Chapter Text
Perched on her balcony as the sun rises above the horizon, she twirls a coin between her fingers. Her gaze is distant, reflecting on the note and Isabela's narrow escape.
*Perhaps Paige had a point. What was going through my mind to drag her into this mess? It's too late for second thoughts now. She wouldn't heed my warnings anyway. I just hope this isn't something I'll regret.* A scoff escapes her, *Who am I fooling? Regret seems to be my constant companion.*
Engrossed in her thoughts, Max is roused by a voice, "What are you doing?" She smiles, leaning on her partner, "Just reminiscing," she replies, tossing the coin over. "Ah, a shooting star. You're thinking about her again, aren't you?" With a nod, Max confesses, "Yes. I was supposed to give her this coin on the day she died. Now, it's a reminder of her. I know it's wrong to think of my ex while I'm with you. It's just..." Her voice fades. Her partner strokes her hair and plants a kiss on her forehead, "I understood what I was signing up for when we met, Max. You've always been transparent with me. It's okay to remember her; it's part of who you are. What matters is that at the end of the day, you're here with me." Caitlyn has been unwaveringly supportive of Max ever since their paths crossed on a job two years prior. Caitlyn flips the coin back to Max, who slips it into her pocket. "Is Izzy awake yet?" she inquires. "Not yet," Caitlyn replies. "I thought it best to let her sleep in after the close call yesterday. You two give me a fright at times. I'm aware you're both skilled and that you train with Isabela regularly. However, there's a part of me that wishes she wasn't involved in this." Max nods in agreement. "I Know. I regret agreeing to her involvement. But she's headstrong; she wouldn't have listened to my advice regardless."
Isabela wakes up two hours later and joins her parents on the balcony. "Morning, guys," she greets them. After a warm embrace from Max and Caitlyn, she sits next to Max. They engage in light-hearted banter until Max steers the conversation to a more solemn tone. "Isabela," she begins, causing her heart to skip a beat. She only uses her full name when the situation is serious, otherwise, she's 'Izzy' to her. "You're not going to like this, but I should have never agreed to it in the first place. I don't want you involved in this any longer." Isabela springs from her chair, incredulous. "Are you KIDDING me, Max? After all these years of training, you're calling it quits over one close call. If that's the criterion, then you should have been done for, especially since I saved your life just the night before. You've gone soft, Max." Max stands, matching Isabela's height. "I'm dead serious, Isabela. I won't always be around to protect you, and I'll be damned if I lose another person to this shit. I've lost too much already, some due to my own actions, some not. Please," she implores. Isabela pauses, considering. "Alright, I'll strike a deal with you. I'll step back and live as a normal teenager if YOU promise to abandon your pursuit of Mia." Max pulls out the coin again and tosses it to Isabela. "Deal." Isabela and Caitlyn are taken aback. "Are you actually serious about this?" Isabela inquires. Max grins. "Completely serious. Everything I need is right here. Perhaps I don't say this enough, Izzy, but I love you so much. You're not just a sidekick or a protégé; you're my daughter." It's rare for Max to call Isabela her daughter, but it's always heartfelt when she does. Isabela envelops her in a tight hug, which Max reciprocates. "I love you, kiddo. Now, go be a normal teenager. Cait and I need to discuss some things." After hugging them both, Isabela heads back to her room.
Later, Max is alone on the balcony again when a familiar voice interrupts her solitude. "I'm proud of you, Max. I didn't think you had it in you to step back," Paige says, materializing beside her. Is she a spirit? A hallucination? Max isn't certain, but it's not their first conversation of this kind. "Heh, thanks, Paige. Yeah, neither did I. I guess almost losing my daughter yesterday impacted me more than I realized. It'll be a massive change since I've never lived any other way. I have to become a normal person." Paige shivers mockingly. "Sounds dreadful," she jokes. "Oh, I agree, but it's for her," Max concedes. Yet, one last issue lingers. "What about your pact with the devil to kill Rachel?" Paige inquires. Max shrugs. "I don't know. I haven't seen him since you passed away. We'll see how it unfolds." Caitlyn rushes back upstairs, clutching her phone. As she nears, Paige vanishes. "Max, you won't believe it," she says, enthusiastically. "Try me," Max replies. "Chloe and Rachel are getting married next month."
