Archive of Our Own ^beta

Why you gotta be so mean?

Miranda stands in Ines' office while she begrudgingly chucks a police badge onto the desk. "Welcome to Mallorca…Detective Blake". Miranda looks as shocked as she feels, what on earth is happening? Is she really going to have to stay in Mallorca? Be a police detective with Max as her partner? Ines just stares at her, indicating with one look that Miranda isn't welcome and she's been forced to keep Miranda here. On that note, Miranda scurries out of the office to show Max her badge and shake off the feeling that her new boss hates her more than her old one did.

You have pointed out my flaws again as if I don't already see them

"Why the hell did you just walk straight in? You should have called for backup, set up surveillance. Well?" Ines spits at the pair of them, glaring more at Miranda than Max. Miranda opens her mouth to explain the situation and how they lost the suspect. 

"I thought if we went straight in, we had a chance to find the icon, catch him red handed" Max steps in, before Miranda can speak. 

"What you've succeeded in doing is alerting our prime suspect. Well done you two, excellent police work. Get out of my sight" Ines practically snarls at them in anger. Miranda heads towards the door as Max opens it to let her out first.

"Why did you take the blame in there?" Miranda asks, as the door clicks shut and Ines phones up Cesar. Max smiles at her before replying "Well, I am your partner and I know Ines doesn't like you. So I decided why not be a nice compañero and take some of her anger away from you for a change". Miranda blinks at him, its rare for someone to defend her and she doesn't quite know how to process this feeling of gratitude. So she smiles back at him briefly before turning and practically running to her desk.

Trying to block you out, 'cause I'll never impress you

"So you lost the dog killer" Ines says, raising an unimpressed eyebrow at Miranda and Max. Miranda scoffs "And solved an actual murder, does that not count for anything?!"

"Ok. Fine" Ines responds, rolling her eyes at Miranda. 

"I think that was our Well done Max" Miranda says sarcastically. Ines glares at Miranda in response and says "I can give you a sticker if you like Miranda. Maybe we should get a chart going." 

Miranda just glares back and before she can open her mouth to protest, Max gently grabs her arm and directs her out of the office.

"What the hell Max?! Why did you pull me away?" Miranda explodes at him, all her rage at Ines bubbling over onto Max. 

"Calm down mi compañera. I just didn't want you to cause any more drama with Ines. She already has an issue with you so I thought let's not make it worse" Max replies, still holding onto Miranda's arm as she is shaking with rage. Her eyes fill up with tears of anger and emotions she doesn't want to label at how kind and thoughtful Max is. He doesn't let go or move, Max just strokes her arms until the rage seeps out of Miranda. Mirands stared into his eyes, who would have thought Max knew how to calm her down and be her wingman against Ines.

But the cycle ends right now

'Cause you can't lead me down that road

And you don't know, what you don't know

Someday, I'll be living in a big old city

And all you're ever gonna be is mean.

Miranda is beginning to notice how it is easier to deal with Ines' arguments and put downs when Max is around. He acts a buffer, taking some of the pressure and aggressive vibes Ines gives off away from Miranda. She needs to thank him.

"Max, would you like to go to dinner with me in Alcúdia tonight? It's not a date, just a thank you for helping me deal with Ines recently. I really appreciate it." And you Miranda adds silently, smiling shyly at Max hoping he will say yes.

"Of course mi compañera, let's go find some delicious food in Alcúdia. You go to the car and I'll be right out" Max responds, grinning excitedly at the prospect of a date-not-date with Miranda. He sends a quick text to Carmen saying he is going out for dinner and to not wait up. 

Just as he heads out the door the phone chimes, "Max there is no point us going on like this. We barely see each other anymore and if we do you are always talking about Miranda or a case. I think we should end what we have now. It has been good while it lasted. But I think you might find someone else incredible, right under your nose. Best wishes, Carmen" he reads her text in shock and relief. 

Max has secretly been feeling more for Miranda than he ever wanted to let on, however it appears that Carmen had got the vibe between them. Max rushes off to go and speak to Miranda, who is sitting patiently on the bonnet of the car.

Max goes around the corner and offers her his hands to help her climb down. "Miranda, can we talk before we go for dinner?" Max asks, not letting go of Miranda's hands much to her confusion. She nods and hops into Bertha, while Max lets go of her hands and sits in the driver's seat.

"Max, what the hell is going on?" Miranda asks, picking at a loose thread on her shirt so she doesn't have to look at him. 

"I just broke up with Carmen" Max blurts out, putting his sunglasses on to cover up his expression and his eager eyes looking at a response from Miranda.

Miranda turns in her seat and stares at Max in shock, she ignores the little voice in her head that is cheering right now. "Well um I'm sorry to hear that. Are you okay?" Miranda asks, gently taking one of his large hands into hers again for comfort. His comfort or yours? Says that annoying voice in her head again.

Max decides to be bold and presses a kiss on her hand. Well it is know or never, he decides to bite the bullet so to speak.

"I am okay. I mean I'm more than okay, it has been a long time coming and it was a mutual split in the end." Max explains, without looking her in the eye and Miranda begins to suspect something is wrong.

I just want to feel okay again

"Max, what is wrong really? You can't seriously be okay with this? You've been with Carmen for over a year and you aren't upset? Why?" Miranda staring at him, willing Max to be honest with her. She can't go on the way they are, she wants answers for these confused feelings.

"He's okay with it Blake, because he's been in love with you for the last 5 months. Don't be so stupid as to deny it Winter. It is obvious to anyone who spends enough time around you. So sort it out, admit your feelings for each other and get out of the car park, you are blocking me in." yells Ines stalking towards her car, which is next to Max's car.

"We aren't even blocking you in!" Miranda and Max speak at the same time. Ines just smirks at them, and drives off with one final remark: "Sort it out and admit you like each other already!"

They glance at each other, both ignoring the fact that their faces are bright red. "So what now?" Max says, as he turns the engine on looking over at Miranda putting her seatbelt on.

"Now, let's go and have dinner and talk about things. Ines is right, as much as it pains me to say it, we need to talk this through." Miranda says decisively, feeling brave so she presses a quick kiss on his cheek.

Max smiles, and in sync they put on their sunglasses and drive off towards Alcúdia.

But the cycle ends right now

'Cause you can't lead me down that road

And you don't know, what you don't know

Someday, I'll be living in a big old city

And all you're ever gonna be is mean.