Dark Angel - Season 2 re-write

[Dana0715]

Rating - NC17
Takes place second episode, Season 2 of Dark Angel.

Author's note - This is a whole re-write of Season 2 of Dark Angel. I'm taking key episodes and re-writing them for a segment that will bring more into Alec and Max's relationship by the end of Season 2. Max will be torn between Alec and Logan, and then I might start my own Season 3 if my muse is still going.

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2020 AD, the day after the Manticore explosion

In a room at the No-Tel Motel, Alec is lying on the bed with his eyes glued on the TV while a woman lies next to him and touches his barcode reverently.

The woman was slightly annoying to Alec, but she was easy and he used her body to forget a particular dark-haired, dark-eyed X5 that he knew just started her heat cycle. The woman next to him looked nothing like Max and her constant giggle was irritating, as well as her nosey questions

"This is so cool. Does it say how much you cost?" She giggles, making Alec want to roll his eyes, but he refrained from doing it

Alec, using his charm instead, answered, "A lot more than you, sweetheart."

"Is it a gang thing?"

"Ah! You guessed my secret." Alec replied with a slight bit of sarcasm

And inevitably, she had more questions, "So how come you're not out gang-banging, then?"

"Well, 'cause sometimes a guy can have a lot more fun on his own."

She giggled that irritating giggle again, "So you're on the lam!"

Alec's sarcasm went right over the girl's head, "Oh, you're so intuitive. Hey...". He starts counting out some cash and hands it to her, "..Why don't you go grab us something to eat, will you?" Anything to get rid of her for a little while!

She nods sweetly, taking the cash, "Okay."

She gets dressed and leaves, going across to the Kwik-E-Mart while Alec continues watching TV

A set of newly-freed Manticore kids watches from the bushes as a man steps out of the store with some snacks.

They discussed how hungry they were while they were casing the Kwik-E-Mart, and they decided to steal some food since none of them had any money. They go inside together, one female and two males. They stuff their shirts and jackets with food discreetly and the woman that was with Alec earlier was also inside the Kwik-E-Mart and notices their barcodes.

She approaches them, "Hey, where'd you guys get those? My friend has one just like that."

They ignore the woman and begin to walk out. The woman notices they have stolen food and calls out, "Hey!"

The clerk looks up from his magazine and reaches for his gun behind the counter. One of the male X6's blur and takes the gun from him, fires it into the wall and then pointing it at the clerk, then orders the other male X6, "Get the cash!"

The kids take the money from the register and leave. All the commotion caused Alec to look out of his hotel room window, recognizing the young teen X6's

"That's just GREAT!" he mutters to himself. "Damn kids will get us all in trouble!"

He puts on his own clothes and follows them, following a trail of empty chip bags and cheetos (and picking them up along the way to keep the cops from finding them) until he found where they were staying, an old abandoned barn.

He walks into the old barn. The Manticore kids are sitting on bales of hay inside, along with another female and a young male, sharing the junk food.

Alec announced, "Daddy's home!"

The kids jump up and scramble to stand at attention. They began giving a roll call

"X6-787, SIR!"

"X6-809, SIR!"

Alec waves a hand and interrupts them, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever." The kids stand at ease now, and Alec clasps his hands behind his back, his back straight, taking command. "What are you bozos thinking, knocking over a Kwik-E-Mart??"

One of the kids didn't seem to understand and he asked, "Sir?"

"I had a very sweet deal going, and you blew it."

Alec notices a blonde young X7 standing by the wall and asks, "What's that doing here??"

One of the females answered, "He escaped the attack with us, sir."

Alec was dumbfounded by her choice of words, "The attack?"

One of the males nodded, "On Manticore."

The first male, must be the alpha male of the group, answered, "Command's been reestablished. We saw a signal to regroup last night. The rendezvous is about six klicks from here, south-southwest. We were just about to move out."

Alec was shaking his head at their naivete, "Gang, I hate to break it to you, but Manticore was not attacked. They tried to barbecue us!"

The alpha male asked, "Sir?"

Alec tried again to get his point across, "They're trying to kill us. The signal's bogus. It's a trap."

The male leader answered, "If I may, sir...That doesn't make any sense. We're valuable military assets, representing billions of dollars in R&D. Why would Manticore try to get rid of us?"

Alec answered snidely, "I want to get rid of you, and I just met you!"

The alpha male ignored the comment and told him, "We should be going, sir. They're waiting."

Alec rolled his eyes, "Okay, what part of 'They're trying to kill you' did you NOT understand?"

Their leader replied, "All due respect, sir, but officers of rank superior to yours left standing orders to regroup when instructed to do so."

Alec was smiling and he shrugged. At least he tried, "Well, far be it from me to violate the chain of command."

The alpha male stood at attention in front of his comrades, "Fall in!" he announced

Alec asked quietly, "You're really gonna do this?"

All the kids line up except for the X7, who doesn't move from his vantage point at a window.

The alpha male X6 yells at the X7 by the window, "Didn't you hear me, soldier??"

Alec snickered, "Oh, he heard you. He just can't believe his ears!"

The alpha male gives Alec a look, "I'm going to have to report you. Both of you."

Alec winked at him, "Oh yeah. You do that."

The X6 leader yells, "Left face!" All kids turn left in perfect precision, then they're told, "Quick march!"

They leave and Alec shakes his head. They're as good as dead now!

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Max rides her Ninja down the road that leads through the woods, using information she received from Logan to stop Manticore soldiers from meeting their deaths. At the same time, the Manticore kids that left Alec reach the bridge and stand opposite the armed soldiers. The soldiers raise their guns at them. The kids look concerned. Max arrives and rides her motorcycle into the group of armed soldiers, knocking them down.

Max yells to them, "Run!"

The kids turn and run. One of the soldiers shoots the alpha male in the leg. Max revs her motorcycle and rides toward the kid. She picks him up and sits him on her bike, behind her. They ride away quickly as the soldiers shoot after them.

In the barn, Alec is eating some pork rinds and reading the bag. He looks at the X7 curiously, who is standing at the wall and looking out a nearby window, he hadn't moved an inch since the other kids left.

Alec calls out to him, "Hey, weird kid!" The X7 looks at him and Alec offers the bag of pork rinds toward him, "Want some hydrogenated imitation pork product? Huh?" The X7 turns back to the window without a word. Alec shrugs, "All right. More for me!"

The kids run in, breathless, without their leader alpha male.

One of the females confesses to Alec breathlessly, "Sir, you were right. It was an ambush!"

Another male said, "They shot at us!!"

They hear a motorcycle outside and Alec cursed, getting up from his seat on the bale of hay

"Dammit! If you idiots let them follow you..." Alec looked outside and now sees who it is, that Max arrived with the leader alpha male of this group. He rolls his eyes and mutters, "Oh, great!"

The one girl he needed to stay away from because she has just started a heat cycle, and now she's here! God must be setting this up for a laugh, but HE didn't find it a bit funny!

Max enters the barn, practically carrying the alpha male in. She began issuing orders as she lays the male down on a hay bale.

"Get me something to tie his leg off with."

Alec reacted quickly and decisively. He removes his own belt as they lay down.

Max saw Alec, her hormones making her testy as she asked, "What the hell are you doing here?"

Alec just gave her a sardonic look as he used his belt to tie a touriquette on the boy's leg, "I was about to ask you the same thing!"

Max answered through clenched teeth. Both decided that arguing might keep their hands off each other, "I'd kick your ass, but we don't have time for that right now."

Alec pulls out a pocket knife as he's checking the kid's wound, "The bullet went right through. We're gonna have to cauterize."

Max could see the male was trembling. She turned to one of the X6's, "He's going into shock. Get something to keep him warm. Now!"

One of the females said, "I think I'm going to be sick!" and she ran outside to puke

Alec shook his head at her weakness, "Bet that one flunked field med." He uses a lighter to heat the blade of his pocketknife. Then he hands the knife to Max. "Go." he told her quickly

Max looked at the young X6, "I'm not gonna lie--this is gonna hurt like hell."

She touches the knife to the X6's leg and he yells. He shuts his eyes and holds in his screams as the smoke rises from his leg.

Alec was trying to talk the X6 through the pain, "Hang on, hang on. It's almost over." After a few seconds, Max takes the knife off the leg, then Alec talks to the X6 again, "Okay, it's done. Hey, hey, you're gonna be okay. All right?"

Max gave Alec back his pocketknife, "Yeah, so long as we get him and the rest of these kids out of here!"

Alec started arguing again, anything to get past the smell of Max in heat, "What do you mean, 'we'? This is your party sister, not mine!"

Later that day, Max decides she has to keep herself busy. The X6 males don't seem to notice her heat cycle, but she knew Alec did and they just kept arguing with each other all day so neither would give in to their hormones. Max found an old truck. She removes a blanket and a basket from the hood. She opens the hood, nods at the engine, and closes the hood. Alec is sitting on the floor against a pole and throwing popcorn at the X7 that hasn't moved from the window, anything to distract himself. The X7 looks at him but otherwise does not react, continuing to stare out the window. The kids, except for their alpha leader, are waiting around. One of the females is taking a screwdriver to an opened radio. Max calls out to the kids.

Max took command, "All right, people! Fall in!"

Alec stays where he is and continues throwing popcorn at the X7. The others stand in line and Max paces in front of them with her hands clasped behind her back.

"There's been a change in your mission status--extreme and unforeseen. You've been betrayed by your own command. What do you do?"

The kids answer simultaneously, "Redeploy!"

Max said, "Correct. How?"

The oldest male, about 16, answered, "Unknown, ma'am. We have no training with regard to that circumstance."

Max asked him, "Do you know what that means?"

They all answer together, "No, ma'am!"

Max told them, "All your training goes out the window."

The kids in perfect unison answer, "Yes, ma'am!"

Max is still pacing in front of them, "Starting with your blind obedience to Manticore and all it represents!"

"Yes, ma'am!!"

"Which means you're going to stop calling me ma'am and start calling me Max!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

"Yes, MAX. That's my name! And now that you're in the real world, you all should have names, too."

Alec had to say something now, "Oh, for the love of--.."

Max turned on Alec and pointed at him, "Shut up!" Then she turned back to the kids. "You have to stop thinking of yourselves as soldiers and start thinking of yourselves as people."

The oldest male answered, "But we ARE soldiers!"

Max got right in his face, "You mouthing off to me? 'Cause I have zero tolerance for that. Zero! And to commemorate this special moment, that's gonna be your name--Zero. Get out on sentry duty Zero!"

He leaves and Max moves down the line to the next X6, who is the female that was fixing a radio earlier.

"I saw you messing around with that radio there."

The female answered while standing at attention, not looking Max in the eye like they were trained to do, "I excelled in diagnostics and repair. I was trying to fix it."

Max smiled, "Fixit--that's gonna be your name. And that's what you're gonna do with that old pickup over there--fix it!"

Fixit leaves and Max moves on to the other female. The one that had to go puke earlier.

Max gave her a stern look, "You're the girl that threw up."

Alec smiled from where he was sitting, and HAD to comment, "You could always call her Ralph."

The female smiles, "Ralph. I like it!"

Max smiled back at her, "It's a boy's name."

The female nodded, "I still like it."

Max nodded, "Ralph it is, then. Go check on Bullet."

Ralph looked confused, "Who's Bullet?"

Max pointed with her thumb over her shoulder, indicating the X6 alpha male that got shot, "The kid that got shot."

Ralph nods and leaves. Max comes to the young male that couldn't be more than nine years old and she sees a bugle in his hand.

Max points at the bugle and bends down to the young boy's level, "That yours?"

The kid nods, "I'm in the bugle corps."

Max straightens and announces, "Bugler it is!"

Buglar asked, "What's my assignment?"

Max ruffles his hair and says, "Getting some sleep."

"But it's not lights-out yet!"

Max answered, "That's okay. Let's find a place for you to bunk down."

Alec indicates the X7 that is still staring out the window. He had been throwing popcorn at the boy, kind of using him as target practice and trying to get some kind of emotion out of him. It didn't work. The boy ignored Alec. "So... Max. What about him? Doesn't he need a name?"

Max answered snidely while leading away Bugler, "I'll leave that to you, since you two seem to be getting along SO well."

Alec shrugs and goes back to throwing popcorn at the boy, periodically eating a kernel or two for himself.

That night, Max's hormones are raging, but she still checks over everyone and makes sure all is well, that everyone was asleep.

But Alec and Max finally couldn't hold out any longer. The heat cycle was created purposely by Manticore to produce a strong pull between the X5's to mate..... and literally, for Max, tonight Alec really IS the last man on earth to help her. He's the only X5 male here!

Alec was outside on guard duty, patrolling the grounds and he could sense Max coming closer. He kept his back to her, clenching his jaw due to the fact that the closer she got to him, the more he could smell her arousal, and the harder he became due to it

His voice was harsher than intended, "452!.... you get any closer to me, I won't be responsible for what happens next."

Max stopped for a moment, debating. And then decision made, she walked toward him.

Alec dropped his gun on the ground, turned and marched to her quickly, not allowing her to change her mind now. Once he reached her, he picked her up and pushed her forcefully against a large oak, kissing her on the mouth, his body pinning hers to the trunk of the tree

His lips trailed down to her neck and he was panting harshly, "How long will this tie you over?"

Max moaned when he nipped her earlobe, "About 12 hours."

"So we'll do this again at daybreak, and maybe it will see you through until we get these kids outta here!"

"I'll still have two more days to get through this Alec!"

"I'll be there! I'm not going anywhere!"

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This was one time that White's men could have shown up, and would have taken them by surprise, because guard duty was far away from their minds

Their need for each other was upmost in their minds as they pulled each other's clothes off hurriedly

"This means nothing!" Max said as Alec laid her on the soft ground, poised to enter her

"Got it! Absolutely nothing! Just a f*ck in the grass!"

"That's right!" Max panted as she felt him enter her, "I'm in love with someone else!"

He withdrew and entered her swiftly to the hilt, "Your precious Logan. I'm very well aware of that Max..... you're probably thinking of him right now!"

He withdrew and plunged deep again, hard, raising Max's hips off the ground and she moaned

She was scratching Alec's back and whimpered, "Absolutely! I'm closing my eyes and pretending it's Logan."

At those words, call it ego, but he pounded harder inside her. There's no way with Logan's disability that he'd be able to satisfy her like he does! He knew he was about to make her cum hard and fast

But he acted like he didn't care, when the opposite was the truth. "Whatever you gotta tell yourself sweetheart, as long as I get my nuts off."

Max was panting harder, she was almost there, clawing him!

"I hate you!!" she said

"Feeling's mutual doll!" Alec grunted as he felt her inner muscles contract on an orgasm

He clapped a hand over her mouth when she came LOUDLY, trying to muffle her noises from the X6's still asleep inside the barn

Her helpless noises set him off. His hips pounded into her twice more and stilled as his cum sputtered out of him into her, making him absolutely breathless

Alec jumped up right afterward, dressing himself quickly. He wasn't taking the chance on Max wanting to snuggle afterward. He'd be totally lost if she did.

Max stood and gathered her clothes slower than Alec did and said sarcastically, "Thanks a lot for the wham=bam-than-you-ma'am!"

Alec's cocky grin was almost her undoing, "You'll be back for more. That heat cycle doesn't go away on it's own you know!"

Alec was fully dressed now, pulling up the fly on his pants, and he found his gun and returned to guard duty like nothing happened. Max went inside the barn to get a few hours of shut-eye before she'd have to relieve Alec. She set her watch to wake her in three hours

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TBC

[lauraforever]

this is totally awesome!!! Thanks for letting me know, hon!

[There Is No Spoon]

That was a friggin awesome start Trina.

Will Max be informing Logan about getting Alec to scratch her itch when she is in heat cycle?

Looking forward to reading your next update.

Post soon.

[phoenixnz]

This is great Trina. You've made me want to go out and get the DVD now. Dark Angel was one of my favourite shows. Pity they didn't continue it.;)

[Dana0715]

Author's note - Just pretend everything else on the episodes inbetween have actually happened, I'm just writing in what I would change on each episode. :)

(From the Episode - Gill Girl)

At Jam Pony, Normal is talking on the phone.

"No, no, no, no. No, it's no problem. You just came in under the wire....... Right. I'll have somebody out there in a jiffy. You're welcome, sir. Thank you for using Jam Pony."

Alec and Sketchy walk by Normal, completely ignoring him and Alec turns to Sketch, "All right, stud, you ready?"

With a big smile, Sketch replied, "Ladies, here we come!!"

Normal stopped them before they went out the door, "Hey! Hey! I got a pickup. Sector twelve. Here's the address!"

Sketchy whined, "What do you mean? Last run's at seven and it's seven now!"

Normal pointed at his watch, "No, it's not seven. It's not seven for another......seven seconds. Now scram!"

"But...."

Normal cut Sketch off, "But nothing. Customer called in before closing. They're gonna get their pickup!"

Sketch started walking toward Normal, arguing, "Aw c'mon man! If I gotta go all the way out to sector twelve, I'm gonna miss two-fers!!"

"Well, if you don't go all the way out to sector twelve, you're gonna miss workin' here, potatohead! Now bip!"

Sketch was whining again, "But TWO-FERS..."

Normal put his hands over his ears, "God! Stop saying that. That's annoying. There's no such word."

Alec decided to step in and help Sketch out, he was Normal's favorite employee after all. "Uh, actually there is. You know, two-fers..two dances for the price of one."

Sketchy added, "Or, conversely, two fine ladies dancing simultaneously for the duration of one song."

Alec smiled wide at Normal, "Or you could do it that way."

Normal raised his eyebrows, "I understand you're going to a, uh..." He clears his throat in embarrassment..."burlesque hall?"

Sketchy answered, "If that's a Strip club, yup."

Alec pointed at Normal, "And YOU'RE coming with us!"

Normal was shocked.... "Me? You're inviting me?"

Alec nudges Sketchy, "C'mon! That's why we came over here! Isn't it Sketch?"

Sketchy looked like he could kill Alec, but he realized this would get him out of having to deliver a package this evening and so, he went along with Alec's suggestion

"Yeah man, we'd like for you to come along."

After a moment's pause, Normal said, "We'll put a rush on this in the morning. Let's go!"

Alec beamed and slapped Normal on the shoulder as they were leaving, "That's what I'm talking about!"

An hour later, the three of them walk into the Blowfish Tavern.

Alec was at the head of the group and he turned back to Normal, "Normal, get ready to live!" Then he pointed at the door, "All right, boys, here we go." Alec spoke to the bouncer, "It's all right, chief, these guys are with me." Indicating to both Sketchy and Normal that Alec is a regular at this strip joint

They walk through the bar, music loud and blinking lights, women barely dressed were dancing everywhere. A scantily clad woman stops Alec's progress and whispers into his ear.

"Alec, baby! Where have you been? I've missed you!"

She licks his ear, making Alec smile and his companions jaws' drop and then she walks away with a wink, delivering the line, "Call me!"

Normal asked, "You know her?"

Alec waved a hand dismissively, "Yeah, Virginia. Or Veronica. I don't know--something with a V. You like? Get yourself a dance."

Normal was trying to look like he belonged, but he was obviously uncomfortable, "No, no, we just got here. Besides, I wanna check out some other chicks first."

They approach a crowd at the other end of the bar. The crowd is gathered around a large tank full of water. Inside is the woman swimming within the tank. Alec's enhanced vision picked up on the bar code on the back of the mermaid's neck

His eyes widened, then he turned to his buddies, playing it off, "See, this is what I love about the girls in this place, fellas. Always coming up with new acts. Check out the mermaid huh?"

Sketchy answered, "That's amazing. How does she breathe in there??"

Normal shrugged, "Must be some kind of trick. I don't see any breathing tubes, though."

Sketchy reiterated, "Well, trick or no, I'd say she's the smokingest babe in the place. Don't you Alec?"

Sketch noticed Alec didn't answer and he could see Alec was distracted by the mermaid

"Com'on dude! Am I right? Or is she not your type?"

Alec spoke truthfully, the others not realizing the double entendre, "Yeah. She's my type, all right.... guys, go have fun! I'll be back!"

Sketch nudged Alec playfully, "Going after the ear-licker?"

Alec said distractedly, "Um... yeah, whatever!" and he weaved his way back through the crowd and out the door

He got into Normal's car, found the key he keeps hidden under the floor mat and cranked the car up

Taking off to see Max. He will need reinforcements to get a Manticore mermaid out of that tank and in the open seas where she belongs!

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Max and Logan had a false alarm. Max thought she had inadvertently touched Logan or something, because he got suddenly very sick. She had to call Asha for help and they got Logan to the emergency room

The good news was that it turned out to be chicken pox and it was treatable. He would be fine in a couple of days

Bad news is that Logan already had chicken pox as a child and no one could understand how he got reinfected now.

At the hospital, Max and Dr. Carr walk down the hall, talking

The doctor looked relieved, "Logan's cousin told me her daughter just got over a case of chicken pox. So while you were babysitting, he must have picked it up from her. He can't figure it, since he should have immunity from when he got it as a kid, but hey--let's take the win, right? Anyway, I'm putting him on antivirals. He should be feeling fine by morning."

Max was grateful to Logan's doctor friend, who has also been a doctor to the transgenics, "Thanks."

"Gave you a scare, though, huh?" Dr Carr asked

Max nodded sadly

Dr Carr was quick to reassure her, "Just be careful. All right? If it had really been this bug Manticore gave you, I doubt I could have done anything for him. That place knew what it was doing. Whatever they cooked up must be pretty nasty."

Max told him, "I'll be careful."

After a reassuring squeeze to Max's shoulder, Dr. Carr walks away, passing Logan and Asha. Asha is pushing Logan in a hospital wheelchair and they approach Max.

Logan smiled at Max, "Hey, Max."

Max folded her arms over her chest, trying to keep from crying, due to the scare they experienced, "Hey."

Asha stopped pushing the wheelchair, noticing this is her cue to leave the two of them alone, "Why don't I pull the car around? I'll meet you guys downstairs."

Logan nodded at Asha, "Okay. Thanks!"

Asha walks away. Logan starts to wheel closer to Max, but she backs up, keeping distance between them.

Logan stopped and looked at Max, concerned, "You all right?"

"Am I all right?" Max asked, unbelievably

Logan tried to reassure her, "Come on, it was just a false alarm."

"We got lucky this time." Max started to walk away from Logan, "I gotta go."

Logan moved his wheelchair in front of her, stopping her progress, "You don't have a ride. We came together, remember?"

Max shrugged, "I'll walk."

Logan couldn't believe what he was hearing, and the distance Max was trying to keep between them was hurting him. "What, so now we can't even be in the same car now??"

Max tried a new excuse, "I just need to clear my head."

Max walks away. She glances back at him a couple of times as she's leaving and turning a corner down a different hallway. Logan is staring after her.

That night, Max is heating water on the stove and pouring it into the bathtub, telling OC the whole story.

OC couldn't believe it, "Chicken pox? Thought that went out with Starbucks and Madonna."

Max sadly answered, "Yeah."

OC forced some brightness into her voice, "Cheer up Boo. This is good news!"

Max sat on the edge of the tub, still in her robe and turns to OC, "If I tell you something, promise not to laugh?"

OC answered, "Of course, what is it?"

Max stared down at her hands, trying to hold back tears, "At the hospital, I kinda came across a chapel they got there, and sorta sat down for a minute. I don't know...prayed, I guess."

"Ain't nothing wrong with that. Original Cindy prays from time to time too."

"But, see, I...sort of asked for a miracle, and I know this sounds crazy, but...I think I sorta got it."

"What do you mean? It was chicken pox."

"Yeah, but how did Logan pick it up again? I mean, what if it was me that got him sick, and...I don't know...something happened?"

Original Cindy smiled, "Like a miracle. Right?"

OC takes the pots back to the kitchen and Max drops her robe, stepping into the bubble bath. Just as she as beginning to relax, she heard a ruckus at the front door, and Alec appeared at the bathroom door. Seeing Max in the tub, instead of turning away like a gentleman would, Alec openly ogled what he could. Max sank further underneath the bubbles, keeping herself covered

Alec smirked, "Is this a bad time?"

"It always is with you Alec! What do you want??"

Alec turned serious, "Need you to come somewhere with me, Max."

"Can't you see I'm taking a bath??"

Alec ogled again, still smiling, "Funny, women and water. Seems to be the theme of my evening. Come on!"

When Alec and Max arrive at the bar, a man is out front yelling to the crowd, announcing their attraction, waving a flyer. "Come on, take a look at this blowfish beauty. Real mermaid from the deep. Hundred percent real, hundred percent guaranteed."

Alec grabbed a flyer from the guy and showed it to Max, "They've been passing these things out all over town. I wouldn't be surprised if old White's already on to it."

Max shook her head, "We gotta get her out of there."

Max was about to walk right in the front door, but Alec stepped in front of her, stopping her. "Hold on, hold on. There's one problem. There's no ladies allowed inside--not unless they're working, if you get my drift."

Max tried to push Alec out of the way and he wouldn't let her

Alec tried to get through to Max, "Listen to me Maxie. You won't be able to go in this way. There's a line around back. Girls show up, and management picks the good ones."

Max placed her hands on her hips, "Hell NO!"

Alec smirked, looking Max up and down, "Come on, Max, don't sell yourself short. I mean, you've got a decent shot."

"Forget it!" she crossed her arms stubbornly

Alec shrugged, "All right, fine, be a prude. We'll just leave her in there for White."

He knew he had Max. Gritting her teeth, she peeled off her denim jacket as Alec watched, biting his bottom lip and enjoying the view of the tight long-sleeved top she had on

She glares at Alec, and shoves her jacket at him. He smiles even wider. She walks toward the back of the building and Alec steps into the bar, carrying her jacket in with him.

When Max gets to the rear door, a man is turning women away. Max comes up with an idea and removes the tight black top as she approaches, leaving a tank top that shows her cleavage to it's best advantage, mentally congratulating herself on wearing the tight leather pants

The man at the back door was turning away girls until he saw Max

He gets a good look at Max, who is waltzing right by him.

The man whistles, "Right this way, miss." He then turns To the other women. "All right, ladies, get lost. It's time to go home. That's it for the night."

Max walks through the bar and sees the woman in the tank. She steps through a curtain next to the tank into a back room. She knocks on the rear of the tank, and the woman turns around to look at her. Max turns and lifts her hair, showing the woman her barcode. The woman makes a high-pitched noise, like the one she made on the fishing boat. Max uses some hand signals. The woman nods and uses some signals of her own. Max nods, then leaves the back room. She searches the crowd and spots Alec. He is sitting on a couch, smiling, while a woman dances in front of him. Max rolls her eyes and approaches. As soon as Alec sees Max, he stops the dance.

Alec stopped the girl's shaking rear using his hands, "All right, that's good, sweetie. Thank you."

The dancing girl pouted, "But the song isn't over yet."

Alec reached into his pocket, pulling out his wallet, "You know, you're just so beautiful I can't take it anymore. Look, why don't you go over there and give my two buddies a dance, huh? " He hands her some money and points out Sketchy and Normal. She placed the money in her bra and walks away, agreeing. Alec gives her a slight smack on the rear to send her on her way, saying, "Make it good for them sweetie!"

Max was royally ticked and she smacked Alec on the back of the head, "This is how you rescue a mermaid??" Alec quickly grabs her wrist and pulls her into his lap. She was fighting against him, "Hey! Hey!"

Alec restrained her and lowered his voice urgently, "White's got someone here."

"Where?"

"Two o'clock."

Max looks around and sees the man Alec pointed out, dark trench coat, young.

Alec whispered, "See him? No drink, no girls. He's been casing the place the entire time."

Max was trying to look like one of the "working girls" by absent-mindedly playing with Alec's hair, running her fingers through it, "Yup. Looks pretty shady to me."

The man makes eye contact with them. They quickly look away, and at each other. Max really missed this feeling, of sitting on a man's lap, help held by him

Alec realized that Max just felt TOO good on his lap, and he cleared his throat, hoping she wouldn't notice the hard-on

"Okay, now would be a good time to look like we belong here, huh?"

"Any ideas?" Max asked him and their eyes met again and held

"Maybe do a lap dance for me, make it look real, all for the cause of undercover ops of coure!"

She really wanted to! It was a part of herself she doesn't reveal to Logan, but she actually thought about doing it for Alec

She stood and placed her knees on the leather chair he was sitting in, straddling him. Her belly button was right at his nose and he looked up at her

She pointed down at him, "Watch our guy and I'll dance to look like I'm 'working'."

She slapped Alec's hands away when they rested on her hips

"No touching! You know the rules!"

His smile could light up the whole room, "Rules were made to be broken, didn't you know that?"

"You don't get to touch me, we're undercover. First time you touch me and it's over, got it?"

Alec checked the guy out of the corner of his eye and saw he hadn't moved, so he nodded at Max

She stood completely in front of Alec now, her feet on the ground, facing him, and she started raising her arms and gyrating her hips to the music

Oh holy CRAP! There was no f*cking way he could watch their target AND 'pretend' to watch Max too. So he decided to recline back in a slouch, watch Max and periodically check on the target. He was in the perfect line of sight to make sure the mermaid was fine, and she was for now

Max has turned and was shaking her ass in front of Alec. He squirmed a bit, he was really getting uncomfortable.

He held up a bill, "Twenty bucks for a lap dance sweetheart!" He said this out loud.

Alec's attention on her turned her on too.... she took the twenty, placed it in her bra and sat on his lap, facing him

The excuses they kept making to each other would have sounded ridiculous to most anybody. Max kept all of her clothes on and was dry-humping Alec in a hard rhythm

He had to lift his hips and do the same back to her

"We're not having sex." Max said against Alec's ear

"Oh hell no! You're just f*cking me through clothes.... Major...." she hit just the right spot, making him groan, "Oh yeah!!"

Max began doing a circular motion with her hips and asked breathlessly, "Why isn't that man making his move?"

Alec forgot all about the case for a moment and it took his mind a few minutes to wrap around what she was talking about

Panting due to Max's ministrations and holding tight to the armrests, he answered, "There's too many people around. He's just waiting 'til closing." He laid his head back against the back of the chair and Max leaned forward so her whole fully clothed body was against Alec, their mouths millimeters apart

"I'll make you cum before this song ends!" Max challenged

"Oh God, PLEASE do it! F*ck!!"

She succeeded and he came in his pants, but she didn't stop grinding against him until she found her release as well, then she collapsed on top of him

"Wasn't sex!" Max murmured

"Whatever!" Alec answered, breathless

Max raised her head..... and Sketchy and Normal were there

CRAP!!

Sketchy and Normal saw the whole show. When Sketchy greeted them, Max lifted her head and her eyes were wide. Alec just grinned and waved proudly

"Hey, guys!"

Normal was shaking his head at Max, "Oh, my God."

Sketchy was amused, "Hey, Max! I didn't know you worked here!"

Alec covered for her, "Um, just one night a week."

Normal walked away from them and Sketchy was explaining their hasty exit, "Well, anyway, we gotta go. We're out of money."

Alec was surprised, "Already?"

"Yeah, Normal went kinda nutty with the honeys. He spent it all on them. Anyway, see ya later. Great seein' ya Max!"

He walks away, giving Max a smile. Max buried her face in Alec's shirt

"I'll never live this down!"

"True, you might have to give a lap dance to Normal and Sketch just to shut them up!"

Max raised up and slapped Alec on the head again

"Hey! Cut that out!!" Alec told her irritatingly. Then he noticed Max looking over his shoulder, her eyes widening

"He's up Alec! He's moving!!"

They see some guys getting belligerent with the woman in the tank and at the same time, the man they were watching was moving toward the tank

Max stands up, ready to rush in, but Alec holds her back

"Easy, easy." Alec murmured, watching the crowd

The man they were watching was getting closer to the tank

"He's making his move Alec! Let me go!"

Alec nodded, releasing her, "Okay, go get him!"

Max steps in front of the man and makes it look like he bumped into her.

She pushes the guy, yelling, "Hey, pal! He touched my ass! Someone get him out of here!"

Alec grabs the guy and carries him out, playing the part of a bouncer. "That's it. You're gone."

Max yells after them, "That's right! This is a decent place! Kick his ass!!"

Alec takes the man outside. Max steps into the alley outside the bar and finds them fighting. The man pins Alec and she can hear Alec yell toward her

"A little help, here??"

Max jumps into the fight and punches the man, then shoves him to the opposite wall. Something rips as she does so. As the man lands, his coat opens and there's a vest with some kind of equipment built into it. Max has a broken piece of equipment in her hand.

Alec pointed at the contraption in her hand, "What the hell's that?"

Alec and Max see the same flaps of skin on the man's side as the mermaid had. Water is spilling out of his vest.

"What the hell are those?" Alec asked, pointing at the flaps of skin

The man wheezes.

Max was now feeling awful, "Gills. This isn't one of White's guys." The man makes a high-pitched noise, similar to the woman's squeal. They hear gunshots and a scream. Max gets up and says, "He can't breathe! Help him!" as she runs back inside the bar

She runs in against a tide of people that are running out. She runs to the tank. It is empty.

-------------------------
At Logan's apartment, Asha walks into the kitchen to fix something for Logan to eat, now that he was feeling better. Logan picks up the phone and dials Max's pager. Seconds later, the door opens and Max and Alec are supporting the merman between them. She holds up her beeping pager to Logan

"I'll hit you back in a sec baby!"

Shortly afterwards, the man is sitting in Logan's shower under running water. Max, Logan, Asha, and Alec look on.

Max knelt just outside the shower stall and asked the merman, "Can you last like this for a little while?"

The merman makes a noise, similar to what dolphins make and nods.

She patted the merman on the leg, "We're gonna find her. Don't worry."

She raised up and told Alec with absolute authority, "Keep an eye on him." and she walked into the living room with Logan

In the other room, Max is fiddling with the equipment on the man's vest as she is talking to Logan, making sure to keep her distance from him due to the virus she's carrying.

"We thought he was one of White's guys. Turns out he was there to get her out. We jammed him up."

Logan tried to be supportive, "There's no way you could have known that."

Max sighed and fell back against the couch, "Either way, White's got her, and that doesn't work for me."

"Where do you think he might have taken her?"

Max shrugged tiredly, "Figure he has some sort of base of operations in the area. Manticore was just outside the city; he's gotta be thinking Seattle's become Transgenic Central."

"And it is his job to kill them. So even if you do track down where he took her...might be too late."

Max was rubbing her temples, "He'll want to study her first...take her back to headquarters for analysis."

"Wherever that is." Logan replied

Max sat up then, "My point is, he can't exactly put a mermaid on the next plane to Des Moines, which means he's gonna have to arrange some sort of special transport."

"Well, that'll buy us some time, but not much. What sector was this bar in?"

"Nine. Why?"

Logan was typing fast on his computer, "Maybe if I can hack into the sector police mainframe, I can see if there's any record of a military convoy entering or leaving the area last night. Who knows, maybe they left a trail."

Asha show up with soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for Logan, placing them on his desk. He barely noticed because he was so focused on what he was working on

Asha turned to Max, "Hey Max"

Max nods and responds with a small smile, "Hey."

Asha saw the vest and pointed, "Can I see this?"

Max shrugged, "Yeah. Go ahead!"

Asha looked over the suit that belonged to the merman, it kept water in the vest so he could breathe on dry land. Asha told Max, "I think I got an idea how to fix this tear."

Asha did fix the vest, and with Alec's help, they put it back on the merman. He was now able to walk and breathe.

Unlike traditional mermaids and mermen, these did not have the lower fish body, just the gills on their sides.

Once Alec and Max left with the merman to find his mate, she and Alec pretty much just pretended nothing happened between them.

But once the rescue operation was successful and they sent both the merman, mermaid and their little babies into the sea, Alec leaned toward her and nodded his head toward Logan

"I won't tell him if you won't."

Max nodded, "It's best we don't.... I mean, he understands when I'm in heat and have to go find someone but last night was not a heat cycle."

Alec shrugged, "You were undercover, playing a part. That's all"

The look she gave Alec nearly stole his breath and she admitted, "I wasn't acting."

Then she quickly walked away, leaving Alec dumbfounded as she stood next to Logan, careful not to touch him

Alec figured this was his cue to leave as he turned to go

---------------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

Totally awesome chapter hon! Love it!

[There Is No Spoon]

Fantastic update Trina.

Poor Logan. Does Max at least let him have fun with Asha when he gets that itch?

Looking forward to reading your next update.

Post soon.

[Dana0715]

Sherman, that's a good idea! I have a one-track mind on my stories sometimes (the whole Alec/Max pairing). I had a thought once when watching Season 2 of what if Logan and Asha were together when Max returned? What if he tried to move on? But then Max showed up and there was no more Asha/Logan? Season 2 dealt a little with Asha's feelings toward Logan.... so I just might work that in. Thanks!!

And thank you everyone for your comments!!

[Dana0715]

That evening, Logan and Max returned to Logan's apartment.

Logan poured a glass of scotch and walks to his desk chair, his exo-skeleton whirring, reminding them as to why he can walk instead of constantly being bound to a wheelchair

"So, what was that with you and Alec?" Logan asked, curious.

"Just tying up loose ends. We went into the bar undercover and I had to pretend to be a 'working girl' and Alec was the client."

"I see." Logan said thoughtfully, taking a sip of his drink, then setting it down. "How far did you have to go to make it look real?"

Max placed her hands on her hips, "Now what exactly was THAT supposed to mean??"

"Max, you wouldn't get this defensive if it was completely innocent, and you sure wouldn't hide the details from me."

"I gave him a lap dance, OK? It was just part of being undercover, that's all!"

"Mm-hmm. And whatever is bulging in your bra there has nothing to do with it huh?"

Max looked down and pulled out the twenty Alec gave her for the lap dance. She held it up and shrugged, "He's a paying customer, remember? I had a part to play. Made 20 bucks out of the deal! He let me keep it."

Logan stands and crosses over to her, careful not to touch her, no matter how badly he wanted to

"Max.... this whole situation is so unfair for us. I want to find this cure as much as you do, but honestly, if I keep seeing you and can't touch you, it's just going to torture us both."

Max walked over to an easy chair and sat down, burying her face in her hands due to the guilt weighing her down. She finally raised her head when Logan sat across from her on the couch, taking a another sip of his ever present scotch

"Logan, I have a confession to make."

He leaned forward to listen

"Now shut up and pay attention because I'm not good with all of this.... to put it bluntly, Alec helped me through my last heat cycle."

Logan didn't look surprised, "When was this?"

"The day after the Manticore fire. For the next three days, we..... well when we found the opportunity, we....um...."

"Screwed each other's brains out?" Logan asked tightly

"Yeah, something like that. But please understand..... the heat cycles, well they're uncontrollable. I can maybe do without sex for the first couple of days of it if I have to, but that third day is the absolute worst and.... well it just seemed more prudent to be with someone I know during that time than someone I didn't, like I've done in the past."

"I see..." Logan said quietly, thinking over her words. "And you're attracted to him."

"God no!" Max answered vehemently. "He screws up everything he touches, he's high maintenance, and any girl will do for him. He's not one bit selective. That man has so many notches on his bedpost, I'm surprised there's wood left!"

"Max.....it's OK. I have a confession also."

This surprised Max and she raised her eyebrows, "Oh?"

"During the four months that I thought you were dead..... I turned to someone else."

Max swallowed that tidbit, and then quietly asked, "Asha?"

Logan nodded. "But remember, I thought you were dead!"

"I understand Logan.... and then I show up again and all Asha's hopes and dreams for the two of you go out the window, huh?"

"Max.... I turned to her for comfort. I may have taken advantage of her, knowing how she feels for me and I don't return those feelings. And it's true, you came back into my life and I haven't touched Asha since."

"But this virus thing does make it all worse Logan. I agree."

"Max, I'll push as hard as I can to find that cure.... but I can't keep holding you back. I love you and therefore, I don't want you to be miserable waiting around for me and for finding the virus cure. You need to be out there dating."

"And you too Logan. Eyes Only is not the end-all-be-all of your existence you know. You should give Asha a chance. I can tell she really cares for you."

"To be honest Max, she knows my feelings for you and wouldn't settle for being second best in my affections."

"Do you want me to talk to her?"

Logan shook his head, "No.... thanks anyway."

They both sat across from each other sadly and Max had some tears in her eyes that she was hiding

"So I guess this is what it feels like to break up?", Max asked with a slight hitch in her voice

"It seems only fair. We don't know if we'll ever find this cure for the virus. And you can't keep feeling guilty for looking for someone that you CAN touch and hold. It's perfectly natural."

Max gave a sad smile, then she stood, putting on her leather jacket, "I better go. Check on Joshua and everything."

Logan nodded, then said, "I will still call on you once in a while for help with Eyes Only missions..... things I can't handle myself."

"Call me anytime Logan. Even if you just want to talk."

Logan stood to refill his glass, his back to Max. He couldn't face her and say what had to be said, or else he'd give in. "Max.... except for business, I think it's best if we cut it off cold turkey."

Max started to leave, but at the door, when she heard those words, she turned back to Logan

"If that's what you want..... Take care of yourself Logan."

He took a sip of his scotch, his back still to her, "Same to you Max." he said quietly

Then she left and rode her motorcycle to Crash. She had already checked no Joshua and she won't hve to check on him again until tomorrow. She sat by herself at the bar, nursing a beer. Alec walked in about ten minutes later, finding her. He took the seat next to her. He gave the bartender his drink order and when he got it, he turned to Max

"So, the mercouple are happy and together now, why would you be so sad?"