Isabela: Max wants me out of the life.
Chrissy: I can't blame her after yesterday
Isabela: She clearly thinks I can't handle myself without her.
Chrissy: We would've died yesterday without her. I know you don't want to hear it but she's right.
Isabela: You're supposed to be on my side.
Chrissy: This isn't about sides, Isabela. This is about keeping you safe.
Isabela: I can prove her wrong by bringing her Mia.
Chrissy: Don't even think about it.
"IZZY" Max yells from downstairs.
Isabela: GTG
Chrissy: Isabela?
Descending the stairs, she finds Max and Caitlyn in a flurry of activity. "What's happening?" she inquires. Max snatches her car keys from the hook. "You recall Rachel and Chloe, don't you?" she questions, receiving a nod from Isabela. "They're tying the knot next week. I thought it's time we paid them a visit. It's been over a year since our last trip there. Pack what you need, and let's head out."
As they approached the car, a cloud of red smoke materialized before them. Max rolls her eyes. "You sure pick your moments," she remarks as the smoke clears to reveal the devil, grinning broadly. Isabela and Caitlyn had only heard tales of him, but now they see him in person. "Greetings, Max," he says. "It's been a while. I see things have changed," he noted, gesturing towards Caitlyn. "Max Caulfield, turning over a new leaf? I never thought I'd see the day. But what does this mean for our little agreement?" He conjured the contract in his hand. "Rachel is still alive, which violates the contract." With a snap of his fingers, the contract burst into flames. "However, it's your lucky day. I've been preoccupied with the influx of souls you've sent my way, so I'll consider our contract fulfilled. Rachel may live, or whatever you choose to do. Our business here is done. Farewell, Max." With another swirl of red smoke, he vanished. Max shook her head in disgust. "Asshole," she whispered. Isabela is in awe. "You've somehow managed to break a contract with the devil. That's quite impressive." Max shakes her head. "If you think we've seen the last of him, I'm sorry to disappoint you. Anyway, let's go."
The initial task is to go to the hideout and inform Connor that she's finished, a prospect that terrifies her. "I've devoted everything to them over the past four years, and now I'm on the verge of telling them I'm leaving."
Entering, she spots Connor at the planning table. Taking a deep breath, she approaches and sets her mask and gun down. "I'm done," she declares. Connor, looking up with a puzzled expression, inquires, "You're out?" Max affirms with a nod, "Yes. I have a family now, Connor. People I want to live for. The incident with Isabela yesterday and Paige's note made me reconsider my decisions." Connor stands tall, shaking his head. "After all these years of vowing not to quit until you find Mia, you give up before we ever do. You're many things, Max, but I never pegged you as a quitter. To throw away everything for what? For her?" Isabela stands in the background, fighting to stay silent. Max slams her fist on the table. "You may not realize it, but if it weren't for her, I would've met the same fate as your sister—a bullet in the brain," she says, tears beginning to fall. "I'm leaving while I still have the chance. You should too, Connor." She implores her friend to relinquish it. Connor surveys the base, taking in everything he and Paige created over the years, pausing at her mural. Rage builds within him. He clenches his fists at the thought of sparing Mia's life. "I can't do it, Max. I owe it to her to find Mia," he asserts. Max throws her hands up in frustration. "Dude, I loved your sister more than life itself. She would want us to move on, Connor. To let her go," she pleads. He shakes his head resolutely. "Goodbye, Max." As Max turns to leave, she warns, "Don't make your father bury a second child," and then she departs.
The drive away from Seattle is challenging for Max, with the mansion from the auction job perched on a distant hill mocking her. "I hate that building," she declares. Isabela takes mental note of this before sinking into her headphones, bracing herself for the lengthy journey to Arcadia Bay.
Chrissy: Where are you?
Isabela: With Max and Cait heading to Arcadia. Why?
Chrissy: Just checking you're not needlessly risking your life.
Isabela: Not yet. But I do have an idea for when I get back
Chrissy: FFS
The journey to Arcadia Bay is quite unremarkable. For the first time in years, Max is eager to reunite with Chloe and Rachel. "This will be the first time since our childhood that I won't have to pretend to be someone else. I can simply be myself. I've forgotten what that's like. Who am I, really? I suppose we're about to find out."
Knock, knock, knock.
