A/N: Still here, still going.

BTS was amazing, but that last scene was a complete gutpunch. Why Deck Nine? Why did you do that?

And Farewell, apart from that ending, that was exactly what I wanted from the episode.

We arrive back at Blackwell just in time for the last lesson of the day. I kiss Chloe before climbing out of the truck and practically sprinting towards the main doors. I get to media literacy just as Mr. Bedford is starting to take the register. I make my way across the classroom and collapse into my seat, my face red from the exertion. I slowly become aware of quiet whispering, just low enough so that the teacher cannot hear and realise that some of the other students have realised that I am wearing different clothes than I wore this morning. I can only feel relief that I don't share Science Lab with any of them, so will be unlikely to have to explain my absence. Victoria in particular is staring at me quite intently, previously that would have bothered me immensely, but now I just stare straight back at her. We hold each other's gaze for a few seconds before Mr. Bedford asks me a question about audience theories. I answer, and when I look back, Victoria has turned her head away from me and is whispering with Courtney.

The rest of the lesson passes without incident and I momentarily fool myself into believing that that will be the end of it, and that I will hear no more about it. I am immediately disabused of this notion as soon as I step out of the classroom.

"So good of you to finally join us, Max." Victoria and Courtney block my path through the corridor. I feel somewhat reassured that Taylor is not with them, but as she was not in the class realise that this is less significant than I might hope. I try to ignore Victoria and step past her but she moves to block me off again. "And in such... fascinating clothes, I might add." Victoria's tone is condescending, and the smirk on her face only adds to her air of smug superiority. "Clothes that hardly fit you, and hardly fit with your waif hipster bullshit." She momentarily turns her gaze to Courtney. "One would almost begin to wonder who they do fit."

"Leave me alone, Victoria." I mumble, not wanting to have a confrontation with her here and now. She gets right up in my face.

"Or what? What are you going to do Max? Take a selfie at me." She laughs, and a moment later Courtney laughs with her. Fortunately, by moving into my personal space, Victoria has left me an avenue of escape. I step into the space she has recently vacated and squeeze past Courtney out of the classroom, my head down and my cheeks burning with embarrassment. I can hear their laughter following me down the corridor. I briefly contemplate going into the bathroom to splash some water on my face to get rid of the redness, but find myself unable to enter. I just stand in front of the door, my hand outstretched for what feels like hours but is more likely only a few seconds. I don't feel ready to face it. I know that it is irrational, but a part of my mind is convinced that if I set foot in the bathroom, I will get shot again.

I lower my hand and glance about the atrium, hoping that no one noticed my lapse in concentration and leave the building.

I am in the grounds outside the dorms when David Madsen approaches me. I mentally prepare myself for whatever bullshit the universe has decided to throw at me next.

"Miss Caulfield." He stops and starts again, "Max." He sounds apprehensive, almost nervous. It is not an emotional state that I would have associated with David. I have seen him furious. I have seen him defensive. I have seen him broken. I have seen him vulnerable after the come down off an adrenaline high. My mind quickly begins to take that thought to places that I really would rather not go and so I miss what David says next as I divert all my energy and attention to staving off another breakdown.

"Max?" David repeats himself, still sounding hesitant.

"I-I'm sorry." I say, "I just spaced out a bit."

"I asked if we could talk." He says, a touch of irritation creeping into his tone. "In private."

"What about?"

He raises a hand as if to gesture but stops himself. "About Chloe."

Shit. I had completely forgotten about the cameras in the Price household. "What- what about Chloe?" David sees straight through my pathetic attempt at stalling.

"Max. Please. I'm not- I'm not angry. With you or Chloe. I understand why she didn't want to tell me." He turns almost away from and places one hand on the back of his neck. "My relationship with her is, difficult, she sees me as some sort of authoritarian dictator."

"What do you want, David?"

He sighs, "I know Chloe. If I approach her about this she'll overreact, we'll argue and everything will get worse. I don't want to ruin our relationship anymore than it is already. Joyce doesn't deserve that."

"On that we can agree." I say.

He nods. "I was hoping that Chloe would take it better coming from you. If you broached the topic with her she'd be less likely to blow up about everything."

I can see where he's coming from. Avoiding another Chloe blow-up can only be good for everyone involved. "I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you, Max." He sounds genuinely sincere. "I really appreciate this." I decide to push my luck.

"I think you should get rid of the cameras, Mr. Madsen." His head jerks upright.

"How did you-"

"I found the monitor in the garage." I tell him. "Chloe and Joyce wouldn't appreciate knowing that you were spying on them." I take a deep breath. "If you want Chloe to stop treating you like an authoritarian dictator, perhaps you should stop acting like one."

He stares at me, and for a moment I am scared that I have pushed him too far. I am almost about to raise my hand when he nods. "Maybe you're right. I'll tell you what. You help me with Chloe and I'll get rid of those cameras."

I know that he really cares about Chloe, of course he does, and having a smoother life at home can only be good for Chloe. Despite all this, I am aware of the dangers of this approach and I can't help thinking, what have I gotten myself into now?