Tears were in her eyes and she was systematically shredding a napkin as she said, "Logan and I broke up tonight."

This shocked Alec. He sat his drink down and he said "God! Max! I'm so sorry.... did he find out what happened tonight or..?"

"He doesn't know the details of tonight, no true specifics. I did tell him about you helping me through my last heat cycle."

"Oh great! Now I'm Eyes Only's public enemy number one for messing with his woman!"

"No, he seemed to understand, and then he told me while I was recaptured at Manticore, and he thought I was dead.... he and Asha got together. I apparently ruined that when I showed up again on his doorstep."

Alec knew, through a few talks with Asha over drinks, that she was still in love with Logan, but she backed off when Max showed back up in his life

He could relate to Asha. He has feelings for someone too that's unrequited. Sure Max likes what he does physically, but any emotional bond? Simply not there on her side!

Alec finally asked, "You going to be OK?"

Max forced a smile on her face and said, "Of course I am! And don't let me keep you from the honeys in this room. You're a popular guy and you shouldn't sit over here, moping with me. It will ruin your mojo."

Alec's cockiness was back, "I can get any woman, anytime.... but there's only one Max and I'd rather mope with you tonight if you don't mind."

They sat side by side, and looked up at the mirror behind the counter again, meeting each other's eyes in the mirror

Their stares got more intense and Alec whispered, "Max, you keep lookin' at me like that and I swear I'll finish what we started at the bar."

"I'm still in love with Logan, Alec."

"Frankly I don't care. I'm not asking for love."

He turned to face her and cupped her cheek, "This is not a time for you to be alone Maxie. Let me take your mind off it for a little while, hm?"

He stood, paid for both of their drinks and then held his hand out to her in challenge. She accepted it, placing her hand in his and stood.

Alec linked his fingers through hers and led her out of Crash, and straight to his apartment

------------------------------------
TBC

[There Is No Spoon]

Great update Trina.

So sad. I'm guessing there will be no re-write to the episode were Max has a temporary cure for the virus that lets her and Logan have physical contact for 12 hours or something like that?

Looking forward to reading your next update.

Post soon.

[lauraforever]

Totally love it!!

[Dana0715]

Great update Trina.

So sad. I'm guessing there will be no re-write to the episode were Max has a temporary cure for the virus that lets her and Logan have physical contact for 12 hours or something like that?

Looking forward to reading your next update.

Post soon.


I'm still thinking about that...... I wasn't keeping Logan totally out of Season 2. They did have a pretty serious relationship (Max/Logan) and they should have their time together too......... but I don't think I've gotten to that episode yet! So.... just keep reading! :)

----- Added 44 Minutes later -----

Alec had obtained a motorcycle of his own recently and they both rode side by side down the streets to Alec's apartment

When they arrived, Alec killed the motor on the motorcycle and swung his jean clad leg off of it. He walked around to Max's motorcycle as she turned it off also

"Max... wait." Alec said quietly, and Max sat on the motorcycle, curious as to what he had to say

"I just want to be sure you really want this. I don't want to get slapped with rape charges later, where you might claim I coerced you into it. I want to be absolutely sure that YOU want this.... that you want ME." His hands came up quickly as he said, "Physically, of course."

Max sighed, "Alec, frankly no one can expect me to stay celibate when I can't even touch the one man I've loved for over a year. If you're Ok with the fact that I love another man, then we're square."

She got off her bike now and stood next to Alec, "All I can promise is a 'friends with benefits' arrangement between us. If we find the cure for this virus, then this arrangement is over and we go back to being friends only. Or if you find someone you want to pursue a relationship with, tell me and this arrangement is over."

"You don't have to worry about that! You know how I feel about mixing with ordinaries. One night stand is one thing, but a serious relationship with one? No way!"

He led her into his apartment and as she shut the door, he was rummaging through his cabinets

"I know I have a bottle of chardonnay in here somewhere! Aha!!" He tiptoes to reach a top cabinet and pulls down the bottle with a flourish

"Tada! Here it is!!"

He opened the bottle, poured two glasses and gave one to her with a sexy grin

"Just to loosen you up a little."

"Like I'm not 'loose' enough?"

"I didn't mean it like that Maxie."

"Hey! No biggie! I am allowed right? I mean, Logan broke up with me! Why shouldn't I jump on this bandwagon called 'Alec McDowell express' and ride it down that hill?"

"Damn straight!" Alec replied, slapping a hand on the counter for emphasis

She walks closer to Alec and looks up at him, sipping her drink, "You know what I thought of tonight?"

He sips his own drink, watches her eyes, "What's that?"

"What would you do if I really was one of those working girls?"

"Wait.." Alec raised a hand and placed his glass on the counter, then leaned back against the counter, folding his arms, "Don't tell me I inadvertently helped you with a fantasy tonight?"

She shrugged, "Maybe!"

Alec liked where this was going, "So the lap dance... really was what you wanted to do. Hmmm!"

"Some of those girls do more than dance don't they?" Max asked

"Yep!" Alec had a twinkle in his eyes, he enjoyed making Max uncomfortable

She walked away from Alec just for a moment. She placed her glass on an end table, pulled her jacket off so she was left with the tank top and tight pants, she fluffed her hair by bending over, shaking it and flopping it back up. Then she turned to Alec with a come-hither look, sashaying toward him with swinging hips

"Hey there big boy!" she said huskily, trailing a fingernail over his bicep. "Nice muscles!" she purred

Alec played along, checking her out, "Thanks! Glad you like them."

"So..... what's your pleasure?"

"What's your prices?" Alec countered

"20 for a suck, 30 for a f*ck, 50 for the 'around the world' trip, 100 for a night of anything goes."

He twirled a finger in the air, "Turn around for me, show me the ass."

She did then he bent over and sniffed her hair, "Well! At least you bathe! And you look FINE!.... but I have bad news for you sweetie."

"What's that?" she asked innocently

He flashes an imaginary badge with a big grin, "Seattle PD, you're under arrest!"

-----------------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

Mmm I love it!!!

[There Is No Spoon]

Good update Trina.

That last line was hilarious. Nicely done.

Looking forward to reading your next update.

Post soon.

[phoenixnz]

Oh, that was funny Trina, ppms

[Dana0715]

"Oh damn! I'm busted!" Max pouted

"Sorry sweetheart, but laws are there for a reason. Against the wall and spread 'em!"

He brought her to a wall, dragging her by the arm. She placed her hands flat against the wall and Alec used his foot to spread her feet out

Max batted her eyelashes while looking back at Alec, purring, "C'mon! When was wanting a little company against the law?"

He began to frisk her, very slowly. He stopped when a hand was on her breast, giving it a squeeze. "Since you started charging for that company, little lady."

Max looked down at the hand on her breast, then back at Alec knowingly, "Can't I offer ANYTHING to help you forget this?"

His cock was against her ass and she wiggled a little against him, making him groan

"Well.... I could let you off with a warning." Alec choked out. That was one fine ass rubbing against him

She kept rubbing back against him and murmured, "I have a secret to tell you."

"What's that?"

"I like you so much.... I would do YOU for free. Fair trade-off? Let me go and you get a professional for free?"

His hands finally stilled the movements of her hips and he leaned forward against her ear, "I still call the shots here little girl. One night is not good enough."

She turned around to face him and he placed both hands on the wall on either side of her, effectively blocking any exits, his mouth just millimeters from hers

"How about a week?" Max reached directly for the fly, rubbing a flat palm over the hard-on in his jeans

Alec closed his eyes in bliss and then responded with, "How about a month?"

Max looked sad and withdrew her hand, disappointing Alec, "I can't. If I give you free sex for a month, my pimp will hunt me down. He gets a pretty big cut out of my money"

"Explain it's to keep you out of jail. Of course if I DID arrest you, I can put you in a cell all by yourself and visit you when I want."

"But I'll be out in 48 hours. The week I offered would be much sweeter for you."

"The month I'm offering would be even better and it includes keeping the cops away from your 'domain' while you're working."

Max pretended to think about it, "Hmm! One month with no cops breathing down my neck and at the same time, I'm 'doing' one of them.... " She ran a hand over his fly again, "A man that really does make me all kinds of crazy when he's near me, a guy I really do want to f*ck..... and I get you for an entire month."

Decision made, Max nodded, "Fine! My pimp doesn't need to know about you if I can keep up with my usual quota..... which means you only get in once a night. I have other clients!"

Alec removed his hands from the wall, standing straight up and giving Max the most sensually intense stare she's ever experienced

He began pulling off his boots, then unbuttoning and unzipping his pants, dropping them and boxers, leaving him in only a t-shirt. He placed his own back against the wall to support himself

"Fine! You're my b!tch for the next hour." He held his engorged cock in his hand and ordered, "Suck me."

Smiling, she dropped on her knees in front of him, taking his cock in her hands, stuck her tongue out and began licking him first like a popscicle

She licked up, and then down, slowly repeating that process all around his cock, driving Alec nuts. Alec finally growled, "Suck me dammit!"

His fingers speared into her hair and then she sucked him into her mouth. Alec's head fell back against the wall and he was thankful he thought enough ahead to lean against the wall. His knees were already turning to jelly

Her hot mouth sucked him hard and slow, and he could feel her tongue massaging the tip of the cock before sucking him back in again

The rhythm was too slow for Alec and it made him tremble, he finally thrust himself into her mouth, trying not to thrust too hard and choke her

She took all of him into her mouth and sucked. He withdrew and thrust back in, his hips helplessly doing what came naturally

She could see he was about ready to cum and this turned Max on more than anything. She wanted to make him fall apart because of her ministrations. She began to suck harder, faster, in earnest. He pumped his hips furiously into her mouth

He had to watch her and he kept his eyes open, watching the unbelievable sight of Max on her knees in front of him, giving him what was probably the best blow job of his life!

He could feel the pressure in his balls.... and then Max used two fingers to pinch the base of his cock and stop

The thwarted orgasm almost made him angry, and the heated look in his eyes was begging Max to finish what she started

"Alec.... You wanted me to suck you, that's what YOU demanded.... and I think you should get a really good experience. I want you to cum hard in my mouth, I want it to ooze down my throat.... and it will be the best experience you ever had."

"Max.... please? You don't stop a guy like this, you can hurt him!"

Her smile of knowing was killer! "Oh you big baby!" Max purred, "You can take it.... maybe I can let you cum now."

She licked the shaft again slowly, still keeping a firm pressure at the base of the cock to keep him from cumming. He was dying for an orgasm, but then he'd miss this.... the anticipation, the wait, the intense build-up that promises a BIG orgasm..... she'd eventually let him cum.

When she sucked his cock back into her mouth again, he called out loud, "F*CK!!" and she giggled with him still in her mouth, causing vibrations along his d*ck

Max released him long enough to say, "God! That turns me on when you say that!"

She took him back into her mouth again, then released the base of his cock.

He could feel it was coming, HE was cumming, and he thrust into her mouth and she sucked him furiously until he cried out, leaning against the wall, eyes closed, hands still tangled in Max's hair as he helplessly spurted loads of cum into her mouth, over and over, and she swallowed every bit of it

Once over, he slid down to the floor, enjoying the blissful floaty moment of having an outstanding orgasm. He finally opened his eyes to see the self-satisfied grin on Max's face

Alec was still panting slightly and he smiled back, "Feeling pretty proud of yourself, huh?"

Max crawled forward until they were nose to nose, "Oh yeah.... I love making you sweat... You've done it for me, it was time to return the favor."

"Then from the bottom of my gonads, thank you!"

Max giggled and stood, answering, "You're welcome Smart Ass..... and now I'll go in the bedroom and meet you in the bed. We're not done yet!"

He watched Max go toward his bedroom, peeling the tank top off on the way

Seeing there's no bra, he began getting hard again

So he stood and followed her

---------------------------------
At the same time, Logan called Asha regarding a S1W mission and she would be over in a few minutes

If he can't touch the love of his life without the fear of dying, then by God, he'll take what's been offered for months from Asha

As far as Logan was concerned, Max was off limits. Manticore made sure of that. But he's a guy that has an itch to scratch too. He denied himself that pleasure since Max came back into his life, and he knew he was right. It was simply torture for the both of them, wanting to hold each other, touch each other.... and they can't, not without the virus killing Logan

"Knock knock!" Asha called out at the door. Logan was in the kitchen chopping vegetables for a salad

"In here Asha!"

She followed his voice to the kitchen and Logan smiled at her, "Hey! Hungry?"

"Actually... no. I just ate. But thanks for the offer!"

Logan finished preparing the salad and began to put plastic wrap over the bowl to set in the fridge. Once he did that, Asha asked, "So... you have something for me?"

He knew she was talking about S1W info, but if that didn't sound like a double entendre to him, he didn't know what would

"Asha.... I lied. I'm sorry, I just wanted to see you."

Asha was suspicious, "Why?"

Logan walked over to her, the exo-skeleton whirring, and he took her hand, holding it against his heart. "I began realizing that I was probably letting go a very important part of my life. You've been there for me through so much and I realize you mean a lot more to me than I thought."

Asha didn't realize it but he was trying his best to dance around the words "I love you", words that he can only currently say to Max

Asha reached up and caressed Logan's cheek, looking into his blue eyes. He didn't have his glasses on right now. He mostly uses his glasses when working on the computer

"Stay with me tonight Asha?" Logan asked her

"Would there actually be a relationship in the works? What about Max?" Asha asked, hopeful

Logan knew she deserved honesty, and he said, "I'd like to try.... see what happens. Max and I broke up."

Logan knew just enough about women that Asha wanted some romantic gestures. He leaned forward and kissed her, closing his eyes..... pretending within his mind that this was Max. Asha was about the same build as Max, but the two women looked nothing alike. Max had the dark exotic looks and the kick-ass attitude and Asha was a pixie-ish blonde, sweet as can be, didn't have a mean bone in her body

Asha responded to his kiss, and Logan took that as a cue to wrap his arms around her and pull her body closer to his

The spinal injury he received only paralyzed his legs, but thank God, not his genitals. Going by how hard he was getting now, they were in working order!

-------------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

WooHoo! LOVE it!!

[Dana0715]

After another moment in time of amazing sex, Alec finally rolled off of Max and laid on his back on the bed next to her, panting again. And she was just as breathless

She snuggled against him and he curved his arm to pull her close

"You know what's weird?" Max asked suddenly, confusing Alec

She didn't wait for him to respond and said, "This is the first time I had sex outside of a heat cycle."

Alec looked down at her in surprise, "Really? Why would that be? Sex is natural, I would think that you would have wanted to do it in between too so that it's YOUR choice and not your hormones."

"Well, Logan and I were taking things slow and after a year, we were going to celebrate our anniversary and I went through a heat cycle. I didn't want mine and Logan's first time to be like that. I wanted it to be special, I wanted him to see it was HIM I wanted, not due to crazy mixed-up hormones. So I cancelled our anniversary date. I was going to try and make it through the cycle on my own, but I went out prowling instead and f*cked some delivery boy I met named Rafer."

"How did Logan take that news? Or did you even tell him?"

"I did tell him, he took it surprisingly well actually. We thought we'd have plenty of time to get together, but Manticore kidnapped me and then the virus thing happened."

"And then you met me at Manticore, a guy that looks like your brother Ben and you were told I was your breeding partner.... wonder what would have happened if we would have done it that day?"

"I knew my heat cycle was coming up again and I think Renfro knew it too..... if Manticore hadn't of burned, we would have done it on one of those nightly visits that they forced on you to do."

Max raised up on her forearm, staring down at Alec. He returned her look unwaveringly

She used the backs of her fingers to caress his cheek and his lips, "I pegged you for a smart ass from the beginning...... but I'm beginning to see there's more to you than the cocky attitude."

He shook his head, removing her hand and placing it on his chest "Nah! I'm the same screw-up you first met Max. Nothing's changed about me."

"I don't believe that." Max said quietly

For the first time in Alec's life, there was a woman that truly believed in him. Yes she kicked his ass from time to time, but he deserved it if truth be told.

She said herself that she just wanted a "friends with benefts" relationship

Too bad, because he knew right then and there he would die for this woman if it came down to it

The biggest fluke here is that she is in love with Logan, not him, and she can't have Logan due to the virus.

Which just basically made him the stand-in d!ck in her eyes

Also, Logan is in love with Max and he can't have her for the same reason

Then there's Asha, who showed a physical interest in Alec, but she's also in love with Logan

Damn! What is it about Logan that women fall in love with him, but they just want sex with Alec?? Doesn't he deserve a woman to love too?

Alec kept these thoughts to himself as Max finally got of bed. Alec laid on his side, propping his head on his hand and watched Max get dressed, ogling her openly

"So.... when will you be back?"

Max shrugged, "Not sure. I'll let you know."

"If I calculate correctly, your heat cycle will come up in a few weeks."

By then Max was fully dressed, having pulled down her tank top as she turned to Alec

"You'll be the first to know when that happens Alec."

He nodded, "Good to know."

She walked into the living room, getting her jacket. Alec got out of bed, threw on his boxers and came out of the bedroom. Max walked over to him and kissed him good-bye

"Thank you." she said against his lips

As he watched her go, he murmured, "Anytime sweetheart!", but Max didn't hear it. She was already out the door

-----------------------------
(From the "Brainiac" episode, NOT related to Smallville!)

A few weeks after Logan and Asha started a new relationship, Asha approaches Logan's car, which is parked in an alley. Logan is sitting inside. She hands him a large envelope and looks around nervously.

"I didn't think you'd be here." Asha said

Logan shrugged, "I figured I'd stick around." He looks at the contents of the envelope and nods approvingly. "So you got it."

"Just barely. Cops you're trying to nail--they knew we were coming."

Logan turned to her, concerned that he may have placed Asha in danger, "You all got out okay? Right?"

Asha looked worried, "Yeah, but everybody's real spooked."

"Well, the S1W takes on police corruption. You didn't think it was gonna be easy, did you?" Logan gave her a conspiratorial smile

Asha wasn't falling for it and said, "Listen, just get Eyes Only to do the broadcast tonight, okay? I really need something on record. Otherwise the cops can say anything they want and they can make us out to be the bad guys."

"You got it." Logan told her. He was feeling a slight twinge of guilt for not telling Asha that HE is Eyes Only. He just lets Asha believe that he works for Eyes Only, and therefore he has a tendency to refer to Eyes Only in the third person

Asha reached through the driver window and hugged him quickly, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks Logan."

Logan was now more concerned, this was like she was saying goodbye! "Hey, are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah. I don't know. I--" She looked worried and confessed, "Logan, I'm telling you something. Somebody's on to us. There's a mole somewhere."

---------------------------------
In his living room, a heavyset young man with a barcode on the back of his neck is watching different programs on six TV's at once. He glances at his watch, and after a few moments he points at the screens. Immediately Eyes Only appears on all six TV's as if by magic.

Logan's electronic voice comes through, the Eyes Only banner showing just Logan's eyes with red white and blue masking his face. He began, "Do not attempt to adjust your set. This is a streaming freedom video bulletin. The cable hack will last exactly sixty seconds. It cannot be traced, it cannot be stopped, and it is the only free voice left in this city. Activist group the S1W has again been busy in defense of your freedom, securing indisputable physical evidence of wholesale corruption in the sector police force..."

The heavyset guy nods, stands up, zips up his sweatshirt, and leaves his apartment.

He goes to a local arcade and is playing a game, and he's doing very well. A kid stands next to him, watching, and is amazed.

"God, how many times have you played this before?" the kid asked, mezmerized by how well this chunky guy is doing

He answers, "Um, never." Then without looking away from his game, he told the boy, "You might want to move."

The kid was confused, and then a group of armed sector cops bursts into the arcade. They hear voices protesting in the background. The kid quickly gets out of the way as they run past and burst into the back room, the heavyset guy still playing his game. A moment later the heavyset guy ducks and pulls the kid's head down too. A man runs out of the back room. A sector cop is chasing him, "Get down! Everybody down!" The cop shoots a bullet that flies right over the kid and the heavyset guy, hitting the arcade game next to them. The cop keeps chasing his man, "Freeze! Stop right there!"

The cop shoots and hits him in the arm. The man goes down. The sector cops shove several people, including Asha, out of the back room with their hands on their heads.

A sector cop pushed Asha and stated, "I said MOVE!"

"All right! I'm going!!" Asha snarked

The cops push the people out of the arcade. The heavyset guy and the kid straighten up and watch them leave.

The kid's eyes were wide, looking at the heavy-set man and at the bullet hole just past the guy's head, "God, man, that bullet--how'd you know?"

The chunky guy taps the game's button and joystick a few times and leaves without answering. Outside, the cops are shoving the group into the back of a police van. One cop pushes the man who was shot.

Asha pused the cop back and said, "He needs a doctor!"

The sector cop pushed Asha into the van, "Quiet!"

Asha helped her injured friend into the van and tries again, "But he needs a doctor!"

One of the men in the group grabs the cop in protest when seeing how the cop pushed Asha and the injured comrade around

"Leave her alone!"

The cops continue shoving people into the van, then closes the door, signalling the driver to GO. The van pulls away and Asha watches the heavy-set guy through the window in the back of the van. He watches the van drive off, takes a candy bar out of his pocket, and begins eating it.

--------------------------------
Max was at Alec's again during the night and waking up next to him the following morning.

She hardly ever oversleeps, but in this case, she did. She thought ironically that the best sleep aid was active sex with Alec!

She checks her watch and jumps out of bed, "Sh!t!!"

Alec raises his head sleepily off the pillow, "Wha..?"

"We're late! Get your ass up!" Max told him

Alec rubbed his eyes and watched her running around the room. He reached out, pulled her onto the bed and he was on top of her before she knew what happened

"One more time, THEN we go to work."

"We're LATE!!" Max told him

"So? Tell Normal you overslept."

"Right! He lets YOU by with that, but not me! And I need to keep my job."

Alec could tell she was weakening. He loved the fact that HE had that power to do that to her

"You'll be in a much better mood, more relaxed."

He entered her and she was lost, like she always is where he's concerned

At Jam Pony an hour later, Normal is watching a news broadcast on TV.

The anchorwoman was looking directly into the camera, "Last night, here in sector four, an anonymous tip led police to this building--headquarters of dissident group S1W--and the arrest of at least six members..."

Normal called out to his employees, "You hearing this, people? Anonymous tips. That's how we get these outlaws off the street!"

Max enters Jam Pony (she and Alec came in through different entrances) and corrects Normal, "They're not outlaws."

Normal raised his eyebrows, "Oh yeah? Says who?"

"They're just trying to expose corrupt sector cops. That's all! They're not criminals."

Normal's tone was snide, "Well, that's an interesting theory, Miss Late-as-Usual. And how exactly did you get to be such an expert on the S1W?"

Max rolls her eyes. Her pager goes off and she steps over to the payphone. As she dials, Alec approaches her quietly.

Alec asked her quietly, "So, again tonight?"

Max nods, and then places a hand up to Alec, indicating quiet. He doesn't listen, "So how do you know about the S1W?"

Max's hand was moved to her hip, phone to her ear as she whispered to Alec, "Why? Thinking of phoning me in?"

Normal gestures for Alec to come over to his desk. Alec does so. Normal speaks in a low conspiratorial voice.

"So what's up with our little Maxie here?"

Alec played dumb, not sure what he's talking about "What do you mean?"

"Think about it Alec. Maybe we got ourselves an S1W type right underneath our noses, huh? She fits the profile."

Alec hid a secret smile as they heard Max tell the caller on the phone, "Yeah, I heard. What do I do?"

Normal's voice was urgent, "Zero respect for authority, erratic behavior, lots of unexplained absences...Plus I think she's got a lot of underlying hostility."

Alec was OK with the hostility, it made it a lot more fun in bed!

Max hangs up and notices Normal and Alec watching her.

"What are you two lookin' at?" she snarked

They quickly look away.

Normal nervously answered Max, "Nothing. I just got a, uh, delivery here for Alec." Normal winked at Alec and looked at the package, "Oh, what do you know! It's right near where the S1W was arrested last night."

Alec takes the package and looks at the address. Max walks by and snatches it out of his hands on her way out the door.

"I'll take that!" Max said sweetly and walked away

When Max left, Normal told Alec, pointing at Max, "What'd I tell you? Hmmm? Gotta use the thinker up here." and he tapped his forehead, looking knowingly at Alec

Just great, Alec thought. Now he knows he's going to have to tag after Max and make sure she's doesn't get into any trouble.

----------------------------------
At the arcade, Max locks her bike outside and walks in. A sector cop is playing a video game. Another guards the door to the back room where the S1W members were found. The door is closed and crossed with yellow police tape. The cop playing the game calls to the one guarding the door.

"Hey, yo, Mikey--check me out, man, I'm winning!"

The other guard leaves the door and joins him, watching the progress of the game. Max takes advantage of the opportunity and sneaks through the door into the back room and looks around. Suddenly the other door opens and Alec sneaks inside with her, quietly closing the door

"What are you doing here??" Max asked urgently

Alec gave her a look of disbelief, "Right back at ya!"

"Looking for something." she answered, going through the debris

He decided to see if could make Max a little jealous, "Asha's address book? Yeah, me too."

He begins poking through the debris on the floor as Max stares at him in surprise.

Alec saw her look and said, "What?? Like it's some big secret? Asha's in the S1W. And they got arrested here last night."

"Yeah, so what's that got to do with you?"

Alec began poking around in the debris again, "My number's in the book."

Max's sarcasm was very evident, "Oh, sure. You and the S1W, fightin' the power."

"Who said anything about the S1W? Asha asked for my number one night at Crash."

She asked disbelievingly, "She ASKED for YOUR number?"

Alec shrugged and grinned his cocky smile, "Or maybe I offered it to her. I don't know--it was during that whole mermaid thing. I was feelin' kinda lonely."

"Well, consider your lonely ass saved" She said as she picked up something, "Here's her backpack."

Max begins picking things up off the floor and putting them into Asha's backpack. Alec finds and picks up Asha's address book and opens it to the A's. His name is not listed and his brows furrow

"Okay, question--have you ever pretended to write down a guy's phone number?"

Max smiles, Alec scowls. Then Alec notices something else on the floor and picks up a book.

"What's this?" He turns it over and the book is "Leaves of Grass", by Walt Whitman, and it has a blue folded piece of paper tucked inside. "Hmm! Asha likes poetry huh? Maybe she and Logan ARE a better match!"

Max shot a look at Alec. Alec knows Logan is her soft spot and he has to pick at it once in a while. He couldn't help himself

Alec finds a folded piece of blue paper inside the book and opens it. He begins to read, but Max snatches the book out of his hand and puts it in the backpack.

Alec still had the blue paper and he was chuckling, "Hey, get a load of this. 'Oh, love, let me raise you softer than moonbeams'." He chuckles and says, "Kinda makes you wonder who she's writing to. Don't ya think?"

Max shrugged, "Could be anyone."

Alec nodded, "Riight! OK, let's get outta here!"

They heard someone at the door. Thinking quickly, Max grabbed Alec, shoved him against the wall and kissed him just as a cop opened the door

"Hey! What are you two doing in here? This is a crime scene!"

Alec took a moment longer to linger on her lips and neck, holding her close, then he answered, "My lady here likes to live dangerously." He waggled his eyebrows, "Got a spontaneous streak a mile wide, ain't that right baby."

Max played her part of the brainless bimbo and she giggled, "Makes me hot!" then she batted her eyelashes at the cop, "I'm sorry if it's any trouble. We'll leave now."

They walk out the door, Max grinning at the cop flirtatiously and Alec winking at him knowingly

Alec kept talking as he usually does once far enough away from the cop, "You're right, it could be about anyone, but, uh, here's an interesting fact. Logan's name is in her book."

"They work together." Max didn't want to admit yet that Asha and Logan are now a couple

Alec nodded knowingly, "Oh yeah, I'm sure they do Maxie"

She smacked him on the arm, "They do, smartass. That's why I'm here."

"Ohhh, because they 'work' together?" Alec used air quotes around the word "work"

"No, because I don't want Logan's name to end up in some police file. I care enough to make sure that doesn't happen."

"You mean Logan's name with Asha's."

"No, Logan's name with the S1W."

"Oh, okay, right, right. Now, Logan USED to be your thing."

Max crossed her arms over her breasts and cocked a hip, "What are you getting at Alec?"

"I just notice that when Logan asks you to go get his poetess friend Asha out of jail, you jump at the cha--"

Max snatches the paper out of his hand and puts it in Asha's backpack, glaring at him.

Alec rolled his eyes and tried again, "Max, we weren't designed to be chumps! Logan is using you!"

"People were arrested here last night, Alec. Do you even get that? People risking their lives for something more important than themselves."

Alec looks around and notices something while Max is still lecturing.

"They were rounded up because some snitch turned them in. One guy was wounded."

Alec's attention was somewhere else, "Ummm.. Max..."

Max didn't stop talking, "So forget the cheap shots, because even if that were true, it wouldn't matter, 'cause it's not about me you big bozo!"

"Max...?"

She threw up her hands, "WHAT??"

Alec steps over to the video game the heavyset guy had been playing the night before. Since nobody is currently playing it, its screen is showing high scores. The top score is 452,000 and bears the initials MAX with a heart.

Alec raised an eyebrow at her, "Or maybe it IS about you."

Alec notices a sweatshirt lying on top of the machine and pulls it down. Several candy bars fall out of the pockets and onto the floor. A kid approaches them, the same one that watched the heavyset guy play the night before

"That guy saved my life." the kid told Alec

"Do you remember what he looks like?" Alec asked him

"You know, I can't actually remember what he looked like. You kind of don't notice him."

Alec holds up the guy's sweatshirt to indicate its large size, holding it out. He looks at the kid doubtfully and says, "Don't notice him, huh?"

The kid shrugged, "It's hard to explain."

Max was looking at the scores on the arcade game and remarked, "Wow! He's got game!"

The kid was exuberant, "Yeah, and he was barely trying. He was just...I don't know...it's like he sees everything!"

Max turned to him, "What do you mean, sees everything?"

The kid looked around the arcade and said, "Okay, this is gonna sound crazy, but...it's like he knows what's gonna happen before it happens."

Alec nodded, "Yep, you're right, that sounds crazy alright!"

The kid ignored the comment and kept talking to Max, "He knew that raid was coming. You see that bullet hole over there?" He pointed it out to Max, "He ducked before the shot was fired. Made me duck too. The bullet went right over our heads. He saved my life."

Max was thinking, "You wouldn't by any chance know how to find this guy?"

Alec nudges Max with his elbow, "Max..."

Alec shows Max the label inside the guy's sweatshirt. It says the following:

BRAIN
113 - 125th PL.
APT. 4

"What's that? 'Brian'?"

Max shook her head, "Looks like 'Brain' to me. One-thirteen 125th Place."

They turn to leave but stop as the kid speaks.

His voice was almost reverent, "Just like he said. Told me the hottest chick I'd ever seen was gonna show up looking for him. I guess that's you, huh?"

Max turns back in surprise and Alec snickers.

She punched Alec on the arm again, "Shut up!!"

Alec started teasing her in a sing-song voice, "Maxie's got a boyfriend!"

"Shut the f*ck up Alec, I mean it!"

He continued chuckling on the way to Brain's apartment with Max.

Alec was having to chase her down on the sidewalk, "C'mon Maxie. You have to admit whoever this guy is, he has a serious crush on you." He held up the big sweatshirt, "Think of all the BIG kids you could have!!"

She was about to hit him again and Alec raised his hands in surrender, "Ok! OK! I'm done! No more!"
------------------------------------
In his bathroom, the severely heavy-set guy named "Brain" is primping in front of the mirror, brushing his teeth, combing his hair, etc. When he's finished, he goes out to the living room, where one of his TV's is showing a commercial for eggs.

The woman on the TV ad announces, "It's nature's miracle. That's what it is. White, hearty, and true. Not ostrich, or emu, or goose. Uh-uh. It's straight from the chicken to you. So if you want to feel healthy, here's what you'll do. Break an egg. That means you."

Brain nods and checks a map on the wall.

Speaking to himself, he says, " 'Break an egg.' Okay."

He looks at the clock and sees it just turned to 7:03. Hurriedly he shuts off all the TV's with his various remotes.

Out in the hallway, Max and Alec approach Brain's apartment door.

Alec admonished Max, "Keep your voice down. Don't knock, either."

Max looked at Alec like she could slap him, "Why??"

"'Cause you lose the element of surprise."

Brain puts his ear to the door and listens to their conversation.

Max's hands were akimbo as she turned on Alec, "What surprise? That kid said he's expecting us!"

"Yeah, but it could be a trap!"

Upon hearing Alec's voice, Brain frowns and becomes jealous of Alec

Max rolled her eyes at Alec, "PULEEZE. I think we can handle him."

Alec did a double-take, "Whoa. 'We'?"

Max smirked, "Well, nobody asked you to tag along Smart Ass."

At that moment, Brain opens the door and looks at Alec menacingly and tells him, "That's right!" Then he turned to Max. "You were supposed to come alone!"

Alec raised a fist and knocked him out cold.

"Alec!!" Max rushed to the poor guy, "Why did you do that??"

"Logan needs to talk to him. I believe we found our S1W informant!"

--------------------------------
An hour later, in an abandoned building, Brain sits blindfolded as Alec handcuffs him to a chair. Alec then joins Max and Logan, who arrived a few moments ago and they are standing a short distance away. Logan is looking over a map.

Brain is yelling out to them, "Okay, this is TOTALLY unnecessary!" He yanks the handcuffs for emphasis

Logan asked Max quietly, "So this is the guy who turned them in?"

She shrugged, "Looks like."

Alec told Logan, "He admits he knew the raid was going down."

Max shook her head in confusion, "Although, according to him, only to a 73% certainty."

Brain is still trying to get their attention, "Hello? Okay, these things are a little tight. I don't know if I mentioned it, but I bruise easily. Look, I'm trying to help you, Max!!"

At Max's name being mentioned, Logan turned to Max, "You know him??"

Max shakes her head.

Alec was smirking, "I think he's got a little thing for our Maxie here."

Logan sighed, "Well, we'll have to deal with him and his 'little thing' later. They're moving the S1W to a federal facility in about an hour, and there's an opportunity to intercept on Highway 153."

Brain becomes exasperated and yells to them,
"Oh, that's a bad idea!"

Logan ignored him and kept talking, pointing to the map, "There's a railroad grade crossing in serious disrepair along the route. It's about a mile from the Somerset Poultry Farm."

Brain was shaking his head and said, "If you're thinking about the train track, think again!"

Logan was becoming annoyed with Brain and asked Max, "What is this? What does he mean??"

Max shrugs again

Brain told them, "It's 92% failure scenarios."

Logan was fed up by now and pointed at Brain, "Okay, I need you to shut up!"

Logan hands Alec the map and stalks over to Brain. Brain continues ranting while he and Logan argue. Max snatches the map from Alec and looks at it.

Brain kept trying to make Logan understand what he was saying when Logan stood in front of him, "County roads in the area allow unacceptable delivery rates of backup sector personnel. I mean, the probability of subsequent apprehension is--is--is like--"

Logan moves the blindfold off Brain's eyes, and stops talking long enough to take a look at their surroundings.

"Geez!! 3157 Mercer Street?! Is this your idea of a secret meeting place, huh?" Before he could say anymore, Logan moves the blindfold into Brain's mouth, effectively shutting him up

Alec picks up the Whitman book that Max snatched earlier. It fell out of the backpack and he begins reading aloud.

"Hmm... I will love you like the..."

Max tried to make a grab for it and Alec held it out of her reach, "Hey!"

Max grabs for the book again, but Alec grins and pulls it away, making a game of it.

Max placed her hands on her hips, "What the hell are you doing?"

Alec began reading aloud again and Max keeps trying to grab the book; Alec continues to pull it out of her reach. Brain gets a good look at Logan's eyes and speaks through the gag, completely awestruck now. His voice was muffled due to the gag, but he clearly asked, "Eyes Only??"

Logan looks at Brain for a minute, concerned. Max and Alec continue a tug of war for the book

"It's called 'Poetry', Max."

"Put it away!" Max ordered

"C'mon! Logan nor Asha would care!"

She reaches for it again and Alec puts it behind his back, "Give it here!"

Shaking his head, he says, "Uh uh! Come get it!"

Finally, Max punches him in the stomach and he surrenders the book, holding his stomach. She tosses the book aside as Logan walks back over to them.

Logan was all business, "Crossing'll be deserted. Bus with our S1W members will come to a complete stop. It should be easy in, easy out. What's that?" Logan pointed at the book Max was now holding

She tossed it back into Asha's backpack and answered, "Nothing."

To distract Logan, she said, "You know what? How about you stay with what's-his-name and we'll do the rest."

Brain begins working the gag out of his mouth using his tongue. Max and Alec start to head for the door, passing by Brain on the way. Alec ruffles Brain's short hair on the way out playfully

Brain finally worked the gag completely out of his mouth and yells to Max, "Look, the only way it'll work is if you break an egg! You hear me, Max?? BREAK AN EGG!"

----------------------------------
TBC

[Dana0715]

Later, after dark, Asha and the other arrested S1W members are riding in a police bus. One sector cop is driving and another is riding along. A locked gate inside the bus separates the cops and the S1W members. The driver pulls to a stop as he sees Max standing in the road with her thumb outstretched, as if hitchhiking.

The sector cop smiles, "Well, well. Check this out!"

Alec sneaks up alongside the bus while the two cops are mesmerized by Max. He smashes through the window, and punches the driver. The driver hits a silent alarm button. Max and Alec fight the driver and the other cop and throw them off the bus.

Once inside, Max met Asha's eyes and gave her a thumb's up, "Got your back!"

Alec nudged Max and points to the alarm button. "Max, It's a silent alarm."

Max pointed at the gate where the S1W members are locked within, "The keys. Find the keys Alec!"

Alec grabs a nearby keyring with NUMEROUS keys and begins trying each key, one at a time, on the gate lock. Sirens sound in the distance.

Both Alec and Max hear the sirens and Alec nods to the steering wheel, "Drive Maxie. Drive!"

Max jumps into the driver's seat, the bus is still cranked. She closes the door, puts the bus in gear and takes off

While Alec was still trying out keys, he remarked, "You know, I'm thinking the fat kid may have been right."

"I don't want to hear any kind of failure talk Alec! We'll make it."

Police cars swing onto the road, behind them, chasing them.

Alec answered above the roar of the bus's engine, "I'm glad to hear that, because we're being followed!!"

"We're all clear ahead!" she said

Police cars swing onto the road a short distance ahead of them and block their way now

"Sh!t!" Max hit the steering wheel, still gunning the motor and trying to come up with a plan

Alec saw the cruisers through the windshield, "Ah! Yeah, except for the police cruisers out there! We're dead!"

Max about had it with Alec, "Just find the damn key!!"

Alec rolled his eyes and waved the large keyring, answering snidely, "Oh, that sounds easy! Only a hundred and fifty more to go!"

A train whistles nearby and it was getting closer, the closer they were getting to the road block and the train tracks

Max was thinking, "Hey Alec! What did Brain say before we left?"

Still going through keys, his response was sarcastic, "Um, I don't know.... Bad plan?"

"No I mean as we were leaving!"

"I think it was something like Break a leg?"

Max sees a billboard by the side of the road ahead. It says "BREAK AN EGG" in the same font the egg commercial used.

"No!" Max said excitedly, "He said 'egg', not 'leg'. He said 'Break an egg'."

Alec threw his hands up in frustration, "What's it matter what he said??"

Max was coming up with a plan and she yelled, "Hold on. Everyone hold on!"

Alec saw what she planned when he looked out the windshield, that she was going to swerve off the road, through the Break an Egg billboard, over the train tracks and to the other side

"Oh HELL no!! You're not...!!"

Max swerves the bus off and Alec falls over behind Max's seat. Max drives right through the billboard, which splintered into numerous pieces. She crosses the tracks behind the billboard seconds before the train passes by. The police cars have no choice but to stop and wait for the train. Max looks back with a smile and then drives away and mentally congratulates herself.

---------------------------------
Max, Alec, and the S1W members walk into the abandoned building where Brain is still handcuffed to a chair and Logan is keeping guard

Logan looked up from some paperwork, seeing Max "How'd it go, Max?"

"Kinda weird, actually. Hold on!"

Max and Alec separate from the others. Logan hugs Asha in welcome, thankful that she's OK and he talks to the S1W members while Max and Alec remove Brain's gag and stand in front of him

"How'd you know?" Max asked him without preamble

Brain was confused, "Know what?"

Alec retorted, "'Break an egg' you idiot. How'd you know??"

Max interrupted, "And the cops, and the train...how did you KNOW??"

Brain asked, "Wait... Did I get the schedule wrong or something?"

Max shakes her head

Brain rolled his eyes, "Then WHY are you mad at me??"

Max leaned forward threateningly, "Just tell us how you knew."

"How do you think I knew? I'm an X-series, just like you!"

Alec forcefully pulls Brain's head forward and checks the back of Brain's neck. He has a barcode.

Alec let him go, "Yep!"

Max looked him over, all the chunky fat that shouldn't be part of an X5, "Then what are you?"

"What do you mean, what am I?"

Alec bent toward him this time, grabbing his hair, "Yeah, she means you don't exactly look like a soldier there, big guy."

Brian sarcastically answered Alec, "Oh, and you two do? I'm an I.T. concentrate. A battle processor. I'm basically a general, his staff, two database groups, and five logistical support teams, all rolled into one stealth package."