Anxiety flickers in Max as she waits. The last encounter with Rachel ended in an argument, and they haven't spoken since. The door swings open to reveal the blonde girl in question. "MAAXXIII" She envelops her in a tight hug, exclaiming, "WE MISSED YOU!" with sheer excitement. Max giggles, returning the embrace, "Missed you too, Rach."
"Kill her, Max." Her menacing voice emerges, but she dismisses it swiftly.
Rachel waves at Isabela, who tolerates her presence despite not being particularly fond of her. Spotting a girl with dark blue hair next to Max, Rachel inquires, "Well then, who's this?" Max, holding Caitlyn's hand and beaming, introduces her, "This is Caitlyn, my partner." Rachel's eyes widen in shock. "CHLOE!" she exclaims, seizing Max and Caitlyn's hands and hurrying them into the lounge room. Chloe descends the stairs, embracing Max and Isabela with a hug and offering Caitlyn a handshake.
"So, you two are getting married next month. That's fantastic news," Caitlyn remarks with a smile. "Thank you, Caitlyn. It hasn't quite hit us yet. We still have a few details to finalize, especially the guest list, and it looks like we'll be including one more," Chloe responds, nodding towards Caitlyn "We're celebrating tonight, and you're welcome to join us. My parents will be there, Max. I've mentioned that you've changed, though they might still not be too pleased to see you." Max nods in Isabela's direction. "Let them say I haven't changed if they want. But now, I have a daughter." Isabela, who has been silent until now, makes finger guns at Max and says, "I got you." Chloe lights up "Ohh yeahhh. This'll be great."
That night.
The girls arrived in front of the restaurant in Portland, sitting at the table and engaging in small talk while waiting for William and Joyce. Unexpectedly, it wasn't Joyce and William who arrived, but someone far more unsettling for Max. "MUM!" Rachel exclaimed, waving her over. Max froze as Sara approached the table. Isabela tapped Max's leg, whispering, "You got this," as a reassurance. "Mum, this is Max, her partner Caitlyn, and her daughter Isabela. Max has been friends with Chloe for ages." Pushing down her anxiety, Max extended her hand to Sara, saying, "It's nice to meet you." Caitlyn and Isabela did the same. Max glances at her phone while Sara and Rachel converse.
"Your father would be so proud of you, Rachel."
BANG
"Thank you, Mum. I know he's watching over us and smiling."
BANG
"Seeing you get married was his greatest dream."
BANG
"I'm just happy that you're here."
BANG
Isabela observes Max withdrawing into herself. She touches Max's shoulder and signals her to come along. They sit silently by the water, Max struggling to dispel the haunting memory. "Each mention of him triggers the sound of my gun firing in my mind, replaying the moment I shot him, again and again. Izzy, thank you for getting me out of there." Isabela nudges her mum with a shoulder. "Hey, what are sidekicks for? Who would've thought the toughest part of this gig would be dinner," she quips. Max lets out a chuckle. "I'd take a bank heist over this any day. You're alright, Izzy." Isabela offers a smile, but Max notices the depth behind it. "What's bothering you?" she inquires. Isabela exhales deeply. "Back at the hideout, when you talked about shooting yourself if I weren't around... I didn't realize you were in so much pain." Max wraps her arm around her. "Ah, right, that. I loved Paige more than anything in this world. Losing her felt like losing a piece of my heart that would never heal. Did I entertain the idea? Yes, I did. But over the last four years, the part of my heart I thought was irreparable has begun to mend, thanks to you and Caitlyn. I'm okay now." Isabela embraces Max. "I love you, Max," she says. Max reciprocates the embrace. "Love you too, Izzy. Guess we should head back." She replies. As they rise and begin their walk back to the restaurant, Max, holding the door open, inquires, "Do you actually like being called Izzy? I never asked." Isabela responds with a smile, "I didn't at first, but it's grown on me. Now, the thought of you calling me anything else is unsettling."
