Hey guys so it is January 7, 2012,my birthday. I'm happy because I just got back from playing laser tag (don't mock, it is insanely fun) and I'm in a good mood so I decided to write. Well, that and I owe you guys another chapter. Sorry, it's been a while. Anyway, disclaimer. (Sorry I started it on my birthday and never got around to finishing it because I had to start at a new school. I'm not going to delete that part because I want to say Laser Tag rules and if I erased it you would probably think I'm a crazy person randomly bringing that up. Soooo...DISCLAIMER!)

DISCLAIMER: I do not own MR. I also do not own It's a Grind Coffee House

Max's POV

After I got back from my run on the slopes I bent down to unclip Damian's snowboard and when I stood back up Damian was there standing in front of me. "Well, speak of the devil and he shall appear," I mumble to myself.

Tapping his ear he said, "I'm sorry, I didn't catch that. What did you say?"

"Nothing," came my short reply.

"That's what I thought," he said snidely before his features melted and he reached down and pulled me into one of his signature bear hugs. Even though it had hardly any effect on me I knew that his vise grip on any other person would easily break bones but I'm just as my father made me I guess. I'm tough, smart, athletic, and most importantly, healthy.

My thoughts were interrupted by Damian questioning me on how the "bunny" slopes were. Poor, Damian. If you knew what I was really up to I'm fairly sure you would skin me alive for even thinking of taking you're board on the double black diamond, I think to myself. Aloud I simply said I did okay.

Pulling back but still holding me at arms length he asked if I wanted to go grab something from the coffee shop before we drive home.

Smiling back at him I thankfully nodded my head and he directed us across the square and into the small, yet somehow extremely welcoming cafe. I was shocked to find the bustling shop from earlier now laid as empty as a ghost town except for the cashier leaning against counter. With his hand still placed on my lower back, Damian guided me towards the counter.

Looking down at me he asked, "What do you want? I'm paying."

"Oh please. You and I both know that me buying two cups of coffee and a couple of snacks will most certainly not break the bank," I replied while scanning the menu hanging above the cashier.

"Regardless of how much money you have I would feel better if I bought your treats..." he said trailing off.

"I thought we already discussed this earlier," I replied, turning to face him, "I enjoy making you uncomfortable.

Sighing he turned back to the menu, "Can we at least make a compromise or something?"

Stealing a sideways glance at Damian I give a curt, "No," before turning back to the counter.

"It's not like your father isn't paying me enough to protect you," he whispered in my ear.

Turning my head to the left to face him I retort, "And that's why you felt the need to get another job for the two days you don't have to look after me?"

Wrapping his arms around my waist, making me look at him, he replied in a soft voice, "Hey, I love snowboarding and if spending my weekends teaching kids to love it too is how I want to spend it than that's my right."

During his explanation our heads had gradually gotten closer. I don't know what would have happened. Would he have kissed me? Pushed me away? But sadly I never got to find out because an almost inaudible sigh broke us apart.

Pulling away from each other we turned and looked at the teenage girl behind the counter that was now blushing a deep shade of scarlet.

"I'll get the snacks if you get the drinks? Damian said turning back to look at me.

"Are you sure you're up to it? It's about a 20 minute drive just to get back to town and to go another twenty-five minutes just to get to the house from there and I'm starving."

"I'm up to it. I know your appetite . So either I buy the snacks here or I take you out to dinner," he said smiling down at me.

Groaning I just nod my head and tell him I'll take two blueberry muffins and three chocolate chip cookies.

Facing the girl again, Ella, her name tag read; he ordered: three blueberry muffins, five chocolate chunk cookies, and two cinnamon rolls.

Looking at Ella I ordered a Road Warrior and a Triple Black Cherry Mocha. Damian didn't have to look at me for me to know he was surprised I remembered his favorite drink. Even if my memory was exemplary.

After the pale girl(Sorry if that's wrong I always saw Ella that way.) rung them up she bustled about behind the counter while Damian and I took a seat, waiting for her. That is until she started talking to us.

"You know you two are by far the cutest couple I have ever seen walk in here."

If you had seen the look on our faces you would have been laughing your ass off right now. I choked on my own spit. Classy right? Please tell me you detected the sarcasm. Damian's look confused me, though. I could have sworn he smirked.

"We're not dating!" I practically screamed at her. "Sure," she replied drawing out the word. You could tell by the look on her face that she didn't believe me. Sending her a death glare that made her visibly flinch I turn back to Damian to see an amused smirk on his face.

"And what do you think you're looking at lover boy?" I sneer.

"Nothing."

"That's what I thought," I repeat his words from earlier.

"I knew you we're lying. Anyway, is this your first time to the mountain? I've never seen you her before and everyone ends up in here eventually, whether its to warm up, hydrate, eat, or whatever..." Ella stated cutting into our little argument.