Alec raised up, laughing disbelievingly, "Stealth. Yeah. Right!"

Brain shrugged, "I was made this way. People look away. They don't remember me. THERE, are you happy??"

Alec crossed his arms and said, "Yeah, that still doesn't explain your psychic ability."

Brain shook his head and snarked, "Psychic?? Please!! I combine near-absolute data knowledge with fast Fourier neural nets for heuristics."

Alec felt stupid because he never heard this word, "Um... Heuristics?"

Brain talked to Alec like he was talking to a small child, "Predictions using probability algorithms that are stored in my--Look, are you sure you want to hear this??"

Max intercepted because Alec was now losing patience with him, "Whatever you call it, you can tell the future."

Brain looked at her adoringly, "I can see OUR future. Yours and mine. That's why I'm here, Max."

Alec murmured to Max quietly, "You gettin' the feeling that, uh, Puffy here's got somethin' else on his mind than betraying the S1W?"

Brain was quick to explain, "Oh, but I didn't betray the S1W. It was one of them. One of their own."

He glances over at the S1W and Logan. Max follows his gaze.

Max didn't believe it, "Oh, Come on!"

"Let's work together and prove it Max. What do you say?" Brain pleaded

----------------------------
Logan is talking to Asha privately in a corner. Her eyes pleaded with Logan

"Logan, I don't want to get out of town. Not when things are going so well with us."

"Asha, I'm sorry, you don't have a choice, it's for your own safety. They have photos of you now. Fingerprints. It's just a matter of time before they pick you up again. It's safer for you to leave."

Max approaches, pulling a still-handcuffed Brain by the arm, and hands Asha her backpack.

"This yours?" she asked Asha

Asha took it from Max, saying, "Yeah. Thanks."

Max pointed at the backpack, "There's some personal stuff in there you might want to keep track of. Address book...poems and things... " Then she turned to Brain and started dragging him away, "Come on. Let's go!"

Logan stepped in front of them, "What are you doing, Max? S1W went down 'cause of him!"

Max looked directly at Logan and replied, "Or not. That's what I'm thinking. Don't worry--I'll keep him on a short leash."

She begins to walk away with Brain. Brain sees Asha and says, "Oh, it was nice seeing you again!" as Max drags him away

------------------------------------
In Logan's apartment, Max is at the computer while Brain makes faces into Logan's video camera, watching his image on a television screen.

Max was talking to Brain and typing on Logan's computer, "You're right about the S1W. One of them's gotta be a police informant. I mean, they free political prisoners, play Robin Hood, even get fingered for taking down Manticore, and the cops leave 'em alone. Then they attack police corruption head-on and get nailed."

She turned around and saw that Brain was playing with the camera equipment and she smacks his head, "Would you pay attention??

"I am.!" Brain whined

"OK, what did I just say??"

Brain rolled his eys and said, "You were wondering what, if anything, is going on between blondie and you-know-who." and he gave Max a meaningful look

Max shuts off the video camera. so that Brain would leave it alone

She ignored what he said and gave orders, "Ok. Let's stick with who's the informant. Shall we?"

He shrugged, "I don't know who."

Max was pulling up a few more files on the computer, "Well, I pulled up the arrest report from the police database, so just..." She waved her hand, "do your thing!"

The computer screen shows mug shots of the S1W members that were arrested. Max magnifies the picture of the injured S1W member, the one that got shot during the raid.

Brain began talking, staring at the picture, "Okay. Well, that's the guy that got shot, so we know it's not him...unless that's what we're supposed to think, and it IS him."

Max magnifies Asha's picture for Brain to see

"All right, on this next one, could you be a little more--what was it--heuristic?"

Brain's eyes widened, "Ooh. Yeah, she is gonna be a lot heavier than I am when she's thirty. 93% certainty!"

Max was laughing and shaking her head, "Did she turn them in? That's all I need to know."

Brain shook his head, "Sorry! No idea."

Max sighed and punched a few keys, "Okay, then!" She magnifies another mug shot of an Asian guy, "This guy. What about him?"

----------------------------
Back in the abandoned building, Logan was talking to Asha

"I don't know who he is. Max went out to get your address book and came back with some crazy guy she found who knows a lot about the S1W."

Asha was suspicious, "It's not just a lot, Logan. Everything! Too much!"

Logan shrugged, "Max seems to think he's okay."

Asha's eyes narrowed, "And that makes it alright huh? Because your ex THINKS he's OK? I don't like someone knowing so much about S1W business Logan. It's dangerous!"

------------------------------
Back in Logan's apartment

Max was getting frustrated with Brain, "So what you're saying is NONE of them did it?"

Brain was frustrated too, "Maybe all of them did it. Or maybe not. Look, I'm not optimized for this!!"

Max was calming herself down and quietly said, "It's okay."

Brain looked forlorn, "We're finally together Max, and I'm letting you down."

Max gave him a puzzled look and Brain said, "You don't remember me at all, do you? From back at Manticore?"

Max shakes her head sadly.

Brain shrugged, "That's all right. I'm designed to be forgettable. But I remember you, with your short hair, and your cammies, and--and you could blur and everything. I used to watch you and your friends running around, just having a blast!"

Max shook her head sadly, "Trust me. It was no blast!"

Brain leaned forward, looking at her intently, "When you broke out, leaving the rest of us behind...I thought I was gonna die, I missed you SO much!"

Max was feeling a little creeped out by this X-series, but she tried to be nice to him. "Look, Brain, we didn't know each other."

Brain was adamant, "I knew you. They fed us data on all the X5's to predict battle behavior, and I stayed after every day, learning everything there was to know about you. I KNEW you!"

Max was still trying to be gentle, "Brain... That data they fed you--it wasn't me!"

He started ticking off proof on his fingers, "I knew you'd come back to Manticore, and you did. I knew you'd get involved the second S1W got into trouble and you did. That's why I'm here!"

"What do you mean, that's why you're here?"

"I know you better than anyone, Max. And I would do anything for you."

Max puts her hand on Brain's head and rubs it affectionately like she would a child, smiling. "Brain, what I really need you to do is tell me who the informant is. Okay?"

Then she removed her hand and turned back to the computer.

Brain had a disappointed look on his face and said, "Aw. Rats!"

Max turned back to him, "What?"

Brain shrugged sheepishly, "There was a .05% chance that you were gonna lean over and kiss me right then. I was just...hoping."

Max turns back to the computer smiling. He was incorrigible, but it was a harmless crush

---------------------------------
Back in the abandoned building

One of the male S1W members was ranting and he questioned Logan, "If she's supposed to be on our side, then why's she protecting him??"

Logan shook his head, "She's NOT protecting him!"

"Then where is he??"

Logan was trying to placate him, "Hey! Why don't we just concentrate on getting you guys out of town?"

Another male member spoke up, "Who's he working for? That's what I wanna know!"

Max and Brain arrive, and Max heard what was said, so she answered

"He's not working for anyone. He saved your asses, if you wanna know the truth!"

The first member that began the argument in the beginning responded, "Oh Yeah? Is that what he says??"

Max got in his face, "No! That's what I say. You're blaming the wrong guy!"

Brain tugged on Max's sleeve urgently, looking around the building. "I think--I think--I think--I think sector police will approach in a scatter Y formation. Alpha team in the stairwell, bravo in the elevator. Chances are dead even a third team will stake out the roof."

The S1W members all begin talking at once.

Asha walked over to Max, asking, "What is he talking about?"

One of the other members called out, "He turned us in again!"

Max raised a hand and yelled, "Shut up!!"

Everyone quiets down except Brain

He was frantic, "Egress through a fire stairwell. Fifty-four steps up to the second floor. There's an exhaust fan behind a four-foot grate in the west hallway. Use it! It's your only way out!"

Max grabbed Brain and shook him, "When? When's this happening?"

"Now! Right now!!"

Max turned to the others, "Go! Do what he says! Get out of here!"

Everybody starts to leave except the one S1W member.

He turned to Max and said, "You trust him, then YOU lead the way!"

Max turns around to look for Brain, but he is gone, so she and the S1W member leave. Moments later, sector cops run through the building. Brain stands in their way with his hands up, but they run right past him. He knocks the last cop in the face with his elbow. Brain twists his ankle and falls down. The cop points his gun at Brain and calls to the other cops.

"I got one! ....I think."

Brain tries to get up on his swelling ankle, "Ow!"

Brain was arrested and taken to a holding cell

The next day, a truck pulls up to a building. The S1W members, who have been hiding among some crates on the back of the truck, jump off and enter the building.

In Logan's apartment, Max paces back and forth while talking on a cell phone. Alec sits in a chair in the corner. Logan is on the computer. Logan's phone rings and he answers.

"Yeah?"

It was Asha, "We're at the pickup point."

Logan asked with concern, "How you doing?"

"Well, I'm off to the frozen north. I don't know who to trust. I'm not happy about this, Logan."

"Frankly honey, I'm not happy about it, either."

Alec, sitting in the corner, muttered humorously, "Oh! Well, if SHE'S not happy, and YOU'RE not happy, then I'M not happy. Hey Max, are YOU happy??" Max shot a look in his direction and he winked at her

Logan turned in his seat to Alec, "Shut up!"

Then he returned to his conversation with Asha, "No, not you...... There should be a loading ramp by the garage."

"Okay."

Logan explained the plan, "A truck will back in at 4:05. That's your ride to Canada. Driver's a friend of Eyes Only. He knows the entire situation."

Max hangs up her cell phone and announces to everyone, "He found him! Detective Sung said Brain's in lockdown at twelfth precinct. I'm gonna go get him."

Max grabs her jacket from the back of Alec's chair and puts it on.

Alec whispers to Max, "Hey, wait, wait, wait, wait." He cocks an ear listening to Logan, quieting Max with a finger to his own lips

Logan was still talking on the phone, "Did you hear that? Big guy's in lockdown, so it's kind of hard to figure him for our police informant. So until we know who is..."

Alec mouths the words "Be careful." at the same time Logan says it to Asha, "Be careful!"

Max rolls her eyes and leaves. Alec laughs. Logan is SO predictable!

Logan whispered urgently into the phone, "Asha, you might want to keep your departure plans to yourself. For safety."

Asha answered plaintively, "Logan, please don't hang up yet." She pauses and says, "It's just...are you there??"

Logan tried to calm her fears, "Yeah, I'm here. You're gonna be fine. We'll talk again soon, OK?"

He hangs up before he hears her say the words "I love you"

Alec sat in his chair and shook his head at Logan. He had to ask the question at the forefront of his mind, "What in the world do they see in you??"

Logan just shot Alec a warning look as he stood and headed for the kitchen
-------------------------------
Max rides her motorcycle across town to the jail Brain is housed at.

Inside a jail cell, Brain is using a metal file on the bars of the window. Max approaches wearing a police uniform.

Brain sighed when he saw her, "Oh, it's you."

Max smiled and rolled her eyes, "Spare me. You knew I'd be coming for you!"

He gives her a look while she unlocks the cell.

Max opens the cell door, "Well, you must have been expecting someone, or did you think you could really slip through those bars?"

"Oh! That hurts!"

"Sorry! Come on. Let's get going. The guard I stole this uniform off of won't be out forever."

Brain limps toward her, wincing due to his sprained ankle.

Max noticed his limp, "What's with the ankle?"

Brain lifts his pant leg to reveal his bandaged ankle. He looks at Max and shrugs sheepishly. Max sighs and rolls her eyes

A few minutes later, Max is literally carrying Brain down the hall piggy back. She is struggling under his weight.

And Brain talked continuously, "You know, while the cops were storming the place and you guys were all getting away, I had this thought." He pointed calling out, "Go left. Left!"

Max turns left just as some cops enter the hallway where Brain and Max had been, just missing them. She walks up a long ramp, struggling under Brain's weight

"Maybe people don't see me because there's nothing to see."

Max was trying to reign in her temper, "Are you SURE this is the fastest way out??"

He ignored her question, still contemplating his own question, "What's the point of knowing everything but doing nothing about it?"

"Brain! I'm not seeing an exit anywhere soon."

They exit the ramp and head down another hallway, Max still struggling with Brain's girth on her back

Brain continued talking, "Anyways, that's why I turned myself in."

Max's temper flared then, "You WHAT?! I'm dying because you turned yourself in on purpose?!"

"Well, I thought you were supposed to be strong!"

"Hell! I'm not Superwoman! You should know that!!"

Brain pointed out a door, "Oh, here! Here!"

Max walks through the door into an office, struggling toward a desk.

"Hurry!" Brain said urgently, and then he was pointing, "Ooh, right there. Look, they're coming. Gently- -gently--okay--oh--oof!" Max drops him to the floor behind a desk. They both sit behind the desk and peer over it. A couple of cops walk into the office and then out.

Brain was smiling at Max in adoration, "Do you have any idea what the chance of this is?"

"Of what? You turning yourself in??"

Brain shook his head, "No. Of you and me here, together...in this exact precinct...in this exact office...you wearing that uniform...me and my sprained ankle...in this exact moment in space and time. Do you know what the chance is?"

Max shrugged, keeping watch of the hallway, "Who knows--one in a trillion??"

Brain was grinning and he shook his head, "Nope. It's a hundred percent. We're here, right?" He pauses to see if she gets it, and then he sighs, "Okay, I see where all this is going now."

"What do you mean? Where? Where's it going?"

"You mean where are YOU going. Because you're running..."

Brain was experiencing visions of Max in the future and he tells it to her in a monotone kind of voice

"Running through a passageway, drawn onward by distant voices. There's machinery...steam...it's some kind of factory. No, it's a sawmill. Oh--"

"What?" Max asked, not realizing she was practically on the edge of her seat wanting to know what happens next

He smiled at her, "You look so beautiful when you run."

"Concentrate Brain! What are the voices?"

He shook his head and asked, "Huh?"

"You said 'drawn onward by distant voices'."

Brain looked at her disbelievingly, "I said that?? 'Drawn onward'?"

"Yes! That's what you said!"

"Well, okay then, you're drawn onward by distant voices...voices of the S1W being held captive by the traitor in their midst. Okay, you descend a staircase into another passageway, headed for a door at the end. There's a sign on the door. It says..." and he pauses

"What? What does it say?" Max asked urgently

Brain shook his head again and looked at Max, "Come on! 'Drawn onward'? Look, I really said that??"

"Brain!! What's the sign say??"

"Oh! Okay. The sign, it says...'Danger.' But because you're you, you don't stop. Instead, you kick the door open..."

Brain could see in his vision that Max is shot by someone standing on the other side of the door and he gasps.

"What?? What happened?" Max was waving a hand in front of Brain's eyes

He played it off saying, "Um.. I don't know. Nothing."

"Nothing?? What do you mean, nothing?!?"

He smiled at her again, "I mean, why did I take so long to find you?"

Max finally gave up and shrugged, "Well, I don't buy any of it, anyway. I mean, why am I supposed to believe you just happen to know all this?"

"How could anyone just happen to know all this?"

Max has no answer to that question

"And another thing.... the Eyes Only dude? Not your type!"

He raised his hands up before Max could deck him, "AND another thing, the blond guy that was with you at my apartment.... more your type. So if I can't have a chance with you, there's a 65% likelihood that he's the match for you, whereas Eyes Only falls to a level of 43%."

Max was shocked silent.... it was like he saw into her soul

Brain changed the subject, "Alrighty then! Moving on! Why do you think we're here?"

Brain reaches near Max's head and pulls a book off the desk. It is Walt Whitman's "Leaves of Grass" and has a piece of paper tucked inside.

Max saw the book, "It's just like Asha's book."

Brain waved the book, "It's an old CIA trick."

"What? A poem?"

"Not a poem. A coded message, keyed to matching books. That's how the informant's been communicating with the cops."

"What are you saying? Asha's the traitor?"

Brain shrugged, "Look at the bright side--at least she's not writing love poems to Logan."

Max was thinking over the information, ignoring the Logan comment, "No, it doesn't make any sense. Betraying the S1W would hurt Logan. She wouldn't do that."

Brain nodded, "Good point. Musta been someone else's book you found."

"Then, whose??"

"Beats me!"

-----------------------------------
At the pickup point, Asha opens the Whitman book and reads the poem written on the piece of paper that was tucked inside. The S1W member that made Max precede him out of the warehouse approaches

"Oh, you took my book!"

Asha looked up at him, surprised, "Um No, it ended up in my backpack somehow."

"Great! Lucky for me. I was afraid I'd lost it."

He held out a hand for the book and Asha gave it to him. He walked over to a corner to read.

-----------------------------------
The next morning at daybreak, Max and Brain are riding on her motorcycle. Brain is reading the poem, yelling over the motorcycle's motor

"Oh, love, softness swelling--"

"Dude! I mean decoded!"

Brain yells, "The traitor's the group leader, the guy who got shot. He's dangerous, Max, so--"

"I know, I know! 'Be careful'."

"Actually I was gonna say why don't you turn around and forget the whole thing? We can live happily ever after. That's 97% certain!"

Max doesn't answer, but shakes her head. Brain tucks the book in his shirt and wraps his arms around her Max's chest.

Max yells over the wind and motor, "Hey Brain!"

"Yeah?"

"Watch the hands!!"

He doesn't move his hands, "I'm just tryin' to hang on here!"

"Well, hang on a little lower!"

He drops his arms below her waist and she yells, "Hey! Not that low!"

(At the pickup point)

Asha called out to her comrades, "It's 4:05. Time to move."

"Where?"

Asha answered the guy with the bullet wound, "We got a ride to Canada."

Everyone was ready and Asha led them out.

Max and Brain pull to a stop outside that same building. We now see that it is a sawmill. Brain gets off the bike.

Max revs her motor and tells him, "Wish me luck."

"Max, wait. The poem you found in Asha's backpack..."

"You mean the coded message?"

"Yeah, only you didn't know that at the time. And you helped her anyway." He paused and asked her, "How do I look?"

Max was confused and asked, "What do you mean?"

"Just what I said. How do I look?"

"Dude! Is there something you're not telling me? Something that's gonna happen?"

Brain doesn't answer. Max takes a good look at him and smiles

"Well...I never actually noticed before, but you're...kind of...magnificent."

Brain smiles at the compliment and limps away.

The S1W members exit the sawmill. Police cars pull up, sirens wailing. Max starts riding toward them on her motorcycle

Asha yelled, "Fall back! Fall back!"

The S1W members start running back into the sawmill. The cops get out of the cars and start firing.

"Freeze! Stop where you are!"

Max rides her bike up behind the cops, brakes suddenly, her back tire goes brings the back end of the bike into the air and she knocks two of them down with the pivoting bike. She kicks another one down. She and the injured S1W member exchange glances before he follows the other S1W members into the building. Another police car pulls up. Max disposes of the two cops, then runs inside. Brain watches from a hiding place not far away.

Inside the sawmill, the S1W members run through a passageway.

The injured S1W member yells, "This way! Come on!"

Asha stopped and asked, "Where are we going?"

"This way! Come on!"

Asha stopped and was listening, "The gunfire stopped."

The injured S1W member pushed her toward an entryway, "There's more coming. Let's go!"

Asha wasn't buying it, "How do you know that??"

"Dammit! Just go!"

The S1W members take the turn he's indicating, running

A truckload of heavily armed cops pulls up outside.

Max runs down the passageway. She pauses, then takes the same turn the S1W members took.

Brain breaks a window and climbs through it into the building. He takes a bite from a candy bar, nods, and starts walking, still with a limp.

The S1W members descend a staircase and run down a short passageway. The injured S1W member indicates an open doorway and the others run through it into a small room, then through a second side door into a smaller room.

The injured S1W member locks the door behind them, locking everybody inside except him. They realize they're trapped. They start banging on the door and yelling for him to let them out. He closes another nearby door and sits behind it. The door he sits behind says "DANGER - DO NOT ENTER."

Max hears their voices and remembers what Brain had told her behind the desk.

Brain, in another area of the sawmill, starts to take a bite from a candy bar, thinks better of it, then drops it to the ground and smushes it with his foot. He begins limping as fast as he can down the passageway.

Max descends the same staircase the S1W had moments earlier. She sees the DANGER sign and again remembers Brain's words.

"You descend a staircase into another passageway, headed for a door at the end. There's a sign on the door. It says "Danger.""

Max kicks the door open. The injured S1W member is standing behind it, gun pointed at her, and fires. Brain dives from the side and knocks Max down, taking the bullet instead. Max jumps up, kicks the gun out of the S1W member's hand, and knocks him out. She then goes to Brain, who is lying on the ground with a bullet wound in his chest.

"Brain? Shh, you'll be all right."

The S1W members burst out of the room and see the other member unconscious and Max holding Brain.

Brain weakly tries to tell them what to do next, "Egress through that door...ninety-three feet. Turn right. Hurry!"

Asha nodded, "Got it! Let's go people!"

They leave exactly as Brain told them

Max had tears in her eyes. He saved her life! "You saw this, didn't you?"

He nodded

"I can't believe it. You saved me."

Brain smiles weakly, "What are the chances? You...me..."

Max sniffed and said, "One hundred percent."

Brain grabbed her hand and said, "Max, I don't mind if no one else ever saw me. I just wanted to be seen by YOU."

The cops descend the staircase. As they approach, Brain grabs Max and pulls her close, so that her face is hidden from the cops. They pass right by them

The cops leave. Brain releases his grip on Max. Max sits up, relieved.

"Brain?" she asks quietly, but he doesn't respond. "Brain?"

She realizes he is dead and she lays her head on his chest, crying.

---------------------------------------
In his apartment that night, Logan is lying on the couch and reading the coded poem. Asha enters.

"I got your message. Is it true?"

"Yeah, it's true."

He sits up and tucks the coded poem back into the Whitman book. "All the police files from the arrest are gone. Your record's clean."

Asha's smile was huge, "So I can stay!"

Logan nodded, smiling back, "You all can."

Asha hugs Logan and thanks him repeatedly.

"Don't thank me Asha. Apparently a candy bar melted on the precinct system server. Ruined all the data. Isn't that something?"

Asha laughed, happy for the first time in the last week, "Wow, what are the chances of that?"

"According to Max, they're, uh..."

Asha gave a perplexed look, "What?"

Logan shrugged, "Well.... Better than you'd think."

"So you wanna come along? Tell the group the good news?"

"I'd promised someone I'd do them a favor. Um, how 'bout if I meet you guys there later?"

Asha nods and kisses him, he kisses her back. As he raised his head, he placed a finger on her lips

"I'm going to hold you to that promise later tonight, OK?"

Asha nodded, then said, "Uh, tell Max I'm sorry, okay? About her friend?"

"Okay." Logan answered as he kissed her again. He finally let her go with a big smile "Either you get going or you'll never leave!"

Asha leaves as Logan sits down at his computer and hits a few buttons. Brain's face appears on one of Logan's screens; it is a still from when he was making faces into the video camera earlier.

-------------------------------
At Brain's place, Max has all six TV's on. One of them is showing a movie with an invisible man unwrapping the bandages from his head while talking to a woman.

Eyes Only appears on all six TV's as Alec enters the apartment, looking around

"Do not attempt to adjust your set. This is a streaming freedom video bulletin. The cable hack will last exactly sixty seconds. It cannot be traced, it cannot be stopped, and it is the only free voice left in this city."

Alec stood next to Max, watching the TV screen, "I don't know how he stood it. All that noise, I mean." He mutes five of the TVs so they are listening to one

The Eyes Only broadcast continued, showing showing the Eyes Only logo while Logan's electronic voice came through the TV, "All around us, the battle rages--a battle between good and evil in the fight for men's souls. There are victories and defeats, and over the years the two sides have...

Max turned to Alec suddenly, "Why are you here?"

He smirked, "Never a welcoming word with you, is there, Max?"

"You're right... I'm sorry. It's just been a very trying day."

A man enters the doorway pushing a dolly. Alec gestures for him to wait while Max continues watching the Eyes Only broadcast

"The courageous among us do not give up..."

Alec cleared his throat and said quietly, "Maybe, uh...maybe I wanted to come by and make sure you were okay. Did you ever think of that?"

She didn't say anything as she continued staring at the TV, Eyes Only was still talking, "The courageous among us are called more often than others to sacrifice."

A still of Brain's face appears onscreen. Then Logan's words about him, "A great and fearless warrior in this battle died today..."

Alec snorted, "Great and fearless warrior'?"

Max still didn't say anything as a tear fell down her face, looking at Brain's picture. " ...a citizen called by his conscience and his heart to do what is difficult..."

Max sniffed and shook her head, "It doesn't matter what they say. I just want people to see him."

The broadcast continued, "Overlooked in his lifetime by all of us...I ask that you look at him now...see him as he should be seen: in death a hero, as in life a friend."

Max turned to Alec, then back to the screen, "You sold his TV's, didn't you?"

"No, not all of them. I'm gonna keep one for myself."

Max's eyebrows shot straight up, "You're moving in?"

"Well, Max, it's not like he needs the place anymore and it's bigger than my place. And closer to yours too..." Alec hinted

Alec turns and snaps at the guys at the doorway and two men push dollies in. They begin to remove five of the TV's.

Alec looked at the picture on Brain on the TV and he was thoughtful, "You know, I never really noticed, but...he's actually kind of magnificent!"

A tear runs down Max's cheek.

"Yeah.... He was. "

Alec put his arm around Max's shoulders and she leaned into him, crying on his shirt for the loss of a true friend

-------------------------------------
TBC

[phoenixnz]

Oh, Trina, that was sad. I didn't remember the episode at first, but now I do.

[lauraforever]

that beginning was awesome! Then I agree with Leanne

[There Is No Spoon]

Finally caught up.

Wow Trina, just awesome.

Looking forward to reading your next update.

[lauraforever]

Me too, hon! You got us faithful readers and reviewers!!

[Dana0715]

(From the episode "Borrowed Time")

Max woke up one morning in Alec's bed and turned to watch him sleep.

She was becoming confused. She thought she could handle just having a friendship with Alec, with the perk of sex on the side..... but the more she was in Alec's bed, the more she realized her feelings for him were becoming a lot deeper for him

She realized that she was moving on past Logan.... and she didn't really want that. She and Logan never really had a chance with each other. In Alec's arms, she'd forget all about the virus and finding the cure.... until a couple of days ago she found the address and phone number of a scientist that might could help

Carefully, Max got out of bed and got dressed. She found paper and pen and jotted a note to Alec, laying it next to him on the bed

She had to smile tenderly at him, he was lying on his stomach, naked, the blanket barely covering his ass and a bare leg sticking out from underneath the blanket

Alec was a bed hog, but she had a tendency to hog covers, which is why most of the blanket wasn't on him

She covered him better under the blanket, gave him a goodbye kiss on the cheek and left. The note was on the pillow next to him

As Max got on her motorcycle and cranked it, she realized she'd need to stay away from Alec unless there's a heat cycle. He was becoming addictive, and worming his way into her heart.... that in her mind, he didn't belong there.

Only Logan should be there

She headed to work. She'll contact the scientist later today to see if it's possible to find a cure for the virus she carries

----------------------------------
When Alec awoke, he reached over the mattress and realized it was empty. He raised his head in confusion and found the note

It read:

Alec,

I need some space. So other than the heat cycle, I can't do this again. I'm sorry. You are free to be with whoever you want, but as for me, I only love Logan and I'll fight to get rid of this virus.

Max

Alec wadded the paper and threw it across the room, once again jealous of Logan for having what HE wanted without even trying

But it's all good! One thing Alec tells people all the time, that he's always fine. He resorted now to locking his feelings up within him and not letting Max know how she effects him

That decided, he got out of bed and took a shower, getting ready for work

--------------------------------
Max had made an appointment to see the scientist the next evening, so she hung out at Crash with her friends after work, and they were all watching Alec take on one person after another in the game of pool, winning quite a bit of money on bets

Original Cindy carried some beer in a pitcher for her, Sketchy and Max. Logan is sitting on a barstool away from the others, writing something nearby, contemplating his recent break-up with Asha. She broke things off when she realized Logan still was not over Max, and she made it clear that she won't have any kind of a personal relationship with him as long as he is still carrying a torch for another woman. Strangely, Logan didn't feel sad over it, it was more like relief. She was right. His heart belonged to Max.... but after he himself broke it off with Max, he couldn't see how they could get back together, unless they find the cure to the virus. So he had been researching night and day trying to track down former Manticore scientists.

Alec was collecting money from a guy he has just beaten at pool.

"Thanks for playing. It's always a pleasure." He told the guy and begins to chuckle, feeling good about his win. He calls out, "OK, Who's next? Anybody?" He turns to Skecthy, "Sketchy, what do ya say, buddy?"

Sketch shook his head, "No, man, I already owe you two paychecks!"

"Come on! I'll let you break." Alec wheedled

Sketch shook his head adamantly, "No. Nope. Can't afford it."

Alec tried again, "I'll play left-handed. You can blindfold me."

"Uh uh! Forget it!"

Alec shrugged, "No? Okay." He looks at Max

Max shook her head too, "Nobody likes a showoff, Alec."

"Max, come on. Fifty bucks and you get to humble your old buddy Alec. What do you say?"

The look that passed between them said there would be a sexual offer in the deal too, but Max shook her head, "I don't think so."

Alec sighed, disappointed, "Well, thanks anyway." He looks around the pool room, "Anybody?" He asks different people. "You? You? You? Come on, it's not that...." He spots Logan and HE was the one guy that he would love to beat. "Logan! What do you say, pal? Wanna play me in a little game of pool?"

Logan looks up from his work, thinking about it, "Oh. Uh...I break?"

Alec shrugged, "Yeah."

Logan stood up, closing his notebook, "Ok. Rack 'em!"

SWEET! Alec thought jubilantly, glad to find someone to play. "Ha ha! It's all right."

Max turned to Sketchy, smiling, "Move over."

Max sets her drink down behind Sketchy and watches the game. Logan breaks and sinks several balls, apparently close to being a professional player. Alec whistles. Logan sinks another ball, and as he lines up his next shot, Alec leans in very closely next to Logan to watch, purposely distracting Logan.

Logan didn't look up from the pool table, concentrating on his shot, "Um... Alec?"

Alec still hadn't moved, "Yeah?"

"Could you stand back?"

Alec steps back, and Logan makes the shot.

Alec shook his head with amusement, "Well, well, well. Not too shabby."

Logan is about to shoot again and Alec leaned over to ask, "Can I, uh, get you another beer?"

Logan answered with a very short, "No."

Logan then misses the shot. Alec struts around the table now as Logan raises up

"You sure you don't need that drink Logan?"

Sketchy shook his head, "Oh man! He's gonna run it now."

Alec sinks three shots in a row, blowing on his cue stick afterwards. He sinks another shot and laughs, then jokingly indicates his cue stick, playing air guitar on it.

"I just wanna play it. It's just like a guitar, you know? It's beautiful man!"

Logan stood back, amused and waiting for his chance

Alec lines up his next shot.

"Corner pocket." Alec calls

Logan asked him, "You're sure you don't want to try a bank shot?"

Alec was lining up his shot and answered, "Oh, no. No, no. I'm sure."

Alec missed the shot, muttered an expletive and now Logan approaches the table again.

"Well.... Maybe not that sure." Alec chuckles as he moves aside

Logan sinks a shot and then lines up his next one. One ball is directly between the cue ball and the one Logan needs to sink in the side pocket. Sketchy and Alec lean in closely to examine the table, standing on each side of Logan.

Alec whistled, "Tricky shot."

Skectch encouraged, "Yeah, you can do it!"

Alec looked offended, "Hey Sketchy, where's the love, huh?"

Logan was standing straight up, working the cue stick to make his ball bounce over the other ball and make the shot. He finally spoke, "Guys?"

Alec was still looking at the pool table, "Hmm?"

"Beat it!" Logan tells them while concentrating

They step back. Logan hits the cue ball so that it jumps over the first ball and sinks the second.

Max proudly turned to OC, "You gotta admit, that was pretty cool."

OC shook her head, smiling, "Silly boys playing with their sticks and balls. I may vomit."

Logan lines up a shot at the eight-ball now to win the game. Alec leans toward him again, "Hey, Logan--another fifty bucks says you miss this shot."

Logan was concentrating completely on the shot, "You're on!"

Logan sinks the shot. Max smiles at Logan's win. Alec laughs and forks over the money to Logan good-naturedly

Max got up and brought a beer to Logan and said with a grin, "Nice game."

Logan takes the mug of beer from her and said, "Thanks."

Their fingers come very close to touching and Max and Logan look at each other in alarm.

Sketchy came over and slapped Logan on the back, "Dude, you rock!" and he shakes Logan's hand

Max whispered urgently to Logan, "Go wash your hands!"

Sketch thought Max was talking to him and he said, "What? I'm clean!"

Logan hands Sketchy the beer and steps into the bathroom quickly, confusing Sketch

Alec, from across the room, asks OC, "What's going on?"

OC answered sadly, "The whole love-bug dealio. After he beat your ass, Max handed him a beer and they might have touched and dosed him with the virus." OC turned to face Alec full on, pointing a finger under his nose, "And now would not be a good time for one of your smart-ass remarks."

"Aw OC! Hey, I hate to lose, but I'm not wishing the guy dead!"

OC looked like she was about to slap Alec, "WHAT did I just say?"

"I was being serious, OC."

Logan comes out of the bathroom and smiles with relief, trying to reassure Max.

"I'm okay." He announced to her

Max was mad at herself, "I could have killed you over a stupid game of pool."

Logan was trying to bring the smile back to her face, "Hey, I thought it was a very satisfying game of pool, actually. Want to get a drink?"

Max shook her head sadly, "Better not risk it. Um...I'm gonna go home." She leaves quickly, Logan standing there in shock

-----------------------------------
At a junkyard, a man closes the gates for the night. On the gate is a sign that says "WARNING: GUARD DOG ON DUTY." The man talks to a dog standing nearby.

"Good boy, Chopper. Way to stand guard."

He picks the dog up and you see the dog is stuffed. He carries the dog to another area of the junkyard

Later, the junkyard owner talks to the stuffed dog while flattening aluminum cans.

"Back in the day, they'd give you ten cents a can. Ten cents! Nowadays, you'd be lucky if you get ten cents a pound. I'm tellin' you, Chopper--it's gettin' harder and harder to make a livin' every day."

He hears a clattering noise and looks up nervously

"You hear that?" He asked the stuffed dog. He grabs a gun and a flashlight, still talking to the stuffed dog. "Shh. Stay. Stay, Chopper, stay!"

He gets up to investigate the noise, walking among the junked cars. There's a dinosaur-like creature, fashioned similar to a large ant-eater with a long snout. The junkyard owner peers above one car. The thing screeches, and the man screams. A wad of slime hits him in the face and he falls over. He gropes for his gun, but before he can reach it, the creature drags him away, screaming.

------------------------------------
At Joshua's house, Max is sitting at the desk with books and papers spread in front of her. She keeps glancing at the Manticore tech's notes, which are still stuck to Joshua's painting. Joshua and Alec accidentally used Max's formula papers for art and then sold the painting to a gallery. Joshua got it back when he realized the mistake and now Max is sitting in front of the painting, looking over some of the papers

Max was talking to herself, "F divided by xy...no, xz. It's gotta be right. That Manticore creep coulda been onto something and didn't even know it!"

Joshua was still apologetic, "Sorry for painting over your virus papers, Max."

"It's okay Big Fella. I can still make out most of it. It's just this function that's screwing me up. f(x1) times delta x equals...what is that??" She pointed at something on the paper

Joshua looks closely at it, crouching next to where Max is sitting.

"It's a squiggle." Joshua told her, then nods, confirming it. "Just a squiggle."

Max was still concentrating, "It could be an approximate sign. f(x1) times delta x is approximately equal to delta q. The messenger RNA would codify an interruption in the protein strand, the DNA wouldn't be able to replicate, and the virus would hit a dead end."

Joshua shook his head, "No. It's a squiggle." He rubs the page with his finger and the squiggle disappears. "See?"

"Yeah. Still...it makes sense."

Joshua turned to Max, grinning, "So the virus b!tch is going down?"

"Could be! You know, I never would've caught this if you hadn't painted over my papers Joshua."

Max starts gathering her things to leave

Joshua was always sad to see his Little Fella go, "Oh, you gotta blaze?"

Max turned to Joshua as she shrugged into her jacket, "I'm gonna see if I'm on the right track. Thanks, Big Fella."

------------------------------------
Later, Max is sitting in a cluttered lab while a man in a lab coat looks over her notes, shaking his head.

Max was direct as usual, "You're shaking your head. Why are you shaking your head? Are my calculations wrong? "

The lab tech looks up at Max, "Well, they're not so much wrong as not right."

He set everything down on the table and asked Max, "You never told me where this virus, uh, came from. Do you mind my asking?"

Max answered snidely, "A secret government agency gave it to me, hoping I'd give it to a friend of mine they were looking to kill."

The lab tech shrugged, "Okay, fine. You don't want to tell me, don't tell me."

Max waved the remark away and answered, "Whatever. Serves me right for getting my hopes up."

The lab tech held up his hands, "Hey, you're not gonna start crying, are you?"

Max peered at him like he was crazy. Her eyes were perfectly dry. She held out her hand in frustration, "Just gimme my papers!"

"Okay, hold on, hold on. Your numbers were off a little bit, but the theory behind them's viable."

"Which part?"

"Well, the whole luring-the-virus-into-a-protein-dead-end part. It's pretty cool. It has a kind of Pied-Piper-ness to it, you know, with a little Dirty Harry thrown in there." He lowered his voice to sound like Clint Eastwood, "Take that, you damned dirty virus!'

Max doesn't laugh at his joke. He clears his throat nervously

"So you're saying you can make it work?" Max asked

"Yeah. Yeah, all I need is a blood sample. And, um...twenty thousand dollars."

------------------------------
At Jam Pony the next day, Max is discussing the whole issue with Original Cindy as they had to their lockers to start work

OC was giving advice as usual, "You ask me, twenty large is still a small price to pay for you and Logan to get together."

Max sounded slightly morose, "I just want to know I'm not gonna kill the guy if, say, I...touch his hand by accident."

OC grinned knowingly, "Or if, say, you spend a long weekend making hot monkey love to the man...by accident." Max laughs at the joke and OC continues, "Does he know about the man with the cure?"

Max shook her head no, "I'm gonna try to get my hands on the cash first. I don't want to have to owe him again if this guy falls through."

OC leaned against a locker and asked Max, "How you gonna get the money?"

Max smirked, "I'm gonna sell my soul."

OC pointed at Alec, who was getting his things out of his locker to start his workday, "Well Boo, there's the devil." OC and Max exchange knowing glances as OC walks away, leaving Max and Alec alone

Max approaches Alec, trying to find a way to begin this conversation

"What are you doing tonight?" Max asked, then cursed herself for how that sounded

Alec quirked an eyebrow, "And why do you ask?"

Max folded her arms and leaned back against the lockers, "Got word from this fence I know. There's a collector willing to pay top dollar for Star Wars: Episode VII. After the Pulse, they shut down production. Apparently this is the only footage that exists."

"Is that the one where Captain Kirk dies?"

Max shrugged, "I guess. Anyway, the reel's locked up in a vault at the Fox Building in Belltown."

Alec dropped his backpack on a bench next to him and peered at Max inquisitively, "Maxie, are you asking ME to steal something with you?"

"It's a two-man job. It will be both of us."

Alec insincerely stated, "Maxie! I'm shocked. I don't do that kind of stuff anymore. I mean, you yourself showed me the error of my ways."

Max knew Alec too well and said, "Did I mention your take is twenty grand?"

Alec's smile was genuine this time, "What time do I pick you up?"

--------------------------------
In Max's apartment, Max and Alec are going over some blueprints, both dressed in burglar black and sitting on the floor

Max was pointing at different locations on the blueprints, "There's security stationed here, here, and here. They do rounds and rotations. We'll have a thirty-second gap when the entrance guard relieves the lobby guard. Once you're past that point, smooth sailing. In and out in five minutes."

Alec had to tease her a little, "So. Does this qualify as stealing from a bad guy, or do you have a new handy excuse for swiping something that doesn't belong to you?"

It was obvious Max was rationalizing, "Hey, people have the right to see this stuff. It shouldn't be locked up in a vault."

Alec nodded, "Right! Oh, of course, yeah. That Murdoch's one evil fiend."

Max got back down to business, "Just stick to the plan. Trust me--it'll be the easiest money you've ever made."

-----------------------------------
Later, Max and Alec wait in a closet. The proximity bothers both of them and they get testy with each other

Alec was complaining hightly, "'Trust me', she says. 'We'll be in and out in five minutes,' she says... We've been in here for an HOUR!"

"Shut up!" Max hissed

Alec took a deep breath, and that didn't help because he could smell Max's shampoo, which brought back memories of it being in his pillows too. "Check and see if the guards are still there."

Max opens the slats on the door and peeks through

"Still there." she tells him and closes the slats

"How many?"

"Two."

Alec couldn't believe his ears! "Two?? Max, we're transgenic, remember? I think we can take 'em!"

Max whispered urgently, "Not before they trip the alarm. Better wait for the next shift change."

Max opens the slats looks straight ahead through them again, occasionally checking on the guards. Alec is clearly irritated... and frustrated. The closet is tiny, barely enough room for him and Max together and she kept moving, apparently not able to stand still.

Alec finally grabbed her shoulders and still her, not daring to touch anything else. He knew his limits

"If I have to be trapped in a damned closet with you Max, it is in your best interest to stay STILL!"

