Chapter Text
Max woke up slowly. His limbs felt heavy against the bed and the air was humid. Despite sleeping, he still felt groggy and disoriented.
He rolled over, facing away from the brightening bedroom window, the sun just barely edging on the horizon and tinting the city a light shade of blue. He didn’t feel like opening his eyes, not just yet. He still felt too tired.
Before he faded back off to sleep, he could’ve sworn he heard Sam talking, but it was muffled and he was too behind on sleep to find himself caring that much.
When Max woke up again it was much more pleasant. This time the room was much brighter with the morning’s sun completely making its self known. Max opened his eyes, taking in his surroundings.
The room was lit up orange, and few miscellaneous items lined the dresser space on the other end of the room. He stretched, turning to Sam’s side of the bed.
Sam was gone.
Max sat up straight, ears listening as he scanned the room more. He could hear a faint sound of the shower running, as well as the low telltale sound of Sam humming jazz every once in a while.
Max bunched the covers in his hands and looked toward the window. Some birds flew up and about outside, but other than that it was still relatively quiet for a New York City morning. Other than a few locals here and there, no one really did much on their street.
For one of the few times in Max’s life, he really didn’t feel like getting out of bed or doing anything.
He felt tired. ‘Why did he feel so tired all the time now?’
Max didn’t know how long he sat, running the fabric covers between his hands as he stared listfully out the window, but his attention was snapped away when he heard the bathroom door open and Sam stepped through.
“Good morning Max!”
Max smiled back at him, “G’morning Sam.”
Sam went over to gather his tie from the dresser. “So! I spoke to the commissioner this morning!”
“You did?” Max was partially surprised, but excited. His ears stood straight, a smile forming on his face.
“Yup! And turns out the department has a few cases they are on the ropes about. Says we can take a pick if we would like.”
Max hopped off the bed, his grin spreading farther. “Well of course we would like! What’s the case, big guy?”
“Well, the commissioner says there’s been some suspicious activity down by the old warehouse district near the harbor. One of the buildings has had a lot of foot traffic despite being condemned, and while it could be a few rowdy teenagers just looking for a hide-a-way, I’d say based on the commissioner’s tone that these folks are up to more no-good than they are letting on.”
Max tapped his fingers together, practically hopping on his toes in excitement. “Ooooooh! Interesting!”
He took off for the door. “Well, what are we waiting for Sam! Let’s kick some criminal hiney!”
Sam chuckled and ruffled Max’s ears. “Now hold on there little buddy. I think we should probably finish getting ready and eat something first. I don’t know about you, but I’m famished.”
As if on cue, Max’s stomach began to rumble. He also supposed he hadn't showered yesterday, so he probably should do that at some point.
Despite Sam getting ready first, Max was so excited to start a new case that he rushed his routine. Sure his stomach hurt from mauling down five glazed McGuffins in the span of a few minutes, but that was a problem for future Max to endure, not present Max. Sam still hadn’t finished his morning routine by the time he had finished.
He stood by the office door, impatiently tapping his foot on the ground and arms crossed over his chest.
Sam seemed to be taking his sweet time getting dressed. He kept messing with his tie and took longer than usual to put on his holster. If Max could believe it he’d say Sam didn’t look as excited to start a new case.
But this is what they lived for! This is the reason they got the band back together right? To continue being Sam and Max? Freelance police! It might as well be their middle names!
Max giggled a bit at the thought of Sam’s actual middle name. He hated it. He would tell you, but then he would have to kill you so who would read the story?
Sam eventually walked over to Max, still adjusting his tie.
“Okay little buddy, I think I’m ready.”
“Ugh. Finally!” Max didn’t even wait for Sam as he threw open the door and began bouncing down the stairs. He jumped out onto the front stoop, the cool morning air greeting him like a rush of adrenaline.
Max pointed one finger to the sky and placed the other hand to his hip, posing heroically. "Fear not citizens! The Freelance Police are back in business!"
Sam padded up behind him, patting his head with a slight chuckle before descending the stairs and down the sidewalk to the DeSoto. Max jumped off and ran up to walk beside him.
“Y’know Sam, I have an idea.”
“Well, that’s dangerous.”