After sharing a look with Damian we replied, "Just visiting," at the same time.

Ella paused to look at us, "Okay that was totally weird. But I guess I can't judge I mean me and my friend, Nudge, do that, like, all the time. And so do my boyfriend, Iggy and I so I think that all the best couples do it. It probably because that have known each other for so long," she rambled. Pulling herself from her train of reverie , she turned back to us, "So how long have you two known each other? Oh and your order is ready."

Going with the truth I reply, "Seven years since I was ten and Damian was seventeen." Damian walked up to the counter and grabbed our refreshments.

"Wow that's a pretty big age difference. It's not that I really care about that; I actually think its really sweet but with laws and everything...yikes."

"Me and Damian aren't dating," I sigh for what feels like that tenth time. As we open the door we hear a quick, "I hope to see you two again.," before we were enveloped in the shrill scream of the wind. Wrapping my arm around Damian's we quickly stumble our way towards my silver, Mercedes-Benz G550 SUV. After climbing in and turning the heat as far as it could. To the Max(ha ha).

"Muffin," I demand holding out my hand towards Damian even as I put the car in reverse and slid out of the spot.

Looking wary he slowly hands over my muffin and questions, "Are you sure you don't want me to drive?"

Giving a dry laugh I reply, "Like I would ever let you put your hands on my baby."

"Max, you have like six babies. Half of them being jeeps, two are motorcycles, and then you have this monster. An over 100,000 dollar car, I might add."

"I like jeeps so what?"

His head fell into his hands and he let out a long sigh, "That's not my point, Max. My point being you, little miss I-get-everything-I-want, need to learn not to spend so much money on things you don't need."

"Okay first of all, I didn't buy these they have been gifts…well I bought the motorcycles and a jeep but the rest were presents!"

"Max you're dad isn't going to be able to take care of you forever. You need to learn the value of a dollar."

"Okay, Mother," I said stressing the word, "I know the value of a dollar. One-hundred pennies, twenty-five nickels, ten dimes, and four quarters," I finished just to piss him off.

Letting out another sigh he reached over and grab my right hand, "Max, you realize I'm just trying to look out for you right? I want to know that if something happens that you'll be okay. It freaks me out to think that one day…if I'm not here that you won't be able to take care of yourself."

Releasing the breath I didn't know I was holding I pulled over to the shoulder of the road and turned to Damian, "We're not still talking about the value of a dollar are we," I said looking into his eyes. The small shake of his head was the only answer he gave me, but really, it was the only answer I needed. Leaning forward my lips met his in a soft but sweet kiss. My hand coming up to rest on his cheek as I pulled away a few seconds later. "Damian, the last time I checked I was perfectly capable of taking care of my self."

"Max, I'm not talking about-"

I cut him off in a soft but final voice, "Stop. Why worry today about the little things when we have a whole lifetime to live. I'll worry when I'm dead. Until then…I'm going to be dangerous and reckless and I'm going to live, " my traitorous voice broke, "Because I know what its like to have the short stick in life. I know what its like to know I don't have much time left and now that I get to live again…I'm not going to stop until my clock runs out." Breaking our stares and pulling my hand away I enter the lane again and resume the long drive home.

During the drive home I found myself wishing he had answered and hadn't left me to my thoughts. But then again it gave my time to strengthen my resolve. I was saved. Cured. I should be able to feel life again. I shouldn't have to be locked away. Being locked away is surely a fate worse than death. The sad thing is my father didn't seem to see that. His point of view was "Why risk it?" Since the time I was born to the time I was ten I knew I was going to die. My cancer was incurable. My father changed that. He gave me the chance to live. Why shouldn't I be able to feel that life? Sometimes I wish my father hadn't found the cure…well hadn't found the cure in time to save me. Because than I knew I was close to death I knew I was weak. Now, I know I'm strong I know there is life beyond the walls of my personal prison. I know it's exhilarating but that I can't reach it. Not while my guards are around.

By the time I had finished my own personal musing I realized I was outside the gates to my house. After quickly tapping in the code, driving up the long driveway, and parking my car with the dozen or so others.

"You know you were given the chance to live for a reason. Do you really want to risk that chance on a couple of adrenaline grabbing stunts? I just wish you could see how different you are. How lucky you are," Damian said turning to face me. I kept my eyes forward looking at the doorway that lead into the house.

As he was getting out of the car I stated, "Different isn't always a good thing."

He stopped, hand still on the door, "And sometimes it means you have a chance to make a difference. To be something different as oppose to cookie-cutter," With that he closed the door and made his way into the house.

He left me alone. For once since the time I turned ten I was finally alone. It made me miss the company because when you're alone you're left with nothing but you're thoughts.