Max now realized what was happening, judging by the hard-on against her back. She made herself stay still and watch the guards. Once Alec got himself under control, he decided to talk about ANYTHING to keep their minds occupied

"Hey! Wanna know what I'm doing with my share of the money?"

"No!" Max said

Alec was a little miffed by that, "Fine! Rude, but fine. What are you gonna do with yours?"

"Donate it to charity." Max said snidely

Alec snorted, "Yeah, right. I'm thinking, what? New motorcycle? New apartment? New boyfriend?" Max went stiff in front of him, and he watched her carefully, "New DNA markers for current boyfriend maybe?"

"He's not my boyfriend!" Max said quietly

Alec had HAD it now! "Argh! I can't BELIEVE this. I've been stuck in this closet for over an hour to facilitate you having sex with LOGAN! That's what I've been reduced to. I'm a pimp!!"

Max was still watching the guards, choosing not to say anything

"OK..... Tell me--tell me that he's worth all this trouble, Max. I mean, tell me how he...how he rocks your world. Something! Anything!! Because this better be worth it!"

Max still says nothing.

"The star-crossed lovers syndrome! This is GREAT! Could you two possibly be more lame?"

Max was speaking through clenched teeth now, "Not that this is any of your business, but...with me and Logan, it was just never the right time."

"Oh yeah, yeah, sure. I can see how the right time might elude you...for a friggin' YEAR!"

Max peeks through the door slats again, ignoring Alec

Max was back to being all business, "Guards are gone. Let's get the film and get the hell out of here!"

"Great idea! I'm getting claustrophobic!"

---------------------------------
Max and Alec succeeded in their heist and split the money 50/50, which gave Max the money needed to pay the lab tech.

She was back at the lab, triumphantly passing the money to him. Max watches while the lab tech counts her cash.

" ...ninety-seven, ninety-eight, ninety-nine, twenty thousand. Okay, so let's do this. Roll up your sleeve."

Max does so and the lab tech begins injecting her with a shot of something. "The immunoglobulin's going to take a quick lap through your system. It's going to neutralize any virulent cells in your bloodstream." He finishes the injection and stands, giving her a band-aid. "There you go!"

Max put the band-aid on her arm, "How do I know it worked?"

The lab tech has Max look into a microscope. She sees purple spots being surrounded by green circles.

The lab tech explained, "You see the little green circles? Those are antibodies. They're completely encasing the virus nuclei and protein coating."

Max looked up at him hopefully, "So it's working??"

The lab tech nodded, "Yeah. Yeah, this thing's completely dead in its tracks."

Max's smile was wide and happy, "I'm cured? I can't believe it!!"

The lab tech enjoyed her happiness, "Yeah, this thing couldn't hurt a flea now. I mean, it's totally--" He looks into the microscope again and says, "Uh-oh!"

Max panicked, "Uh-oh? What do you mean, uh-oh? Uh-ohs are NEVER good!"

The lab tech stuttered, "Uhhhh...this virus, uh, is mutating!"

She pushed him away from the microscope to peer in and see for herself, "Mutating how??"

"Well, the little buggers are eating through the protein coating. I mean, once they do that, the virus is back in business." He looks at Max, concerend, "You're, uh, you're not gonna cry, are you?"

She was fighting tears this time, "How long until the coating is history?"

"Well, at the rate they're going, thirteen, maybe fourteen hours. I wouldn't put it past twelve, though, just to be on the safe side. I mean, I can say with complete confidence you'll be virus-free for twelve hours."

Max sets her clock on her pager for twelve hours. Due to traffic it took her a while to get to Logan's apartment, but she called him and said she had something important to tell him and she'd meet him that evening at his apartment

When Max arrived, she stands outside Logan's door. She looks at her pager, which she has set to run as a stopwatch; it says 10:51:01. Logan opens the door since he heard her outside.

"Got a minute?" Max asked softly, wringing her hands nervously

Logan gestures for her to come inside and closes the door. Max moves to sit on a chair, Logan moves to the couch, taking a sip of his vodka

Max was holding a bottle of wine, and she set it down and takes off her coat. She obviously changed clothes and has dressed up a little.

Logan definitely noticed the off the shoulder black blouse and the new hip hugger jeans. He finally broke the silence, "What did you want to talk about?"

Max decided to begin the way she has rehearsed it all the way over here, "Let me ask you a hypothetical question."

Logan smirked, "Those are my favorite kind."

Max was obviously nervous, "Supposing...just supposing...I found a temporary cure for the virus."

Logan quirked an eyebrow, "Is there such a thing?"

"That's where the supposing part comes in."

"Um.. Okay. Uh, hypothetically, how long would this temporary cure last?"

Max pulls out her pager from her jacket as Logan watches. She glances at it and then tells him, "Ten hours and fifty minutes."

Logan set his drink down, staring at Max in shock, "You're serious!"

Max nods.

Logan was trying to put it all together in his mind, "So we can touch and nothing will happen?"

Max gave a flirtatious smile, "I don't know about NOTHING, but you won't die."

Logan sits back in shock and completely overwhelmed. "Oh, my...!"

Max hurried to say, "We have to think about this. Because when it's over, it's over. No repeats."

Logan was staring into space and nodding, "We'd be back where we started."

"Exactly! I mean.... Ten hours seems like a long time, but it isn't. Not really."

Logan gave her a sizzling look that nearly floored her, "It'll HAVE to be long enough."

Max smiled, "I was SO hoping you'd say that. We've got ten hours."

Logan stood, walking toward her, "Evidently."

Max stood and started walking toward him, "We've been waiting for the right time. Here it is!"

Once they stood in front of each other, Logan holds out his hand to her. She slowly takes it and when nothing happens, they both smile, ecstatic. Logan strokes her face and leans in to kiss her. She stops him.

She laughs nervously, "I don't...I can't believe I'm gonna go girly on you, but...I don't want to blow this on a quickie. It should be perfect."

He tried to charm her to change her mind, "Perfect! How about a perfect quickie?"

Max laughs and hands him the bottle of wine she brought

"Open this first" she told him

Logan resigned himself and took the wine from her. There's ten hours to play with, why rush?

---------------------------------------
At Crash, Alec sits at the bar and finishes a drink. He knew exactly where Max was tonight and what she was going to do and it pissed him off. He couldn't help but feel jealous of Logan, but he knew he and Max never had the connection that she and Logan has.

Alec slaps his glass down on the bar and signals, "Barkeep! Another scotch!

He sees Asha down at the end of the bar. She looks up from the book she's reading and meets his eyes... and Alec had a plan forming in his own mind

If he can't have Max, then by God he'll have the blonde that Logan doesn't want

"And a, uh, tequila shot for the pretty blonde."

He slides his glass down toward the end of the bar, where Asha is sitting. She shakes her head at Alec

"That's all right. I was just leaving."

She began gathering her things and Alec tried to persuade her

"All right, but once you hear the good news about Max and Logan, you might be wanting that drink."

This got Asha's attention and she walked down to where Alec was sitting, asking, "What news?"

Alec handed her a drink and announced, "Why don't you fortify yourself first?"

They clink glasses and Alec says, "Bottom's up!"

Asha nods and takes the drink, Alec gulps down his too, slamming the glass down on the bar

----------------------------------
Back at Logan's apartment

In Logan's kitchen, Max and Logan are sitting at a counter and sipping wine.

Max had told how she got the money for this temporary cure, and Logan was laughing at the story, "So how long were you and Alec stuck in the closet?"

"About an hour. He was yapping the entire time." Max rolled her eyes

They both laugh, knowing how Alec can complain a lot

Logan took a drink of his wine, nodding, "He's a yapper alright!" Then he chuckles and says, "Yeah, I can imagine, stuck in the closet with Alec--" He gave her a serious look now and said, "You're pretty much describing my worst nightmare."

It went right over Max's head. Logan had his own jealousy issues toward Alec and the thought of Max and Alec in that close of proximity for a whole hour brought up the jealous streak, but being the gentleman he is, he tried to rein it in. She's here NOW and she went through all that trouble for HIM, not for Alec.

Max continued talking, "It was worth it, though. It got me here."

They look at each other longingly

Logan caressed her cheek and her hair, "It feels like old times."

Max reached out to touch him too, "I'd say it's even better."

They kiss each other slowly. Max's heart was pounding in a jubilant dance. She FINALLY will be with the man she loves, even if it's just one time

---------------------------------
At Crash, Alec and Asha are drinking lots of beer and doing lots of tequila shots together. Asha was obviously getting very drunk

Asha raises her glass in a toast, "Logan and Max."

Alec raises his glass and affirms, "Max and Logan!"

"Every happiness!"

"Ha!" Alec replied, gulping a shot and Asha does the same

Asha was leaning heavily on her arm and looking off into the distance in a dreamy manner, "Wonder what they're doing right now."

Alec shoots her a knowing look.

Asha saw it and said with a slur, "You know what I mean. Logan's so romantic--I bet he made her dinner. Wine...candles...I bet it's perfect!"

Alec picked up another shot and answered sarcastically, "Yeah, that sounds like them. I mean, why consummate two years of unbridled passion when we can have PASTA?"

Asha glared at him, "You're a pig. You don't know anything about love."

Alec hid his inner feelings for Max and simply answered, going on the offensive "Well, I know more than you think. Besides, YOU'RE a liar."

Asha was offended, "How so??"

Alec pointed his shot glass to her, "Because YOU don't wish them all the happiness in the world; you want Logan for yourself. I mean, come on! You had it all dialed in when Max was back at Manticore, presumed dead. You and Logan, doing your hero thing, spending hours together in his fancy little apartment, all tuned up about the ways of the world. It was a good time for you, right?"

Asha sounded wistful, "Yeah, he was thinking about Max every second of every day. He never believed she was dead. And when she came back, he was the happiest I'd ever seen him. Why couldn't I make him that happy??"

"Well it was happiness until they realized the virus thing goin' on..."

Asha leaned toward Alec, "Even with the virus, they never gave up on each other completely. And no matter how I feel about it, I have to respect that." She leaned back now in her chair and pointed to Alec for emphasis, "Because THAT, my friend, is true love."

Alec snorted derisively, "Yeah, right. Have they ever even once said 'I love you? No. No. Max...Max would choke on the words. Logan...eh, he'd say it, in an email."

He began mocking Max, "'He's not my boyfriend. We were never even like that. It was never the right time.'

Then he shook his head, a slight buzz from the alcohol kicking in, "No, Logan is a repressed WASP and Max is a...a broken toy. The two of them will never work out together."

Asha announced to him, "And YOU are cynical!"

Alec leaned forward on the table, emphasizing his words to Asha, "No darlin'. I'm someone who believes in going after what he wants, and damn the consequences."

He pointed at her and spoke emphatically, "When you've been dead a hundred years, little girl, you have only just BEGUN to be dead. We're living on borrowed time. And if you don't put your heart out there on the line, then you're never really living at all."

His staring into Asha's eyes were so intense, it almost took her breah. His voice deepened seductively, "If I loved someone, I'd tell 'em. And if I wanted someone, then I would let her know. Straight up....... Asha?.... I want you."

Asha's eyes widened and Alec tempted her, "Come home with me."

-----------------------------------
At his house, Joshua is painting. He takes a minute to read the label on the paint can out loud.

"Warning: Use only in well-ventilated areas...headaches...dizziness..." His eyes widen as he continues reading. "Could cause harmful health risk..."

Joshua drops the paint can and runs outside and takes deep gulps of air. He catches a scent of something with his sensitive doggy nose and follows the scent down the porch and to the grating in the street outside his house. Throwing the grating aside, he climbs down into the sewer and notices some slime on a pipe. He sniffs it and says..."Gossamer!"

Joshua tracks the scent through the sewers and emerges in another part of town. He covers his face a little with his hair. A man leaves a bakery across the street. Joshua sniffs around the bakery.

"Gossamer. Smell Gossamer!"

Joshua tracks the scent, which is trailing behind the man who left the bakery. The man turns around and notices Joshua following him.

The man become belligerent, "All right, man, who are you and why are you-- "

His eyes widen when he sees Joshua's half dog/half human face. "Oh, my God!"

They hear a screech and turn toward the sound. A wad of slime lands on the man's face. Joshua fights off the creature and it gets away from Joshua

-------------------------------
In Logan's apartment, Max and Logan are dancing a slow dance, looking to each other's eyes and enjoying the romantic moment

Logan whispered huskily, "Max...there's something I've been wanting to tell you...for a long time."

Max placed her arms over Logan's shoulders, linking her hands behind his neck during the slow dance, and answered, "Yeah...me, too.. but you first."

This is it! Max thought! This is the moment! I can't wait!

"Max, I--"

Joshua bursts in and startles them.

When Joshua saw their embrace, he averted his eyes and said, "Stop! Stop getting busy, please!"

Max was ready to clobber Joshua for ruining the moment, "Joshua! what are you doing here?!"

"Gossamer!"

"Say What??"

Joshua turned back to them, seeing their just standing side by side now instead of in an embrace, "On the loose. He's hurting people Max."

Logan raised a hand and said, "Gossamer. Okaaay..... What is that, some kind of Manticore thing?"

Joshua nodded and grabbed Max by the arm, "Max and Joshua have to stop him. That's the plan. So come!"

She pulls away from his grip. Max was pleading

"No! Joshua, not now! Can't this wait--" She grabs Logan's wrist and checks his watch...... "--nine hours and twenty minutes?"

Joshua shakes his head and pulls on Max again while she resists.

Joshua said, "No! Must go! Now! Now!!"

Max was now beginning to whine, something she doesn't normally do, "Joshua, you don't understand!!"

Joshua was emphatic, "Now!! NOW!!"

Logan shuts off the music with a remote, resigned and then he steps between Joshua and Max

"Hey! Let's all calm down here, OK??"

He turned to Max with a resigned sigh, "Look. If this thing is hurting people, then..."

Max was frustrated and took it out on Logan, since he was right there, "Can my life SUCK any harder??"

-------------------------------
(Alec's apartment)

Alec and Asha come through the door of Alec's new apartment

Alec was shutting the door, "Here we are! Well, make yourself at home. I'll, uh, get us a drink."

He heads to the kitchen while Asha makes her way slowly to the couch, "Thanks. My feet are killing me!"

Yawning, Asha sits on the couch and begins to take one boot. Alec takes a bottle from the cupboard and pours drinks.

He waved the bottle, "I got this bad boy from an old guy down on the waterfront who, uh, specializes in pre-Pulse small batch, of all things. Turn on some music if you want. I got that tricked-out stereo out of a dumpster, if you can believe it."

There was no response from Asha. He turns to the living room and sees she's passed out on his couch with one boot still on

Once Alec realized nothing was going to happen tonight, he set the bottle down and walked into the living room. He removes the boot she still wore and gently places her legs on the couch and covers her with a blanket.

He walks to the bathroom to take a cold shower. He really needed one now!

----------------------------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

I totally love it, hon!

[Dana0715]

-------------------------------------
In Logan's apartment

Max was pacing agitatedly and questioning Joshua, "You're sure he's dangerous?"

He nodded, "Max, he's hurting people!"

She sighs, resigned, "Then I guess we have to stop him."

Logan was sitting in front of his computer typing, then turned back to Max, "Well, first we gotta find him."

"He's in the sewers by my house." Joshua said

Logan nodded, "That makes sense. If it can't move in plain sight, it'd have to use the sewer system to move around."

"Doesn't exactly narrow things down though" Max reiterated

Logan turned to Joshua and asked, "Where'd you catch up with it?"

Joshua was trying to come up with the right words, "Um.... Little--Little Debbies?"

Max nodded, "Bakery. Sector five." and turned to the computer montior while Logan pulled up a GPS overlay of the area

"Well, our best bet's probably to start there and backtrack towards Joshua's place." Logan said

Max stared at the map, "That's a lot of ground to cover!"

"Max and Joshua can cover ground!" Joshua announced

"No way!" Max tells him

"Yes!" Joshua responded

"No! Big Fella....No! I can't chase this thing down and worry about you, too! You know it's not safe for you out there."

Joshua growls a sigh and sits in the corner to thumb through Logan's books dejectedly

She turned to Logan and asked, "Should I ask for Alec's help?"

Logan leaned back in his desk chair and thought about it. At least Alec would keep Max alive, and two transgenics are better than one. "That's an idea. I'll talk to Matt Sung, see if there's any other reports about this thing. Maybe I can figure out its M.O."

Max lifts Logan's arm again and checks his watch, "We've only got eight hours and fifty-three minutes."

"But people getting hurt takes precedence."

Logan pulled her down to him for a kiss. Then Max was starting to leave and came back, and kissed Logan again quickly.

Their foreheads were touching as they looked into each other's eyes. Max was nearly at the point of tears, "Why do I feel like I'm kissing you goodbye?"

Logan felt that he had to be the strong one and he pushed her gently toward the door, "Go!"

They kiss once more and then she leaves.

-------------------------------------
In Alec's apartment

Max barged into Alec's apartment without knocking, calling for him, "Alec? Alec??"

She notices the sleeping form on the couch and walks over to it, shaking it. "Hey, wake up."

Asha uncovers her face sleepily from under the blanket and peers up at Max, "Oh, hey, Max!"

Max stepped back in shock, "Asha??"

Alec heard the commotion and emerges from the bathroom, soaking wet and wearing only a towel. Max sees him and gulps

Alec noticed her stare. Good! At least she's not totally immune to him!!

"What?" Alec asked, not bothering to get dressed

She approached Alec, steeling herself, "I need your help. Can you get dressed?"

Alec could tell that it had to be important, so he shrugged and said, "OK" and walked to the bedroom.

"Please hurry!" Max called out to him

She checks her pager. It says 8:34:14.

Shortly afterward, Max and Alec walk down the street together to hunt the Gossamer

Max caught Alec up on what was going on.

"So! One of the gossamers is loose in the big city, huh?"

Max was wide-eyed, "You're saying there's more than one?"

"Oh, yeah, there's a bunch of 'em. Manticore used 'em to track down targets on scent. You know, X4 gone rogue? Give Gossamer one of those T-shirts, let him smell it--wouldn't stop 'til the kid was found."

"What'd he do to the target once he found him?"

Alec shrugged, "Oh, it all depends. You know, some of them were bred for retrieval, so they'd disable the subject and wait for the handlers to come pick him up. Others were bred for elimination. Now THOSE were some pretty bad-ass guys, let me tell you!"

Max shuddered, "I hope we're not dealing with one of those."

"Well, either way, they all have this goo that shoots out of their mouth. Stuns the victims."

Max wrinkled her nose, "Goo??"

"Yep! Goo."

"That's terrific!" Max said sarcastically

"Hey! Should be fun. So where do you want to start looking?"

They stood at a sewer opening and Max answered, "We start with the sewers."

It was Alec's turn to wrinkle his nose. He was very sarcastic with her, "Oh. My. God! The sewers!! I mean, I haven't got to crawl around in a stinkin' tunnel with you for about two weeks! It's not like I had anything better to do tonight!"

Max remembered seeing Asha at Alec's apartment and turned on him, "Well, so sorry this interrupts your evening!!"

Alec enjoyed her display of anger. It definitely means she feels SOMETHING for him, somewhere within. He crossed his arms in front of him and rubbed more salt in the wound. "Yeah, it was the funniest thing. I mean, here I am, hanging out at Crash bar with Asha, who I hardly know I might add, and it just seemed to be the right time. How 'bout you Max?"

Max looks away and Alec laughed, guessing correctly

"Oh, come on! I mean, now that the virus is out of the way, right?"

"I don't want to talk about it. Just get in the sewers!"

Alec was still laughing and shaking his head, "You guys crack me up!"

Alec's cell phone rings before he descends into the sewer. He sees it's Logan and he answers.

"Hello?..... Logan! Hey, we were just talking about you."

Max reaches for the phone and Alec jumps back from her reach, still talking to Logan. "Hey, you called me, pal.... Yeah, she's right here. Hold on."

Alec hands the phone to Max. She takes it with a smile and steps a short distance away to talk privately.

"Hey." She checks her pager and says, "Eight hours and ten minutes. Tell me you got something!"

In his apartment, Logan is at the computer while Joshua pokes around with Logan's equipment.

"Talked to Sung. There was another attack earlier tonight, about four miles west of Joshua's place. Irving Green."

"Any connections between the two victims?"

"Kind of. Uh, I talked to Irving's wife and she mentioned that he'd had a cavity filled yesterday."

Logan was now distracted becaushe Joshua begins pulling the ribbon out of a cassete tape. Logan snaps his fingers and motions for him to put the tape down. "The guy that, uh, Joshua saw grabbed, Hal Johnson, had also just been to the dentist."

"Same dentist?" Max asked

"Yep! Dr. Carlos Rabell."

Max was thinking, "Hmm. Alec says Gossamer's trying to sniff for stuff."

"Well, maybe whatever Manticore trained him to find is, uh, at the dentist's office."

"All right. I'm going underground; leave a message in case I don't have a signal."

"Okay." Logan hangs up and turns to check on Joshua

"Gossamer going down?" Joshua asked

Logan stood, "Yeah. Uh, I'm gonna check out a lead."

Joshua starts to follow but Logan stops him.

"Um...remember what Max said to you Big Fella?"

Joshua rolled his eyes like a child would, "Stay put, it's not safe, blah blah blah."

"That's right. So...you lay low, and don't touch anything, and there's some food in the fridge."

That was the wrong thing to say to Joshua because he raided Logan's fridge and pulled out everything, taking it to the living room and pigging on on junk food, pizza and sodas

-----------------------------------
Logan sneaks into Dr. Rabell's darkened office, using a credit card to open the locked door.

Logan mumbles grumpily to himself, "Eight hours to be with the girl of my dreams, and I'm at the freakin' dentist's office!"

He looks around with a flashlight, smiling when he finds the file he's looking for.

He opens the file reading, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah."

At the same time, Max and Alec are walking through the sewers. Alec notices how she keeps checking her pager

"Got an appointment or something? You keep checking the time."

Max snapped, "Don't worry about it. So are you and blondie an item, or is she just another one in Alec's LONG line of conquests?"

"Jealous Maxie?" She shoots him a look and he shrugs, still smiling, "Asha's a good kid. For the record, nothing happened. Why? Did you want to double-date? Or maybe a menage-trois?"

She hits him on the arm and answers sarcastically, "Oh, yeah! Sounds like fun! NOT!!"

In the dentist's office, Logan finds a tray of small cylinders and picks one up, using his flashlight to get a closer look

A sound comes from the hallway, causing Logan to look up. The thing approaches Logan, snarling.

Logan dials his cell phone and gets Alec's voice mail.

The message says, "Hey, this is Alec's cell phone. Leave me a message and I'll call you back."

Logan left a message, "Hey! It's me. Listen, I think I know what Gossamer's after. I know it doesn't get us any closer to his location, but--"

He stops and turns to look as something breaks into the dentist's office with a loud screech, running toward him and sliming him

--------------------------------------
In the sewers, Max checks her pager again. It says 6:43:09.

Alec's mood was getting worse and worse, "This has been SUCH a fun night, Max. I want to thank you, really. First I get to spend an hour and a half with you in a dark closet. Now my evening's gonna end in this f*cking sewer!"

"Shut up Alec!"

Alec snickered, "Boy! Two years of waiting on a night with Logan has REALLY made you tense. I can help with that!"

"I don't think so!" Max answered

"C'mon Maxie. My night's thwarted and so is yours. We can do a quickie right here?"

"In the smelly disgusting sewers?? F*ck you Alec! I'm NOT quite that kind of girl!"

They see some slime on the wall.

Max points it out, "Oh, look. It's here!"

Max and Alec emerge from the sewer at the junkyard, clearly disgusted at the slime on the entrance.

Alec looked around saying, "Hey! Check this place out!"

"We should split up." Max started to walk away and turned back to Alec pointing. They said the words at the same time, "Be careful!"

They split up and begin searching among the junked cars.

Alec was whistling like he was calling a dog, "Gossamer! Here, boy!" He pauses when he sees something. His eyes widen and he says, "Uh-oh!" just before he got slimed right in the face

Alec's cell phone, which Max is still carrying, beeps. She opens it; the screen reads "1 Call Unanswered." She calls the number back as she continues to look around.

"Come on, Logan, pick up!" she mutters

Max hears Logan's cell phone ringing somewhere in the junkyard. She pulls Alec's cell phone away from her ear, following the ringing.

"Logan??" she calls out in the junkyard, following the ringing sound until she finds him in a junked police cruiser, completely covered in slime. She pulls some of it off his face. He's passed out

She tries lightly patting his face, "Logan. Logan, wake up!"

She tries to open the car door, to no avail. She turns around and her eyes widen; the gossamer is standing on a car nearby. With a screech, it slimes her.

Max wakes up to find herself trapped in dried slime in the passenger seat next to Logan.

She tries to wiggle and asks, "Logan? Logan?"

Alec was in the backseat and groans, saying, "Are we there yet?"

Max couldn't turn her head to see him, so she asked, "Alec? Can you get out?"

"Yeah, I just thought I'd hang around. You know, 'cause it's so damned COMFY back here!!"

Max laid her head back against the seat in defeat, "You can't move either?"

Logan wakes up and groggily asks, "Where are we?"

"Some junkyard. Gossamer musta brought you here." Max answered

A man's voice calls out from nearby.

"Hey! Is somebody there?? HELP!!"

Logan heard it and asked Max, "What was that?"

Another voice called out, "Hey! Get us out of here!"

Alec asked from the back seat, "Who's 'us'?"

The other men who have been slimed call out from various areas of the junkyard. They are trapped as well.

The second voice makes introductions, "I'm Hal. That's Irving. Then there's Gordie."

Gordie yells out, "I own the place! Get us out before that thing comes back and eats us!!"

Alec muttered, "Actually, Gossamer's an herbivore. He only kills for sport."

Max blew her bangs out of her eyes in frustration, she couldn't move her arms or legs, "Great! That's good to know." She calls out to everyone, "We're gonna get everybody out. Just hang tight." Then in a lower voice she asks Alec and Logan, "Do you have any idea what Gossamer wants?"

Logan nodded, "It turns out the dentist was using Keveral to fill cavities."

"What's Keveral?"

"It's a material used in weapon casings and body-armor plating. My guess is Manticore trained this thing to track down enemy soldiers by targeting the stuff.

Gordie apparently heard the conversation because he told them from a nearby car, "Great! I'm gonna die with armor plating in my teeth!"

Hal was getting scared and yelled out, "I don't want to die!"

Max tries to calm everyone, "No one's gonna die!!"

In a lower voice she muttered, "I hope"

She turns her head to Logan, "So this quack didn't fill your cavities. Why'd it go after you?"

Logan was looking kind of sheepish, "I was holding the Keveral when it slimed me."

Alec was struggling in the back seat, only his face can be seen, the rest of his body was covered in dried goo. "Please!! Can we just concentrate on getting the hell out of here before this goo monster comes back??"

Max thought of something, "Joshua! He'll get us out!"

Logan looked at Max like she lost her marbles, "Joshua...the same Joshua we told to not leave my apartment? That Joshua??"

--------------------------------
In Logan's living room, Joshua is snoring on the couch. Empty pizza boxes and food crumbs are everywhere. He wakes up and burps loudly.

He looks around and calls out, "Max? Logan?"

Then he starts following their scents out the door....

(In the junkyard)

Max was almost in tears, "I can't believe how screwed up all this is!!"

Logan, always calm, nodded, "I know."

Alec began muttering again in the back seat, "And to think.... I thought my night was gonna end up in a sewer. I wish!!"

Max tried to turn around to look at Alec, "For the last time, shut the f*ck up!!"

Alec wriggled again, his voice just as frustrated, "You know, it's YOUR fault that I am sitting here in this monster saliva to begin with! You're the one that dragged me here!!"

Logan was trying to stay calm, "It's not her fault Alec."

Max was staring out the window sadly, "Yeah, right. It's not my fault. It's just my LIFE."

She turned her head to Logan with tears puddling in her eyes, "Even if we get out of this, what happens tomorrow, Logan? We still have the nomlies, and Manticore, and all fates against us. I shoulda known that one night was just too damn much to ask!"

Logan peered at her sadly too and asked, "How much time do we have left?"

Max looked so defeated to Logan, "Not enough!"

He sighed, staring out at the stars in the sky, "Oh, Max...it wouldn't have been enough anyway. We knew that."

Alec was finally understanding what was being said and he yelled, "Whoa! Whoa! WHOA!! Call me slow on the uptake, but am I getting the distinct impression that this virus thing is still hanging around?? That SUCKS!!"

Logan looked in the rearview mirror, meeting Alec's eyes, "Hey Alec? Shut up!"

-----------------------------------
Joshua follows his nose to the dentist's office. Slime is everywhere and there was an obvious struggle

Joshua sniffs the air, then says, "Logan??"

Joshua follows his nose to the sewers and catches more scents

"Logan...Gossamer...Max and Alec!"

Joshua follows their scents up a ladder and into the junkyard

Max was still throwing her pity party

"I'm so sorry Logan"

"It's not your fault Max"

Joshua walks through the junkyard, following the scents of his friends

Joshua calls out, "Max? Logan? Alec??"

Max begins bouncing in her seat. Finally! Something is going right!! "Joshua! Joshua, in here! Joshua!"

Alec called out to him too, "Hey, buddy! Up here!!"

Joshua appears at the car window, apologizing. "I didn't stay put."

Max and Logan spoke together, "That's okay!"

Alec answered, "Just get us outta here! Please!"

Max was coaching Joshua as he pulled the dried slime off of Max, "Come on. Come on, hurry up!"

Once Max was freed, Joshua turned to the back seat

Alec was so grateful to his friend, "Hey, buddy. Back here. Back here. Come on! That's it!"

Max was searching next to Logan, "Keveral! Where's the Keveral??"

"By the phone. By the phone. By the phone. Right there! See it!

Joshua freed Alec while Max grabs the Keveral cylinders. The gossamer appears at that moment.

Max jumps out of the car and faces the gossamer. It tries twice to slime her, but she dodges each time, once to the left and once to the right.

"Is that all ya got??" Max yells at him

They begin to fight. Max holds up the Keveral angrily so he can see it

"Want some of this? Come on! You're going to get it!"

Max lures the gossamer through the junkyard.

"Come on. Come on. That's right. That's right. Come on. This way you nasty-ass mutant son of a...."

She climbs through a van whose doors are open, throws the Keveral within the van and jumps out as the gossamer jumps into the van. She slams the door closed on her side, leaps and somersaults in the air to the other side of the van, closing that door and effectively blocking the gossamer inside.

Max jumps into the cab of a crane with a large magnet on the end. She operates the crane and uses the magnet to suspend the van very high in midair while the gossamer and busting through the windows of the van, but not getting out.

Max dusted her hands and said, "THAT oughta hold him for a while!"

Later, everybody has been freed and is busy removing slime.

Alec helped Irving out of a car and he asked, "What WAS that thing?"

Alec tried to come up with an explanation quick, "Not to worry. There is a logical explanation for everything that happened here tonight, all right?" Irving was waiting on an answer and Alec snapped, "Just give me a minute!"

Later, Alec finds Gordie playing fetch with the gossamer.

Gordie was whistling and shaking a hubcap, "Come on. Here it is. Come on. Ha ha. Here ya go."

Gordie throws it and Gossamer runs after it, picks it up and brings it back

Alec couldn't believe what he was seeing, "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Watch out there, pal."

Gordie smiled, "He's okay. He's just lookin' for somethin' to keep him busy. That's why he came here, I guess--you know, all the Keveral in all these old car parts. It's mostly just the junkers that have any in them. So--so what is he, anyway?"

Alec grasped mentally, "Uh, well, like I already explained to the other fellas, he's, um...a Tasmanian ant-eating aardvark...an 'antvark' as we in the trade like to call him."

"Trade? What trade?"

Thinking fast, Alec answered, "Uh, zoo trade. I'm with the Tasmanian Zoology Foundation. He escaped from one of our facilities."

Gordie stood and said, "Now, wait a minute. Finders keepers!"

Alec was dumbfounded, "You want to KEEP this thing? Like as a pet?"

"Why not? His spit's gotta come in handy. Smells like silicone--worth at least a buck a pound."

He turned to his stuffed dog, "What do you say, Chopper? You want a little brother? Ha ha! What?"

Alec was amused that this guy had a stuffed dog that he talked to for a pet

Gordie announced, "Chopper says yes!"

Alec's charm came through now, "Well, good. Looks like everything's sane and right in your world. Just, uh, keep him locked up at night, okay?"

Gordie walked him to the exit of the junkyard, saying, "No problem. No problem!"

--------------------------------------
Some distance away, Logan is sitting in the backseat of an old convertible and staring straight ahead. Max opens the back door and sits down to join him.

Logan didn't look at her, "How much time?"

"Two minutes." Max answered forlornly

Logan still didn't look at her, "I keep thinking about the night we took down Manticore...when I thought I'd lost you. I came home and sat on my sofa and I didn't get up again for days. The sun came up...the sun went down...I just sat there. It was like I couldn't move. It hurt too much to move."

Now he finally turned to her and said, "That's how I feel right now."

Max held his hand and said, "I knew this would happen. We shouldn't have taken the chance."

"Get real Max. We had to. You know we did. But I've said it before, we CAN'T keep going through this. We just hurt ourselves over and over."

"I know." Max's lips trembled

Logan reached out and wiped a tear away from her cheek

"That year we wasted, dancing around each other, afraid of actually admitting how we felt...If I had that time back, I would do that SO differently."

Max's pager beeps, indicating time is up

When Max shut it off, Logan sighed, "Well, I guess that's it."

They look into each other's eyes and Logan decided to risk it anyway He kisses her urgently, pouring all of his feelings into the kiss. Max kisses him back just as hungrily. Afterwards, Logan pulls away sadly and climbs out of the car. He turns back and looks at her.

"I love you, Max." He said softly, then he walked away

Tears were flowing freely down Max's cheeks now as she whispered to where only she could hear, "I love you, too."

Alec stood on a wharf, seeing the body language between them and the final goodbyes without hearing any of the conversation

Yes he was jealous as hell of Logan..... but Logan really is a decent guy and Max deserves to be happy

He pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket, debating on giving it to Max

Decision made, he walked toward the convertible. When he was a few paces away from it, Max hurriedly dried her eyes and snarked, "Are you here to gloat?"

Alec crawled into the backseat with her, but made sure to keep plenty of space between them

"No..... I'm sorry Max. I can't imagine what it must be like."

Max shot a look at him, "You? Showing empathy?? Stop the presses! A miracle has happened!"

"Hey! I am not quite the f*ck-up you seem to think I am!"

Alec was angry and hurt, but he pushed that aside for now. "Look, I came over to give you this."

She looked at the white piece of paper in his hand, "What's that?" she asked suspiciously

"I tracked down one of the Manticore scientists. He's in Canada. He's the one that invented the virus you have..... his name, address and phone number are in here."

He jumped out of the car after passing the note to Max. She looked up at him hopefully

"If he made the virus, he would know how to stop it."

Alec was trying to keep his feelings clamped down and he just shrugged, "That would seem logical."

Max asked, "Why would you do this?"

Alec just gave her a cold, hard stare, "So that Logan will have a fair fight. You will have to choose one day Maxie.... because I won't give you up without a fight."

"Alec.... you never actually had me."

"Oh yeah?" Alec stomped around to her side of the car, bent down and kissed her

Max realized what he meant. The kisses with Logan were sweet and loving, but with Alec it was fireworks times ten!

Once he released her, he told her, "Get the virus taken care of, spend some quality time with Logan, and then make up your mind. Him..... or ME! Because by God I'll prove myself to you in any way I can.... and trust me Max. I fight dirty!"

He left her where she was sitting, going back to his apartment

---------------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

Totally awesome hon!!

[phoenixnz]

awesome trina, can i please vote alec??

[Dana0715]

I'm a Max/Alec fan too. :) And that was pretty much where this story will go anyway. Thanks for the comments and here's more!

-----------------------------------------------
Max left shortly after Alec did, walking to Logan's in the drizzling rain

She hated rain, and it seemed to rain all the time in Seattle! Cats don't usually like to get wet, so it must be the feline DNA within her. She loves to take hot baths, but drizzling cold rain was another matter

When Logan answered the door, he was surprised to see Max standing there

She passed the folded up piece of paper to Logan. He took it from her, eyeing her questioningly

He stepped aside so she could come in, then closed the door once she was inside and waved the paper

"What's this?"

"A source gave me information to find the scientist that actually invented this virus."

Logan opened the paper, read the name and address and went to his computer. He set it next to the keyboard and began typing

"Dr Louis Greenberg..... there's no listing in Canada now. Maybe he moved on."

Max shrugged, "There's only one way to find out."

Logan got the hint and turned in his desk chair to face her, "We're going north?"

"Yep! I need to score some gas for you for the trip."

He walked over to a safe, flew through the combination and opened the little door, pulling out an envelope of cash

Then he got his car keys, handing them to Max, careful not to touch her

"Try your best to get her filled up if you can. Take Bessie home with you and bring her back when you've got her gassed up. Then we'll pack and head out early the following morning."

Somehow, the news of finally finding someone that could cure the virus was not making Max as ecstatic as she thought. She shook it off, blaming it on melancholy after all the went through in the last 24 hours

Max left, went into the parking garage where Logan's Aztec was parked. She pressed the button on the remote and it beeped twice to show it was unlocked. She jumped in, cranked it up, and headed home

-------------------------------
That night Max was having extremely intense erotic dreams

First in her dream, she was in bed with Logan, making love to him

But the face changed as she was getting closer to orgasm.

The face became Alec and upon seeing him, she came in her sleep extremely hard and extremely high

She woke up, sweating and panting and realized she hadn't been watching the calendar like she should

She exclaimed to herself, "F*ck! I'm in HEAT!"

---------------------------------
The next morning, Max was pacing in her apartment. She had done 200 sit ups, 200 push-ups, she even jumped rope, blurring as fast as she could.

It didn't help!

She was afraid to leave her apartment. She and Logan weren't exactly "together" now, but it just seemed wrong on so many levels to go out prowling when Logan had told her just yesterday that he loved her

She knew if she got in the car for this trip, she would have a hard time keeping her hands to herself. And then what if she did forget and touch him? He'd die!!

Original Cindy was watching her friend pace while she was preparing breakfast. OC knew all the signs of a heat cycle by now and finally, Max sat down on a bar stool at the island and began talking it out with OC. Her best friend was always good with helping her think through this

"OC, what am I going to do?? I have today off from work, and I was going to call in sick for a few days for this trip with Logan to Canada..... but now there's no way I can go with him now!"

"Why not tell Logan you got the flu? I mean, the heat cycle lasts three days, the flu can last longer but he'll believe you bounced back quickly due to your transgenic super-healing body."

Max was still panting, and not from her exertions of performing all kinds of exercises. She nodded, "Good! Good! That's good! I like that!"

She stood up and began pacing again, "So, I'll just keep myself locked up here....." She turned back to OC and leaned toward her across the island, causing OC to move back a little

"Can you knock me out OC? Maybe I can sleep through the next three days! Just get your iron skillet and knock me over the head with it!"

"No way sugar! That can cause a concussion. Forget it!"

Max began running in place now, "If you were a true friend OC, you'd do this!"

"Hey Boo! You'll find no truer friend than Original Cindy! And THAT is exactly why you won't get a frying pan over the head. What about medication?"

Max was still running in place and shook her head, "No, it won't work. Our metabolisms are too high. That's why it's also very hard to get us drunk."

"Well the way I see it Max, if you have an itch, go scratch. I know you can't with Logan due to the whole virus thing, but how about another willing X5?"

"Alec?" Max asked and she began running in place furiously now, "No! No way!"

OC was stirring their oatmeal in the pot, "Hey! It's either him or a stranger, and who would take better care of you huh? Who would keep the secret to himself that you two got busy?"

"No, Alec is the type to hold it over my head for eternity. Sure he'll keep it from Logan, but he'll keep reminding ME about it."

"So? Wheelchair Boy knows about your heat cycles and I believe he also knows you can't help yourself and you would have to stay away from him, or else your hormones will take over and you'll kill the poor boy. Is Alec not that great in the sack?"

She stopped running now, out of breath and sweaty, "He's too good OC. That's the problem."

Her eyes were practically pleading with OC, "Let's come up with a way to knock me out OC! I can't go back to Alec."

OC was getting exasperated, "Why not??"

"Because he said something to me yesterday morning...... he has feelings for me OC. I can't play with him like that. I've always made it very clear that I love Logan. I had sex with Alec because I couldn't have sex with Logan. Period!"

She grabbed OC by the shoulders and shook her, speaking emphatically, "I'm falling for two men at once!! One is physically off limits. The other is...." she released OC and bit her lower lip, smiling in memory, her hormones taking over again, "Oh Alec has such a tight ass and the way he f*cks is....ohmigod! He's......"

"Arrgh!" OC covered her ears, "I don't want to hear this!! Max! Pull yourself together!!"

OC walked around the island and slapped Max hard across the face, something they both agreed for her to do when Max was going too far off the deep end

Max rubbed her cheek and nodded, still panting, "Thanks OC! I needed that!"

"Well the only other choice you have is a random stranger that doesn't know the whole heat cycle dealio. And you know how that turns out. Those guys follow you around like lost puppies, hoping for more when you're not really into them. They were just convenient."

"I know what I'll do!" Max snapped her fingers then ran into her bedroom. OC followed her and watched Max running around her room, gathering clothes and toiletries and dumping them into a knapsack

"I'll go to Spokane..... another city where no one knows me and visit a singles bar. I'll find a guy there, I'll only give my first name and then I'll be sure to leave the morning that I'm over the heat cycle before he gets any other info on me, like my full name and phone number."