Max elected to ignore that “I was thinking since you drive all the time-“
“Nope. Not a chance.”
Max flung his arms out, now making his way to the passenger side of the car. ‘“Oh come on Sam! It was one time! When am I going to get to try again?”
Sam climbed into the DeSoto, not even paying mind to Max’s pouting. He began toying with the radio as the lagomorph situated himself next to him.
“I think one chance was enough to prove one too many in your case.”
“It didn’t do that much damage!”
Sam gave Max a silent look.
Max crossed his arms and glanced toward the window. He gave a quiet grumble. “...It was fixable.”
Sam chuckled, revving the car and proceeding to fly down the street in the direction of the department. “You were lucky that it was just fixable.”
When they pulled up to the police department, Sam offered to run inside and grab the case files, leaving Max alone in the car. He was smart enough to take the keys with him.
Upon him returning, Max noticed that the folders were a lot smaller than normal. Not that he cared to look in them anyway, but still. Sam said things were slower than normal, but this? This looked like almost nothing.
Sam flipped the folders open, looking over the documents. “Well, it appears there isn’t a lot on this case just yet! Perfect to scope out!”
Max didn’t like the sound of that. Stakeouts weren’t really his forté if it weren’t already obvious. Shoot first and ask questions later. He has always had a pretty good gut feeling about who deserved to be shot. In fact, he was proud to say his record was near one hundred percent accuracy!
The suspects couldn’t really argue afterward though, could they?
Still, Max couldn’t help but feel odd about this case. Even with the surprising amount of files and information, Sam seemed really upbeat about it all. Max was just happy to get back to work and forget about life for a bit, and if Sam was happy, he was happy.
“Well, let’s get this started!” With that, Sam threw the folder onto the dash and raced off to the harbor area.
When they arrived at the warehouse district, they parked as far out as they could while still keeping a watchful eye on the area. Always best to keep distance on a stakeout.
They brought the DeSoto to an adjoining parking area, tucked slightly behind a few trash bins and older brick buildings. Just enough to keep them covered and not be suspicious.
A few seagulls flew in and out of the area, but other than that, the place looked absolutely abandoned. No cars, people, nothing. There was a partially deconstructed crane next to the harbor that looked like it was going to keel over at any moment. Even the warehouse roof looked like it was going to collapse it was so rusted. If there were any criminals here, it was a sad excuse for a secret hideout.
Sam leaned back and kicked his feet up. “Well little buddy, looks like we might be here a while huh?”
Max didn’t like the sound of that, but maybe if he were lucky they would catch some action soon.
“Gee I hope not Sam. Not that I don’t like you or anything but I really want to pummel some heads right about now!” Max grinned.
Sam chuckled. “Me too little buddy.”
Max stayed glued to the window, foot tapping incessantly as the time progressed. Every few minutes or so he would change positions, kicking his feet up or leaning on his arms, but there was only so much he could do while watching nothing before he got bored.
Max was beginning to hate this.
Sam seemed pretty relaxed about it all, glancing around the area a little. After a bit, he pulled out a newspaper and glossed through the articles.
Max internally groaned. He didn’t want to complain though. He supposed it was better than no work at all.
He returned back to looking over the warehouse in question. He would kill for someone to walk up right about now. He was beginning to get more and more bored as the morning progressed to afternoon and afternoon to night.
If Max wasn’t frustrated earlier today, he was definitely frustrated now. One could even say he was downright angry. There were a few times he had half the mind to charge the place guns blazing, but each time he threatened to Sam had stopped him.
“Not yet little buddy. I’m sure something will happen soon.”
Max’s foot rapidly tapped the floorboard as he sat reclined in the passenger seat. If something didn’t happen soon he was going to kill something.
Sam glanced over at him with a slightly apologetic look. It didn’t take long for the wolfhound to finally speak up. “I’m sorry Max, maybe something interesting will happen soon? These stakeouts are a lot like the lottery, you never know if it’s a hit or miss.”
Max sank lower into the seat, not even ashamed of his pouting anymore. “Well, it’s beginning to feel like a miss.”
Sam nodded, looking back to the warehouse. Suddenly an idea dawned on him.