Shortly after, William and Joyce make their entrance. Chloe signals them over as Max braces for an even more uncomfortable evening. They sit opposite Max and Isabela. "Hello, William and Joyce. It's good to see you both again," Max says. William manages a smile, "Hello, Max. It's been a while. And who might these two be?" he inquires, nodding towards Caitlyn and Isabela. "Forgive me, I forgot my manners. This is Caitlyn, my partner, and Isabela, my daughter," Max introduces. Isabela beams, "Hi there. It's wonderful to finally meet you. Max has told me so many childhood stories about you both." William and Joyce are taken aback by Max. She's not the girl they recall. "Really?" Joyce smirks, "Oh yes, loads. I think my favorite is when you both dressed as rival pirates and ended up having a pillow fight," Isabela recounts with such joy and enthusiasm that Joyce and William start to smile. "That's also one of my cherished memories. It's fantastic to see you so upbeat, Max, and here for Chloe as she's about to get married. You've indeed changed a lot." Max shrugs, "Well, it's these two who've shaped me, particularly this little troublemaker," as she playfully tousles Isabela's hair, leaving her looking mock annoyed.
William and Joyce step up to order, giving Max a moment to breathe. "That was tough," she exclaims. Caitlyn leans her head on Max's shoulder, "You did well, Max. And you too, Isabela. The practice has really paid off." Part of Isabela's training involved mastering the art of feigning emotions convincingly. Max and Isabela exchange a high five while the others are preoccupied. "I had an excellent teacher," Isabela says.
"Caitlyn," Rachel begins, "Your accent is British, correct?" Caitlyn nods. "Why America?" she inquires. Caitlyn smiles. "Ah, good question, Rach. There's not much to tell. I've always felt drawn to America, so as soon as I was old enough, I left. I haven't regretted it so far. And I still haven't picked up an American accent," she adds with a pout. Rachel laughs, "It'll come."
As dinner arrives, the conversation flows freely While they eat, Max notices a man in a black suit walking in. She watches as he takes a seat at the table behind them. She recognizes him from other times she has been out in Seattle. She discreet slips her phone from her pocket and sends a message.
Max: man at the table behind us is spying.
Caitlyn: Are you sure?
Max: Yes.
The man takes out his laptop while keeping an eye on their table. Max exchanges hushed whispers with Caitlyn, who soon rises from her chair. She makes her way to the bar located behind the man. Meanwhile, Isabela approaches the man with the aim of distracting him.
"Excuse me, sir? I can't help but notice your suit. on a warm night like this surely you're quite hot." She takes a seat opposite him, blocking his view of Max. The man scratches his bushy beard, "That's not your concern, miss. Please leave me be." He turns back to his laptop, but Isabela tries to peek over. "What are you doing? Reading smutty fanfic? I can give you some recommendations if you want." She is enjoying every second of this.
Caitlyn stands at the bar with a drink, watching and waiting for her moment. The two girls have practiced for this scenario several times. She can see files and photos of both Max and Isabela on his laptop and is now waiting to play her trump card.
"Miss, you need to leave me alone before I call security on you. This is the last time I'm asking," the man says, slamming his laptop shut. Isabela feigns shock, "Are you threatening me? I've been nothing but nice to you. But I see how it is." She nods in Caitlyn's direction, who places her drink down on the bar and makes her way over.
Max grins ear to ear while the others watch with interest. Chloe leans over to Max, "What are they doing?" she asks. Max winks in reply.
"Excuse me, sir," Caitlyn interrupts, "I couldn't help but notice the illegal documents on your laptop. Would you mind explaining those?" She stands beside Isabela, arms crossed. "I...I...Don't know what you're talking about," he tries to plead his case. "Would you like to explain it to the judge instead?" she counters. The man's eyes shift nervously between Isabela and Caitlyn, realizing he's been caught, "Fuck."
"You are under arrest for conspiracy to commit murder. Everything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law." She pulls him up from his chair and handcuffs him before leading him out. Isabela hands her the laptop and hugs her goodbye. Everyone else at the table is stunned while Max laughs, "Oh, I forgot to mention. She's a cop." Isabela returns to the table grinning wide "That was fun" she says happily. Max gives her a quick hug before smirking "Smutty fanfics you say?" Isabela shrugs "Your girl has her vices. Want some recs?" Max smiles "Just don't tell Cait."
Soon after everyone begins to filter out. Max and Isabela bid farewell to Chloe and Rachel and get in their car. "Cait said she'll meet us in our hotel room" Isabela explains. They pull out of the driveway and head towards the hotel.
"Leo got busted."
"Damn. They're good."
"Want me to go after them?"
"No. Go after the friends and bring them back here. That'll bring them right to us."