"A bug doesn't put you in the hospital. How did you know he was there?"

"Lucky guess," she tried to joke. I stepped toward her, angrier with her attempt at humor.

"Why did you hide this from me?" I felt like she betrayed me. That cut me very deeply.

"I didn't. I was just cleaning up the spam from our email accounts and his message got deleted with the rest of the junk." Her eyes watched me closer. I thought she was still lying.

"Why didn't you tell me about it? You know I've been stressed about not talking to him in so long," I asked, a little more in control again.

"I guess I forgot."

"What?" I didn't believe her. My patience was completely gone. I leaned into her and placed my face directly in front of hers.

"I'm going home."

"Homea" she said flustered and the thunder rumbled everywhere. I turned and began gathering my things from the room.

"Yes, home."

"Home is here with me!" she snapped.

"I'm going back to Maui. You can come if you want, but I probably won't be the best company right now." I was so angry.

"No! You are home! You can't leave!" she cried.

"I have to go." I was still extremely upset with her, but my words had hurt her immensely.

"I thoughtaIawas home. We were home," she stuttered.

"I thought you were honest. I thought you would never hurt me," I scolded. Her face shrunk and her hands balled into fists.

"Fine! Go! I'm staying!" she cried louder then turned and ran out the door. Lightning flickered outside of the window and my heart slowed with exhaustion.

The storm never let up as I packed my things. The Vegas weather station issued a flash flood warning for the rest of the night. I realized that even after all of these months, I really didn't have much to pack. After ordering my plane ticket over the Internet, I slid my guitar around my back and dragged my one bag to the doorway. I took a long deep breath and made my way out of our room.

*Slow Dancing In A Burning Room: John Mayer*

I should have just left for the airport but I didn't. Instead, my weary legs carried me down to the hotel bar. As I entered the room I could already smell Asia before I could see her. Music was playing from the live band and it seemed to echo the feelings running through my head.

Asia sat at the bar with her arms crossed and her hair in her eyes. I watched for a moment as an overly confident businessman approached her with his expensive drink in hand. She ignored him as he positioned himself along side of her. The rain was still falling outside with a vengeance.

"Excuse me darling, may I buy you a drink?" the man asked politely. She kept up her wall and didn't even acknowledge his advance. He tried again. Big mistake.

"Come on sad eyes, I wont bite." He chuckled with arrogance. She only stared directly ahead at the mirror behind the hotel bar. It made him even more enticed.

"The silent treatment huh. Good. I love a challenge!" he smiled. Her frozen statue started to thaw as she filled with anger. The thunder pounded against the hotel and I could literally feel the electricity envelop the room.

"Uh oh," I spoke to myself. He was about to get his way.

She slowly stood up from her stool and arched her back in the most seductive of poses. One hand ran through her dark hair as the other one slid slowly up the man's arm. She flipped her head to the side as his hand gripped his glass a little tighter, sweaty with anticipation of his new conquest.

"That's more like it beautifula" he started to say but was stopped in his tracks as the first pulse of electricity ran down his arm. His drink shattered in his hand as the second jolt shot through his veins. His teeth clinched together as Asia finally let a wicked smile through her frown. The man fell against the bar trembling with tiny trails of smoke slipping from his now melted fillings. I wanted to laugh but didn't. Asia leaned in to finish what she started. Her hand closed his smoking mouth with a slap.

"I'll take it from here," I said as I walked up to them. Asia's eyes found mine, and the hurt inside of them made it hard to breathe. I grabbed her hand and redirected her towards the open dance floor. The man quickly caught his breath and propped himself up with the bar stool. He looked confused and winded.

"I don't want to talk with you Max," she huffed. I slid my body up to hers and placed my hands along her hips. She pretended not to enjoy my touch but I knew better. My hands held her tighter.

"Neither do I. I want to dance."

"Noa" she gasped. Her body fought me at first but slowly gave in to my touch and the soft music. We moved along the dance floor saying nothing for a moment. There was nothing to say. I was leaving and she wasn't coming with me. Loneliness started to wrap itself around us as we danced.

"I don't want to leave without you," I said.

"I can't go back there."

"Why not? I need you with me." I smiled, even though it felt forced.

"I won't go back to the islands!" her voice rose above the sound of the band. At least a dozen pair of eyes looked our way. That only made her angrier.

"It's our home."

"I promised myself I would never go back," she said softly. We slowly spun in a private circle, blocking out the rest of the couples that were dancing.

"Asiaa"

"After what I did back there the islands are dead to me!" I could tell she didn't believe the words she was saying. There was something else going on here. I played along for now and let her have her stubbornness.

"I have to be with my uncle now. He needs me."

"I need you," she whispered. Her hands gripped my chest tighter. I could feel the fire under my skin reach out for her. Those fires would soon hate me.

"Please come." I tried one last time. Tears filled her eyes and she started to cry.

"Stay," she whimpered.

