Dear Family

Chapter 23: Ispy...

"So basically I'm like a detective now?" Steve questions, going to stake a big bite out of his apple.

Steve stands in front of Nancy Max and Eleven while they all sit on the couch, Max in the middle of Nancy and Eleven. Nancy only shakes her head while she smiles, Eleven giving a a confused look while Max just rolls her eyes.

"Don't flatter yourself." Max says.

"Detective?" Eleven questions.

"Yeah like a cop who figures out crimes and shit." Steve replies.

"So my dad?" Eleven questions.

"No like...higher then your dad." Steve replies.

"Basically it's like a food chain, Police officer to chief of police then detective then all of that...FBI crap."

Max waves off. "Point is that no Steve you are not a detective, you are only just trying to find out the truth."

"Which is being a detective." Steve says, Nancy and Max just rolling their eyes again. "What it's true!"

"Steve just do it! And do it fast!" Max says.

"And are we sure we want to do this?" Steve questions. "I mean...wouldn't it just be best to ask Lucas if he...you know beat up these people rather than him find out that we went on a hunting spree for them?"

If Max knew that Lucas would actually tell her the truth she would ask but she knows when she has been asking Lucas if he is okay among many other things he hasn't been truthful. Max knows why, she knows he is trying to focus on her but Max knows it is something else as well, and when Max knows something nine times out of ten it is right and Max wants to prove that she knows this.

What Lucas is not understand is the stress it is putting on her when he is not telling her what is going on and how he feels. Max knows he feels that he is helping her but really it is not. Max is concerned because she knows Lucas sudden mood swings and behaviors are not truly him and it is him hiding away on how he truly feels about something. Max knows that because she use to do the exact same thing.

She knows she won't get anywhere by just asking him, she needs to assure him in the most heartfelt and vulnerable way possible that she is here for him and it will not cause her any stress to know how he is truly feeling and if he really did go to Andy and the others. But Max knows to do that she is going to have to know the truth.

"Steve." Nancy lightly scolds.

"Hey just saying! His glare is something else!" Steve says while putting his hands up.

"But that's the thing, why glare?" Max questions.

"Uhh because he's mad at us." Steve answers.

"And why would he be mad at you if he is not hiding
anything? Why would he be mad at you all if you all weren't telling the truth?" Max rhetorically questions. "Look I'm only worried, I am asking for you both to do this because I am worried. Lucas he won't...he won't talk to me." Max's voice drops a little at the last part, playing with her hands a little. "And yeah I know that's hypocritical." She says while throwing her hands up.

"Max." Eleven mentions gently, going to take Max's hand. "It's being concerned."

"We'll do it Max." Nancy says while standing up. "We understand you are concerned, we are too. And for that we are happy to help." She says, looking over at Steve.

Steve nods while his hands are placed on his hips. "Yeah happy to help."

"Thank you both." Max mentions.

"Hey don't mention it, we will go on and get going." Steve says while going to put on his jacket. "You all are staying here right?"

"Yeah, I told Lucas I was spending some time with you guys." Max responds.