene playing out before her.

Victoria Chase, diva and queen of Blackwell, was crying into.. Kate Marsh's shoulder. The Christian girl lifted the blonde's chin and smiled, saying something that Max couldn't hear and leaned in, kissing her softly.

Victoria melted into the kiss and the two bumped head's against the others, Kate smiling gently and Victoria closing her eyes and finding comfort in the touch.

"Woah, when did those two become a thing?" Chloe had put the truck in park and had watched the scene unfold. "That's hella drama. Rachel's gonna be all over that." 

Max sighed, "Hold on Chlo." She unbuckled and opened the door.

"Wait, hold on, what are you-" Chloe started but Max had closed the door, making the punk huff and lean back in her seat, the air conditioning blowing frigid air onto her face. 

Max moved towards the couple, who were too preoccupied in each other to notice and when she was about a foot away, Max smirked slightly. 

"Friend." She teased, making Kate and Victoria jump away from each other and look at her with wide eyes. 

Victoria opened and closed her mouth like a fish but Kate only giggled.

"Alright, you caught us." She said, looking a bit embarrassed. "I figured you would at some point, Max." 

Max grinned, "I'm not the brightest of the bunch but even to me it was obvious you were pulling a Romeo and Juliet." She teased her friend before she looked at Victoria.

"Nathan's alive." She blurted out, making Victoria recoil.

"What?" She asked, "Why did you, wait, how do you know?" Victoria asked, her eyes hardening.

"Victoria, it would take a century to explain it all." Max said, "But I.. I know what Jefferson did. To you, to Nathan, to Rachel." She said softly and Victoria's eyes widened.

"How?" She demanded. 

"Nathan.. showed me in a way." She told Victoria. "He has information that no one else does. Access to.. to pictures." She looked away, "I didn't look to be disrespectful. Nathan was my intel, he wants to destroy Jefferson from the inside out. That's why he showed me this drive of the victims, with pictures and dates and times."

Victoria looked disturbed but intrigued, "Nathan trusts you." She said in slight shock.

"He's at the Arcadia Bay Hospital, Jefferson tried to shut him up but it didn't work." Handing her a paper with a room number on it,  Max looked around. "Look, we have a plan but... but it requires me being bait." She told Victoria. "I don't know what else that entails but if I..." She paused, she had thought about the potential of Jefferson catching on and silencing her but this would be the first time she'd voice it. "If I disappear.. promise you'll look for me." She didn't know why she was asking Victoria this of all people but if anyone would notice Max's whereabouts after Chloe and Rachel, it would be Victoria. She'd miss her verbal punching bag.

Victoria blinked, "I promise and Max?" Max looked up, blinking her eyes. "You're brave, braver than I ever could be." 

Max sighed, "Jefferson was right about one thing." She said as she turned away, "Anyone can be an everyday hero. The only thing he didn't count on is that for someone to be a hero there has to be a villain."

Max walked away, her mind swimming in thoughts.

And in every story, the hero always wins. 

Rachel 

The blonde eyed Nathan for a long time.

The brunette stared back, his eyes narrowed.

"I know what Jefferson did to you." She stated softly.

Nathan shrugged, "I know what Jefferson did to you." He replied smoothly. 

Rachel huffed and leaned back, "You're working for the same goal yet.. you're doing it from the shadows."

"Because if I was forward, I'd be dead." Nathan said with another shrug. 

"You are more open with Max." Rachel observed.

Nathan's mouth twitched, "Because she doesn't remind me of what I did, of what I could have done." He looked up at Rachel guiltily, "He was going to make me drug you." He said, "To kidnap you but after Victoria.. he took matters into his own hands."

Rachel felt sick talking about this. "And you were going to do it?" She asked.

Nathan hesitated, "No." He finally said, "I wasn't. But even then, my refusal to comply meant nothing. He still did his damage." He looked away, "That's why Max is special. She can control time in a way. Haven't you noticed? By her being the voice for the victims, Jefferson is on the defense. He senses that Max is a threat." 

"She could be taken." Rachel growled.

Nathan sighed, leaning back. "She could. But if she is, she won't be too hurt. Trust me things will be okay, Rachel."

"How can I trust you when you're putting my girlfriend in danger?" Rachel demanded, "How can I trust you when you were a pawn in that bastards evil schemes?" She glared at Nathan, "How can I trust you, Nathan?"

The prep looked at her, "You can't." He said with a shrug. "Trust is an individuals choice and if you don't want to trust me you won't, regardless if I do anything to earn it or not." 

Rachel's mouth felt dry, he had bested her. 

Her phone buzzed and she saw that Chloe had texted her that she and Max had arrived. 

At the same time, the door swung open and the two aforementioned walked in. 

"Heyo!" Chloe said as she barged in. Rachel rolled her eyes at her childishness but Max laughed.

"So?" Nathan asked, getting right down to business. 

"It's done." Max told him and Rachel sucked in a sharp breath. 

She didn't like this, she didn't want what happened to her to happen to Max.

And if she's careful, she won't. A voice told her, making the blonde sigh.