I looked at her and hurt inside. Her stare would not break mine. Inside her wilting eyes I saw our past adventures. I saw her body pulled from the giant wall of blue water like an angel when I found her in Mexico. The morning in Fiji when she cooked me breakfast for the first time, and I discovered she was quite the chef. Kissing her forever under the cherry blossom fields in China. A dozen other enchanted moments had me frozen, until the rolling thunder startled me.

Asia's face folded in front of me. Her fingers tangled themselves inside the chain of our matching necklaces. The song came to an end and I could feel my fires building. This was it. If I didn't leave now I wouldn't be able to. I pushed myself from her grasp as I kissed her lips one last time. I quickly made my way across the room and scooped up my bag and guitar. She watched me from the dance floor without moving an inch. I looked back at her with wanting eyes before forcing my body out of the bar.

"Maxa" she mouthed silently. Her tears fell like rain.

I made my way to the lobby and out the hotel doors expecting the rain to soak me but I was wrong. The clouds faded above me as the rain quickly stopped. The wind died down to nothing as a cab rolled up in front of me. I secured my earbuds from my mp3 player into my numbing head as I sat in the back seat.

"To the airport," I said. The cab driver nodded yes without a word. If I hadn't been in a self-imposed bubble, I might have noticed the strange look on the cabbies face. She smiled at me from the rearview mirror with a dark baseball cap covering her hair. A strip of that hair dangled loosely at the side of her pale face. It was bright blue. I would regret that I hadn't noticed that detail sooner.

She sped toward the airport and I let my music soothe my pain. The million different flecks of flashing colors washed over my passenger window from every brightly lit hotel on the way to the airport. Sin City had broken me. My heart was breaking, but I embraced its all-empowering truth. It was the only thing keeping me sane.

"Goodbye Asia," I sung over the music in my head. I hoped I wasn't making a mistake. Lightning covered the night sky but made no sound. It weaved along the dark skyline like a haunting centipede. I already missed her storm.

Homecoming - 09.

*Landslide: Fleetwood Mac*

Friday morning - 9:01 a.m. - November 17th.

Maui, Hawaii.

After almost a 24-hour delay at the airport, due to an unexpected thunderstorm that just so happened to engulf the Las Vegas airport, I was finally home. I walked out to the first wave of island air making my lungs pop with a familiar heat. The tropical air was welcoming and brought a much-needed smile to my face.

The flight was a long one, especially without Asia by my side. She was all I had known for so long but now I was alone again. Alone and completely stressed out about my uncle. I had called the hospital over and over again on my way here but no one would give me any more information other than his room number. Not knowing can be the hardest feeling to deal with.

As I rode in the back of a cab to the hospital I found that the music blaring from my earbuds wasn't calming my anxiousness anymore. My mind raced. Had Kai mentioned to my uncle that I had called? Surely he would know I was on my way if he had. Why did Kai seem so angry with me? Could I blame him though? It had been over a year since I left. Surely things hadn't changed that much. I couldn't have been more wrong. Guilt swallowed me when I walked into the hospital.

Frank's hospital room was cold and bland. It smelled clean but there was a scent in the air I didn't recognize. Some kind of strong medicine I thought. Machines quietly clicked and hummed from the side of his bed. I hated that sound. He was sleeping heavily with his breathing staggered. He looked awful. Thin and pale. I was very uncomfortable.

"Ahh Unclea" I winced. It was obvious that he had been sick for a long time. Why didn't he tell me? Maybe I could have helped. I slowly walked up to his bed and placed my hand on his chest. Gently I let my powers heat and fill my hand. I pushed with everything I had to try and heal him but nothing happened.

"Damn it!" I cursed under my breath. I tried in vain once more with the same results. My anger was rising as I let the guilt of not being here sooner wash over me. If I had never left I would have been here to heal him when he became sick. The thought began to choke me.

"May I help you?" a nurse asked from behind me. It startled me a little and I shoved my hands in my back pockets. She watched me carefully and then proceeded to check Frank's vitals.

"I'm Max Valentine. This is mya"

"Wow, the much discussed Max. Your uncle has done nothing but brag about his favorite nephew since he started his treatment," she smiled. I fidgeted nervously in my shoes.

"His treatment? How long has that been?" I asked shyly.

"You didn't know? I'm sorry. He's been suffering from Adenocarcinoma for the last 10 months." As she spoke my mind went blank. Nothingness weaved itself through my eyes. She realized I didn't understand and nodded patiently.

"A terrible form of lung cancer," she said soft and caring. A sigh escaped from her quietly. It was obvious she had come to care for my uncle. It was surprisingly easy to do.

"Cancer?"

"I'm sorry Max. He's had the best possible care." She tried to comfort me. Her words were too heavy for me.

"Ten months?" I gasped. My shoulders caved under the weight of my guilt. Why hadn't anyone told me?

"I didn't mean to upset you. Your uncle is a very strong man. Just look at his results, they seem to be improving as we speak," she said, questioning the latest print out from the nearest monitor. I pulled my still warm hands from my pockets and rubbed them together. Maybe there was still a little juice left in me after all.

"Max? Is that you son?" Frank asked, groggily waking up. His hand reached for mine.

"Yes old manaI'm home." I tried so hard to not let the tears out that were pushing at the back of my eyes.