"What if he's from Seattle?" OC asked, leaning against the door frame

Max shrugged, "That will be one of the first questions I ask. If he is from Seattle, I'll just move on to another guy."

She finished packing and hugged OC, "Thank you girlfriend. I'll be back in three days."

"Wait! What about Logan's car??"

She practically begged OC, "Stall him for me, OK? Tell him that the gas rationing is making it hard for me to fill the gas tank. Oh! And.."

Max ran back into her bedroom, handing OC an envelope of money.... the same money Logan gave her

"Hide this until I get back. I don't want to use Logan's hard-earned money on a trip to Spokane. And DON'T tell Logan where I've gone. Don't tell Alec either! OK??"

OC nodded, "You know you can trust me Boo." and she took the envelope from Max

Max ran out the door and to her motorcycle outside. As soon as she could, she cranked it up and took off

----------------------------------
When OC made it to work that day, she had to tell Normal that Max had the flu and wouldn't be in, which caused Normal to go into a tirade as usual

"You tell Missy-miss if she isn't in the door tomorrow, she'll lose her job! I've had it!!"

"But Normal, you should have seen her this morning! She's SICK! Flu will keep you down for a week, you know that!! Do you really want her coming in here spreading her germs to everyone and then there's NO ONE to deliver packages??"

Alec overheard the conversation. He knew transgenics usually don't catch the flu. He shouldered his back pack and stopped in front of a calendar. He did some mental calculations and his eyes widened

OC and Normal were still arguing when Alec stepped in, interrupting them. He grabbed OC by the arm and told Normal, "I need to borrow OC for a moment!" and he dragged her into a storage room, closing the door

"What the HELL was that about??" OC yelled

Alec tried to talk quieter. He knew trying to shush OC would be like trying to stop a tidal wave.

"Max is in heat isn't she?"

"Original Cindy is NOT telling you anything Pretty Boy!"

Alec laid his backpack on the floor and reached out to her pleadingly, "You don't get it OC..... there's a few things about the heat cycle that even Max doesn't realize."

OC folded her arms and gave him a doubtful look, "I would think she knows her body better than you do!"

Alec quirked a charming smile at OC, "Oh I know it pretty well!" Then he shook his head, shaking that thought out, getting back to business, "But that's beside the point. Look...... X5 females have a sexual peak at 20 years old. Which means the heat cycles are so strong, they'll kill an ordinary guy."

OC wasn't buying it just yet, "You just want Max for yourself."

"I'm not telling you this just to get into her pants OC! I'm serious. She's 20 now. Don't be surprised if she comes back from wherever she goes and she's killed a guy because her hormones totally exhausted him to the point that his heart fails!"

OC prided herself on reading people, and she watched Alec carefully

He was serious!

"So.... now, WHERE did she go?"

She was still hesitant about telling Alec.

"Look, Max made me promise not to tell you."

"OC, when it's a matter of life and death, I would think that promise would fly out the window. Please tell me! WHERE did she go??"

OC sighed and said, "Fine! But don't you dare tell Max where you got the information!"

Alec crossed his heart with a finger, "Cross my heart!"

"She left out this morning for Spokane, Washington."

Alec's charming smile was back, 'That's all I need to know OC!" He hugged her quickly and said, "Thanks!!" then grabbed his backpack, opened the door, and jogged through Jam Pony, passing Normal on the way

"Hey man! I need to take a few personals days! Family business!!"

Normal started stuttering. Everyone knew that Alec was Normal's "Golden Boy" and Alec gets away with murder with Normal, but he was already short-handed due to Max being out. And now Alec is taking off

"C'mon Normal!! It's serious!! I gotta go!!"

"Alright fine! Go!" Then Normal turned to the rest of the crew, "Double shifts are mandatory until Max and Alec get back!" The response was a roomfull of groans

"Let's get moving people. Packages don't deliver themselves! BIP!!"

-------------------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

I love it. Are you going to be updating the Smallville/Dark Angel soon? Great job Trina!

[Dana0715]

Jan, it will probably be next week before I get to the crossover.

--------------------------------------
It took three hours for Alec to get to Spokane, driving his motorcycle like a madman through traffic

Once he made it to the first exit in Spokane, he drove slower through the streets. Since X5's can sense each other during heat cycles, he was trying to sense Max.

He finally got back on the freeway when he didn't find her and took the next exit

This time he COULD sense her in the vicinity. It was now 10:00 pm and nightlife was going full swing. He slowed down again and followed his senses until he made it to a nightclub. He sensed she was inside and it was confirmed when he found her motorcycle parked in the lot. He pulled his motorcycle into the spot next to hers that was luckily empty.

He was wearing a black leather jacket, white t-shirt and Wrangler jeans that were well worn along with cowboy boots. Most usually dress up for a nightclub, but he wasn't here to go clubbing

There was a line outside the nightclub and he cursed under his breath. How was he going to get in?

He stepped out of line and walked around the building until he found a side entrance that he could get in. Checking up and down the alley to make sure no one saw him, he stepped inside and made his way carefully through a hallway. This was obviously where the owners and management have their offices

"Hey! What are you doing back here??"

A big guy, looked like a bouncer, was approaching Alec.

Thinking fast, Alec said, "I got lost, man! Where's your bathroom?"

"You really are lost boy! The bathrooms are on the other side of the building. And where's your stamp??"

"Stamp?" Alec asked

"The one that should be on your left hand. You get it at the door. You snuck in didn't you?"

Alec muttered, "I don't have time for this!" and hit the guy right between the eyes with his fist. Surprisingly, since the bouncer outweighs Alec by about 100 pounds, it didn't effect him much. He just shook his head, drew a fist back to hit Alec

"Sh!t!" Alec exclaimed and crouched just when the fist almost connected with his jaw. Alec blured, hitting the guy repeatedly over and over in the stomach, then he straightened and turned, delivering a crescent kick to the man's temple.

This time the bouncer fell to his knees, then to the floor, knocked out cold

Alec straightened his jacket and shook his head, "Amateurs!"

He followed the sound of music to the main area of the nightclub. Strobe lights were blinking, people dancing everywhere. There wasn't much room to move

He climbed a set of metal stairs that led to a catwalk above the crowd. He could feel Max was still here. Once he made his way through the people standing on the stairs, he elbowed his way to the edge of the catwalk, looking over the patrons below

He found Max and his jaw clenched when he saw she was dancing sensually in the middle of three men, wearing a skin tight red mini-dress

Damn! She's just ASKING for trouble!!

She must have sensed him because she looked up in his direction..... and it was like a deer was caught in the headlights. Her eyes widened and then she started pushing away from the guys and making her way through the crowd quickly. She was running from Alec!

"Ex-CUSE me! Pardon me!! I'm in a hurry! MOVE PEOPLE!!" Max called out as she pushed and tugged her way through the crowd. She HAD to get out of there! Why was Alec here?? She knew herself well enough that if she let him touch her again, she'll want him again..... and again...... and again with probably no end in sight and Logan will probably become a distant memory. And then how fair would that be to Logan after all they've been through??

Alec scanned the building quickly when he saw Max take off, he found a side entrance that was close to him and he might be able to intercept her outside

He made his way quickly back down the stairs, shouldering his way through the crowd until he made it to the side entrance. He opened the door and ran like a bat out of hell toward the front entrance that he saw Max heading for

It was raining cats and dogs now! It was a heavy downpour, which made it a little harder to see, but he found Max already made it out the door and down the street a few blocks. She turned back and saw him, then pulled off her stilletto heels as quickly as she could and took off running in the rain barefoot

Alec, having the tom cat DNA in him, basically meant when the female is in heat, he gives chase

And he ran after her.

Max's mind was going crazy. First, trying to get away from Alec, and second, trying to constantly find a good hiding place or the best direction to run

She yelled, "Help!! Someone's after me!! HELLLP!!"

That should slow him down!, she thought to herself

She noticed a couple of guys stopped her and they questioned her. She pointed back at Alec, who was about three blocks behind her now and they told her to go, they'll take care of him

Alec heard her cry out for help and knew what to expect. He kept running and once he made it to the two guys, they grabbed him and began fighting him. He was quicker, rolling and jumping up, standing in a fighting stance with his fists raised and ready

The first guy grabbed Alec from behind in a choker hold, cutting off his air supply, he was about the same height as Alec. The second guy was in front of him with a knife. Alec kicked the knife out of the guy's hand and using some leverage, jumped and used his legs to kick the guy hard in the solar plexus. He struggled with the guy holding him, so Alec leaned his head as far forward as he could, then shoved it back as hard as he could, using the back of his head as a battering ram against the guy's nose


Once the grip was loosened, Alec delivered a spin kick to the head that caused the man to fall to the ground unconcious. The second guy was about to get back up, Alec could see him behind him in his peripheral vision. Alec brought his elbow up and behind, hard, and knocked the second guy out

Alec began running again, using his senses to find Max

He yelled through the rain, "Max!! Answer me!! I'm not going to hurt you! Stop running from me so we can talk!!"

She was a fast runner, but she had the disadvantage of running on bare feet. His cowboy boots had enough tread to keep him from slipping so he was able to eventually catch up with her

When Max saw Alec a couple of blocks behind her on a deserted street, she cried out, "Alec! Stay away from me!!"

Alec began realizing that it was like he was the hunter and she was the prey. He yelled to her through the rain, now just walking fast, "Max! There's something important you need to know! You're on your peak heat cycle Max!! Only an X5 series can handle that! An ordinary man would DIE! Do you want that on your conscience??"

"You're lying!!" Max had now slowed down, defeated, to a fast walk too. She probably ran about two miles on bare feet!

"Max, I wouldn't lie about something like that!! Check with any X5 you want, check with any former Manticore employee, I'm TELLING you that if you choose an ordinary man on THIS heat cycle, you'll kill him!! Trust me on this!!"

Max finally slowed down, she couldn't fight his pull any longer. She was tired, she was frustrated

And she was horny!

Alec caught up to her and grabbed her arm, pulling her toward him

She stared up into his beautiful face, his hair and clothes soaked just like hers were by rain water

And he waited no longer, he kissed her and she wrapped her arms around his neck in surrender, kissing him back

The cold rain did nothing to dampen Alec's libido. Just having Max in his arms increased it to phenomenal proportions

She jumped up, wrapping her legs around his waist, and he held her up with his hands under her ass, walking with her to the side of the building, then pinning her there with his body while his mouth trailed down her neck, licking the water collected there by the rain

Her fingers were speared through his hair. She was completely helpless in her want. She hated herself for being this weak with Alec, but at the same time rejoiced in having a skilled lover to help her through this heat cycle

His hands worked the hem of her mini-dress up to her hips and he became even more frantic for her when he realized she didn't wear any panties tonight

She was hanging onto him to keep from falling, his body pinning hers against the wall helped hold some of her weight as he used two fingers to dip between her legs and slide in circles against her clit, then he slipped them further down to her entrance

A long expletive was uttered out of his mouth when he realized how wet and ready she was

Her body was pushing against his fingers, begging for a release she was craving

"Take me now Alec!! Please??" she cried out in the rain

He disentangled her legs from his waist, setting her on the ground, dragging her by the arm into a doorway of a closed store, underneath an awning and out of the rain

Since her red dress was a satin material that was now completely wet, he could see her nipples poke through the material, probably started due to the cold rain and now her arousal made them feel almost painful

His eyes were almost animalistic. Without a word, he turned her to face the door, her back to him. He pulled her flush against him as his hand went back under the skirt of her dress. His left arm held her body immobile against him from head to foot, his body protecting her from the rain behind him

He bit her ear, then her neck as he used one finger to very slowly massage her clit again

She whimpered, then raised her arms up to link behind his neck and bring his mouth down to hers while he continued to fondle her slowly

She came hard and loud just off of that light touch, but he didn't let up. He continued fingering her in a gentle way, not increasing the pressure but dragging out the pleasure for her

He wanted to be inside her so bad, just like how his tongue was inside her mouth, he wanted to do the same thing with his d!ck in her p*ssy

But he wanted to brand this moment in time into her brain forever. To remember what it felt like for him to actually make love to her, not just to f*ck.

He wanted to make sure she got as many multiple orgasms as possible before he allowed himself the pleasure

Could be his animal instinct, but in some ways he wanted to brand her in such a way that she'll NEVER forget this moment with him

Now his fingers were making her sob, making her frantic, making her weep due to how good it felt

He now increased the pressure and speeded his ministrations up a little, making her fall apart yet again. His arm around her waist was the only thing keeping her from falling to the ground, her legs were very weak now

When she came down off of that orgasm, he turned her to where she was facing him, panting hard, her back against the door

He crouched in front of her and let his mouth take over what his fingers were doing before

She grabbed his head again in ecstasy

"What are you doing to me??" Her voice had become hoarse due to all the crying out she did earlier. To him, it was the sexiest sound he ever heard

He never answered her and made her spread her legs out to where he could stimulate her better, she was still supported by the door behind her. Her hips were moving against his tongue and her nectar was the sweetest thing Alec believed he ever tasted in his life, so he took his time, making her feel better than she ever had

One nice thing about heat cycles. A guy doesn't have to do a whole lot to get the female off. But Alec purposely took his time, regardless of how his body was practically screaming to be joined with Max's body. He was an X5 series alpha male and he had plenty of practice first as a breeding partner for Manticore, then later with women on the outside, how to hold back his own body and pleasure a woman's body to the point that she won't be able to move a muscle when it's over..... and would still let him do it all over again because he made her feel so good

That was the crux of the problem for Max..... she didn't know if Logan would measure up. Sure she loved him, at least she thought she did, but Alec forced her to feel things that she didn't want to feel

Before it wasn't done on purpose but somewhere within her pleasure fogged brain, she knew he was purposely doing it now

He sucked her clit into his mouth, flicking his tongue over it until she came hard and loud for a third time, crying out Alec's name in the night

THAT'S what he wanted to hear. His name! The name she gave him so long ago. And to be sure that she knew it was HIM and not Logan that was providing this for her

He finally stood, unzipped his pants, brought out his cock, poked his head out to check up and down the street. It was completely deserted. He picked her up again, her legs automatically wrapped around his waist, her arms around his neck. She leveraged up until she felt him against her entrance. He pinned her against the wall again, knowing his strength won't hold out if he cums and he needed the support of the door. She wiggled onto him and he bit her neck again, causing something primal within both of them as she lowered herself completely onto him

He withdrew and thrust hard back in, hitting the spot she needed at the end of her passage, filling her completely. His mouth against her neck, his hot breath breathing on her, just like hers was breathing on him, her head on his shoulder and her mouth by his ear

Max was chanting and breathing hard, "Yes..... YES..... Yeeeeeesss! Oooooooh!"

The words came out every time he thrust back into her, and each time he did it harder and deeper than the last.

"Cum for me!" Alec breathed into her ear, and she began whimpering again, scratching his back

He thrust hard on each of the following words, "Cum....for......ME!!"

This orgasm was the strongest because it wasn't just a clitoral orgasm, this went through her entire inner channel, every part of her genitals were extremely senitive now due to Alec's ministrations and he thrust hard and deep, grunting while causing Max to cry out his name into the night.

Her p*ssy walls were clenching his cock in ectasy as he finally allowed himself the pleasure of letting go and spurting his seed inside her in a continuous explosion, over and over, until they finally clung to each other. Alec fell to his knees and cradled Max in his lap, kissing her mouth deeply as the completed this final joining

----------------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

Thanks hon. LOVE this chapter.

[Dana0715]

Max and Alec found a hotel room to stay in while they were in Spokane

And Max realized Alec wasn't lying. For some crazy reason, this heat cycle was like her third day times 10. She couldn't get enough but Alec was there every time for her

She realized that Alec helped keep her from committing accidental murder on an ordinary man because she had never gone through this strong of a heat cycle in her life

Once the heat cycle was over, her muscles were sore in places that she didn't realize she had! And so were Alec's, truth be told

They rode on their own motorcycles all the way back to Seattle, then split up when they reached the exit, Alec going to his apartment and Max going to hers

She scored some gas for Logan, getting it in a gas can and bringing it back to his Aztec and putting it in. It filled up the Aztec luckily

When she went into her apartment, OC was waiting

"Girl! You won't BELIEVE how many excuses Original Cindy can come up with as to why you still have Logan's car and why you haven't contacted him. I told him like I told Normal, that you were sick with the flu. With Normal, it should buy you a week now. He can't afford to lose you."

"Thanks OC!" Max picked up the phone and called Logan

He saw her number on the caller id and picked up, "Max?"

"Yeah it's me!"

"How are you feeling? Original Cindy told me you had the flu."

"Oh you know transgenics. We bounce back fast. I'm doing a lot better now and I got you the gas you needed. Are you up to leaving tomorrow for Canada?"

"I'll go pack!" Logan told her

-----------------------------------
The following morning at 5:00 am, Max pulled the Aztec into the parking garage of Logan's apartment building, her knapsack in the back.

Logan was using the exo-skeleton to walk, but sometimes it can falter, so they had to pack his wheelchair into the Aztec, just in case, as well as his suitcases

Max got in on the passenger side, and Logan got in on the driver's side

They headed for Canada, making sure they have their passports and id with them too.

--------------------------------
They did find the scientist that Alec told Max about, although Max never shared that Alec was her informant. He charged $50,000 to give them the cure, or $10,000 per vial of antigen (the antidote that's administered if he's infected) if they couldn't afford the cure.

Logan brought some money with him, but not quite that much. The money was in a false bottom in one of the suitcases. He had $25,000. He counted it out to the doctor as a down payment, and promised he would procure the rest

But Max still had money left over from the autographed baseball she successfully stole. She had to go back for it since Alec screwed up her plan the first time she tried, but she did get it and fence it. So she had the other $25,000.

When she opened her knapsack and emptied it's contents, the money just poured out, along with some of her clothes. She gathered up the sheer underwear and clothing quickly and let the doctor count the money

Max was given a shot of the serum that provides a cure and was told that she needed to allow 24 hours for it to be completely effective. She was to come back the next day so they can draw blood and make sure it was out of her system

So she and Logan had to sleep in separate hotel rooms that night. Max had a fitful sleep again, once again dreaming of her time with Alec, the euphoria she felt in his arms that she never felt with anyone else

But surely, with Logan having been with a few women in his own lifetime, and he was older than Alec.... surely he'd know a trick or two himself!

She firmly decided she was going to do all she could to make a relationship with Logan work. So the next day, when she was given a clean bill of health, Logan opened his arms to her in front of the doctor and staff. She ran into them and he enveloped her in a hug

And nothing happened. They were so ecstatic that they left quickly and went back to Logan's hotel room

They spent the weekend in Canada, finally coming together in every sense of the word. Emotionally and physically

Logan was a great lover, Max reflected later. But they had to work around his paralyzed legs. He had outstanding upper body strength due to having to depend on it so much to lift himself off the wheelchair and into his bed, wheeling the wheelchair around, etc. The exoskeleton helps him walk and move his legs, but it gets in the way of sex, so it had to stay off

They found the most comfortable way to make love was with her on top, and him in a sitting position

It was nice and it made her feel warm and fuzzy inside, but she had to be so careful with Logan, afraid he'd break or she'd make the spinal injury worse

But Alec completely rocked her world in sex. He was perfectly healthy, a former soldier with a soldeir's muscular build and with him, Max could be as wild and free and ROUGH as she wanted to be

When they made it back to Seattle, Logan suggested Max move in with him. She did it, telling herself that she loved him, they were finally together in every sense of the word and she'd prove it by moving in with him

He was trying to convince her she didn't need to work either, but she stated she liked earning her own money and didn't want to constantly expect Logan to buy everything for her

He had given up his inheritance when he found out that his family's money, the money he was getting every month through a trust fund, was made due to some illegal activities. Eyes Only shined a huge spotlight on the illegal activities his uncle was into. His uncle had no idea he was Eyes Only, but Logan, to his face, turned down any further inheritance. So now to raise money, there's paid jobs to do for Eyes Only or selling antiques and paintings that he still had in his penthouse apartment

Max didn't want to be any more of a burden to him. She'll get by on her own or not at all

---------------------------------
Two months later, Max was walking into Jam Pony looking pale. The least little thing would make Max sick. All it would take is a smell or seeing something greasy and she would have to run and puke

Alec was concerned about it because generally, unless they're poisoned, transgenics don't get sick.

At home Logan noticed it happening in the mornings but by evening she seemed to have the same ol' bounce in her step

Finally, Max went to see Dr Carr, because she was getting tired, irritable, and couldn't keep anything down. Logan went with her, driving her to the doctor, stating that she was in no condition to ride her motorcycle.

Dr Carr did a complete examination and once finished, he walked into the exam room where Max was still wearing a hospital gown used for the exam and still sitting on the exam table. Logan was standing next to her, holding her hand reassuringly

Dr Carr smiled at Logan, the smile not quite reaching his eyes, and he asked, "Do you mind if I speak to Max alone first?"

"Is something wrong?" Logan asked, worried

"It's just standard procedure Logan. It's our policy to discuss sensitive situations with the patient first. That's all. So please.... have a seat in the hall and I'll call you in when we're ready."

Logan kissed Max goodbye then walked out to the hallway, where he was far away from ear shot

Dr Carr looked over his notes on the clipboard and then set them down. He folded his arms and looked at Max with compassion

"Max, you're pregnant."

She began to smile. So that explained it!

"Logan will FREAK, but in a good way! I mean, he would make an outstanding father and...."

Dr Carr shook his head sadly, "Wait Max..... there's no way that Logan is the father of this child."

Her heart almost stuttered to a stop, "What? What do you mean?"

"From everything I've studied on the X5 series transgenics, there is absolutely NO WAY an ordinary man can get you pregnant. Your DNA and a normal person's DNA just wouldn't mix! It had to be another X5. So I need to ask you Max..... do you have any idea who the real father is?"

Now it was like her "happy balloon" had been popped by a needle!

She shook her head, staring off in space in shock, "It can't be! Not.... NO! Logan has GOT to be the father!!"

Dr Carr stood his ground, politely but firmly, "I'm sorry Max. It's not possible. But this may be a difficult pregnancy also. I need the actual father to provide blood samples so I can study his DNA as well. There's the possibility of progeria, or mental illness, even deformities."

Max began to cry and Dr Carr pulled her into a hug. Dr Carr was a good friend of Logan's and he got to know Max in the last couple of years and really liked her

The words came out in sobs...."You know that Logan and I couldn't get together for a year due to the virus Manticore put in me that was tailored to Logan's DNA, right?"

"Mm hmmm!"

"Well, I have these heat cycles.... you know that as well right?"

"yes...."

"Two months ago I went through one..... and I got with an X5 I know, solely due to the heat cycle, understand?"

"Max.... I'm not judging you. From everything I gathered on X5's about the female heat cycle ... it's like it is in the animal kingdom. It can't be helped. But that X5 male, whoever you're talking about..... I need to see him. Is there a way you can have him come in?"

"What do I tell Logan??"

"Honestly Max, you need to be upfront with him. He can't expect you to stay celibate while you carried the virus that could kill him. I think the quicker you tell him, the better it is. I can't lie to him Max.... he's a friend of mine. We've known each other for years."

The doctor gathered his things together and said, "I won't tell him today though. I'll leave it up to you."

Dr Carr patted her shoulder in sympathy as he walked out a different door from where Logan went, and turned toward his office down the hall away form Logan.

-------------------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

GIRL!!! I love it!!! AWESOME!!!

[Dana0715]

When she got dressed and stepped into the hall, Logan stood and walked toward her, looking worried

"Well? What did he say?"

She hugged Logan first in a tight hug and he hugged her back, then he asked while holding her in his embrace, "Do I need to sit down?"

She loosened the hug and nervously told him, "I'm pregnant."

His eyes widened in shock and then he remembered to BREATHE.... then he smiled

"Oh my God!! Max! This is good news!"

The smile was hesitant on her face, "There's more Logan..... and I think you better take me home before I go over the rest. You're going to need something to drink. Trust me!"

------------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

I love it baby!!

[Dana0715]

An hour later, Logan was swigging the scotch and pacing, trying to rein in his temper toward his pregnant girlfriend

Who, he found out, was pregnant by another man!!

Logan was thinking out loud while pacing, the exo-skeleton whirring and working, "OK, technically, we weren't together then anyway. I mean we almost were, but nothing official. So it's not like you were cheating on me."

Max looked hopeful, "Right."

"But Max.... I have to be completely open about my feelings here.....maybe we shouldn't tell Alec. We'll let everyone think it's my baby."

"I can't do that Logan. Dr Carr needs a blood sample from the father. And besides, keeping this news from Alec would be cruel. He has a right to know about this baby."

She stood and walked to Logan, hugging him again. He melted and hugged her back

"You'll still be a father figure Logan, a role model. Probably a much better one than Alec."

Max was trying to convince herself of all of this while convincing Logan

"This also means if we're to stay together, this is the only child we'll have Logan. Dr Carr says I can't get pregnant by ordinary men."

"So once again, WHY do we need to pull Alec into this?"

Max raised her head to look Logan in the eyes, "I'm not keeping this from Alec. I love you more than life itself, but Alec does have a right to know about this baby. And Dr Carr needs a blood sample from him to study. You're still the most important man in my life. All Alec did was get me pregnant..... no emotion whatsoever."

Logan finally sat down on the couch this time, sipping his scotch, then swirling it in his glass while he stared at it, thinking

"Do you realize how much I love you too? And that Alec makes me feel....."

"What? Angry? He does that to everybody!" Max said, trying to play it off with a joke

He gave her a slight smile and admitted, "No.... he makes me feel like less of a man I guess. You talk about him constantly.."

"Because he drives me insane! Logan! Ask him! I've told him over and over how much I love YOU. Alec and I aren't like how we are."

"You dream about him sometimes Max." Logan said softly, still staring at his drink

At no answer from her, he looked up to meet her eyes, "You've said his name before in your sleep."

"Probably because I'm arguing with him all the time. It's no big deal."

"I'll just admit it Max. When it comes to any time you spend with Alec... I feel insecure, like I could lose you.... like compare me with my wheelchair and exoskeleton, to Alec who is perfectly healthy, can leap tall buildings in a single bound, can fight ten men at once..... I mean, HELLO! Who's the better man for you Max?"

Max realized he needed reassurance and she sat next to him on the couch, pulling his head to her shoulder

"You are MY man Logan. We're soul mates and we always will be."

Once again, while she was trying to reassure Logan, she was also trying to reassure herself. Because she has her moments of doubt sometimes.

Logan sighed into her hair, and placed his scotch glass on the coffee table, then wrapped his arms around her, hugging her

Max hugged him back, smiling, "This is really nice..... it's so nice to be held!"

"You never got that much as you were growing up did you?"

"Nope!"

"Well my mother was a hugger, so I guess I became one too. If you like cuddling, then you found the right man!"

Max giggled, then raised up, giving Logan a kiss once.... then twice, a little longer this time

On the third time, Logan stopped it with a laugh, "OK, you keep that up and we're going to bed in the middle of the afternoon!!"

Max stood and held out her hands, "Sounds like a plan to me!"

He took her hand, stood and followed her into the bedroom

---------------------------------
Logan agreed that they did need to meet with Alec. He wasn't happy about it, but he knew it was the right thing to do.

But the more Logan thought about Max and Alec together, even if it was a heat cycle induced coupling, the more he drank. He went through his scotch in the first hour, and raided the liquor cabinet until he found some vodka

By the time Max got home, Logan was DRUNK. And a few minutes after Max got home, Alec arrived, due to Max's invitation.

And Logan embarassed the crap out of Max.

"So how good was she Alec??" Logan asked with a slur, eyes bleary as he sat in his desk chair, drinking away

Alec looked at Max in surprise, then back at Logan and said, "Dude! I think you've had enough."

Alec was about to take away the liquor bottle but Logan grabbed it, pointing a finger at him

"It'sh my houshe and I shay when ta stop!!"

Alec's hands were up in a surrender gesture, "Whatever you say dude!" He turned to Max and said, "Glad I don't live with him!!"

"Alec..." Max began and said, "You were invited over because there's some really important news."

Logan spoke up loudly and said, "Congratulations DADDY!!"

"Logan!!" Max scolded. She's seen Logan get drunk before, but never this drunk

"What's he talkin' about?" Alec demanded

Logan with bleary eyes pointed at Max, "She exshpectin' a little X5!"

Alec felt like his heart was ripped right out of his chest. If Logan thought to have him come here just to rub it in his face that Logan was about to become a father of Max's baby, he had another think coming!

Very tightly, Alec told Max, "Congrats Max! I think I'll leave the two of you alone to celebrate!"

"Wait! Alec!" Max stepped in front of him before he could leave, "The baby's YOURS!"

First his heart was ripped out, and now he's in shock! He was feeling a little light-headed for a moment and he sat down

"Are you sure?" Alec asked

Max could only nod

Logan stood, swaying a bit, and he became more belligerent, something he normally doesn't do

"You knocked her up Alec! Congratulations! And now I'm in charge of raising the b@stard myself!"

"Hey!!" Alec stood quickly and got in Logan's face, "You son-of-a-b!tch! You are NEVER to call MY child a b@stard!! And I will make DAMN sure you NEVER treat that child as such or I will kick your ass from here to Sunday, do you understand me??"

"Alec.... Alec.... Alec" Logan shook his head, tsking him, "You can't touch me. Max would then kick YOUR ash. And to ansher your queshtion.... let me adopt the child and I'll treat him or her like my own."

Alec turned away from Logan, because he was ready to pop him one by now for his disrespect for Max and the baby she's carrying. He appealed to Max instead, "Max.... I am NOT going to be written out of this baby's life. And you will have a hell of a time trying to keep me away. I'm here to stay, get used to it."

Max gave him a folded piece of paper. Alec opened it, noting a date and time

"It's your appointment with Dr Carr. You need to stop by and provide a blood sample for him. There's possibilities of complications and such."

Alec put it in his pocket, "You got it Max!" He shot a look at Logan and but the following words were directed to Max, "Anything to help!"

"She alwaysh had a crush on you anyway Alec!" Logan said, no inhibitions about him at all right now. "You musht be dancing a jig right now because YOU got her pregnant! YOU...." Logan swayed a moment, using the desk for support, "YOU'RE a goof-off that could NEVER support a child Alec. How do you think you'll be any kind of good influence on this baby? It's going to be ME that's there!!"

Alec walked back to Logan, standing straight and tall in front of him. Logan was about an inch taller, but due to the booze, he was slumped a bit, making Alec look like the taller one

"Sober yourself up Logan, then we'll talk. The ONLY reason I don't clobber you now is because of my respect for Max. So consider this a freebee. Next time you disrespect me or mine, the gloves are off."

Alec walked out of the apartment, back straight and stiff and he slammed the door on the way out.

-----------------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

I love it hon. Btw, there's a new story up and a Dark Elves Salvation chapter.

Keep Up!

[phoenixnz]

oh, i smell trouble!!

[trucherrygirl]

I've never seen Dark Angel before, but I LOVE this! You're a wonderful writer and I'm a huge fan of your work. Plus, I'm a glutton for pregnancy stories. I've written a few myself. LOL. Can't wait to read more!! :)

[Dana0715]

Trucherry, thank you so much! I love meeting new fans. Hopefully, this might prompt you to go out and buy the Dark Angel DVDs. It was only on for two seasons. Hope you continue reading this!! :)

[Dana0715]

(From the Episode "Hello, Goodbye")

In his basement, Joshua is scratching himself all over. An aerosol can labeled "FLEA BOMB" stands nearby.

Exasperated, scratching hard behind his ear, he exclaims, "Ahh! Damn fleas!!"

He reads the label on the can out loud

"Depress tab to activate and immediately leave area."

Joshua leans down over the can and presses down on the tab, and it sprays up into his face, causing him to roar. He runs upstairs, leaving the can to continue spraying. In the living room, Max is standing on a chair near a similar can and scratching her leg.

She sees Joshua run in, "Did you set it off??"

He nods emphatically, wiping the foam off his face, "Yeah."

She was still scratching and announced, "Okay. Let's do the other two and get out of here before these little buggers eat us alive."

Joshua goes into the kitchen, where another can stands waiting. He and Max stand with their fingers on the tabs.

"Remember to hold your breath...... Ready? On three. One...two...three!"

They start the cans spraying and then run out onto the porch, closing the door behind them. They collapse on the porch

"That was close!" Max told him

Joshua was still scratching, "Thanks for bringing the...for the bombs."

Max was always protective of her Big Fella, "No problem. You're gonna have to stay out here for a couple hours."

Joshua liked the prospect, "Yeah! Stay right here with my little fella!"

Max shook her head apologetically, "Oh. Um, actually, I gotta bounce. I'm meeting Logan at Crash."

Joshua's face fell, he was so disappointed, "Oh."

"I wish you could come Joshua. You know that. Tomorrow maybe I'll get some time off from work...come here and hang."

That appeased Joshua, "Okay."

She reaches into her back pack, "I got some flea powder." She hands him a jar and continues giving him instructions, "Douse yourself with it before you go back in there, or else you'll be right back where you started. Okay?" At his nod of agreement, she pats him on the head, "Good night."

"Okay. Night."

Max leaves. Joshua dumps the entire contents of the jar over his head, making him sneeze

At Crash

Logan is sitting at a table, making notes on a napkin. Down the left side of the napkin is written "Cult powers, FAMILIARS, Ames White, Wendy 'chosen', 2 babies killed, Ray, cult." Down the right side of the napkin is written "Genetic engineering, MANTICORE, Sandeman, Joshua #1, Lydecker, MAX, X5 SERIES." At the bottom, the columns are joined with the words "MAX IMMUNE?"

When Max entered Crash, she spotted Logan right away and walked over to his table. "This seat taken?"

Logan looks up from what he was doing and smiles lovingly, "Oh, hey!" He stands and gives her a kiss, then pulls out her chair for her to sit before taking his own seat

Max was ready with an apology, "Sorry I'm late. Had to stop by Joshua's." She saw the writing on the napking and asked curiously, "Whatcha doin'?"

Logan shrugged, "Oh, just trying to piece a couple things together."

"That's cool, but...why here?"

"Yeah, no one's looking so don't worry."

Max takes Logan's hand and kisses his fingers, "You know what? All work and no play makes Logan a dull, dull boy."

"We'll play more later... don't you worry!" Logan's smile was positively impish

---------------------------------------
Alec sits down at the bar and orders a drink. He glances down at the other end of the bar and sees Asha talking to a guy. Asha notices Alec.

Asha speaks quietly to the guy next to her and says, "I'll talk to you later, okay?" She gave him a pat on the shoulder as he left. Alec stands and saunters over to Asha, sitting down next to her at the bar

"Hey." Alec said in greeting as he sat

Asha didn't look directly at him as she said, "Hi."

Alec tried again to start a conversation, "Long time, no see."

Asha shrugged, "I guess so."

Enough p*ssy-footing around, he got right to the point, "Yeah. You avoiding me??"

Asha met his eyes then and shakes her head, "No. But I gotta say that I'm really glad that nothing happened that night."

Alec remembered it all too well how she got so drunk, she passed out on his couch. He blamed himself somewhat, because he actually WANTED to get her drunk, for selfish reasons. But he overestimated the amount of alcohol in her bloodstream and she passed out instead, "Yeah, me too." He finally answered

Asha smirked at him, "Probably works for days, huh? Your whole 'Time is short, gotta put your heart on the line, baby I want you' speech?"

Alec gave her a brief smile, "Look, you don't want to get involved with me. I was made in a lab. You know? I spent my formative years learning the fine art of assassination. There are guys out there right now looking to kill me, and I'm sure someday they'll probably succeed."

Asha rolled her eyes, "Oh please! Spare me the drama. You're just too scared to let go and actually care about somebody."

Alec was sounding a little bitter now, "Right, because the last time I let go, somebody got caught in the crossfire and died."

Asha's eyes filled with compassion. She accidentally hit a soft spot and she didn't mean to, " I'm sorry. I didn't--"

Alec turned on her, "You know what? Just do yourself a favor, Asha. Leave me alone!"

Asha placed a hand on Alec's shoulder and he shrugged it off, gave her a cold hard stare and through clenched teeth, announced, "Beat it!"

Alec turns back to his drink as Asha leaves. She passes Max who witnessed the tail end of the conversation. Max approaches the bar and sets an empty pitcher on it, slapping the bar with her palm

"Can I get another beer?" she called out to the bartender. As he took the pitcher away, she leaned against the bar, facing Alec, "So, what'd you do now?"

Alec was simply in a bad mood tonight, "Why am I always the bad guy with you, Max?"

Max wasn't falling for it, "Whatever! You want to blow your shot with her, be my guest."

Alec sarcasm was coming out full force tonight, "Oh, right, yeah, 'cause I could be this charming, sweet guy and score myself a really nice girlfriend but, unlike you, I'm actually trying to do the right thing."

Max stood glaring at him, hands on hips, "And what is THAT supposed to mean??"

Oh, you think the only problem you and Logan have is dealing with me and my child while the two of you try to make up for lost time?"

Max laid out the sarcasm too and didn't care if she hurt him at that point, "Yeah, that takes a front seat."

"Mmm. Max, we don't belong with 'em. Okay? We're a danger to them. When are you gonna finally see that?"

"Me and Logan are none of your business Alec!"

"Max! Why don't you just open your eyes and--"

Logan had seen the intense conversation between Max and Alec, and he left his table and approached the bar, trying to play referee, "Hey, guys, what's going on?"

Max just stared hatefully at Alec and said, "Nothing."

Alec stared back meaningfully, then finally answered, "Yeah. Right. Nothing." He picks up his drink and walks away, shooting a look at Logan too

Logan watched him leave, then turned back to Max, "Max? You wanna tell me what that was about?"

Max shook her head, "I'm beat. I'm gonna...I'm gonna go."

She starts to walk away, but Logan steps in her way.

"Max, answer me. What was that all about?"

"Nothing, it was just...I'm tired." Usually this works with Logan due to her pregnancy, but he wasn't letting her get away with it again. She tried again to leave and he steps in front of her again, grabbing her arm

"Hey Max, wait!"

Then Logan began to sway. Max grabbed him to keep him from falling hard to the ground. She felt his forehead

"Ohmigod! You're burning up! Logan!!"

He passed out on the floor and after a moment she realized an awful truth

The virus was back full force!

Alec saw what happened from across the bar and he deduced quickly that apparently, Logan was reinfected with the virus. But Max's crying and yelling for someone to help did it for him. He saw his drink down and shouldered his way through the crowd

"Alright people, let's give him some breathing space. Back up! That's it!"

He knelt next to Logan and glanced at Max's tearful face. Any anger he had toward her earlier just melted in the one look of her worried visage

He placed a hand on her shoulder, and used a finger on his other hand to lift her chin, "Maxie.... it's OK. I got it from here. You can't do this to yourself. Think of the baby. You need to calm down. Can you do that for me?"

Max took a few deep breaths and wiped her tears, finally she nodded

At that moment, Logan started going into convulsions. Alec pulled out his cell phone, calling 911. While shouldering his phone, he was speaking to the dispatcher and using a thumb to hold Logan's tongue, to keep him from swallowing it. Logan bit him a time of two, but transgenics have a high threshold for pain. Alec just gritted his teeth until the convulsions were over, finally letting go. He points at the Original Cindy, who just arrived, "OC! Get me some bags of ice! We need to cool him down! Go!!" She rushed to do his bidding and came back with the ice, helping Alec pack it around Logan

The paramedics finally made it 15 minutes later. OC left with Max and Logan. Alec checked on Max and she assured him she was fine and thanked him for all he did

"Hey! Max?" He bent down slightly to make her look at him, "Call me if you need ANYTHING, OK?"

She hugged him briefly, "Thank you Alec. You really came through."

He finally had to let her go, watch her jump into the ambulance and sit next to Logan, and once again unable to touch him. OC pulled Max into an embrace, letting her cry

Alec couldn't watch it any longer as he walked back into Crash

---------------------------------------
When they made it to the ER, Dr Carr met them as they came in the doors

Max simply told him, "The virus is back."

He started shouting to his medical team, barking orders and they all scrambled to do his bidding

Max suddenly felt a sharp pain in her stomach and she fell to her knees. When OC saw this, she rushed to Max

"Max?? What's the matter??"

Max never had abdominal pain like she did right now. "Doctor!!" she yelled down the hall, getting Dr Carr's attention

He gave his team last minute instructions regarding Logan and ran back to Max

"Max... where does it hurt?"

"My stomach.... and lower...Oww!!"

"I need a gurney over here!! Stat!! Let's move people!!"

As soon as a gurney appeared, Dr Carr picked up Max himself and placed her on it

Original Cindy was scared to death for her best friend. She never sees Max sick

"Doctor? What is it??"

He shouted instructions to this second team, grabs OC's arm and pulls her to the side for a private conversation

"You're Original Cindy right? Max's roommate?"

"Well former roommate, but we are best friends"

"She'll need all the support you can give her.... there's nothing we can do for Logan AND on top of that, she's losing the baby."

OC covered her mouth in horror, "Oh no!"

"I'll do all I can for both of them, but Max will really need a support system.... can you help me with that?"

"That's what I'm here for doc."

---------------------------
Max was in a fetal position on her gurney, in absolute agony

When Dr Carr came in, she reached out and grabbed his hand, "There's a way to help Logan...." she felt another stabbing pain and after it passed, she jerked the doctor's arm, "Needs transgenic blood transfusion!"