“Tell you what Max. How about you run to the burger joint down the street that we passed earlier? Pick us up something to eat.”
Max liked the idea of finally getting out and stretching his legs.
“What if something happens while I’m gone?”
“I’ll wait for you to get back.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.” Sam smiled, and while Max wasn’t one to go all mushy, he did trust him.
“Alright.” Max agreed, opening up the passenger door and climbing out. “But if anything happens while I’m gone I’ll-“
“You have my permission to blow up the place.”
Max grinned, “I’m holding you to that big guy.”
“Yeah, yeah. Just go get us some burgers bone-head.”
Max slammed the door shut a little louder than he probably should of and scampered back down the road to the burger place. When he got there, there was a line out the door. Max had half a mind to start biting ankles and scaring people away, eager to get back in case he missed anything but he really didn’t want to get banned from yet another restaurant in town and come back empty-handed.
‘Great! More waiting! Just my luck.’
Max got into line and tried to remain decent. He rocked back and forth on his feet, trying to ignore the blabbering woman that had come up behind him. With each passing minute, she seemed to get louder, almost as if she were trying to tell her life story to the whole diner.
Max groaned. It only got worse when they were actually inside the building. Her voice was like nails on a chalkboard, echoing off the tile walls. Max kept his cool though, ordering the food finally and then leaving.
He kicked at the rocks lining the road as he walked back down to where the DeSoto was parked. Waiting in that line made him almost miss the stakeout. Almost.
When he came back, Max noticed Sam was reclined, and he definitely didn’t notice that he was back yet.
‘Oh, I should definitely scare the big guy.’ Max giggled to himself while approaching as quietly as he could muster.
Max approached the door, slowly arching his back, ready to jump up and-!
Max stopped just before smacking the window.
‘Was Sam... asleep?’ Max peered down at Sam, whose eyes were closed, relaxed as could be and snoozing away.
Max’s face scrunched in confusion. Sam never slept on cases. ‘What’s gotten into him?’
Max sat the food down and tapped on the window. Sam snorted but didn’t stir. He found it odd. In fact, the longer he stood there the odder it felt. Not only was Sam asleep, but he was completely out of it. He had never known the guy to sleep through any case before.
Max looked around. It was just dark enough for the city lights to begin turning on. Still, there was no one else around. Something wasn’t right about this.
Max’s brows furrowed as he looked back to the warehouse, still quiet as ever. For something being assigned to them he would’ve thought that there would be at least some movement by now.
Max growled under his breath. What if Sam missed something while having his little snooze fest?
‘Oh screw this!’
Max dropped the food bag and began his trek toward the warehouse. He was tired of waiting. He didn’t care what Sam said. At this point, he was tired of nothing happening and bored out of his damned mind. He was going to see what was going on in there and he was going to see it now.
Max approached the old building. It barely looked stable with the rusted walls and cracked concrete base. Max approached a worn freight door that sat slightly ajar. The area was illuminated only by a single old bulb hanging from the fixture above it.
He could fit under the overhead door if he squeezed. While Max wasn’t always a fan of his size, he couldn’t argue that it didn’t have its perks sometimes.
He kicked at the door, partially to make sure it was stable enough to not fall on him, and partially to release some anger. He pulled out his Luger and crouched, shimmying himself under the frame.
When he got out on the other side he leapt up, aiming his gun and-
There was no one there.
Max lowered his pistol, a confused look now crossing his features.
A flock of pigeons scattered at the sudden appearance of the lagomorph, flying up and through the collapsed ceiling at the other end of the large, empty building. The only thing occupying the cracked concrete floor were rusted pylons, some buckling under the old roof’s weight, and puddles of dirty water. The place stank of must and echoed every little sound inside of it.
Max stood in shock for a few minutes. At first, he felt disbelief, but the longer he stood there, staring over the empty, dirty expanse, the more anger he felt arise in his stomach and chest.
There wasn’t a single trace of anyone ever being there.
He angrily stashed away his gun and proceeded to climb out of the building. His fists were clenched, and he had half a mind not to start screaming profanities and punching at the wall.
Sam was going to be so mad when he figures out they wasted all their precious time on a bust.