"What can we do now?" She asked, making the girls look up. 

"Wait." Nathan said softly, leaning back. "Wait until something gives."

Chloe let out a grumble. "All this waiting is making me antsy." 

"Entertain yourself." Nathan waved his hand dismissively. "You guys should go, keep me updated, Max should have my number."

Rachel nodded slightly and followed her girlfriends out. She felt Nathan's eyes on her as she left the room, but when she turned to look at him, he had closed his eyes, seeming to fall asleep. 

Frowning, the aspiring model walked out of the room and closed the door. 

"I'm bored." Chloe said, "Let's ditch this place and go to the diner. I could use some bites." 

Max smiled slightly, "Sure, I'm hella starving to. Rachel?" She turned to blue eyes to the blonde, who was staring at Nathans door silently in thought. 

"Huh?" She blinked a few times, her mind registering that she had been asked a question before she nodded, "Oh, yeah, I could use something to munch on." 

Chloe rose her brow, "Yo, you cool Rach?" She asked, "What did Nathan say that creeped you out so much?"

Rachel shook her head, "Nothing," She lied, knowing both Max and Chloe could see through it. She remained silent as both judging and disbelieving blue eyes peered into her before she groaned. "I just hate that we're putting Max in danger and everyone is fine with it." She blew up slightly, glaring at Chloe accusingly.

Chloe's eyes darkened in rage and she opened her mouth but a sharp look from Max made her freeze.

"It isn't that no one cares Rachel." She explained calmly, making Rachel turn her attention to the hipster. "Chloe is just as concerned as you are, trust me." She grinned slightly and glanced at Chloe who sighed.

"I might have ranted to her on the way here." Chloe muttered, recalling the conversation. "I asked Max if she was really okay with all of this because if not then I'd do it." 

Rachel blinked, she should have known. 

Idiot. She thought to herself, flicking her eyes to the ground unhappily. 

"Rachel, I did this so you wouldn't have to relive it over again." Max said.

Rachel let out a sigh, "But what if you... what if he.... what if it happens to you." She asked softly, almost inaudible as she looked up, her brows furrowed.

Max gripped her hands, interlocking their fingers and smiling. But it didn't take long for Rachel to see the sadness and, worse, acceptance in her eyes. 

"Then so be it." She said with a shrug, but her tone shook. "Sometimes Rachel, monsters are just too face. I'm saving you from this one." She gripped her hands tighter in a reassuring motion. 

Rachel's heart softened and melted and she pulled the hipster close, burying her face into Max's neck and hugging her waist tight.

She felt Max wrap her arms around the aspiring model's upper back and hug back just as tight. Closing her eyes, Rachel breathed in the vanilla scent she had come to love. 

"Thank you." She whispered into Max's ear. 

"Don't mention it, Rachel," Max looked up and placed a soft kiss on Rachel's lips. 

For once, Rachel just let it be soft. Because for once, soft was okay. This was okay. She didn't need to forget things or distract from what needed to be fixed. She didn't need to feel teeth on her flesh and nails scraping her back because she enjoyed the pain she couldn't bring to inflict on herself.  

For once, she liked herself enough to indulge this. 

And that was what made Max Caulfield truly special. 

She made Rachel like herself. 

That was a feat that only Chloe was able to do before, and even then Chloe didn't do it consistently, Max never failed to make Rachel feel special. 

"Stop thinking so much." Max's voice cut through her thoughts, making her refocus on the girl before her. Max was smiling, her eyes light and playful as she kissed Rachel again. 

Rachel sighed, "I was thinking about you.."

"Why think about me when you have me right here?" Max cut her off gently, gripping Rachel's hands again. "Come on, I'm starving." She giggled, "Enough worrying." 

And like that, Rachel let her worries flow to the back of her mind. She would always be worried about Max, the girl was so fragile, but looking at the brunette in front of her she realized that wasn't necessarily true. 

Max had grown, she wasn't the panicky girl Rachel had picked up from the airport. 

Rachel wondered if Max helping Chloe and herself through their issues, made her forget her own. 

The aspiring model mused to herself, Max's anxiety had faded with time, by the end of the second week Max was almost a completely different person. Her PTSD didn't even pop up much anymore, only when there were direct triggers. 

She looked at Max again, who had begun to drag the blonde towards the elevator and was talking earnestly with Chloe, and smiled. 

"What?" Max asked, raising a brow which was definitely a habit she had picked up from Chloe.

"Nothing, just wondering when you grew so much." Rachel asked, "You aren't exactly the same girl that landed here a month ago."

 Max shrugged, "I found strength in helping you two." She admitted, "You guys make me not hate myself so much." She murmured, looking down at her hands. "You keep me out of my head. That was something my friends in Seattle could never do." 

Rachel laughed, "Some friends."

"They weren't bad just.. they weren't Chloe." Max blushed slightly and Rachel didn't even have to look at Chloe to know the blunette was blushing profusely. 

"What's with all this mushy shit?" Chloe grumbled, oh yeah, she was for sure embarassed.

