Where Maxwell steals the dream stone, but you convince him that he doesn't need it.

All he needs is you.

Some minor swearing. And some major angust.

.....................

Maxwell has been acting really strange lately. You don't know what's going on with him. But you're worried.

He's been in such a funk lately, always moaning to you about how he's nothing but a loser and that nobody cares about him. Uh, hello? What are you? Chopped liver?

Apparently.

Poor Maxwell. He's been working so hard for everything. But you also know that if his investors in his Black Oil Company, pull out, he's pretty much sunk.

You wish there was some that you could do to make him feel better. Although, sometimes you get the impression that he likes wallowing in his misery.

That he likes having little pity parties for himself. Why? You haven't the foggiest idea.

Max was telling you about something at the museum, but you only halfway heard his ramblings. You were trying to help him with some work related stuff and not listening to his maniacal rants.

"Y/N!" Maxwell's voice snaps at you. You look at him. He seems slightly... irrational.

"Mr. Lord, you really need to finish this paperwork."

"Screw the paperwork!" Maxwell growls, spinning around abruptly and striding away from you. You sigh. If only Maxwell could see just how much you love him for who he is already.

....................

Maxwell has convinced you to attend some ridiculous gala for the museum. And once you're there, how does he repay your loyalty?

By sneaking away with one of the one people who work at the museum! A beautiful blonde. You try not to cry as you watch them slip away.

You decide if that's how Maxwell wants to play things, then you're officially through with his crap.

..................

You're halfway home when you realize that you forgot to put away the file that Maxwell was supposed to sign earlier. Crap!

With a heavy sigh, you ask the cab driver to turn around and head back to the office. You thank him and pay him double for his troubles.

Once you reach the office, you unlock the front door and head straight for the elevator, getting in and pressing the button for the fifth floor, where Maxwell's office is located.

You get a surprise, though, as you exit the elevator and start down the hallway towards Maxwell's office. You frown. There's a faint light on in there.

Did Maxwell forget to shut off a desk lamp? Probably. He was in such a big rush to get to the museum so he could sneak away and start making out with that slutty blonde.

You push the door open and...much to your shock, Maxwell is sitting behind his desk, holding something. He's so preoccupied with this thing, that he doesn't even take notice of your presence.

"Maxwell?"

He jumps, clutching the, well whatever it is, that is, breathing heavily, as though he's been running.

"What are you doing?" You demand. "And what is that thing?"

Maxwell stands, this strange maniacal look in his brown eyes. He's clutching that strange thing as he approaches you. You take a step backwards, nearly tripping over a chair.

"This is the dream stone," Maxwell explains. "All you have to do is wish for something and it comes true!"

You give him a Look. What the hell did Maxwell eat or drink at that gala?

"Maxwell, are you... drunk?" You reach out to touch his arm, but he quickly pivots, turning his back on you.

"No!" He shouts, startling you and causing you to jump. "This is real! And I'm going to get everything I ever wanted!"

Maxwell rushes back over to his desk and starts frantically searching for something.

Papers and pens and pencils and even his desk phone going flying, landing in scattered places all right over the office floor.

"Maxwell," you shout, running to him and trying to grab that strange stone away from him.

"Stop! What are you thinking? Don't do whatever it is you think you have to do!"

Maxwell yanks the dream stone away from you, pressing it into his chest, his dyed blonde hair falling across his forehead.

"You don't understand!" Maxwell cries. "I'm so sick and tired of everyone I know getting everything they ever wanted out of life! Everyone except me! I deserve this!"

"Max, please. I can be what you need! Just don't do this! You know you'll end up regretting it "

"You?!" Maxwell laughs wildly as he swings the dream stone around. "Don't be native'!"

"Me?! I'm the native' one here? Really, Max? I'm not the idiot who thinks some magical stone is going to fix my pathetic life!"

Maxwell's face goes pale and you realize what you just said. You silently scold yourself.

"So I'm nothing but a pathetic loser to you, am I?" Maxwell looks down at his desk and his eyes go wide.

He pulls a slip of paper out and sits down back in his desk chair and starts chanting some ancient words. You rush at him, snatching up the dream stone and the paper.

You crumble up the paper and shove it in your coat pocket and raise the dream stone, as if to smash it.

"NOOOO!" Maxwell's scream nearly makes you lose your hearing. He lunges for you, but you quickly move, watching as Maxwell tumbles to the floor in a disgraceful heap.

"You don't understand!" Maxwell screams, scrambling to his feet. "I NEED THAT!"

"No, you don't, Maxwell. You only think you do." You turn to go, but Maxwell tackles you to the ground, causing you to lose your grip on the dream stone.

You both scramble to grab it, grappling with each other, each trying to get a firm grip.

"I..I do...need it!" Maxwell gasps, his face turning bright red. "Otherwise, I'll just be a big loser for the rest of my life!"

You snatch up the dream stone and quickly get to your feet, as Maxwell is sprawled on the floor, at your feet, sobbing like a baby.

At first, you feel disgusted by this ridiculous display of emotion. Especially coming from a grown man.

But slowly, you begin to feel sorry for Maxwell. You set the dream stone out into the hallway and then, return to Maxwell, who's still sobbing like a child on the office floor.

You kneel down next to him and gently wrap your arms around him. He shudders against you, as the sobs wrack his body.

After about fifteen minutes, he finally starts to get himself under control. You snatch up a box of tissues and pass them to Maxwell. He mumbles a thank you as he plucks several tissues from the box.

"Max, you're a good man. You don't need some stupid magical stone to help you. You can turn things around on your own." You pause, moving to gently push the hair away from his eyes.

"Well, not entirely on your own. I'll help you. I'll do whatever you need me to." You smile. "Within reason, that is."

Maxwell sits up, his face now pale instead of red. He looks so lost and suddenly, before you realize what you're doing, you gently press your lips to his

Maxwell surprises you by kissing you back! He gently pulls your body closer to his, and you both continue to kiss.

"I..beg your pardon." When you stop, you know your face must be red.

"Don't apologize. I liked it." Maxwell gently touches your cheek. "I like you, Y/N."

You blink at him. Is he just toying with you now? Trying to trick you so he can go get that stupidity dream stone and still do whatever he planned to do with it in the first place?

"Really?"

"Yes. Really." You both move to stand. You grab Maxwell's hand, giving it an affectionate squeeze. He smiles at you.

But then, he sighs heavily, his face falling.

"I should probably return that stone, huh?"

"That would be an excellent idea." He slowly walks over to the office door. He pauses, turning to you.

"Will you come with me?" You smile.

"Yes, Maxwell. I will. Then, we'll figure out a sure fire plan to make you a winner, okay?"

"Okay."

You head out and you reach for Maxwell's hand again.

"You don't need some stupid stone, Maxwell," you murmur softly. "I can be the wish you need.'

Max chuckles softly and gently squeezes your hand.

"I like the sound of that."