Dr Carr leaned over Max, "What are you talking about?"

"Transgenic blood.... will fight the virus..... bring Logan back..... call Alec!"

"Your baby's father?"

She nodded, "Have OC call Alec!"

Dr Carr assured her he'd do so. It was a good idea to have Alec here anyway

Maybe he could bring some comfort to Max when she miscarries their baby

-------------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

I love it!!!

[Dana0715]

In a hospital room, Logan lies unconscious and broken out in hives.

OC speaks with Dr Carr

"How's he doin' Doc?" OC asked while looking through the window at Logan.

He sighed tiredly. He stabalized Logan's fever for now, and Max had miscarried the fetus she was carrying and was now asleep. "From what I can tell, the virus is a mutated strain of a biowarfare agent called Zycinor. There's no known cure."

Alec was still at Crash, nursing his drink, when his cell phone rings.

He answered in his usual way, "Yeah?"

"Alec, it's OC. We need you to come to the hospital, now. Max miscarried the baby."

Alec closed his eyes, "Is Max OK?"

"She's resting now. We need you here to give Logan a blood transfusion, then you can visit Max."

"Yeah, you got it, OC. I'll be there as soon as I can."

Alec flips the cell phone closed and heads for the door. A man sitting at the bar watches him go and then speaks into a hidden microphone.

"He's coming your way. Get ready."

As Alec leaves the bar, he finds several policemen pointing guns at him. Alec starts to step back toward the door, but the man who alerted the police comes out and puts a gun to Alec's head.

"Don't even think it. You're under arrest."

Alec gritted his teeth. Could his life suck any harder??

---------------------------------
At the hospital

Dr Carr comes out of Logan's hospital room to talk to OC again, "If we're going to do this, Alec better get here soon."

OC told him, "He's coming. He knows how serious this is."

"Is there anybody else you can get? A different transgenic? Because right now this is the only shot Logan has."

OC nods as she leaves, "I'll be right back!"

------------------------------------
On his porch, Joshua is taking a nap. A guide dog approaches and licks Joshua's face. Joshua laughs, still half-asleep. A beautiful dark-skinned woman with big green eyes his holding the dog's harness and she speaks.

"Is someone there?" she says

Joshua wakes up and ducks, hiding his face automatically

The woman only sounded concerned, "Are you hurt?"

"Uh...no, I--I'm not hurt."

The woman smiles and stares into the distance as she reaches down to pet her dog, "Billie's never done this before. She just pulled me off the sidewalk and up these steps."

Joshua reaches out and pets the dog, "Hi, Billie."

"Guess she just likes you."

Joshua takes a look at the woman and notices she's blind. He waves a hand in front of her face to be sure and the woman still stares straight ahead

"She helps you?" Joshua asked

"She leads me around. Makes sure I'm safe."

"Makes sure you don't bump into things."

The woman chuckes, "I guess so."

Joshua pets the dog and scratches behind his ears. The dog affectionately licks Joshua's hand. Joshua smiles brightly, "Good Billie. Good Billie."

The woman offers out her hand for a handshake, "I'm Annie. Annie Fisher. I live up the street."

Joshua takes her hand and shakes it, "I'm Joshua. I'm, uh, from..." He starts to point at the house, then thinks for a second, "Um...not...here. Not here. I mean, I'm visiting."

Annie was curious and she tilted her head, "Oh? From where?"

Joshua almost slipped and then caught himself, "Manti-- uh...coro."

"Mantia Coro?"

He nods, and realizes she won't see that, so he speaks, "In France."

"Well. Your English is very good."

"Merci beaucoup."

Annie was laughing, "Well, we should probably be going. Come on, Billie. Come on."

She tries to guide her dog off the porch. Joshua watches as she walks away. Once at the sidewalk, she stops to call back to him.

"It was very nice to meet you, Joshua!"

He called back to her, "Nice to meet you, Annie!"

As Annie leaves, OC pulls up in a taxi

"Joshua! Logan needs your help!"

------------------------------
In the hospital, OC is pulling a gurney through the hallway. The person lying on the gurney is covered by a sheet. Dr Carr joins her in the hallway. He carefully lifts the sheet and sees Joshua for the first time. He gives a puzzled look to OC

Oc shrugged, "He has a little...canine DNA in him."

Dr Carr nods, "Right. Well...okay, so long as he's got the antibodies. That's all we need!"

He wheels Joshua into Logan's room

----------------------------------
OC walks into Max's room to check on her. She's still asleep. Only the morphine keeping her down, but OC knew she needed the rest

OC approaches Max's bed and reaches out to brush back Max's bangs

"Boo, you're going to be aiight. Logan will too. Joshua is here to help him. As for Alec..... well frankly Boo I'll help you give him the smackdown on his ass for not getting here like he promised."

OC sat in a chair next to the hospital bed to watch over Max

-----------------------------------
Joshua sits at Logan's bedside, transfusing him. He touches Logan's face gently

"Logan'll get better now."

-----------------------------------
At the police station, a woman stands before a two-way mirror, looking into a lineup room. The man who arrested Alec joins her.

"We're ready when you are, Mrs. Ryan."

She nods. The officer speaks into an intercom beside the two-way mirror

"Bring 'em in!"

Alec and four other guys enter the lineup room. They turn and face the mirror

Mrs Ryan points out Alec, "Him. He's the one."

The officer assists Mrs Ryan out of the room first, then walks through the door to go into the line-up room. He has everyone leave, except Alec.

Alec tried to talk his way out of this, "Hey, I gotta be somewhere, pal. The mother of my child is in the hospital. Can I go now?"

"You've been I.D.'d."

Alec was exasperated. No one would tell him what he was here for! "For what??"

"For the murder of Timothy Ryan." The officer handcuffed Alec's hands behind his back

----------------------------------
Max was better within a couple of days, due to her transgenic healing abilities. She was discharged from the hospital and she began to walk by Logan's hospital room. She stopped and looked in the window, where he was sitting up, eating some oatmeal and being fussed over by a nurse

OC put an arm around Max's shoulders, "It's gonna be all right. You'll see. He's a fighter. He's gonna hang on."

Dr Carr emerges from Logan's room

"Good new! The antibodies in your friend's blood are neutralizing the virus, keeping it from replicating. He's gonna make it."

OC squeezed Max in a hug, "You hear that? He's gonna be okay!"

Dr Carr looked at Max, "He asked to see you."

Max shook her head tearfully, "I can't go in there."

OC was trying to calm her fears, "He's asking for you Boo."

Max shook her head vehemently, backing away from Logan's door, "I can't see him. Not now. Not ever again!"

OC grabbed her friend by the shoulders, shaking her gently, "Sweetie, you're just saying that 'cause you're upset. You heard the doc--he's gonna be fine."

Max's tear-filled eyes bore into OC's, "This time, sure! But what about next time?" She jerks out of OC's grip, backing further down the hall, "No, this has to stop. Tell him I'm glad he's okay. And I'm also going to find Alec and kick his ass for being the selfish, irresponsible b@stard I always knew he was!!"

Original Cindy and Dr Carr watch as Max turns and walks quickly down the hall

--------------------------------------
At Jam Pony the next day

Normal is walking through Jam Pony, "Alec!" He stops a couple of messengers and asks, "Any of you reprobates seen Alec?"

They shake their heads and Normal walks around, muttering.

"Isn't here, doesn't call, thinks only of himself, always hurts the one... " Then he sees Sketchy and calls out to him, "Hey, you--crustacean--you seen Golden Boy?"

Sketchy shakes his head, "Nope!"

Normal raises his voice at everyone, "Let's go, people! Mission bells are ringing. Let's go. Hear it? Bip, bip, bip!"

OC was on the pay phone with Max. She had already explained to Normal about Max needing time off due to the miscarriage. She spoke softly into the phone to Max. "Logan kept asking where you were. I didn't know what to say."

Max was using her cell phone as she was walking down a street, heading to Alec's apartment, "It's okay. It's not your problem." The call waiting goes off on the cell phone

OC asked, "Is that him?"

Max sighs sadly, "Yeah!"

"Let me give it to you straight Boo. If you're serious about this, you owe the man an explanation."

"You're right. I'll talk to him."

"Let me know how it goes, OK?"

Max switches over to Logan's call

When she answered the phone, Logan remarked, "Hi, stranger."

Max hesitated, then said a simple, "Hi."

Logan knew she had to have been worried and he was trying to boost her spirits, joking with her "You missed it. I wandered all over the hospital looking for you with the back of my gown open."

Max sounded sad and distracted, "Yeah. Uh, sorry about that. Listen--"

Logan knew what was coming and he was trying his best to head it off, so he interrupted her quickly, "I'm feeling pretty good, actually. Must be all that transgenic blood. Eh?"

"Logan..... We need to talk."

Logan was trying to put the inevitable off, "And, you know, I pulled out an old board I had lying around, and put up all the doodlings I made at the bar the other night. It's kind of my, uh, wide-screen version, you know?"

"Logan....."

Finally, Logan whispered brokenly into the phone, "Don't, Max. Please!"

She was in tears again. She was so sick of crying!! "I can't do this anymore, Logan. It hurts too much."

"Look...I'm fine. Everything turned out okay. We'll just hunt down Dr Greenberg again. Dr Carr figured it out, that since you became pregnant while still carrying the virus, the embryo was immune to the cure and reinfected you, therefore reinfecting me. It just took a while for it to get through your system this time. You're not pregnant now and...."

"Logan...... We got lucky again. I mean, how many miracles do you think we're going to get? But one day, I might forget about the virus and kiss you and you'd die. Or accidentally touch you and you'd die. I can't keep going through this!"

"Max! Please! Do I get a vote? It is my life on the line. I love you."

Max was hiccuping due to the crying, "So, what, you end up dead and I get to spend the rest of my life knowing it was my fault? Sorry, I pass."

"Max.... I've been where you are, remember? Thinking it was all too hard. But I realized being away from you was much worse."

Max couldn't take it any more. She knew she'd lose her resolve if she didn't hang up, "I have to hang up now."

"Max!!"

Max hangs up and finds an alley. She crumples to the ground crying

She never felt more alone than now

-----------------------------------
At Joshua's house

Joshua heard a knock at his door. Not used to people knocking, he checks to see who it is, and finds Annie standing on his porch. He opens the front door. As soon as she heard the door open, she asks, "Joshua?"

Joshua smiles happily, "Annie!"

"Ya know? It's the funniest thing. We were just walking past, and Billie here just veered up your steps again. I think she really likes you."

He bent down to pet the dog, "I like her, too."

"She's usually a really good judge of character." She was obviously nervous and she takes a deep breath, then blurted, "I hope you don't think I'm being forward, but I wanted to invite you to dinner."

Joshua sees a woman on the sidewalk passing the house, and ducks out of the doorway quickly so she won't see him talking to Annie. Once the woman was gone, he stands in front of Annie again

Due to the pause in the conversation, Annie asked anxiously, "Are you there? Joshua?"

"Yeah, I'm here."

She plunged ahead, "I thought, with you being new in town and all... " She suddenly begins to lose her nerve, "You know what? That's okay. You're probably really busy."

She starts to turn and leave and Joshua speaks up quickly, "I--I'd love to."

Annie stops, surprised, cocking her head to the side, "What?"

"Love to have dinner."

Annie's smile could light up a room as she said, "Great. I live down the street, across from--"

Joshua interrupts her, "No, here." He tries to think of a reason, and said, "Because I love to cook. Do you like macaroni and cheese?"

She was still smiling, "It's my favorite." Then she sniffs and her look was questioning, "Is that turpentine?"

"Yes. I--I paint."

Annie's eyes widen in pleasure, "You're a painter!"

"Yes."

"Wow! A painter from Mantia Coro, right here on my little street. I can one day tell everyone that I knew you way back when huh?" She turns to go now, "I'll see you around seven, okay?"

"Okay. Bye Annie"

--------------------------------
At Crash

OC was sitting at the bar, talking to Max, each with their own mug of beer, "So you did it. It's over."

She sadly stares off into space, "Yeah. It's over."

Sketchy approaches the bar and sets an empty pitcher on it.

Not catching on to the mopey mood of Max, he announces, "Ladies, did you hear what happened to our buddy Alec?"

Max looked incredibly angry now and retorted, "Don't care!!"

"Well...He's in jail."

It didn't quite penetrate in Max's mind and she still answered sullently, "Whatever Let him rot!"

"You know Hummer, the bartender from last night? Saw him get pinched right outside of here. Kind of makes you wonder what he did, huh?"

Max snorted, "Not really!"

Sketchy shrugged at Max's attitude and walks away with the refilled pitcher.

OC stared hard at Max and asked, "You're not gonna go help?"

"I got my own problems. Alec can take care of himself!"

"Now, you know you gotta come correct on this. Suppose they tip to his barcode? Exposure. Bad for Alec, bad for you, bad for Joshua, bad for everybody."

Max rolled her eyes, "Not like saving his butt isn't already my full-time job. But I guess you're right." She stands and tells OC, "Thanks for the beer."

--------------------------------
At the jail, a cop escorts Alec, whose hands are handcuffed in front of him, into an interrogation room. He sees Max in the interrogation room and smiles for the first time in four days. She was wearing a business suit that showed off her legs, her hair in a neat bun behind her head

She stands and tells Alec, "Whitney Mann, public defender's office. I'll be handling your case."

Alec winked, "Pleasure!"

The cop shoves Alec into a chair at the table and Alec shot a dirty look at the cop

The cop tipped his hat to Max, "You need anything, I'm right outside. You got five minutes."

Max nods primly at him, "Thank you."

The cop leaves, closing the door and giving them privacy. Max sits down at the table, across from Alec and he began his story quickly

"Max, I'm SO sorry, I was on my way to the hos--"

Max hissed hatefully, "Shut up!! I came down here to bail your sorry ass out, 'cause I figured you got grabbed up off of one of your scams going sideways. But the officer just told me you f*cking KILLED somebody!!"

"Max! I'm tellin' you! I didn't do it!"

Max slapped the palm of her hand on the table, making Alec flinch a little, "You got ID'd Dumbass! There's a perfect DNA match! Just like you to miss the miscarriage of OUR child on something as STUPID as this!!"

"Max!! Listen to me!! I'm telling you...."

She raised a hand up, "DON'T tell me anything, all right?!? I'm sorry I let you out of Manticore. I'm sorry I inflicted you on the world!!"

Alec was hurt by her words but due to Manticore training, he kept it hidden as she continued her tirade.

"Screw exposure Alec!! I'm leaving you here for White to deal with!!"

Max gathers up her briefcase and starts to leave, but Alec stands and intercepts her

"Max, I swear, I'm innocent!"

She pushed him out of her way and made it to the door. She turned back to him sarcastically, "Tell that to Ames. And, uh, give him my regards."

Alec shook his head in disbelief, "You really think I could do it?? You think I could murder someone in cold blood??"

Max pretended to think about it and answered scathingly, "Yes, Alec, I think you could!"

"C'mon Max! Think!! The guy's teeth were pulled from his head, for God's sake!! Does that sound like MY M.O??"

Max stops in her tracks before calling for the guard, remembering that Ben, Alec's twin brother and one of her "brothers" that escaped with her from Manticore in 2009. He had murdered people and pulled their teeth to offer as a sacrifice to the Virgin Mary......

She remembered seeing a toothless body in the morgue, a napkin full of bloody teeth, and Ben in the church when she confronted him so long ago

She remembered asking him sadly, "Ben? Why are you doing this?"

Ben had a cold calculated stare as he answered quietly, "You know why!"

Alec brought her back to the present as he was practically pleading now, "Come on, Max! You know, no matter what you think, there's no way it could've been me. That guy was killed over a year ago. I was working undercover for Manticore in another country! In Iraq to be specific!! I wasn't even here!! Max!!"

The cop walks into the room at this moment while Max was finally listening to Alec, realizing Alec was about to take the fall for something his twin brother did

"Ok! Time's up!" The cop announced as he entered the room

Max knocks the cop out with a quick punch between the eyes, bends over and takes his keys. She uncuffs Alec. After making sure the coast was clear, they sneak together down the hall.

Alec was relieved they were getting out, "Hey, Max, I'm not complaining, but what made you think I didn't do it?"

"Shh!" she shushed him urgently

He didn't listen, talking as usual, "I mean, I'm just curious, you know? Was it the sincerity in my eyes? Some people say I have sincere eyes."

"Quiet!!" She points at a door and tells him, "Here! Let's go!"

They go into a room and Max looks out the window. In the alley below, some cops are talking near their cars, and a short distance away sits Max's motorcycle.

Alec still wouldn't shut up, "It was the teeth thing, wasn't it? I mean, come on, I can hardly stand going to the dentist!"

Max elbowed him in the side and he made an "Oomph!" sound. She said, "Shut up, okay?"

"Why are you taking this so personally??"

Max and Alec climb out the window onto a narrow ledge. They begin to shuffle over to a drainpipe, checking to make sure the cops didn't see them

Max finally answered, "Because it was Ben."

Alec was stunned, "Ben?? My Manticore twin, Ben? THAT Ben??"

Max was looking for the best way down the building. They were about 5 stories up. "He killed Timothy Ryan and ten other people. Same M.O."

"Whoa! They told me back at Manticore that he'd gone nuts, but..." He whistles at the implications of how bad off Ben really got mentally, "...serial killer??"

Max turned her head toward him and pointed a finger under his nose threateningly, "One more word and I shove you off this ledge!"

They reach the drainpipe. Max climbs down it a little ways.

Alec sees what Max is doing and says, "Max, please tell me you got a plan!"

He starts climbing down too. Then he heard Max call up to him

"Hang on!"

That was the only warning he got when he saw her use a foot to break the drainpipe they were holding onto away from the building

"What are you doing?? No, no, no, no!!!"

They fall over, Max and Alec holding onto the drainpipe and now dangling above the parking lot. The cops look up.

One yelled at them, "Hey!! What's going on??"

At a point below Max and Alec, the drainpipe comes to rest on top of an electric fence. Sparks fly, which causes the cops to duck. Max sees a police car directly below them

Alec's sarcasm was back, "THIS is your plan?"

"Jump!" she ordered and let go of the pipe. Alec followed her lead and did the same thing, and they drop onto the roof of the car. The cops start shooting at them as they jump off and duck down behind the car for shelter

"Geez Max! I should've stayed where I was and taken my chances!!"

Max sees that her Ninja isn't far away. The drainpipe sparks on the fence again, momentarily distracting the cops.

She grabs Alec by the arm and pulls him toward her motorcycle, "Come on!!"

She and Alec run for the Ninja and hop on. Max cranks it up and starts driving away from the continuing gunfire behind them, Alec holding tightly to her from behind and keeping his head low to avoid the gunfire

-------------------------------
Max went back to OC's apartment, where she started staying again since breaking things off with Logan

Alec was standing at the window, looking down to the street, while Max was showering and changing clothes. When she returned to the living room and he saw her reflection in the glass, he spoke, "So the thing that's got me worried is I can't exactly use 'Well, I was locked up in a secret government facility' as my alibi."

"I guess not."

He shrugged, "Maybe Logan could pull one of his little, uh... "

Suddenly he remembered why he was leaving Crash in the first place and he turned to Max, concern in his eyes, "Oh my God- -Logan. Is he all right??"

Max was fixing coffee, using a percolator and said, "He's fine. Joshua came through."

Alec sighed in relief, "Oh, good. Logan could use a little canine plasma to loosen him up. You think?" He chuckled

Max gives him a look and while placing the percolator on the stove

"I'm just kidding, Max. Come on, you know I love Logan. I mean, not the way you love him, it's just...well, he's okay. Right?" Alec had a few issues with Logan before, but he said those hurtful words while drunk and Alec, being the guy he is, just overlooked it for now and gave him a second chance

Max nods uncomfortably.

Alec looked confused, "So what's the problem?"

Quietly, Max answered, "I'm not going to see him anymore Alec."

"You mean.....Any more this week?"

She shook her head, "No. Ever. I can't risk it." She pointed at him, "And I don't want to hear an 'I told you so.'"

Alec sat on the barstool next to the island in the kitchen, "No, I wasn't going to Max"

She decided to change the subject, "Would you like some coffee?"

He gives her a hesitant smile, "Yeah, sure."

As she waits for the coffee to heat, Alec gives her hand a friendly squeeze

"Max.... I'm sorry I couldn't be there for your miscarriage.... or for Logan. I was blind-sided, but thank you for getting me out."

"I understand now.... it wasn't your fault Alec."

He pauses a moment, then states, "Listen, since we're already knee-deep in painful subjects...tell me about him. About Ben."

As she speaks, Max remembers young Ben at Manticore when they were little kids. Max and Ben were in the same unti. She remembered how Ben would make shadow puppets on the wall and entertain them.

She began quietly, "When we were kids, back at Manticore, he always wanted answers for everything. You know? Why we were there, what was outside. So he would make up these fantastic stories to explain things. Somehow it made us feel...loved. Like we weren't all alone."

Alec kind of regretted that he never met his twin, "Sounds like a nice kid. What went wrong?"

"After we escaped, it was like there were too many things in this world he didn't have answers for. I think it drove him off the deep end."

She remembered clearly confronting Ben at the Space Needle during his killing spree and he said, "We never should've left. Everything made sense at Manticore. It doesn't now!"

Looking at Alec, seeing Ben's face there, it brought back a lot of painful memories and she quietly told Alec, "I don't know. He just...lost it."

Max turns to get a couple of coffee mugs, then stares into space.

Alec jumped up and ran around the island, because she was swaying and he was afraid she was going to faint. He supported her, "Hey, you okay?"

Memories came back with such clarity, it was like she was reliving them. She remembers sobbing over Ben's body in the woods. How he begged her to kill him before Manticore caught him.

"I'm fine.... just too much going on after the miscarriage I guess. Logan, now remembering Ben, and breaking you out of jail...."

She sits down. Alec sees she is clearly not fine. He watches her with concern

"Max, what is it?"

She was trembling as she told, "We were in the woods. He was hurt. Manticore was closing in on us. He didn't want to go back there. He was so scared and so frightened"

Alec nodded, "Reindoctrination. Or worse."

She finally admitted why she feels so guilty, "I killed him Alec"

Alec looks surprised.

"He asked me to, so I did. He preferred death over going back to Manticore. And then I ran. I saved myself. And I just left his body there for them to take away."

Tears run down Max's cheeks. Alec puts an arm around her shoulders and kisses the top of her hair, holding her and letting her cry it out

"Max, I'm sorry."

She turns her tearful face up to Alec and it was like her lips were calling out to him. He began to lower his head, and she parted her lips in anticipation....

And then Alec pulled away, kissing her on the forehead instead

"I can't Max."

She sat and just waited for him to explain, which he did.

"We keep doing this dance, ya know? You turn to me when you're vulnerable, you turn to me during heat cycles..... but in the end, you still run to Logan. Not this time!"

"What?" Max asked, confused

He cupped her face and made her look at him, "I could take advantage of you easily right now, because you're vulnerable. The old Alec would have jumped. But now..... unless it's during a heat cycle... those are exempt.... from now on we don't get together in between heat cycles. Not unless you're willing to come to me with your whole heart in it."

She was about to say something and he placed a finger over her lips, shushing her

He spoke quietly, "It would kill me if you just chose me due to convenience. That's all it's been so far. You have got to get your feelings straightened out regarding Logan and myself. Until then, no sex, no kissing, no ANYTHING between heat cycles."

Max was sad, but she understood. Alec was right. It wasn't fair to keep using him like she was doing. She apparently was one of those girls that wanted her cake and to eat it too. She wanted Logan AND Alec..... but she'll eventually have to make a final decision and choose and stop this game

He released her and went to grab his coat, "And with that thought in mind.... I better go before everything I said flies out a window."

"I'll walk you out." Max told him

--------------------------------
Logan's apartment

Logan is pacing back and forth, phone in hand and looking agitated. Finally he makes a decision and grabs his car keys, leaving the apartment

-------------------------------
Max and Alec walk out of Max's apartment building. They see the sun is rising

Max folded her arms over her chest, "You better lay low until we get this whole mistaken-identity thing sorted out."

Alec agreed with a sigh, "Yeah, maybe I'll crash at Joshua's. Think he'll mind?"

Max smiled fondly, "Are you kidding? He'll love it!"

"Well, thanks for saving my butt, again. Must be hard, huh? Having me around? Some guy with Ben's face, making you think about things you'd rather forget?"

She punched him playfully on the arm, "Yeah. That's probably why I'm such a b!tch to you sometimes."

He grinned, "Maybe."

Logan arrived and gets out of his car. He starts to head for the building.. He stops when he sees Max and Alec in the distance. Alec looks up, squinting at the sky and he puts a brotherly arm around Max, giving her a friendly hug. Logan sees it and looks floored!

Alec replied to Max, "Or, you know, maybe 'cause I'm such a pain in the ass sometimes."

Max smiles as Alec starts to walk away, walking backwards

"Bye Maxie!" he tells her, turns and heads to Joshua's on foot

"Be careful!" she calls out to him

"Always" he yells back at her

Hurt and completely floored, Logan turns back to his car, believing Max was now with Alec

------------------------------------
In his living room, Joshua is painting a portrait of Annie. Alec arrives and calls out.

"Josh! Here boy!" he calls out playfully

As Alec walks around looking for him, Joshua quickly sets the canvas aside so that Alec won't see what he's painting.

Alec was whistling like he was calling a dog, "Where you at, pal? Josh? Here Josh, you around?"

Alec walks into the living room and finds Joshua

With arms outstretched, Alec announced, "Hey hey, roomie!"

Joshua didn't understand the word, "Roomie?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I need to hang out for a little while 'til the heat's off my place. It turns out my, uh, dead twin brother was a psycho killer. Go figure!"

Alec was looking around the room and said, "Yeah. Where's your TV?"

Joshua shook his head, "No TV." He takes a book from the bookcase and bops Alec lightly on the head with it before handing it to him. "Read book. You can read."

Alec laughed, "Dude! What are we living in, the Dark Ages? Come on, pal. I need my boob tube. You know? The hot medium. The vast wasteland."

Joshua shakes his head.

Alec was resigned, "Well, that's all right. You know what? I think I know where I can score one anyway."

Alec pulls out his cell phone and dials. While it rings, he catches a glimpse of the painting, despite Joshua's best efforts to stand in front of it.

"What you got there? That a new work?"

Joshua nervously uttered an, "Uh...umm"

"What is it? Joshua #320?"

He finally steps aside and just quietly says, "Annie."

Alec hangs up his phone and points at the painting, "Did you say.... Annie?"

Joshua nods, "Annie. Yes."

"And who exactly is Annie?"

Joshua was still nervous, "Uh...the girl who lives down the street."

Alec began to think that it might be a good time to give Joshua a little talk about spying on girls in the streets

Alec sighs, "Ok..... Listen, Josh..."

Joshua began explaining, "Alec, she can't see. No running, no screaming. It's okay."

Alec winced, "Oh, boy. Uh, I think we need to have a little talk about your friend Annie."

Joshua remained stubborn, "I don't want to have a little talk. I know I have to lay low. I'm tired of laying low, Alec!"

Alec just threw up his hands. This is not the time. Maybe later!

An hour later, using a TV he stole from a hospital, Alec is watching a rap video on TV. The TV is labeled "PROPERTY OF HARBOR LIGHTS HOSPITAL." Joshua is sitting in an armchair across the room, trying to read a book.

Joshua tried to talk over the noise, "Alec! The boob tube is too loud!"

Alec smiled at his buddy, "Well, that's the only way to enjoy it Josh! Why don't you come over and have a look?"

Joshua joins Alec and watches for a moment.

"Tricks and treats" Joshua said with a grin. He calls all good things "tricks and treats" since the night Max let him go trick-or-treating on Halloween

Alec slapped Joshua on the back, "Welcome my friend to the world of attention deficit!"

The video is interrupted by a screen that says "KIPH 3 SPECIAL NEWS BULLETIN."

Alec and Joshua lean forward when they see the footage on the screen of a transgenic throwing cops around

"This is a Channel Three news break. A hoverdrone recorded this shocking footage. Authorities are refusing to comment on the nature of the assailant. But, as you can see for yourself, the attacker has what can only be described as superhuman strength."

Alec muttered, "Oh! This is bad. This is so, so very bad."

The anchorman continued, "The subject, who was described by witnesses as a mutant, refused to comply with police officers on the scene. He is believed to have escaped from what is purported to be a covert government project known as Manticore."

--------------------------------
At Jam Pony, Normal and all the messengers are gathered round the TV, solemn and amazed, watching the same footage

"Authorities have denied all knowledge of Manticore, but so far no one has been able..."

Sketchy states to no one in particular, "Dude, that's the thing I saw in the sewer last week!"

Normal murmurs, "Whoa, Nellie. Look at that sucker!"

Max and Original Cindy exchange a worried glance.

In his apartment, Logan is watching the same newscast.

The anchorman continues his coverage, " ...obvious physical prowess. One of the officers was seriously injured before others opened fire. Some eyewitnesses claim that it took police six shots to bring down their attacker, but Channel Three can neither confirm nor deny..."

Logan grabs his phone and makes a phone call to Max.

At Joshua's, Alec puts on his jacket quickly and gets ready to leave.

"Lay low, Alec." Joshua told him, trying to stop him from leaving

"Lay low?? Is that all you have to say to me, Josh??"

They hear a knock on the door. Both turn to the door

Annie was standing outside, "Joshua? It's me, Annie."

Alec spoke urgently to Joshua in a low voice, "Send her away! You can't be with her now. All right?" Joshua was hesitating, so Alec tried to drive his point home. He points at the TV, "You see that? You see what's going on?"

"But Alec, she's..."

Alec cuts him off as Annie knocks on the door again, "Send her away, Josh! All right? Let her go before she falls in love with you, before she wants you to meet her family, before you get yourself killed, before you get her killed!! Send her away!"

Joshua sadly opens the door. Alec stands a short distance away, giving Joshua moral support

Annie smiled again, "Billie and I were going to take a walk to the store. Thought maybe you'd like to come."

Joshua checked up and down the street to make sure no one saw him, "Uh...Annie..."

She heard something in his voice and frowned, "What's wrong?"

He pointed back at the TV and said, "The news..."

Annie shook her head, "What news?"

Joshua came up with an idea. He hated to lie to her, but it might be kinder than hearing that he was a freak, "News from back home. I have to go."

Annie sadly asked, "When?"

"Today." he answered simply

Annie struggles to remain calm, wiping a tear from her eye.

"I'll miss you." she whispered

"I'll miss you, too..... Goodbye, Annie."

Annie starts to walk away and Joshua starts to close the door, but Annie stops

"Joshua?"

Joshua opens the door wider and Annie turns back to face him.

"Can you do something for me?"

She holds up her hand and asks, "I just...I want to remember you... may I touch your face?"

Joshua looks at her for a moment, then glances back at Alec, asking silently to step in. Alec understands and nods. He quietly steps forward until Annie's hand brushes his jacket. She reaches up and feels his face, causing Alec to have to close his eyes when she felt over his forhead, his hair, his eyes and nose, remembering every detail down to his strong jaw and lips. Joshua's eyes tear up as he watches from behind Alec, wishing he could be part of that tender touch from Annie

-------------------------------
At Jam Pony, everyone is still watching the news while the anchorman is still covering the story on the transgenic that the cops shot, supposedly in self-defense

"You can see it right there--the barcode. Unconfirmed reports suggest these tattoos were used to keep track of the various soldiers involved in the program. The mutant's body was rushed from the scene based on officials' concerns regarding a potential biohazard."

Max's pager goes off. She checks it and calls Alec.

Back at Joshua's, Joshua is sitting on the floor in the middle of the living room, sadly looking at Annie's portrait, hugging his knees and rocking back and forth

Alec answered his cell on the first ring, "Hey Max! Thanks for hitting me back."

"So I take it you've seen the news?"

Alec sighed tiredly, "Yeah, but that's not why I'm calling. I need you to get over here. ASAP. It's about Joshua..."

Thirty minutes later, Max is on the floor next to Joshua, consoling him

"I know you're sad, but you did the right thing. Remember we talked about how we're not like other people, and we need to stick together? Right now that's more important than ever."

Joshua sniffled, "Annie's not like other people. She's different. She's--"

Max placed a gentle hand on Josh's arm, "She's not like us, either. And when you care about someone, you have to do what's best for them, even when it hurts."

Joshua started rocking again, exclaiming softly, "Love sucks!"

--------------------------------
Max was going to have to get her clothing and stuff from Logan's apartment, but she didn't want to confront him either. So she decided to wait until she was sure he'd be asleep and sneak in

As Max sneaks into Logan's darkened apartment. She notices the whiteboard Logan had set up and looks it over curiously in the dark.

Suddenly the lights and the computer equipment go on. Max turns to find Logan sitting at the kitchen table, having just pulled the switch. He has been drinking again

"Hi there!" he announced drunkenly

Max felt chagrined, "The lights were out. I didn't know you were home."

He stood, "I'm sure! 'Cause if you did, you wouldn't have come, huh?"

He started approaching Maxm holding his drink. He was hurt that she broke it off with him, regardless of reasons, and the way he copes is to drink

Logan's eyes pratically bore holes through her, "Maybe I oughta do an Eyes Only hack, huh? I mean, this is a big news day! In case you hadn't noticed, I tried paging you. Wanted to talk to you, but, uh...guess you were busy!"

Max's hands were up, "I'm going. I was just coming to get my things, but I can get them later."

Max turns to leave, but Logan rushes over and gets in her way. Trying to keep from touching him, she dodges and he counters. She tries several times to go around him, but each time he blocks her.

Max was getting very irritated, "Cut it out Logan!"

Logan smiled at his small victory, "Oh I could keep you here all night!"

She stepped to the left and he followed, blocking her

"Come on, Logan! This is ridiculous!"

"Well..... At least 'til I drop dead, right Max?

"You know what Logan? I've said everything I needed to say!"

He still blocked her from getting out. He knew he had the upper hand because she won't touch him, all he needed to do was keep her here and make her talk, "I don't think so! I think there's something else."

Max was really tired of this cat and mouse game, "Logan..."

"Or is it someONE else?"

Max stopped dead in her tracks now. "What did you just say?"

"You see, this morning I needed to talk to you, so I came by your apartment...and I saw HIM leaving!"

Max doesn't say anything.

Logan was almost pleading, "I--I mean, if I've got it wrong, just say so! Please! For the love of God, tell me I'm wrong!"

Max still says nothing.

Finally Logan's voice broke, "Tell me it's not true."

Max answered in a voice as tortured as his, "I can't." She pauses a moment and tells Logan face to face, "It's over. We're done. Get used to it."

Max walks around him and leaves the apartment. Logan doesn't move from where she left him and he swallows more Scotch

-------------------------------
Two hour later found Max sitting on the Space Needle. Alec finds her, and he comes and stands next to her.

Alec put his hands in his leather jacket and hunched against the cold, "Hey, Max. Thought I'd find you here!"

Now Max was the one hugging her knees, "I come here to be alone."

Alec sighed, "Yeah, I know, but considering everything that went down today, I figured we could both use a friend right now."

Max pats the spot next to her, "Sit down."

Alec takes the seat next her and hugs his knees too like she's doing, looking over the Seattle skyline

"So! You got any deep thoughts you want to share? Any, uh, profound realizations about life?" he joked

Max placed her chin on her knees and quietly murmured

"Yeah...... Love sucks!"

The two of them sat there for over an hour before Max walked with Alec back to Joshua's, then went to OC's to try and get a little sleep.

-----------------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Max miscarried the baby! :( Cries :(

You evil woman You!!!

[Dana0715]

Sorry! It's pretty imperative to this story though, so hang in there! :)

[Dana0715]

As time went on, Logan and Max still worked together regarding Eyes Only missions and they steadily worked toward a "friends" relationship

Logan couldn't find Dr Greenberg. He had disappeared and no one knew where he went, or if there was foul play involved

Alec had to help Max through another heat cycle also, one that popped up early due to her miscarriage, but true to his word, once it was over, he went back to his life and Max to hers

(the following is from the episode "Fuhgedaboutit"

A week after that, she was at Logan's apartment, in his bathroom getting dressed in an undercover outfit that involved fishnet stockings, a black leather mini skirt, a VERY low cut top where the front plunges all the way down to the belly button and would distract any man that sees her. and stiletto heels. As she changed clothes and applied makeup. Logan is making cappuccino and talking to her from the kitchen

"I appreciate you doing this for me, Max. You almost ready?"

"Uh-huh!"

"'Cause Fat Tony and his crew always show up at the 49 Club by nine. Get there late and you risk them already hooking up with their goumadas."

Max opens the bathroom door and only her head peers out

"Their what?"

"Goumada. Like a comare. A girlfriend."

He hands her the cappuccino by passing the tray to her, so she could pick it up without touching him.

Gratefully, she takes it and sips, "Oh. Thanks. Just tell me about the guy I'm supposed to get close to." She closes the door and continues getting ready, setting the cappucino on the sink ledge

"Dougie Colantonio. Goes by the name of Books."

Max was putting on a blonde wig, "What is it with these wise guys and their stupid nicknames?"

He was still standing outside the door, explaining, "He's an accountant for the Sparacino crime syndicate. A while back, he was all set to rat on the family, in exchange for Eyes Only's guarantee of witness protection and a new identity. I mean, it was the scoop of a lifetime, Max. He was gonna give me the capo di tutti capi."

Max opens the door, only her head poking out again in the blonde wig, extremely perplexed "The capi tutti what-ie?"

Logan grinned and explained, "The boss of bosses."

"Ohhh!" Max answered and then closed the bathroom door again

Logan loved his job and he was excitedly telling Max about this, "I mean, no one outside the organization's even seen this guy. He's totally paranoid. No one knows what he looks like. Every time he goes out in public, he wears a disguise. Dougie was gonna get him to the track, tip his identity, so Matt Sung could swoop in and slap the cuffs on him."

"What happened?" Max called out from the bathroom while she was finishing with her primping

"Ah, he lost his nerve. Now he won't even talk to my source. Says that, uh, he's a stand-up guy and he's no stoolie. I ain't buyin' it. Little mook just needs convincin'."

Max laughed, "Someone's spent too much time listening to surveillance tapes!"

Logan was checking something quickly on his computer, "What was that?" he called out

Max said more loudly, "I said I got it. My mission is to flip Dougie."

Max leaves the bathroom and Logan turns as she stands before him in an outfit that some would consider trashy. Logan whistled

Max held out her arms and posed, "What do you think?"

"Oh honey!...... Fuhgeddaboudit!"

------------------------------------
Later, at the 49 Club, Max is eating dinner with three men. She speaks in a ditzy voice, playing the part of a brainless bimbo

"So you guys are in waste management? Is that like garbagemen?"

The guys talking to her sounded a lot like the gangsters she's seen on TV as one answered, "No, doll, we're, uh, more on the corporate end."

A second man interjected, "Yeah, see, local businessmen pay us a fee, and we send our crews out to take the trash off the streets."

Max's eyes were wide, "Wow! There's, like, so much trash on the streets Tee hee!" She giggles, causing the other men to smile in amusement

The first guy chuckles and winks at Max, "Hey! Business is booming!"

The men laugh and raise their glasses in a toast.

One guy cries, "To the pulse!

The other guys join in, "To the pulse!!"

Max asked, "You guys are kidding, right?"

The first man shakes his head, "Best thing that ever happened to a small collective of honest businessmen such as ourselves, little lady."

The men talked easily all around her, "Yeah baby! Crime rate is up...police corruption is back...even the Pezzonovantes have their hands out for gifts."

"End of the century, the mob was on the run. Dying breed. Then, badda-bing, one little nuclear airburst fried all the Sputniks, and we are back, baby!"

There was one man next to her that wasn't doing much talking so Max turned to him, "And, uh, what do you do with the corporation, good fella? "

She knew this was Dougie, the bookeeper, but pretended not to know that as he answered, "I'm the accountant."

One of the men snorted, "Yeah. He cooks the books is what he does!" One of the guys is shaking his headin warning and he quickly covers, "Uh, he keeps the books. Right, Doug?"

Dougie has fallen asleep at the table, causing Max some concern, but the other men chuckle.

The man on her left patted her hand, "Don't take it personal, hon. He's got a condition."

One of the men tried to sound important as he said, "Yeah, it's epilepsy!"

Another guy shakes his head and laughs, "'Epilepsy.' It's not epilepsy. That's necrophilia!"

The leader, two seats down from her answered, "All right, shut up, both of yous. It's narcolepsy." He turns to Max, explaining, "Makes a person fall asleep for no good reason, like some kind of babbo." He calls out to Dougie and slaps his hand on the table to wake him up, "Hey!" He bangs on the table again and Dougie wakes up suddenly, "Heads up, here. We got ladies present! It's rude to sleep!"

A dark-haired woman approaches the table. She has one of those sickeningly sweet high-pitched voices that can drive some people nuts and seems kind of dingy too

"Nice for you to call me a lady, Tony." she tells the leader as she walks in

Tony scowled, "Wasn't talkin' about you, Mia. Now scram. You know the boss don't want ya around Books here."

She stood her ground, standing right behind Dougie, "Shouldn't that be up to Dougie?"

Dougie pauses, exchanging glances with the other men, then says, "You heard him. Scram!"

Mia points at Max, "Who's the skirt?"

Tony answered, "You want we should start barring you from the club, huh? Now beat it Mia!"