Rachel let a small grin but froze as she saw a figure standing at the opening of the hospital doors.

"No way." Chloe growled. 

"What?" Max asked innocently, not quite knowing what was going on.

Rachel clenched her teeth as the figure locked eyes with her. So many chaotic emotions were in his soul, excitement, confusion, worry, love.

The man walked up to them, his eyes sweeping the trio before he locked onto Rachel.

"Frank." Rachel greeted tersely.

"Rachel." He greeted, equally as strained. "Could we go outside? These fuckers kicked out Pompidou." 

Rachel sighed, glancing at Chloe. The tattoo artist eyes were filled with undisguised rage. 

"Sure, Frank. You'll just find another place to bother me if I don't." Rachel said and Frank flinched.

"That's not why I'm here, I didn't even know you were here." He defended himself.

"But you aren't complaining." Rachel shot back.

Frank flinched again but he didn't reply. 

Once outside, Frank looked at Chloe. 

"Look I know you hate me." He started, and Chloe opened her mouth but Max shot her a look and she snapped it shut, scowling. "But, I didn't follow or stalk you here." He flicked his eyes to Rachel and the blonde could see he wasn't lying.

"Then what?" Rachel asked, "If this a coincidence, and I see it is," She glanced at Chloe and the blunette scowled deeper now that she knew she couldn't ream Frank for following them around. "then why are you here?"

Frank sighed, glancing down at his dog, which had immediately come to greet Rachel. 

The blonde looked at the mutt and sighed, a small smile on her face. She had always liked the dog, and she couldn't help but get down on a knee to pet him and let the former fight dog lick her. 

Frank watched her for a moment, his eyes swimming with emotion. Rachel stood up and looked at him challengingly. 

"I came to see Nathan." He admitted.

The three girls exchanged surprised looks, it seemed that Max had caught on to who Frank was and what his history with Chloe and Rachel was. 

"Why?" Max asked.

Frank looked at her and rose a brow, "Who the fuck?" He asked.

"Max." The hipster held out her hand, "Max Caulfield."

Frank's eyes glittered with recognition. "Oh, so you're the chick who left." He gripped her hand and shook it. "Frank Bowers. Chloe told me about you. Cool that I can now put a face to the name."

Max looked away, "I didn't want to leave."

"Yeah? People do a lot of things they don't want to." His voice had an edge and Rachel squared her shoulders knowing he was referring to their affair. Only he was speaking for her, not himself. "Either way, you asked why?" Frank lit a cigarette and sighed, "What all do you know about me Max?"

"You were Chloe's drug dealer and slept with Rachel." She said bluntly.

The man leaned against the wall, taking a drag and breathing it out. "I was Nathan's too and the dude started acting weird." He said, "Then I hear word that he's in the hospital cause some asshole shot him? I-" He hesitated, "I wanted to check on him, make sure the idiot's okay."

"Why?" Rachel snapped, making Frank tense slightly. 

"I don't know okay." He snapped back, his voice rough. "I just, even though he's a customer he's also a fucking person and.. I've seen him fucked up on shit okay? He's messed up and I..." Frank struggled before he laughed dryly, "I don't fucking know." 

Rachel eyed him up and down and sighed, "Room 213." She said, "He's probably still awake."

Frank hesitated, "Just like that?"

"I don't hate you." Rachel said, "I just would rather forget you exist." 

Frank sighed, "I still love you." He said.

Rachel frowned slightly.

Frank hesitated, eyes flicking towards Max and Chloe, "You don't love me." He continued.

"No, I don't." Rachel agreed, gripping Max's hand as Max gripped Chloe's. 

Frank observed them and sighed. "I'm sorry." He said, deflating. He brushed past Rachel stopped. "I hope they make you happy, cause I never could." With that, he moved back into the building and Rachel let go of a breath she didn't know she was holding. 

"You okay Rach?" Chloe asked, her eyes concerned.

"Y-Yeah.." The aspiring model sighed, "Just, never want to see him again." 

Chloe grumbled, "Same." 

"Let's just go home." Rachel murmured, "I'm tired."

"We can crash at the apartment." Chloe said.

Chloe

It was Friday and Max and Rachel hadn't said much about Jeffershit other than he now was saying that whoever won the Everyday Hero contest would now see their picture displayed for the town to see and that he would invite some professionals to speak to the winner.  

With a sigh, the tattoo artist glanced at the time. It was almost five and Max hadn't texted her as she normally did.

She's probably with Rachel, Chloe thought as she locked up her shop tiredly. It was much earlier than she normally locked shop, but she had no more appointments and she didn't feel like staying three more hours in an empty villain. 

"Chloe?" She jumped, whipping around to see Rachel, crazy-eyed and panicked. "Have you seen Max?" She asked.

"She's not with you?" Chloe asked, her heart plummeting to her stomach.

Rachel looked pale, "She won." 

"What?" 

"She won the contest."

Chloe felt horror creep up her spine. "We need to go to Nathan." The boy had been released and was now living with Victoria.

Rachel nodded and, together, the two girls set off both with fear and determination.