"You look gooda" he coughed out.

"Don't talk Uncle. Sleep. We can catch up later." I glanced at the nurse for assurance and she nodded in agreement.

"Tomorrow morning," she added.

"So much to tell youa" he drifted off. A rough and wet cough followed, making my tears push themselves out. The nurse pushed past me with a concerned look and I took the hint.

"Rest Uncle. I'll see you in the morning," I whispered and kissed his forehead.

"Visiting hours start at 9 but if you come by earlier, I'll make an exception." Her smile calmed me slightly. He was obviously in the best possible hands here.

"Thank you," I said. I quietly walked out of his room with my head beginning to pound. I closed the door behind me and turned and rested my forehead against the cool door. I felt so drained. I had so many questions, so many crazy thoughts swirling around my head. I was dizzy. After a moment of centering myself I raised my head and turned around. When I did, I was shocked.

Samantha was at the end of the hallway talking to the nurse who casually sat on duty behind her desk. She was up on her toes to see the nurse over the higher than normal desk. For some reason the nurse stayed seated while they talked. Samantha was still petite and in great shape. Her torso was covered by one of those little summer dresses she was so fond of. Her hair was shorter now but still long enough to fall past her shoulders. It looked darker too. I couldn't tell if it was really darker or just the hospital lighting. Her golden-blond locks were tinted with an amber hue as she ran her bangs behind her ear. My heart skipped a beat while I watched in slow motion.

"Sama" I barely spoke. As her eyes caught the first glimpse of me she froze in her stance. The flowers she was holding slipped to the floor where she stood. The half smile she wore faded instantly. I leaned my hand against my uncle's door, trying to steady my shaky legs. The world was spinning again and trying its hardest to throw me from it. As the world slowed its assault, my eyes focused back on her stunned face. She quickly turned from my glare and ran out of the hospital doors.

"Stop the world," I whispered to no one.

"I want to get off."

11:00 a.m.

Back at the driveway of my uncle's house I stood silent, staring at the front door. It looked exactly as I remembered it. Next to me was my uncle's old truck. It still looked like I remembered, though the artwork for his business; Lava Landscaping, was a little scratched up. A calmness blanketed me as I reached for the doorknob. I was home. As I slowly walked through the front door a familiar sound greeted me.

"Woof! Woof! Woof!"

"Easy Oz, it's me!" I laughed. "I'm home." His barks fell to a faint growl as he recognized me instantly. My little bodyguard. The miracle wiener dog that I saved my first day on the island. I missed him so much. His fur was a thicker coat of reddish brown with black peppered throughout it. He had put on a little weight, but he still looked healthy and tone.

"Come here lil' man," I said with my hands outstretched. He hesitated and let out a tiny whimper. I smiled and he ran and jumped into my arms. His tail slapped my body furiously as his tongue found my face. He was beyond happy, and for the first time in a while I felt accepted again.

"I missed you too big guy." I scratched his belly. He jumped from my arms and ran in circles around me. I followed him as best as I could without making myself too dizzy. After a couple of rotations he darted down the hallway towards my old room. I followed with a second wind in my chest. He jumped onto my old bed and spun in two circles before plopping down in the middle of the bedding.

"Just like old times," I teased. He barked for me to join him, so I obliged and jumped right next to him. After a round of playful wrestling I took a moment to absorb my surroundings. My room looked almost exactly as I remembered it. I jumped to my feet and opened my bedroom window. The island air washed into the room like an overflowing river. It was sweet and moist but was missing something. No sign of Asia's scented rain at all.

I sighed and grabbed a towel from my dresser and made my way to the shower. After cleaning up I made a stop in the kitchen. It was barely afternoon but I was hungry for dinner. I opened the fridge to find it almost empty. That was strange for my uncle's place, he always kept the fridge fully stocked. Looked like I was destined to hit the market soon. There was barely enough leftovers to piece together a make shift dinner for me and my bodyguard.

As we ate side by side on my bed, my mind kept rushing back to seeing Sam again. She looked so good and so different at the same time. It took all of my strength not to pick up the phone and call her. Besides, she didn't look like she wanted to talk to me anytime soon. She knew I was back now, and it was just a matter of time before she found me. Or so I thought. I thought wrong.

After a few hours with nothing but hopes of Sam calling I needed to decompress. Her silence was killing me, but my mind felt paralyzed by my uncle Frank's diagnosis. Before I knew it I found myself in front of the computer looking up any and everything I could find about lung cancer. After the twentieth or so website my head hurt and my eyes began to blur. Sadly, I didn't find any of the answers I was looking for.

"Welcome home Mad Max," I mocked myself. Drained and numb I shut down the computer. My old bodyguard had not left my side all night. I reached down and messed Oz's fur on the top of his head.

"I've still got you thoughahuh, lil' man."

"Woof!" he shot back. A small smile found me again but it only lasted for a brief moment. I closed my bedroom window and fell across my soft bed. Oz and I fell asleep quickly and I dreamt of Fiji and Asia's blue eyes. It was a long and restless sleep.