Mia walks away and talks to a waiter in low tones.

Max rolls her eyes and asks, "So... What's her dealio??

Tony patted her hand again, "Don't worry about it. You just have a nice time."

Max smiles and says, "O-KAY!"

The waiter that Mia had been talking to walks over and purposely spills water all over Max. Tony stands and grabs him by the shirt threateningly

"You think that's funny? You think you're some kinda comedian, huh??"

The waiter said, "I didn't mean to. I swear!! I...I don't know how it happened!!"

Dougie muttered, "Clumsy guys like you need to be more careful. You could have an accident."

Max waves it all off and says, "It's okay. It's okay. I'll just go to the ladies' room ....and dry off!"

Max leaves the table, goes down a set of winding stairs that leads to the ladies' room and begins drying herself off with paper towels. Mia walks out of a stall and sees Max

"Oh! Sorry about before." Mia tells her

Max (using her ditzy voice) responds, "Oh, it's okay. No biggie! Tee hee!"

Mia extended her hand and said, "I'm Mia!"

Max shakes it, "I'm Dorothy."

Mia exclaimed, "My! That's a pretty name!"

Max begins checking herself in the mirror and retouching her makeup.

Mia walks to the side of Max and asks, "So, Dorothy, what do you do?"

Mia was staring intently at Max through the mirror. Max caught her stare and just answered

"I'm a bike messenger at Jam Pony!"

"Ooooh! That sounds like fun. So...you're Dougie's new girl, huh?"

"Not exactly."

Mia batted her eyes, still staring very intently at Max's reflection, "Well, what exactly??"

Max looks at Mia in the mirror and stands for a moment, transfixed by Mia's eyes.

Max turned to her and spoke in her normal voice, "Actually, my name's Max. I'm undercover on a mission for Eyes Only."

Mia real sweetly asked, "What kind of mission?"

"I'm supposed to get Dougie to flip on the Sparacino family, finger the boss for Eyes Only. It's the scoop of a lifetime."

"Wow! That is so exciting. But, Max, you have to be careful! Those guys are dangerous."

Max waved off her warning, "Oh, it's cool! I'm genetically engineered. I can totally kick their asses!"

Mia jumped and clapped excitedly, "You're kidding!!"

"No. I'm from Manticore. I covered my barcode with makeup."

Mia talked like she found a new girlfriend, "Wow! Me too! I'm psy-ops. What about you?"

"X-series." Max answered

"Neat! Well, Max, since you and I are sharing all girlfriend-like, why don't you tell me who Eyes Only really is? 'Cause I'd really like to talk to him about something."

No matter what Mia tried to do, Max fought it without really realizing it.... she shook her head and said, "I can't."

Mia tried again, trying to coerce her mentally to tell more, "I won't tell. I promise!"

Max shook her head, "I'm sorry."

"Oh! That's okay. You don't have to."

Then she stared intently again and talked sweetly as usual, "But...for tonight...forget about Dougie, okay? You just go on home and get some rest."

Max nods and yawns suddenly, "Actually, I am kinda tired." She now realizes what she's disclosed up to now, "Oh God, I've said too much."

"Oh, don't worry........ You won't remember."

Max looked slightly confused now, "Remember what?"

Mia smiles and waves, "Remember to powder your nose!"

Mia leaves and Max watches her go, then she stands there looking puzzled.

---------------------------------
The next day, Max walks into Logan's apartment and Logan confronts her

"Oh, see I thought you'd swing by LAST night, which is why I was paging you."

Max shrugged it off, "Got really tired all of a sudden. Went home and slept for like four hours."

"You slept for four hours?"

"Yeah" Max sits on the couch and says, "I must be coming down with something. What'd you want, anyway?"

Logan was surprised she didn't remember anything, "To find out what happened with Dougie!"

"Dougie?"

"Yeah. The whole reason you went to the club"

Max searched her mind and said, "Oh, yeah. Didn't work out!"

Logan was getting exasperated with her, "What do you mean, 'didn't work out'?"

Max shrugged, "A waiter spilled a drink on me. Kinda killed the evening, so I bounced."

Logan was fed up now, "Okay, Max. If you didn't want to do this for me, all you had to do was say so!"

Max stood, facing him. "I told you, it just didn't work out!"

"Well, it sounds to me like you weren't trying very hard Max!"

And it sounds to ME like I did you a favor, and now I'm getting a scolding for it!"

"Max, this is important. If your heart's not in it, feel free to opt out. I'll find someone else."

Logan was walking into the kitchen and she followed, not letting it go, "I told you I'd do it, so I'll do it. You know, now hook me up again, and I'll take another shot at Dougie. If I wanted to get reprimanded, you know, I could always go to work!" She turns and leaves through the front door

------------------------------
At Jam Pony

Normal was chatting with Alec. Alec was propping his feet up on Normal's work space while Normal was talking to him, "I just don't know why you won't consider a triumphant return to the ring. You were like a master, my friend. You were unequaled--without peer!"

Alec grinned, "Well, it's not like I didn't enjoy knocking grown men unconscious for a living. It's just that there comes a time in life when you say, 'That was then, and this is now, and move on to bigger and... "

Mia just walked up and Alec notices her and stops in the middle of his sentence, then ends with a, "..oh-so-better things. Hi there." He jumps down from the table, charming smile in place

Mia batted her eyes, "Hi! I'm looking for a job!"

Normal shook his head, "Oh. Well, sorry. We're staffed."

Alec gives Normal a look, "Normal! Why so quick to say no? Why don't you at least let the lovely young lady fill out an application? Huh" Using his eyes, he motions Normal to the office so he can talk to Mia alone

Normal gets the hint, he rolls his eyes and mumbles as he walks away, "All right. There's an application form in the back."

Alec extends his hand, "Hi there. I'm Alec, by the way."

She shakes his hand, "Mia.!"

He held her hand a moment longer, always the charmer, "Well, it is a pleasure to know you."

Mia removes her sunglasses and Alec peered closer at her. He whispered, "I know you."

She shook her head, "I don't think so."

Alec answered, "No, I do. I'm sure of it." Then he realizes where he last saw her, "Back at Manticore. Mm-hmm. I spent six months in psy-ops for evaluation. You were there. I never forget a face. Photographic memory."

She batted her eyes and smiled, "Can't put anything past you huh!"

Alec shook his head and stated proudly, "Not now, not ever. Now what was your specialty again? Was it, uh, hypnosis? Telekinesis?"

She just told him, "Telecoercion, actually."

"Right!" Alec responded and then they were staring at each other for a moment. Then Mia extends her hand and states brightly, "Hi. I'm Mia!"

Alec shakes her hand, smiles the charming smile he started with, and completely forgot everything they discussed just moments before, "Alec. Nice to meet you Mia."

Alec walks away, looking a little puzzled. Sketchy runs up to him

"Who's the honey?" Sketchy asked

Alec shrugged, "Some girl looking for a job."

Sketchy looked heavenward, "Please, God, tell me Normal's gonna hire her."

-------------------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

okay, you're forgiven. This was an excellent new chapter ;)

[phoenixnz]

whoa, i obviously had some catching up to do. nice work hon

[Dana0715]

Normal steps out of the back room and hands Mia an application.

"Here you go. I gotta warn you, though, I got a stack of résumés in there as high as my tush."

"Uh-huh." She stares at him and he stares back, transfixed, "Can I be a dispatcher?"

"Yeah. Sure. Nothing less will do!"

Mia jumps excitedly in place, "Neat!"

Mia steps away from Normal's desk and encounters Max.

Max stopped and asked, "Hey. Do I know you?"

Mia shook her head, "I don't think so, since I just started working here today. I'm a dispatcher. It's really fun!"

Max shrugged uncertainly, "Yeah, I guess."

Mia steps behind the desk, next to Normal, and hands Max a package.

"Here you go!"

Max takes it from her, checking the address as usual for her workday, "Thanks!"

--------------------------------------
At Crash that night

OC and Max are sitting together at a table, sharing a pitcher of beer between them

"Bad day, boo?" OC asked, concerned

"Yeah, I had this weird scene with Logan earlier."

OC sat back in her seat, folded her arms and said, "I thought you two were trying to get things back to normal. Trying to at least keep a friendship going."

Max nodded, "Right. So I figured what's more normal than volunteering for his oh-so-urgent, let's-save-the-world-by-Tuesday Eyes Only missions? Right?"

OC rolled her eyes good-naturedly, "The man loves his work!"

Max leaned toward her in earnest, "Only I guess I forgot how focused he can get. I mean, he asks for my help, but then it's like nothing I do is good enough. Sometimes I just don't get him!"

OC looked over Max's shoulder and said, "Well, get this. Here comes your boy, and I bet he's bringing an apology with him."

Max turns to see Logan approaching the table.

Logan was a little uncertain about his reception, but one thing he always learned. It's better to try and fail than to never try at all. "Hey, guys. Mind if I join you?"

OC gestured to an empty chair, "Have a seat. I was just gonna zip to the ladies' room."

She gets up and leaves. Logan sits in the chair she just vacated across from Max

Logan began without preamble, "Wanted to talk to you about earlier."

"Okay, so talk!"

Logan folded his hands in front of him on the table, "When you said you wanted to stick with the mission?"

Max nodded, "Mm-hmm!"

"'Cause I got a tip Dougie's gonna be back at the club tomorrow night. Now, if you were serious about taking another run at him, that'd be the time."

Max, who had clearly been expecting him to apologize, looks away briefly in disappointment and shrugs.

"Whatever."

Logan was taken aback, "'Whatever'? That all you're gonna say?"

"Hm! IS that all I'm gonna say??"

"What?? What did I do?"

Max waved it off and softly said, "Nothing. Never mind."

Logan was obviously perplexed by Max's attitude and he got up, "I'm gonna go get a drink...."

Max sarcastically motioned her head to the bar, "Bar's over there."

Logan, still bewildered by Max, walks away.

At the bar, Alec and Mia are sitting side by side, talking

Alec looked her over again and asked, "Are you sure we've never met before today?"

"Positive. I'd remember you!"

Something was tickling the back of Alec's mind and it was driving him crazy, "You just seem so familiar."

Mia changed the subject quickly and asked, "Say.... Who was that guy talking to Max?"

Alec turned to see just as Logan got up from the table, "Who, Logan? That's her on-again, off-again boyfriend. 'Course they like to pretend that nothing's going on between 'em." Alec shook his head and took a swig of his scotch, "It's psychotic."

Mia stared at Alec intently, he stared back and then he ended his sentence with, "But sweet."

Mia showed some concern, "You don't like him?"

Alec quirked an eyebrow at the question, "Logan?" He shrugs nonchalantly, "Eh, he's all about saving the world, and doing good for others. It's really boring."

Mia was digging for the truth and stared intently at Alec again, and once again, he was caught in her stare

"But admirable." he admitted

Logan steps up to the bar and places his drink order. He greets Alec afterward

"Hey, Alec.!" Logan said, trying to at least be friendly

Alec nods in his direction, "Logan."

Mia stuck out her hand for a handshake in Logan's direction,. "Hi! I'm Mia!"

Logan shook her hand and smiled politely, "I'm Logan. Nice to meet you."

Mia happily told him, "Logan, I think there's something that Alec wants to say to you."

She stared at Alec again, and he sat his drink down

"Yeah, Logan, I just...wanted to say that I understand why Max admires you so much. Sometimes I wish I had more of a purpose in life."

"Isn't that sweet?" Mia gushed, and then she turned to Logan, staring at him intently in the same manner she did Alec, "Logan, is there something you want to say to Alec?"

Logan looks at Alec and says, "Well, it's just that...I don't know, sometimes I wish I was more of a free spirit, and...it must be nice to be a happy-go-lucky sociopath. Kinda envy you!"

Mia clapped her hands, "Awww. Group hug!"

Logan and Alec hug. Max and OC see this from across the room and their jaws drop

Max's first reaction was, "What the HELL is going on over there?!"

oc shook her head in wonder, "If I hadn't seen it with my own two eyes, I wouldn't have ever believed it."

"I'm getting to the bottom of this!" Max declares and she gets up and walks to the bar

"Ahem!" Max said, arms folded and foot tapping impatiently, "Do I need to get you two a room?"

Alec and Logan break apart to see Max watching them. They part awkwardly, clearly puzzled as to why they found themselves hugging.

Alec grabbed his drink and cleared his throat, "Okay. Later!"

Logan nodded and picked up his own drink, "Yeah, later!"

"Just a minute!" Max demanded, stepping in Logan's way to keep him there. "What was going on over here? You two NEVER hug. Sometimes I wonder if you hate each other!"

Mia walked over to Max and patted her shoulder, "You know, I think it might be a good idea to hear what they have to say to you too Max. Logan? Would you like to go first?"

Clearly under the influence of Mia, he looked at Max with such raw emotion that she felt a little blind-sided

"Max.... I love you more than life itself. The thought of you with anyone other than me kills me. BUT I want you to be happy, and if Alec is the one that does that for you, then I give you my blessing. I'll always be there for you, anytime, anywhere. And one day we'll beat this virus.... you and me."

Mia nearly melted, fanning herself, "Awww! That was SO nice Logan! Now Alec? How about you? Tell Max what you really feel?"

She stared at Alec and the same thing happened to him, his feelings for Max bubbling up to the surface

"I would lay down my life for you Max. You're all I think about from the time I get up in the morning until I go home to an empty bed to try and get some sleep. I desire you..... I want you ...... and I think I love you! When I found out you were pregnant with my child..... I know this is going to sound strange, but I was on top of the world. Because the woman I cared about most in my life was going to have MY baby. And then you miscarried and I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when that happened."

"Wow Max!" Mia exclaims. "Two men with such devotion to you! You are SUCH a lucky girl!! Now Max..... do you have something to say to Logan?"

Max was now under Mia's influence and she looked to Logan, who seemed to be hanging on the edge of his seat for her answer.

"Logan.... at one time I truly believed that I loved you. But since I've had a little time to myself, I'm beginning to see that what I feel might be more like admiration. I respect the job you do, and you're one of the few people that can stand up to me and tell me what's what and I like that. I don't know now if I love you ...... but it would kill me to lose the friendship we have also shared in the last two years."

Mia turns Max to Alec now and she asks, "Now.... what do you say to Alec?"

She stared into Alec's green/gold eyes and said, "I'm not sure if what I feel for you is love either. Lust? Definitely! When I'm around you my mind goes straight to the gutter, if truth be told. But love?" Max shakes her head and shrugs, "I honestly don't know. But know this. I've got your back if you ever need anything. I think you've grown and matured since we left Manticore and you deserve the best life has to offer you. And I'm sorry if I push you too hard. I simply want you to succeed."

Mia pats Max on the back, complimenting her for being up front and honest with both men. Mia then turns back to Logan with interest, "So you're Max's boyfriend, right?"

He shrugs, "Something like that." Then he was being mentally coerced to tell all in front of Mia, Alec and Max. "Actually, I'm crazy about her! As I said earlier.... apparently she doesn't reciprocate that any longer."

"Is that the only reason you're not together?"

Logan replied, "Oh, it's a long story!"

Mia sounded excited, "Ooh, I love long stories! Plus I've got oodles of time!"

Logan just began spilling it all with Mia's telecoercion, "Well, I probably shouldn't be telling you this, but...a secret government agency called Manticore infected her with a deadly virus that's genetically targeted to my DNA."

Mia frowned in sympathy, "Bummer! Why'd they do that?"

Logan shrugged like it was common knowledge, "They wanted to kill me."

"How come?"

"Oh, 'cause I'm Eyes Only!"

Mia smiles wide and exclaims, "Really??"

Logan nodded, "Yeah."

Max and Alec just stared straight ahead, not even hearing the conversation. Mia had them in some kind of trance while she was talking to Logan. Now she found the man she's been looking for!

Eventually, everyone went back to what they were doing at Crash as if nothing was said and nothing happened

Except everything just FELT different between the three of them

---------------------------------------
At Jam Pony the next day

Alec walks up to the desk to get his first package of the day and greets Mia

"Mornin'!"

"Morning! Oh, gosh, it's so exciting!!"

Alec was constantly confused by this girl, "What is?"

"Well, that you're getting back into the ring and coming out of retirement!!"

Alec's eyebrows hit his hairline in surprise, "I am??"

Mia nodded, "Mm-hmm. Just in time for the big elimination fight tomorrow night!"

Normal happened to walk by and overheard the conversation. He stopped in front of Alec in surprise

"Do my ears deceive me? Monty Cora rides again??"

Alec extended his arms and said, "Yeah, I'm back, baby!!"

Normal slapped him on the back good-naturedly, "Oh! Oh, lovely! Do you know how long I've been waiting to hear this? This right here-- " He points to Alec while talking to Mia, "Magnificence. Shirtless muscle, ripplin', sweat flyin' off like a thousand points of light..."

Alec smiles at Mia, a little embarassed, "He's one of my bigger fans."

Normal was ecstatic, "You're my hero!! I live to serve you." Mia stared at Normal and he began spilling the beans, "I had this dream about you the other night. You were this, uh, Roman gladiator, and you slew barbarians and Medusa-like women, and I was your tiny little valet."

Alec was shifting uncomfortably and watched Normal carefully as Normal continued gushing, "I wiped your sword clean after every sweet victory. I rubbed your tired, beautiful, golden muscles..."

Alec was pretty freaked now and quickly grabbed the first box he found on the table and headed for the door, yelling, "Hot run! Fourth and Main! Gotta go!"

Max walks in to Jam Pony to start her day. She stops at the table where Mia is and looks bummed.

"Hi!" Mia exclaimed brightly

Max mumbled a "Hey."

"Ooh, sweetie, what's wrong? Is it Logan?"

"Yeah."

Mia patted Max's hand, "Listen, everything's going to work out, okay?"

Max looked at her hopefully, "You really think so?"

"We'll talk. Come to Crash later?"

Max shook her head, "I can't. I promised Logan I'd do this thing for him."

Mia nodded knowingly, "Right. At the 49 Club, with Dougie?" She did the staring thing again at Max and said, "You don't have to worry about that."

"Wait! How'd you know??" Max asked suspiciously

Mia stared again, "Never mind. Forget I said anything. Meet you at Crash later?"

Max nodded, looking dazed, "Okay."

------------------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

Jam Pony? Close enough.

I totally love it honey. This fic is awesome!!

[Dana0715]

At Crash that night

Max had her chin propped on her hand, concentrating, "There's something about that girl."

OC was next to Max at the bar, "Who?"

"The new dispatch girl. Mia."

OC was smiling, "Yeah, there's something about her, all right!"

Max and OC exchange glances. OC obviously has a crush on the new dispatcher!

"I feel like I've met her before OC, but I can't place where!"

An Eyes Only broadcast comes on the TV over the bar.

"Do not attempt to adjust your set. This is a streaming freedom video bulletin."

Max calls out to the bartender, "Hey, Sid--turn it up!" The bartender reaches up to the TV and turns up the volume

"The cable hack will last exactly sixty seconds. It cannot be traced, it cannot be stopped, and it is the only free voice left in this city. For too long, the Sparacino family has held Seattle in a stranglehold. From behind a veil of secrecy, its boss and his men tyrannize and rob our citizens. But Eyes Only knows who you are!"

Max shook her head, mumbling to herself, "Since when?"

OC asked, "Isn't that the case you've been helping Logan with?"

Logan continued his broadcast as Eyes Only, "You can't hide from justice any longer."

Max nodded at OC while still watching the show, "Yeah, I was supposed to do it tonight." She stops, confused and says, "I think!"

----------------------------
At the 49 Club, Tony and his men are eating and watching the Eyes Only hack on TV.

"Your disguises will no longer protect you. Your identity is about to be exposed. And once that happens..."

Tony threw down his napkin, "I thought we had a stranglehold on waste collection. Listen to this trash comin' out of this bocca. Eh?" Everyone laughs

The hack continued, "Your empire is in ruins. Even your own lieutenants can't be trusted!"

They all stop laughing now and look at each other suspiciously

Logan continued, "They're ripping you off, making a fool out of you. Check the records, Sparacino, because something doesn't add up!"

Tony's cell phone rings and he answers while Eyes Only continues his broadcast

"You think you can operate unchecked? That your money and your underworld influence will keep you safe?"

Tony hangs up his cell phone as Logan finishes his broadcast

"Well, just look around. For too long, you've trusted the wrong people--the people closest to you. Now that misplaced trust will mean the end of you, and the destruction of your illegal operations. Be warned."

Tony murmured to the group, "The boss wants to see us. Now!"

-----------------------------
In Logan's apartment

Logan ends the hack with his usual ending, "This has been a streaming freedom video bulletin. Peace. Out."

Logan turns off the cable hack and removes an earpiece, then puts his glasses back on. He turns to someone behind him

"How was that?"

We now see Mia standing next to him and she pats his shoulder in approval

"Perfect! Are you okay?"

Logan was clearly puzzled, "Yeah, it's just...I think I was supposed to do something with Max tonight."

"It must be nice to have a transgenic to help you with your missions and stuff."

Logan nodded, "Oh, yeah, it's great. Wait a second...... How'd you know that??"

Mia did her usual, "Never mind. Forget I said anything. Forget I was even here. See you at Crash later?"

Logan nodded, "Okay." and then Mia was gone. And just as she said, he completely forgot she had even been there, or that he even did a cable hack tonight

------------------------------
At Crash

Mia and Sketchy were now talking at the bar. Sketchy was practically pouring out his life story

"It may seem like I'm content being this good-for-nothing slacker, but...but the truth is, I don't plan on being a bike messenger the rest of my life."

Mia nodded approvingly, "It's good to have goals."

"Yeah. Um...I haven't told anybody this, but last week I dropped them off a résumé."

He shows her a tabloid

Mia touched his arm, "That's swell, Sketch!"

He seemed a little embarassed, "Yeah. If New World Weekly hires me, I'm gonna get to the bottom of this whole mutant thing. You see, it says here, uh, some of them even have paranormal psychic abilities."

Mia excitedly asked, "Ooh, really?? Like what?"

He circled a finger by his temple while talking, "Like they can mess with your mind and you don't even know what's happening."

"Mmm, seems a little farfetched to me!"

"I wouldn't be so sure about that."

"Gosh! Imagine what would be involved! Manipulating brain wave patterns, interfering with short-term memory formation...just seems a little hard to believe. Ya know?"

Sketch sighed, "Yeah...I guess it does seem a little ridiculous when you put it like that."

"But still, sounds like a really good job. I hope you get it Sketch!"

He returns her smile, "Thanks!"

Sketchy walks away. Mia notices Alec sitting at the bar, about to have a drink. The bartender is pouring his usual scotch. Alec picks it up and announces, "Just what the doctor ordered!"

Mia walked over to him and stared, "Alec....You probably shouldn't drink the night before a big fight."

Alec pauses and stares at his drink, then sets it down, "You know what? You're right."

She pats him on the shoulder, "You are gonna do great. I just know it. That's how come I'm gonna stake you five grand. How's that sound?"

Alec was surprised, then he beamed a huge smile, "That sounds great!"

Doing her staring thing again, she said, "You should probably go home and rest up for tomorrow, huh?"

Alec nodded, like he was in a trance, "Yeah, I'll just go home and rest up for tomorrow night."

Alec heads for the stairs to leave Crash just as Logan comes down them. They look at each other uncomfortably as they pass. Logan then joins Max and Original Cindy at the pool table where Max and OC were playing pool

When Logan greeted them, OC gave Max a knowing look, saying, "Maybe I should go check out the action over there." She walks away and leaves Max and Logan alone

Max was chalking her cue stick, hardly looking at Logan, "Caught your hack."

Logan shrugged, "Oh. Well, I didn't come to talk shop. I just wanted to see you."

Max was surprised at that and smiled, "Oh!... Well...... So! How'd you flip Dougie?"

Logan shook his head, wondering where Max is going with this, "I didn't!"

She leaned on her cuestick and gave Logan a questioning look, "Then how'd you know who the capo tutti-frutti guy was?"

"I don't Max."

Now Max was the one getting exasperated with Logan, "Then why'd you say you did??"

"I guess I have my reasons!"

She stalked around the pool table to him, "Like what? I mean, you just tipped the guy you're looking to out!!"

Logan folded his arms in a defensive gesture, "I thought you said you weren't interested in this case."

Max retorted, "I'm not!"

"Then what's with all the questions??"

"'m just wondering--"

Mia interrupts them and stops the argument

"Hey. Hey. Kids, come on. You guys care for each other, remember? Don't fight...... You're here to have a good time. See you tomorrow!"

She walks away, leaving Crash. Logan and Max watch her leave

"I like that Mia. She's nice." Logan said, then he turned to Max, puzzled, "Although there is something about her..."

Max nodded, "Yeah! That's what I keep thinking, ever since I met her, except...I can't exactly remember when I met her!"

Original Cindy comes back. Max and Logan are standing there, looking perplexed at each other. OC rolls her eyes and sighs

"Should I go powder my nose again or something??"

Max remembers what Mia said in the restroom at the 49 Club, when she said "Remember to powder your nose"

Max snapped her fingers, "Wait a minute! I DID meet her!"

"You did?" Logan asked, "When?"

"At the 49 Club. With...Dougie. At least...I think it was with Dougie."

"You think??" Logan asked, frustrated with the lack of solid information

"Yeah....." Max shook her head in confusion, "I don't know!!"

Before Logan could reprimand her again, she explained, "All I know is that if it was her, it's not exactly a coincidence, her looking for a job at Jam Pony."

------------------------------------
In another part of town, a taxi pulls to a stop and Mia gets out. Max has followed on her Ninja and watches from a distance. Mia walks into a construction site and gets into a car parked there. Dougie is at the wheel, asleep.

Mia gently shakes him, "Wakey, wakey!"

Dougie wakes up and sees Mia there

"I'm a dead man Mia! I'm history!!"

Mia frowned, "What's wrong Dougie?"

Dougie was getting slightly spastic, obviously stresed out, "'What's wrong'? Didn't you see what that Eyes Only got on the TV and said??"

Mia shook her head and said, "No, I must have missed it."

"The boss is gonna get onto that I talked to him. Oh, God, what was I thinking??"

"Here!" Mia hands him a paper bag and he looks at it in confusion

"I'm about to be killed to death, and you give me a paper bag??"

She rubs his shoulder, "Well, you're gonna hyperventilate. Breathe!"

Dougie breathes into the bag once, then twice.

"Poor Dougie." Mia pouted in sympathy, "I told you the life wasn't for you."

He pointed at her, "Don't start with that again!" He breathes into the paper bag again. "I gotta do something. Something to prove my loyalty. I need a plan, a course of action. Something! It's--it's that Catholic thing. I'm having bad thoughts. I'm having bad thoughts!!"

"Dougie, everything's gonna be okay."

"No, Mia! Not unless that Eyes Only shuts his trap!"

Still watching from a distance, Max listens in on their conversation.

Mia talks soothingly to Dougie, "Don't you worry about Eyes Only. I'm gonna take care of him. I'm gonna make everything all right for you. Okay? Now did you bring the money?"

He hands her an envelope full of cash

"Here you go Mia. Five thousand. I've gotta be crazy!"

"No sweetie, you're not. I've got a sure thing that's gonna make a lot of money for you, me, and the boss. You have to just trust me, okay? I won't let anything happen to you. I'm crazy about you!"

He looks to her in awe, "I still can't believe a girl like you could love a guy like me."

"Believe it baby. Just make sure you bring your boss to the fight hall tomorrow. Okay?"

Dougie nods. Mia gives him a good-night peck on the cheek and gets out of the car. Dougie drives away as Max ducks to avoid being seen in the headlights as he passes. When she looks up again, Mia is gone. Max looks around for her, but Mia sneaks up behind Max and punches her. Max's pager clatters to the ground as Max falls.

Mia gives her same bright greeting, "Hey, you!!"

Max rubbed the area just under her eye where Mia hit her and responded, "Hey yourself!"

Max kicks Mia's leg so that she falls to the ground.

Lying on her back, Mia said, "Okay, I deserved that!"

Max is on top of Mia and grabs her by the collar threateningly

"You're Manticore!!"

Mia gave her a look, meaning it had to be obvious, "Uh, yeah!!"

Max hauls Mia to her feet and checks her over

"You don't look like an X-series."

"I'm psy-ops silly! You know, cozying up to the big shots, getting them to tell me what they know. It's fun!!"

Max's retort was sarcastic, "Good for you. Now what's your connection to Dougie Colantonio?"

"Well, I don't think that's any of your business."

Max shoves Mia against a post and holds her there.

"Tell me what you were doing with him, or I wrap you around this post!!"

"OK! Dougie's in big trouble with his boss on account of the Eyes Only broadcast. I gotta help him prove his loyalty or he's gonna wind up dead!"

She shoved Mia again for emphasis, "Prove his loyalty how?"

"I gave him a really hot tip on a cage fighter that can't be beat. He passes that tip along to his boss and everybody winds up making a mint at the fight tomorrow night. Dougie proves his worth, and he and I run away and live happily ever after. The end!"


"Give me a break!! You expect me to believe you're in love with Dougie??"

Mia pouted, "What's wrong with Dougie?"

Max sighed, "Never mind. He's not going anywhere until he comes through and fingers the boss for Eyes Only."

"Says who?"

Max shoved her again, "Says ME!"

Mia stared at her in her usual way, transfixing Max, "Well, that's funny, 'cause you're not gonna even remember this conversation."

-------------------------------------
TBC

----- Added 30 Seconds later -----

Sure enough, the next day at Jam Pony, Max walks in with a black eye.

"Morning, Max!"

"Hey, Mia!"

Max stops in front of Mia, checking for packages

Mia winced, "Ouch. What happened to your eye?"

"Craziest thing! Woke up this morning and it was just there. No idea how it happened!"

Mia stared at her..."Seems to me like you slipped in the shower and banged yourself on the shampoo caddy. Must've hurt like the dickens!"

Max thought for a moment, "That's SO weird!"

"What is?" Mia asked

"That's exactly what happened! Slipped in the shower, banged my head on the shampoo caddy. Hurt like the dickens."

"Thought so! You should try to be more careful, Max."

Max takes a package to deliver and says, "Yeah. Thanks. I will." She walks toward the lockers, gets her things and sits on one of the benches, getting everything organized in her back pack

Mia finds Alec and hands him the envelope Dougie gave her.

"Here you go! That's for you."

Alec's eyes widened at the cash, then he turned to Mia, "Where did you come up with this kind of cash?"

Mia winked, "Don't ask."

He shrugged and put it in his jacket pocket, "Okay."

"Eight o'clock tonight, Monty Cora. Don't be late!"

Mia walks away and Normal approaches Alec this time. Alec was still kind of uncomfortable around Normal after he practically admitted he had a crush on Alec. Normal hands him a pair of boxing shorts with "MARVELOUS MONTY CORA" on the waistband.

Normal told him, "I sat up embroidering them all night. May be a little itchy, but..."

Alec blushed, and chuckled in embarassment, "Um... Wow! Thanks, Normal. They're great!"

Normal slapped him on the back, "Yeah. Good luck, buddy!"

Normal walks away so Alec gets everything together to start his workday. He tosses the trunks into his locker, a little freaked

Logan arrives at Jam Pony and makes a beeline to Max

"Hey Max..... You all right?"

She slams her locker closed, "Yeah. What are you doing here?"

"Well, I was worried about you. After I didn't hear back from you last night, I started paging you, and I have been paging you ever since. This not answering your pager is really becoming an annoying habit of yours lately!"

Max shrugged, "Batteries in my pager must be dead. Didn't hear it beep." She looks for the pager in her bag, doesn't find it and sits down. "Huh! I must have lost it!"

Logan sat on the other end of the bench she was on and asked, "So how'd it go last night?"

"How'd what go??" Max asked in confusion

Logan sighed in a "here we go again" way, "You followed Mia to see if there was any connection between her and Dougie Colantonio."

"I did??"

"You don't remember?" Logan then notices her black eye and asks, "What happened to your eye?"

She recited in a monotone, "Slipped in the shower, banged my head on the shampoo caddy, hurt like the dickens."

"You're kidding me, right?"

Max starts to remember fighting with Mia the night before.... and she eventually remembered everything about the night before

"Or...maybe I was in a fight."

"MAYBE you were in a fight?"

"With Mia."

Max remembers getting punched by Mia now and she stands, furious

"She hit me! Really hard, that B!TCH!"

Logan stood too, "What are you talking about Max?"

"She's from Manticore too!"

"Who? Mia??"

"Yeah! In psy-ops. Paranormal research division. She does this..." Max waved her hand around her head, "thing, to make me forget."

Logan was in "investigative reporter" mode now, "So Manticore made transgenics that can screw with people's heads? Gee! That makes sense!"

"Yeah! She met with Dougie. She's up to something."

"Do you remember What else happened?"

---------------------------------
Max began putting the pieces together and she caught up with Alec on one of his deliveries. She used her bicycle to cut him off, forcing him to screech to a stop and nearly topple off his bike. She got straight to the point. "Are you fighting again??"

"Yeah! Tonight. Why?"

Max got off her bike, threw it down and marched over to Alec, pushing him hard in anger, "What?? Are you insane? The last time you fought, White caught you and threw your ass in a cage!! You nearly got killed! Remember the chip he had inserted in your brain stem that would kill you in 24 hours??"

"True. And you saved my ass as usual."

"After you tried to kill me!"

"Do I REALLY need to explain that again Maxie??"

"No! Let's get back on subject." She punched him on the arm, "How could you be STUPID enough to get back into the ring??"

Alec was rubbing his sore arm, "Funny, I've been asking myself the same question." Then he grabbed his package and said, "This one's got a time limit on it Maxie. I gotta go! Come to the fight tonight!"

He rode off on his ten speed, leaving Max there wondering if Alec was under the influence of Mia as well

--------------------------------
That night, a fighting ring is set up in a fancy building with bleachers and betting windows, a very clean upper-class place. Most of the crowd is dressed up in formal finery. A couple of guys are fighting in the ring. Max and Logan enter the building and look around.

Logan nods in a particular direction, "Oh, look who's here. Tony and his crew."

Max looks over the crowd, "Mia and Dougie have GOT to be around here somewhere."

The fight has apparently ended and the announcer enters the ring and speaks into a microphone.

"Let's hear it, ladies and gentlemen, for Ricky 'The Ripper' Ramberg! ......... "

The audience applauds a new champion and then the announcer begins, "And now, ladies and gentlemen, it is my distinct pleasure to introduce our next challenger. New to our arena, coming in at six feet and weighing in at 178 pounds, the marvelous...... Montyyyyy Coraaaa!"

Alec enters the ring wearing the shorts Normal gave him, and the crowd cheers him on. He gives a flirtatious glance at the blonde ring girl and winks

"Meet me later baby!" Alec tells her and she giggles

Max was shaking her head and asked Logan, "What is he thinking?!"

Normal was just outside the ring and yells at Alec, "The shorts look great!" and gives him a thumbs-up

Max finds Dougie and Mia at the betting windows.

She points them out to Logan, "There they are!"

Logan nodded, all business, "Let's do it!"

The announcer quickly goes over the rules, which is basically, there ARE no rules. He nods, "On the bell, gentlemen."

Alec nods. The announcer leaves the ring as he ring girl sounds the bell, and Alec's opponent rushes at him. Alec fells him with one punch and the fight was over that quickly. The ring girl rings the bell again, signalling the end of that fight. Normal cheers loudly, and Tony and the other gangsters smile from their table.

Normal walks over to the betting window, placing some cash down, "Let it all ride on Monty Cora, there, Sparky. Thank you!" He takes his ticket and goes back to standing outside the ring

Dougie and Mia hug, "He's fantastic, Mia!"

"Told ya!"

Tony waves Dougie over. Mia notices and tells him, "Uh, you better get back over there."

He hugs Mia again, "Thank you!"

Dougie walks away and Max takes the opportunity to approach Mia.

Max's stance was demanding, "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kick your ass."

Mia greeted her brightly, "Oh, hi. Hey, there's Logan." She waves and calls out, "Hi, Logan! " Then she turns back to Max in a friendly way, "So what are you guys up to?"

"I was about to ask you the same question!"

Mia sighs heavily, "Here we go again"

Alec defeats another opponent with one punch. The ring girl smiles at him. The gangsters nod approvingly. Normal places another bet.

The announcer calls in the next challenger against Alec, "...the titan of terror, give it up for Jim the Jackal!"

Alec defeats Jim the Jackal easily and the crowd cheers, going wild. The ring girl smiles again and Alec winks flirtatiously at her, blowing a kiss. Normal gleefully places another bet.

Alec wins fight after fight after fight until there were no more challengers. Tony's guys win lots of money and so does Normal, Mia and Dougie

Logan is sitting at the bar with a glass of wine and Max approaches, frustrated.

Max calls to the bartender, "Can I get a drink??"

Logan looked concerned, "You okay?"

Max was confused, and also frustrated because she's confused! "Yeah. Except...I think Mia put the whammy on me again, because I have no idea what we just talked about!"

Logan removes his earpiece, grinning ear to ear, "Lucky for you, I do."

Max glances down at the microphone on her collar, remembering their plan, "Oh, yeah. Forgot you were listening. Thank God!"

Logan caught her up to speed, "Bottom line, Dougie's worried the boss is gonna find out he talked to Eyes Only. Mia convinced Alec to fight so Dougie could do a solid for the don."

Max shakes her head at the way Logan was talking, "You watch too many gangster movies." Logan chuckled in response. Then Max asked, "So the boss is here?"

Logan nodded, "Somewhere. Dressed as a peanut vendor, probably. Dougie's about to make him a small fortune, and once he gets back in his good graces, he'll never flip."

Max was coming up with a plan...."Unless Alec goes down and the boss loses all his money on account of Dougie."

Logan looked at her with a shake of his head, "And what are the chances of that happening?"

"Depends on Alec."

"I'll call Matt Sung."

Max nodded, "Tell him to get his men over here. ASAP."

Alec counts to himself as he finishes off an opponent that he has in a choker hold

"Four, three, two, one."

He lets the guy go, who falls to the mat, passed out. The ring girl smiles at him as she rings the bell. He winks at her and puckers his lips toward her. Max approaches the outside of the ring to talk to Alec

Alec saw her and walked over to her, waiting for his next challenger and resting up, "Max, hey. You wanna bet on me?"

"You gotta lose this next fight!"

Alec looked at her like she was crazy! "What??"

"Take a dive, hit the mat, lose the fight!"

Alec snorted, "Yeah, right. I'm up like a hundred grand!"

"Alec!! You don't get it. Mia played you!"

Alec shook his head confidently, "No, no, she spotted me my startup money!"

"No Alec, she fixed the fight so a bunch of mobsters could make a killing on you!"

Alec smirked at her, "You say that like it's a bad thing."

"Listen to me Alec! Logan's been trying to take these guys down for months. If you don't throw the fight, they get off scot-free!"

Alec shrugged, "It's not my problem."

The announcer announces another fight and Alec again wins within 10 seconds.

Normal cheers, as does the rest of the crowd. Normal talks to Alec ringside.

"You're up $122,000!"

The announcer enters the ring to tell the crowd, "Ladies and gentlemen, undefeated against twelve opponents and still standing after all comers, we have a new champion....."

Max enters the ring, taking off her jacket, leaving her black tank top and leather pants, "Not so fast" she calls out

Normal and Alec look up in surprise at her

She tells the announcer, "I'll take him on!"

The announcer excitedly tells the audience, "Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new challenger..."

Alec yelled, "What the hell are you doing??"

She gave him a challenging look, "I told you to take a dive. Now I'm gonna have to beat your ass myself!"

"What do you have against me making money??"

The announcer pulled Max aside and asked, "So what's your name, cupcake?"

Alec stood in front of her and told him, "She doesn't have a name. You know what? She's not here. She's not fighting!"

"Oh, yes, I am!" Max countered

"Ladies and gentlemen, in this corner, hailing from parts unknown, let's hear it for the ....Curvaceous Killer!"

The gangsters at the table talk and bet on Alec. The odds were 47-1 in Alec's favor and they put all the money on Alec

Normal is gleefully at the betting window, betting on Alec, "You are SO dead, missy-miss!"

Mia is at another betting window, making her way to the front, using her talent to cause people to move and let her up front, "Excuse me, I'm gonna scootch to the front..... Hi, excuse me. Excuse me!"

One of the gangsters was placing the bet for everyone, "Everything on Monty Cora."

The announcer talks to Alec and Max, "All right, here are the rules. Well, there ain't no rules. Hitting below the belt's allowed...eye gouging's allowed..."

Alec was trying to talk sense to Max, "Max, you don't want to fight me!"

"Ha! Are you kidding?? I've been waiting for this chance for months!"

Alec got in her face, "Yeah, well, see, you're just a girl, and so--"

Max punches him hard in the nose

Normal was yelling from the sidelines, "Hey! She jumped the bell! What are you doing? She jumped the bell!"

The announcer quickly leaves the ring and signals the bell. The bell rings

Alec checked his nose to make sure it wasn't broken. He muttered toward her, "Should've known you'd cheat!"

Max kicks Alec in the leg.

"That's for the virus!!"

Alec pointed at her, "Hey! That was NOT my fault!"

She punches him again in the face

"THAT'S for trying to kill Joshua!!"

Alec was backing away from her, "I was just trying to protect my own...and besides, that's before I really knew him!!"

She punches him twice and he deflects the blows

"And THAT'S for helping Joshua get paint all over my research papers!!"

"Okay, yeah, that was my bad."