‘Oh-ho-ho! Wait until Sam sees this!’ He was absolutely seething.
Max muttered to himself, angrily stalking back up the hill. When he got back up to the DeSoto, he swiped the fast-food bag off the ground and swung his door open, climbing inside. Sam remained undisturbed, still sleeping despite the noise.
As Max reached for the car door, ready to slam it shut in his fit, he spotted the folder containing the case files. Max stopped and proceeded to grab at it.
‘Who was the bright son-of-a-bitch who thought this was a case?’ He was definitely going to teach whoever it was a lesson or two for wasting his time.
Max ripped open the folder to look over the documents but became confused when only a blank sheet sat inside. He picked it up, flipping it over, and threw it to the side. Underneath it was another blank sheet,
and another, and another-
Max started pouring the contents out onto his lap. There wasn’t anything in the folder. Not a file, a picture, or an evidence sheet. The only thing that was in it were blank sheets of printer paper.
Max pulled at his ears, staring down at the sheets now littering the seat and floorboard.
He couldn’t believe it. Not a single piece of tangible information was in the damned thing. Max felt his anger wash away and become immediately replaced by confusion? Disbelief? He didn’t know what he was feeling but he didn’t like it.
‘What in the world?’
He began picking up the papers, completely forgetting the food and sleeping wolfhound still by his side. He stuffed the papers back in the folder and shut it, tightly gripping at the edges as he stared down at the writing on the front.
In hastily written blue ink read the day’s date and ‘Sam and Max’.
Max looked down at the chicken scratch, and while his writing was certainly no better, he recognized the writing enough to know who had written it.
Max bared his teeth and threw the file back onto the dash. He couldn’t believe it. How did he not think of it sooner?
‘Why the HELL would Sam do this?’
Max clenched his hands in front of him, now standing on the seat. He was going to claw Sam’s face apart, make him sorry for ever dragging him out here to this stupid, godforsaken dump-
-but when he looked over at him sleeping away still so peacefully he stopped.
...he couldn’t do that.
He sat back down, breathing out heavy labored breaths as he watched the wolfhound continue sleeping next to him.
‘Why did Sam lie about the case?’
Max sat watching Sam, trying to run through scenarios to forgive him or come up with an explanation, but it all came back to that question every time. Max couldn’t fit the puzzle pieces together in his head no matter how hard he tried.
Surely there was an explanation? Maybe he was just reading it wrong, or it’s invisible spy ink!
Max leaned forward and took a last look inside the file, just to reassure himself that they were, in fact, still blank.
He sat back again, slumping.
He felt hurt.
More hurt than he had felt in a long while.
‘Surely Sam trusted him right?’
Max didn’t know anymore. He wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer.
Max picked up the now cold and soggy fast food and placed it on the seat beside Sam. He huffed out a sigh and reached for the door, finally slamming it closed.
“Huh?” Sam coughed and blearily looked around him, eyes falling on Max.
“Oh hey, little buddy! I wondered when you were getting back.”
Max looked at Sam, an indiscernible expression on his face. He sat silently, not moving or responding. Max didn’t know what to say. Should he confront him?
“You okay Max?”
Max let out a breath he had been holding, waiting just a moment longer before allowing a smile to come across his face.
“Never better Sam. I hope you’re hungry.”
Sam smiled and reached for the bag “A little bit. These stakeouts sure know how to make a guy starved!”
Sam dug through the bag, pulling out one of the foil-wrapped burgers. “Huh, it’s cold. That’s strange.”
Max watched him take a bite out of it regardless of the heat. Sam dug through the bag and offered the second burger to Max, who shook his head.
“Nah. I already ate mine.”
“You got me two? Aww, gee thanks, pal.” Sam gave him an endearing smile. Max’s chest stung a little.
Sam wiped his face with a napkin, looking back to the warehouse. “Don’t worry, nothing happened while you were gone. Whad’ya say we go back home for the night? Get some well-deserved rest after keeping a lookout all day?”
Max looked toward the poorly illuminated warehouse, tensing slightly in his seat. He had half a mind to bite Sam’s head off right now. Sam never left a case like this, but instead of arguing, Max turned back to Sam and gave a small smile.
“Sure, Sam. I’m getting bored anyway.”
Sam looked at him for a good moment and turned back to the dash, twisting the keys in the ignition. They began backing out of their lookout point, knocking over a few trash bins while doing so, then driving down the road toward home.
“Gee, it got dark pretty quick didn’t it?”
Max watched the streetlights go by as he leaned on the windowsill. A million thoughts circling in his head.
“Yeah. I guess it did.”
They drove quietly until Sam decided to turn on some Jazz. Max would’ve rolled his eyes at how cliché noir-y it was for the moment if he didn’t feel so bad right now.
He could tell Sam was looking at him, but he didn’t give the guy the satisfaction of acknowledging him. Max could think of some very colorful words to say to him right now if he wanted to.
After a few more tense moments of silence, Sam eventually started to pipe up.
“I’m sorry Max. I know the case didn’t go exactly as planned.”
Max tensed but shook it off as best as he could. He didn’t look up from the window when he replied. “It’s fine Sam. Not like it’s your fault.”
Max almost laughed at his choice of words. Completely unintentional, but he’d still take credit for it if you asked.
Sam went quiet for a moment before giving out a quiet “yeah” in response.
A few more terse moments passed before Sam tried talking again. “How about we call the Commissioner tomorrow and see if we can find another case?”
Max slumped, crossing his arms. “Hopefully it isn’t a snooze fest like this one was.”
Sam gave a low chuckle. “I have to agree with you, little buddy. Things have been pretty slow lately after all.”
‘Hmph. Pretty slow indeed.’ Max thought.
Sam pulled up to the apartment, turning off the ignition. They sat for a moment, both staring out their own windows. Eventually, Sam turned to Max, a worried expression on his face.
“Max, are you okay?”
Max continued to stare out the window, not responding.
“Did something happen at the restaurant?”
If Sam’s voice didn’t sound so damned concerned, Max swears he would’ve done something to him already.
Max didn’t know how to respond. He was tired. He was hurt. Hell! He probably had twenty levels of trauma stacked in his brain right now without the last few weeks of events! He didn’t want to be mad at Sam. He didn’t want to be angry or upset anymore. He just wanted things to go back to the way they were.
But instead of saying any of that, Max sighed and opened his car door. “I’m fine Sam.” He threw the door shut behind him, trekking up the steps into the building.
Sam got out after him, following up the stairs and unlocking the apartment. Max walked to their bedroom and threw himself onto the bed, back turned to Sam’s side and the door.
He could hear Sam hanging up his hat and coat on the rack, followed by the jingle of the keys sitting down on the counter. Eventually, Sam’s footsteps got closer until they were in the room, beside the bed.
Max squeezed his eyes shut, breathing in and out to steady himself. He could tell Sam was staring at him. Probably waiting for him to do or say something.
Max rolled over, and dammit the guy had that look on his face. He looked like a kicked puppy, just standing there looking down at him.
Max huffed, trying to think of something to change the subject. Anything to make things sane again.
“So, uh-" Max sighed, "what do you think the Commissioner will have for us next big guy?”
Sam’s expression seemed to immediately change at the question and in return, gave a small smile. “I don’t know. A hair-raising adventure I’m sure.”
Max nodded. “We can sure hope."
Sam chuckled, climbing into bed beside him. “I’m sorry the case didn’t go as planned today. I’m sure the next one will be a lot more fun. Might even involve some reckless shooting! Who knows?”
Max managed to crack a smile. “I sure hope so. My Luger is starting to get a bit rusty.”
Sam yawned and let out a slight chuckle, curling around the lagomorph. He always did go soft on him when he was upset.
Max reached over and started petting at his ears out of habit, watching as Sam began to drift off to sleep. Sam eventually closed his eyes and dug his head into Max’s side as best as he could.
“Love you, Max.”
His hand stalled for a second before continuing to pet him.
“Love you too, Sam.”
Max continued petting Sam’s head for a bit until he was sure he wasn’t going to stir. When sure, he slowly slipped away from Sam, swinging his legs off the bed. He circled the bed and walked out to the main office area. If things weren’t going to go his way here, then he might as well figure out something that he could control.