Dougie was grinning from his table, watching the fight, "She's good. Yeah, she's really good."

Max punches Alec again, and again and he keeps deflecting her

"<Punch!> THAT'S for making Joshua deliver your packages for Jam Pony!!" She punches him again, "And THAT'S for getting me pregnant!" She kicks him, "And THAT'S for not being at the hospital when I miscarried!!"

"You know what happened there Max! I was ARRESTED for heaven's sake!!"

She hits him again and he was at the end of his patience

"Max!! Cut it out!"

She kicks and punches him.

"And THAT'S for losing my baseball."

"Which you got later!! Come on!!"

The gangsters look at each other.

"And THIS..." She kicks Alec in the stomach, causing him to fall against the cage at the edge of the ring, "..is for whatever STUPID thing you do next!!"

Normal yells from the sidelines, "Kick her ass!!"

Alec got up, he's finally fed up and at the end of this patience, "Okay! That's IT!!"

Max goes to kick Alec again, but he grabs her leg, punches her hard in the face, and shoves her to the ground. Before she can get up, he kicks her, causing her to land near the edge of the ring, right in front of Normal.

Normal cheers Alec on and yells to Max as she gets up, "You better be at work tomorrow, there, miss. Huh, pumpkin?" He yells to Alec, "Kill the messenger!!"

Max stands up. Alec smiles now

"My turn now.... b!tch!!"

Max was flabbergasted and placed her hands on her hips, cocking her head to the side, "What'd you just call me??"

Alec chuckled evilly, "You heard me. Do you need me to spell it for you? B-I-T-C..."

Max turned and exclaimed sarcastically, "Oh, look at that! Ring girl just lost her top!"

Alec at first didn't believe her..... and then he had to look, which was the perfect opening for Max

Max takes the opportunity to kick him in the groin as hard as she could. Alec clutched himself and every man in the room groaned in sympathy

The women in the crowd stand and cheer. Alec stops in his tracks, wide-eyed with pain and falls to his knees. Max leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Good thing transgenics heal fast lover, because I'll need those in a couple of months!"

Max raises back up and uses two fingers on his forehead and pushes him a little. He falls over to the mat, in the fetal position.

Max was smiling, "Oops! Sorry!"

The bell rings and the announcer enters the ring.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let's hear it for our new champion, the Curvaceous Killer!"

The crowd cheers. Logan and Matt Sung walk around the ring toward Tony's table, followed by some cops. Mia sees them and starts to head for Tony's table. Max steps in her way, intercepting her

"Hey! If you were thinking of going over there and working your mojo on Dougie, think again."

At the gangster table, the gangsters give Dougie a disapproving look and Dougie is visibly sweating

Tony grabs him by the collar, "Come on Dougie. Let's take a little ride, hmm?"

Logan and Detective Matt Sung confront Dougie before Tony can take him anywhere

"Douglas Colantonio?" Sung asked and he flashes his badge. "I'm Detective Matt Sung, Seattle P.D."

Tony grimaced, "He's got nothing to say to you."

Logan gave Dougie a stern look, "You're about to get dead, Dougie. You were on thin ice with the boss already, and that's before you lost him a lot of money. You go with them, you're gonna end your night in cement shoes."

One of the gangsters laughed at Logan's use of verbiage, "'Cement shoes'? Who talks like that??"

Tony grabbed Dougie and started pulling him away, "These clowns don't know what they're talkin' about. Come on!"

Sung tried to appeal to Dougie, "We're ready to take you into protective custody. Just say the word."

Logan intercepted as well, "You won't get as good an offer from the boss. Tell us who he is, you get a fresh start."

Tony tried again to drag him away, "Come on, Books. Let's go. Come on."

Logan still tried to persuade Dougie, make him listen, "All you have to do is point a finger, man. Who is it? Show us.."

Tony and the other gangsters try to get Dougie to go with them. Dougie nervously tries to make a decision. Finally he points and yells out

"That's him right there!"

Sparacino, dressed as a woman, gets up from a table and starts running.

Sung yells, "Stop her!" and gives chase

The gangsters try to grab Dougie. The cops grab THEM instead.

Tony was fighting against the grip of the cops, yelling at Dougie, "You're dead! You're dead!"

Sparacino runs from the cops, not looking where he's going. Mia steps in his way and stops him with a punch between the eyes

Mia turned to Max and shrugged, "I never really liked him much anyway!"

Detective Sung begins cuffing Sparacino, saying, "You're under arrest for murder, racketeering, and bookmaking. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law" He finishes reading him his rights, then he turs him over to the other cops that are there backing him up

-----------------------
Later, when the crowd is gone, Logan and Max talk to Mia. Dougie is sitting at a nearby table, asleep again

Logan was speaking to Mia, "Now wait a second. I don't get it. You WANTED Dougie to flip?"

Mia nodded happily, "I've been trying to get him out of this life since the day we met. That's why I had you do the Eyes Only hack--to push Dougie into doing the right thing."

Max gestured around them, "So this whole thing was a setup?"

Mia nods again, "h-huh. I knew you guys would show up here as soon as you got onto me. Plus I knew you'd do whatever it took to help keep Dougie from running off."

The announcer hands Mia a bagful of money and she gushes over it gleefully

"Thank you!!" she tells him sweetly

Max asked, "What's that??"

"My winnings!" Mia told her, like she should have known

Max had a rather proud smile on her face, "You bet on me?"

Mia shrugged, "Of course! 'Cause girls kick ass! That's what the T-shirt says, right?"

Logan raised a hand up and stated, "Now wait a second. If you wanted to get Dougie to quit the life, why didn't you just do your little...."He wiggled his fingers in front of her eyes and said, "THING to make him do what you wanted?"

Mia tilted her head and said, "You know, I think that's why I love him so much. He's totally immune to me. I think it's 'cause his brain wiring's a bit screwy on account of his condition."

"So you like not having him wrapped around your finger? Is that it?" Logan asked in a friendly way

"Yeah. What fun is being in love if everything's easy? Right?"

Normal walks by, supporting a bruised and battered Alec. Max tries to hide her laughter

Normal gave a stern look to Max, "Look what you did to him. What the hell are you??"

Mia stared at Normal, doing her thing, "Uh--Normal, honey, you need to forget everything you saw here tonight. Ok?"

Normal looked to be in a trance and asked, "I do?"

"Mm-hmm. Just take Alec back to his place, then you go on home to bed. Maybe you'll have one of those nice gladiator dreams you like so much."

Normal nodded, looking a little spacey, "Yeah. I like that."

Then Mia turned to Alec, handing him some money, "And you--here you go. Thank you so much!"

Normal ruffles Alec's hair affectionately, "Let's go, there, buddy."

Alec looks uncomfortably at Normal as they leave together.

"All right, Dougie!" Mia announces as she sets the bag in his lap and it wakes him up. "Time to go!"

Dougie stretched and yawned, "Where? Where we going?"

"Maui!!" She giggles, "Come on. We've got a plane to catch!"

Mia gives Logan a kiss on the cheek, something that astounds Logan

Mia patted him on the cheek and said, "You are a beautiful, talented man." She then turns to Max and says, "And you? You couldn't be a more rocking, awesome chick if you tried. You two are going to be the best of friends. You're so perfect for each other. I know life stinks a little right now, but it can't always stink, right? Believe me. If Dougie and I can make it work, so can you. Always remember that, okay?"

Max smiled easily at her this time, "I have the feeling I will."

"All right!" She takes Dougie by the arm and say, "Nappy, time to go!"

Mia and Dougie leave, arm in arm.

Max had her arms folded standing next to Logan, they were both watching the young couple leave

"Can't really be mad at her. I mean, you got your guy. Right?"

Logan smirked, "And she got hers. Shall we go?"

Max started leading the way, "May as well!"

They start leaving, walking side by side

Logan had to tease a little, "So I hear you're a rocking, awesome chick!"

"And I heard you're a beautiful, talented man!"

Logan's smile looked like it came from a toothpaste ad as he said cockily, "You got that right!"

Max rolled her eyes. Alec and Logan were more alike than she ever thought!

"Men!"

---------------------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

Honey!!!! I love it!!!!

[Dana0715]

Thanks Jan! I am trying to make sure I make Logan likeable. He was a likeable guy on Dark Angel. :)

[Dana0715]

From the episode "Dawg Day Afternoon"

Things have become strained between Logan and Max again, because Logan has made it obvious he wants him and Max back together, but Max was beginning to believe she didn't want that...... she just wanted the friendship of Logan, and frankly she didn't want to deal with ANY relationship woes right now

So she began avoiding Logan, ignoring his pages, ignoring calls, but keeping herself busy, looking after Joshua since his heartbreak over Annie.

--------------------------------------
In Joshua’s kitchen, Alec is flipping through the TV channels.

The channel 8 anchorwoman stated, "It’s been six days since the brutal attack on police officers at the hands of the so-called 'transgenic'... "

Alec flips to another newscast, channel 6

"Police officials are still refusing to comment on the shocking footage, exhibiting..."

Alec rolls his eyes and flips to channel three

"Yesterday the attorney for the officers addressed the media at a press conference."

Alec stopped to listen to the attorney on the news, "As soon as we find the parties responsible for unleashing these transgenics, we’ll be seeking damages in the tens of millions."

Alec smirked and muttered sarcastically, "Oh, yeah, I’m sure Manticore is gonna write you a big, fat check for that one, buddy!"

Alec turns off the TV and wanders through the house, bored

"Josh? Where are you?"

He finds Joshua in the living room, painting sadly.

Alec walks over to him, "Hey, buddy, whatcha working on? .....Oh. Another Annie picture. It’s nice."

Alec looks around and sees several more portraits of Annie nearby. "They, uh, all are." He sighs and gently says, "Hey, man, I know you miss her...but, uh, don’t you think it’s time you moved on? I mean, you can’t see her anymore."

Joshua kept painting, "I know."

"Especially not now." Alec reiterated

Joshua growled and snapped, "I said I know, Alec!"

Alec's hands were up, "Okay. Okay! Sorry!"

Max comes in with a bag of groceries

Joshua barely greeted her, "Hey, little fella."

Max tried to plaster a smile on her face, "Hey, big fella!"

Alec grabs one of her bags and peeks inside, "I guess that makes me medium fella, huh?"

Max walks over to Joshua and looks at his painting, "Got you some food and stuff."

"Hey, Max..." Alec began, poking through the bags, "Did you get those little pretzels I asked for?"

Max slapped his hand away from the groceries, "Hey!"

"Max, come on! I’m stuck here, you know? An innocent man, framed for the murder committed by his clone." Max rolls her eyes sarcastically and Alec continues complaining. "Yeah, I was thinking about selling the story to Hollywood. It’d make a great TV movie. What do you think?"

Max reaches into a bag and hands him some papers, "Here."

"What’s this?" Alec asks as he scans over the papers

"Fake birth certificate to prove you had a twin, and a fake passport to prove you weren’t in the country when the murders were committed."

"Yeah. Well, this oughta be enough to clear the charges." He looks at Max in appreciation, "Thanks, Max."

She held out her hand, "You owe me twenty-five hundred bucks. Guy’s best in the business. Same guy Logan uses."

Alec whistled at the price and playfully slapped her hand, showing he has no money, then he changed the subject, "How’s, uh, how’s Logan, anyway?"

She shrugged, "I wouldn’t know. Come on, go get dressed. $2,500 is a lot of deliveries."

Alec notices he's late for work and he grabs his jacket and leaves, making sure to tell Joshua bye as he left

Max turned her attention back to Joshua, "So I’m thinking of swinging by tomorrow."

Joshua sadly told her, "I’ll be here. As usual"

Max gave him a hug, and then left too

At Jam Pony, Normal is watching TV when Max and Alec walk in. On TV, a man sits in an armchair, being interviewed.

"If God had intended these transgenics to walk among us, don’t you think he would have mentioned them in the Bible?"

Normal raised a hand like he was praying, "Amen, sir. Amen!"

"These transgenics are simply the latest in a long line of abominations perpetrated by the scientific community!"

This time Normal exclaimed, "Hallelujah!"

Max stopped next to Normal, watching the TV screen, "Who the hell is that?"

"THAT is the right Reverend Terry Caldwell, a man not afraid to speak the truth, gally-gal."

The interviewer on TV asked, "If I’m hearing you correctly, Reverend, you don’t believe the transgenics should be accorded even the most basic human rights?"

Caldwell nodded, "Because they’re not human"

Normal commented, "Tell it, Terry! You tell it!"

Alec and Max exchange a look between them, then go to their lockers to begin getting ready for their workday

-----------------------------------
In his apartment, Logan is watching the same interview, setting up his cable hack quickly.

Caldwell was still speaking, "In the eyes of the Lord, they’re not even animals. The individuals that we speak of are manufactured. They’re stamped with barcodes on their necks when they come off the assembly line. And since only God has the power to create life, then we must ask ourselves if they can even be said to be alive."

Eyes Only suddenly interrupts the broadcast on TV

"Not alive?" Eyes Only asked, "Not human? Who are you to sit in judgment, Mr. Caldwell? Have you seen that tape? Did you see the look in his eyes? That transgenic was scared, cornered. And despite what people like you have been saying about them, transgenics aren’t that different from you and me. They do feel, they do hurt, they are alive. And all they want is to be..."

Alec noticed the broadcast and whispered to Max, "You know what this is about, don't ya?"

Max ignored his hint, "Logan’s just doing what he thinks is right."

"Sounds to me like he’s reaching out to someone and I’m pretty sure it ain’t me."

Logan continued the Eyes Only broadcast, "...you’re condemning. They could tell you what it’s like to be afraid, alone in a hostile world. And it might be more convenient to pretend otherwise, but in the end, who does that say more about...them, or us? This has been a streaming freedom video bulletin. Peace. Out."

--------------------------------
In a park that night, Ames White is talking to a man

"How am I supposed to do my job when my entire operation officially does not exist??"

The man was pacing, "This is a disaster!"

"You want to contain the transgenics? Give me a free hand. The cat’s out of the bag; we might as well acknowledge the fact that they’re out there. If we enlist the public’s support, this thing’ll be done in a week."

"We acknowledge anything, and it’s over. Congressional hearings, subpoenas...no. We’re gonna make this go away. We’re gonna spin it, and spin it good. Luckily we now have the chief of police in our pocket. He’s willing to give us the body of the transgenic and all the autopsy work, provided nothing like this ever happens again. You understand?"

White gave in and answered, "Yes, sir."

---------------------------------
(Logan's apartment)

Logan inserts a small disk into his computer.

"Thanks, Asha. I appreciate this."

Asha walked up to Logan, shrugging, "It was your five hundred bucks. Though why you’d pay off a cop to get your hands on the same stuff you could see for free on TV... well it's beyond me!"

Logan explained, "This is the complete hoverdrone footage of the attack. My guess is the cops edited out the parts they didn’t want people to see. I want to see the unedited version and possibly broadcast it."

Logan’s computer screen shows the cops beating up Mule, the transgenic White set up

Logan watched and commented, "The cops went after him first. I knew it. I’m gonna talk to Eyes Only, see if he can’t put this on the air."

Logan still hasn't confessed to Asha that HE is Eyes Only. Asha nodded

"Yeah, okay...but I don’t know what good it’s gonna do, though." Logan looks surprised) and Asha hurries to explain, "However it went down, I mean...what’s got people freaked is what he looks like, you know? What he is."

Logan gave her a stern look, "I guess I’ve been living with the idea that transgenics exist for so long, I’ve gotten used to it."

Asha accepted that and asked, "Heard from her?"

Logan shook his head, "She still won’t talk to me."

"Give her time. She’s just scared."

"Why is SHE scared? I'm that one that nearly died!"

"You don’t think that wasn’t scary for her? And the miscarriage on top of that? She’s a loner. She’s not used to worrying about anyone else. This relationship stuff, it’s all new to her. It’s new to the both of them."

"Both?"

"Her and Alec."

"Ah! Right."

--------------------------------
Max and Alec sneak into a darkened doctor’s office.

Alec asked, "This is gonna hurt, isn’t it?"

"Lasers tend to, yeah."

Alec was a little squeamish about what they planned, "Our barcodes are just gonna come back, you know!"

"Then we’ll do it again in a couple of weeks. Don’t be such a sissy!"

Alec lies face-down on the table and Max touches a laser to the back of his neck.

"Ow! Easy, huh?"

------------------------------
At Logan’s

Asha was gathering her things, "I’ve gotta get going. Call me if you need anything else."

"Hey wait! Take a look at this!"

Asha joins him at the computer, "What?"

Logan points to White’s car in the hoverdrone footage.

Logan asks her, "You see that car?"

"Yeah, so?"

Logan explained, "When the cop gets attacked, everyone else runs up to see what’s going on, right? This guy puts the car in gear and drives off, nice and slow. Hold on a sec."

He rewinds the footage and points, "Now, you see the mirror? Look at this."

He enlarges the rearview mirror on the driver's side of the car until White’s face is visible in it.

"Dammit! It's White. I gotta let Max know!"

-----------------------------------
At the doctor’s office, Alec is removing Max’s barcode from the back of her neck. Her pager goes off and Alec checks it.

He snickers, "Oh, guess who? You know, this is the second time he’s paged you in like ten minutes. Don’t you think you oughta call the guy back already?"

She snaps at Alec, "Why don’t you mind your own business? Hurry up!"

She hasn't told Alec that she's let Logan believe that she and Alec are now an item. It's easy to believe since they're together all the time, but in reality, they're still just friends

Alec’s cell phone rings and he remarks humorously, "Two guesses as to who that is and the first guess doesn't count!" He clicks open his phone and holds it between his shoulder and ear while still lasering off Max's barcode

"Yeah?"

"Hey, Alec. It’s Logan."

"Hey, buddy! We were just talking about you!" Alec remarked jokingly

Logan paused for a moment, not laughing. Alec thought to himself that he REALLY needed to get a sense of humor. Finally, Logan asked hesitantly, "Then Max is with you?"

"Oh, yeah, yeah, she’s right here. Hang on a sec."

Max mouths “No!” and shakes her head, but Alec just smiles and hands her the phone. She gives him a dirty look and shoves him before raising up and speaking to Logan. Alec turns off the laser

"Hey." Max said, sticking her tongue out at Alec

"Hi."

"What is it, Logan?"

--------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

Another brilliant chapter hon!

Looking forward to your next update.

[There Is No Spoon]

Finally caught up with those updates. Amazing stuff Trina.

Your version of Dark Angel S2 is just awesome.

Keep the updates coming.

[Dana0715]

Logan told her, "I think there might be a connection between White and the transgenic on the news. I have hoverdrone footage that puts White at the scene."

"He was probably looking to take him down when the cops showed up."

Logan shook his head, "I don’t think so. He just sat in his car and watched. In fact, he looked pretty damned pleased with how it went down."

Max was trying to sort through this information in her mind, "Doesn’t make any sense. The government pays White to keep the transgenic thing under wraps."

"That’s right, unless White’s taking his orders from somebody else."

"Like one of his breeding-cult buddies?"

"We know they hate transgenics. Could be they’ve decided to try and turn the public against you."

Max rubbed her tired eyes for a moment. The stress of dealing with all of this was getting to her lately, "Maybe."

"Now, listen, Max...I really think we should get together and talk about this."

Max almost whined, "Logan..."

"Just business, nothing more."

"I can’t."

"Max...this is serious business."

"I’ll look into it, tell you if I find something. Until then...please don’t call me."

She hangs up. Logan kicks a wastebasket in his frustration.

Currently Logan no longer needs his exo-skeleton. The blood transfusion he received from Joshua regained the use of his legs due to the stem cells from Joshua's blood that healed his spine. This had happened before all the virus stuff, when Max had to transfuse him, but the effects are only temporary unless he continues receiving transfusions. The exo-skeleton, when he does use it, is more of an enhancer now

But will he ever be able to share that good news with Max?

---------------------------------
In his living room, Joshua sits sadly looking at his portraits of Annie. He makes a decision, takes his hoody jacket, and walks over to her house, keeping the hood over his head. On the way, he passes by a group of three guys He keeps his head down and his hood up.

The first guy did a double take, "Whoa. You see the size of that guy?"

When Joshua arrives at Annie’s house, he peeks in a side window. Inside, Annie makes a cup of tea and sits down near the window to read a book in Braille. Joshua smiles as he watches the innocent scene. Suddenly Billie goes up to the window and barks.

Annie cocks her head, "What is it, girl?"

Joshua, startled by the bark, stumbles backward and falls over some garbage cans. The three guys he had passed on the street hear the clatter and come running

"Hey!" The leader yelled

These three young guys were all protective of the pretty blind woman in their neighborhood, "Let’s check it out. Come on!" the second guy yelled

The three guys enter Annie’s side yard, where Joshua is lying on the ground near the cans.

The leader yelled threateningly, "Hey, man, what do you think you’re doing?"

The third guy spoke for the first time, "Man, that is sick--peeping at a blind girl."

Joshua stands up and they see his face.

The leader pointed, "Whoa, it’s one of those freaks from the TV!"

The third guy picks up a piece of wood lying nearby. Joshua takes off running, the guys chasing after him

"Get him!" they call out, "That freak was peeping at Annie the blind girl!!"

Joshua had to hide and he remained hidden throughout the night, trying to stay one step ahead of these guys

The next morning, the three are still looking for Joshua. They're now carrying weapons. The third guy is carrying a large chain and the second guy is carrying a metal pipe.

The second guy said, "Hey, we’ve been looking for this thing all night, all right? We’re never gonna find it!"

"Shut up!" The leader told them. He began "calling" Joshua, "Here, trannie, trannie, trannie, trannie."

The third guy calls out, "Come on! We just wanna play!"

The leader starts taunting again, "Here, trannie! Come out, come out, wherever you are!"

In an alley not far away, Joshua is hiding between a crate and a dumpster. He peeks out, sees cops walking down the street, and ducks back. A minute later, Billie, Annie's dog, finds him and licks his face.

He heard Annie's voice close by, "Come on, Billie. Come on."

Joshua smiled, "Annie."

Annie cocked her head, "Joshua?? What are you doing here??"

"Uh...uh... " Thinking quickly, he picks up a beverage can sitting nearby. "Cans. I’m recycling, uh, cans."

Annie smiled in welcome suprise, "I should’ve known it was you. Billie dragged me all the way here. I guess she missed you!"

"I missed her, too. You too, Annie."

"Then why didn’t tell me you were back?"

"From Mantia Coro."

"Right. Where you’re from. I looked it up...wanted to know what it was like. Turns out it doesn’t exist."

"Annie...I...I wanted to tell you, Annie, but--"

Annie shook her head sadly now, "It’s okay. You don’t have to lie anymore. I guess I just got it wrong and made a fool of myself. But I won’t bother you anymore."

The three guys looking for Joshua enter the alley. They see Joshua talking to Annie now

"Hey! There he is!"

"Get away from the girl, freak!"

Annie was confused, "Joshua, what’s happening?"

Joshua instructs her quietly, "Annie, just...just stay back."

Joshua steps between Annie and the three guys, using himself as a shield for her.

One of them exclaimed, "Whoa! Hey, he’s even uglier than the one that attacked the cops!"

A second guy answered, "Oh, no. No, he--he’s bigger, too. We should--we should call the cops."

"No way man! The cops won’t give this freak what he deserves!"

He swings the chain at Joshua. Joshua grabs the chain, picks the guy up by it, and hurls him at the other two. The second and third guy fall into some garbage cans.

Annie jumped at the commotion and asked, "Joshua??"

Joshua takes Annie’s hand and they start running through the alley. Joshua knocks the first guy out of the way as they run past. The guys get up and chase them. Around the block, Joshua and Annie stop briefly.

Annie was obviously frightened and clinged to Joshua's hand, "Who are they? What do they want?"

He turned Annie in the direction of her house, "Annie, you and Billie go home now."

The three guys round a corner.

Annie could hear them and said, "They’re coming back Joshua!"

He pushed her slightly toward her house, "Annie, please!! Go home where it's safe!"

Annie began to whimper, "Don’t leave me alone Joshua! Please? I'm scared!"

Joshua picks Annie up and calls the dog as he carries her away

"Come, Billie!"

A short distance away, he sets Annie down and removes the cover from a manhole. He then helps Annie down into it.

The three guys approach and see the open manhole with Billie standing over it, barking.
---------------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

I LOve it!!!!

[There Is No Spoon]

That was fantastic Trina.

I feel sorry of Logan, is he going to find a significant other?

Looking forward reading your next update.

[phoenixnz]

I love the constant bickering between Max and Alec. Talk about being Cleopatra (queen of denial) hehe. You've been busy Trina. Nice work.

[Dana0715]

When the three guys approached the manhole, one wrinkled his nose and exclaimed, "I ain’t goin’ down there!"

Their leader said, "Yeah, man, forget about it. Hey, let’s just call the cops or somethin’!"

They all agree and leave

----------------------------------
Max walks into Joshua’s house and looks around for him. She knew how that especially now, it wasn't safe for him to be away from his house and the more she looked, the more concerned she became

"Joshua? Joshua?"

Where IS he??

-----------------------------
At an aquarium, White stands in front of a tank, watching some beluga whales swim. The priestess of White's breeding cult joins him.

White was staring at the whale in the tank and said, "A hundred thousand years ago, some humpback violates a dolphin, and this is what we get. Makes a pretty good argument for selective breeding, huh?"

The priestess wasn't in the mood for small talk and she got right to the point, "That footage of the transgenic attacking those policemen seems to have put a good scare into the public."

White proudly told her, "I’ve been leaking information to certain media contacts. Just little tidbits about the Manticore project."

"It’s the opinion of the Conclave that you take things even further. The average citizen is looking over his shoulder for monsters, but the greater threat to our interests are the X-series transgenics. They’re able to pass as human...integrate themselves."

"Makes them more difficult to expose."

"Even so, just imagine how people will react when they learn there are transgenics out there that look just like them. Think of the paranoia, the panic."

White grinned, thinking of the impact this can cause, "Joe Six-Pack finds out his daughter is dating one of them, or that he lost his job to one."

The priestess nodded in agreement, "Exactly. We need to exploit that kind of fear. Play on it."

White faced her now and confidently stated, "Leave it to me."

The priestess gave one final nod and parted with, "Fe’nos tol."

"Fe’nos tol."

She turns to leave and White's cell phone rings. He answers it

"White."

"Otto, sir. We just intercepted a 911 call reporting a wolfman loose in sector three."

"All right. I’ll meet you there. We gotta get on this fast before some idiot cop makes a scene and the media gets wind of this."

"Yes, sir."

White ends that call and dials another number

A female voice answers, " Good afternoon. Channel Three."

"Bill Leakey, news desk, please."

A moment later, a male voice comes on the line.

"Bill Leakey."

"Bill, it’s me, your Deep Throat. Heard the one about the wolfman?"

---------------------------------
At Joshua’s, Max is wandering around, waiting for him. She opens the fridge, smells something bad, wrinkles her nose in disgust and closes it immediately. She sits down and turns on the TV. A Channel Three reporter is standing next to the guys who chased Joshua. Max leans forward, listening intently

"I’m standing with the young man who phoned the police. Tell us what happened."

"We chased it out of our neighborhood last night. We caught up with it again this morning. The thing attacked us for no reason!"

The reporter stated, "The police aren’t confirming this, but we’ve heard rumors about a girl."

She held the mike in front of the same guy and he nodded, saying, "Annie."

Max's eyes widen in alarm

"She’s from our neighborhood. That thing took her down to the sewer."

The reporter asked, "’m sorry, are you saying the creature abducted a girl from your neighborhood??"

"Yeah. It took her down to the sewer. We tried to stop it, but..."

The reporter addresses the camera now, "And there you have it. The creature kidnapped a young woman--"

"She's blind, too!"

"Correction, a young blind woman."

Max flips off the TV and runs out of the house.

Alec was watching at Jam Pony, jaw clenched.

The reporter still addressing the camera, "Stay with Channel Three news as this extraordinary situation continues to unfold. We’ll be bringing you continuous coverage live from the scene. Back to you, Steve."

Alec started to walk out, but Normal stopped him

"Hey Golden Boy! Where are you going?"

Alec didn't even turn around, just kept walking and he waved, "Lunch break! Be back!!"

He grabbed the ten speed he uses for work and took off

------------------------------------
At the scene, an ambulance and a fire truck approach as police crowd the area and put up roadblocks.

Max approaches the scene, where a crowd of passersby are gathering. A short distance away, one of the cops is addressing some others, pointing at a laptop computer screen in front of a van labeled “MOBILE COMMAND CENTER.” Max listens in.

The cop explained, "The thing dragged the girl underground here. Now, it can’t have gotten too far. Carson, get on the horn to the DWP and have ’em close the sluice gates here, here, and here. I want men posted at every entrance to the sewer, every manhole within four square miles. Nobody gets in or out. We’re gonna trap this thing down there, and deploy from the perimeter. We search every tunnel, every nook and cranny, until we flush it back to this position for the takedown."

A second cop asked, "What about the girl?"

He answered, "We assume she’s alive until we know otherwise. Her safety is our top priority. All right, gentlemen, we got jobs to do. Let’s get to ’em."

In the crowd, Sketchy is tagging along behind a cop.

"Look, dude, I’m a reporter. Tell me something."

The cop was fed up with Sketch now, "Sir, if you don’t move along, I’m going to have to arrest you."

Sketchy catches sight of Max from behind and tries to get her attention.

"Max! Hey! Hey, Max! Max, what’s up?"

Max closes her eyes and groans to herself. She finally turns around and Sketch asks, "What are you doing?"

White, in his car behind Sketch, honks his horn because Sketchy is standing in the middle of the road.

White yells, "Wake up, dirtbag!"

Max sees White and takes the opportunity to duck out of sight. Sketchy gets out of White’s way and then sees that Max is gone. He heads in the direction he last saw her.

---------------------------------
Joshua and Annie are walking through the sewers, Joshua guiding her carefully.

They go up a step and enter a chamber. It is a chamber-like junction of several tunnels. Water pours into the middle of the chamber and there is a walkway around the pool of water.

Annie hears all the water and asks, "Where are we?"

Joshua just told her, "We’ll be safe here. They won’t find us."

"The water, Joshua. It’s too loud."

He has her stand against a wall and tells her, "Wait here."

Joshua finds the controls and turns the wheel to stop the flow of water.

He walked back to Annie and asked, "Better?"

Keeping a hand at the wall, she said, "Yeah. So what do we do now?"

"We just wait."

Annie sudddenly said, "Shh!" and listened intently

Police are talking in the distance.

A cop says, "Tunnel D-5 is secure. Proceeding to D-6. Over."

A voice on the radio responds, "Roger that. Over."

Annie smiled, "The police. We’re safe now. They’ll protect us from the men that attacked you."

Joshua emphatically shook his head, "No, no. No police."

Annie furrowed her brow, completely confused, "Why? What’s wrong?"

Joshua sees police approaching. He puts a hand over Annie’s mouth and carries her to a hiding place. The police search the area.

A cop speaks into his radio, "Alpha Team to Command. D-6 is secure. We are proceeding to D-7. Over."

The police move away. Joshua still has his hand over Annie’s mouth, keeping her quiet

Joshua whispered into her ear, "I’m sorry, Annie. I’m so sorry. I didn’t want to do this. I’m going to let go of you--please don’t scream, okay?"

Annie nods. Joshua lets go.

Annie was stern now, "Tell me what’s going on, Joshua. Right now! Why are you hiding from the police? "

Joshua seemed to have a mental tug-of-war going on, "I can’t tell you."

"What did you do??"

He softly answered, "Not what I did. What I am."

---------------------------------
Logan is watching the news on TV at his apartment

"The police are hoping to force the creature to the surface here, where it can be apprehended. Mike?"

The camera goes to a reporter named Mike, "We have a description of the transgenic. This exclusive rendering of the transgenic was drawn from eyewitness accounts by the three brave young men who first saw it."

It is a drawing of Joshua and recognizing who it is, Logan grabs his car keys and leaves quickly

-------------------------------------
Max from her hiding place, sees a manhole with only one cop guarding it. A minute later, Sketchy comes by, still looking for Max. He sees the open manhole and the cop lying unconscious. Sketchy takes the opportunity and goes down into the sewer.

At the busy area, the crowd has grown thicker. A man is selling Fudgy Buddy ice-cream cones, and another is selling T-shirts. Otto and a few other men arrive and approach White, who is sitting in his car.

Otto bent down to White, "Sir."

White was shaking his head, "This is so FUBAR it’s almost funny."

"What do you want us to do, sir?"

"There’s nothing you can do. Go back to HQ and watch it on TV like everybody else."

Otto turns to the other men and does as he's told, "Let’s go!"

They leave. White gets out of his car and approaches the ice cream vendor.

"I’ll have a Fudgy Buddy cone."

He eats his ice-cream cone and looks around. Some bystanders are juggling. Some hold up protest signs; one says “TRANSGENICS ARE UNWANTED DNA.” White sees it and laughs.

The plan to turn the public against transgenics is going beautifully

---------------------------------
In the sewer

Annie was beginning to get a little frightened, "What are you saying? You’re one of these things they’re talking about on TV?"

Joshua was trying to talk calmly to her, "Annie...I wanted to tell you before, but I..."

"I touched your face Joshua. I saw you!"

"I'm sorry Annie. It wasn’t me."

"You tricked me??"

"Yes, I tricked you, because I--"

Annie was getting really angry, "You took advantage of me because I can’t see?"

"Annie, please...it wasn't like that."

Annie looked like she was about to faint, "Oh, God!"

Annie starts to crawl out of their hiding place. Joshua tries to hold her back.

"Annie, please..."

She pushes against him, "Stay away from me. Stay away from me!"

Joshua lets her go and Annie leaves the hiding spot, walks around the edge of the chamber, and stands against a far wall.

---------------------------------
At the mobile command center, the cop who was giving out instructions before listens to a voice over the radio. A second cop stands with him.

The voice over the radio declares, "Tunnels J-6 and J-12 are secure."

The second cop sighed, "That’s the last of them."

The first cop states, "There’s no way it could’ve gotten out. Just no way!"

He talks into the radio to his teams, "All units return to your initial deployment points. We’re searching the area again!"

-------------------------------
Alec walks through the crowd, putting his sweatshirt hood up to hide his barcode. He notices Logan sitting in his car nearby and walks over to it

He leans against the Aztec on the driver's side, "Hey, buddy."

Logan acknowledged him, "Hey."

"I take it you saw the same newscast I did. Have you seen Max?"

"No. You?"

"Let me see if I can get her."

He pulls out his cell phone and makes a call

---------------------------------
In the sewers, Max is looking for Joshua. She rounds a corner and sees a police team approaching. She ducks out of sight

"Delta Team moving to east junction. Over."

She sees a second police team approaching as well

"Alpha Team moving to east junction. Over."

Moments later, the two teams meet at the corner.

"Anything?"

The others shake their heads. Max’s pager goes off. They all hear it and follow the noise. They look up to see her hanging from a pipe near the ceiling.

Max smirks at them, "Should’ve put it on vibrate."

Max jumps down and knocks out all the policemen within minutes. Afterwards she sees that she has knocked out Sketchy as well.

"Sketchy?" She makes sure he still has a pulse and no serious injuries, then mutters, "Idiot!"

Her pager goes off again. She takes Sketchy’s cell phone with her

Aboveground, a man is selling T-shirts printed with the police sketch of Joshua and the words “I SURVIVED A MUTANT ATTACK.”

The vendor is yelling above the crowd, hawking his t-shirts, "T-shirts! Get your mutant T-shirts! Ten dollars!"

Alec’s cell phone rings and he answers quickly

"Hello?"

"It’s me." Max said simply

Alec turned to Logan, keeping the phone at his ear, "It’s her."

Max asked, "Who you talking to?"

"Oh, Logan. He’s here with me."

"Where's 'here'?"

"Here at the All-American Media Circus. Where are you? Wait, wait, let me guess. You’re in the sewers."

"You got it. Looking for Joshua."

"Max! What makes you think you’re gonna find him before the cops do?"

Logan snaps his fingers for the phone, getting Alec's attention, "Max, Hang on."

Alec hands him the phone. Logan has his laptop out and is looking at a diagram of the sewer system.

"Max, I hacked into the sector police computer. They’re using a GPS to track their men. They’ve searched about half the area. There’s no sense in you going over the same ground. Where are you?"

"Um..." She checks a sign on the wall and answers, "...Junction J-12-R."

"Okay...head right at the next intersection and take a look around there."

"Logan.....Once I find him, we’re gonna need a way out of here. They’ve got all the entrances blocked."

"Don't worry Max. We’ll figure something out."

"Hey, be careful. White’s up there too!"

"We’ll keep an eye out. Be in touch."

"Okay."

They disconnect the call

Alec asked, "What can I do?"

"Right now I think it's safest for you to stay put."

------------------------------
A channel 8 reporter is looking into a camera, "I’m reporting live from the scene, where Reverend Terry Caldwell has arrived to lead a prayer service for the missing woman."

Caldwell says, "Now I’d like everybody to bow their heads and ask God to watch over that poor girl."

Normal is amongst the crowd with Caldwell and says, "Amen, Terry!"

The Alpha Team climbs out of the sewer and the cop who had been giving out instructions approaches them.

"What the hell happened?" he demanded

The alpha team leader answered, "Wasn’t the creature, sir."

"Then who was it?"

"Some girl. Caught us by surprise. Kicked our asses. She got away and took off."

White, standing in the crowd nearby, overhears the conversation

He murmurs to himself, "452."

He leaves the crowded scene and approaches a quiet sewer entrance. Two cops stand guard. One lights up a cigarette.

As they talk and are distracted, White jumps them and knocks them out. He then enters the sewer.

In the sewer, Max is searching one tunnel and White is searching another. White draws his gun. He rounds a corner and knocks unconscious the person on the other side. It is Sketchy. White looks at Sketchy’s press tag, hanging on his jacket zipper.

He mutters the same thing Max did, "Idiot!"

---------------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

totally awesome chapter, Trina.

Patiently awaiting your next update.

[Dana0715]

In the sewer chamber

Joshua tries to appeal to Annie and she coldly tells him, "Just...leave me alone!"

"Annie, I’m sorry I tricked you. I was...I was trying to protect you. And look what happened. Annie, we’re going to go to the police, and you’ll be safe."

"But they’ll lock you up. Or...worse."

"But YOU will be safe."

Annie sighs and takes off her gloves.

She holds out her hand and says, "Come here, Joshua."

His eyes widen and he shakes his head, "Annie, no."

"You owe me that much, don’t you think?" She continues waiting for him to approach her and says kindly, "Joshua.... I have to know."

After a moment’s hesitation, Joshua slowly steps forward into her hand. Annie feels his face. She looks a little surprised, but smiles.

"No wonder Billie took such a liking to you. And, like I said, she’s always been a great judge of character."

He held her hand and asked, "You’re not mad at me anymore?"

"I wouldn’t go that far. But I understand why you lied to me."

They hear distant footsteps and voices.

"Someone’s coming!" Joshua said

"Joshua, we can’t hide here forever."

"Come." He helps her over a ledge. They walk through a tunnel and arrive at a junction, hearing voices again in the distance.

Joshua guides her to a different direction, "This way."

Annie shook her head, pointing in a different direction, "No. No, that way."

"How do you know?" Joshua asked

Annie smiled, "I’m a good listener. Had a lot of practice."

"OK. Come on."

Annie stopped him, "You go ahead. I’m going to stay here."

"But, Annie, I can’t leave you here."

"It’s okay if they find me, Joshua. It’s not okay if they find you."

Joshua hesitates, uncertain as to what he should do, torn between taking her with him where he knows she'll be safe or leaving her behind to save his own skin

She pushed him slightly, "Go on. When they find me, I’ll tell them you went the other way."

"Uh-uh. Annie, I can’t leave you here by yourself."

"Joshua..... It’s the only way you’ll get out. Now go before somebody comes. Tomorrow I’ll come by your house to see you, okay?"

"Promise?"

Annie nodded, "Promise!"

"Tomorrow?"

Annie softly smiles and reaches out to stroke his cheek, "Tomorrow."

With a glance back at her, Joshua makes the final decision and walks away, leaving Annie behind like she asked

Aboveground, darkness has fallen, and cops are still gathered in the area where they’re hoping to flush out Joshua. The crowd of onlookers remains. A man sells hot dogs he’s roasting over a barrel fire.

Alec was now sitting in the passenger seat of Logan's Aztec, "This place is a war zone."

Logan was worried, "We should’ve heard from Max by now. Let’s get her on the line."

Alec dials his cell phone and hands it to Logan. In the sewers, Max ducks as some cops pass by. Sketchy’s cell phone vibrates and she answers it.

"Yeah?" she says quietly

"Where are you?" Logan demanded

"Junction J-42."

"Sector police have doubled back. They’re heading your way."

Max smirked, "Tell me about it!"

"Joshua can’t be far."

A hand reaches out and covers Max’s mouth. She gasps.

"What was that??" Logan demanded...."Max??"

Max turns to see it is Joshua and in relief she hugs him.

"You were right Logan. I found him!"

"All right, well, let’s get you out of there. There is a tunnel up ahead on your right, about twenty yards."

"Okay."

Max leads Joshua to the tunnel Logan indicates.

"OK....Now what?"

Logan was reviewing the GPS overlay, "Keep going. You’ll see a ladder on your left. Take it down one level."

"Down?? You sure?"

"Max, go!"

Max turns to Joshua, "Come on."

Logan turns to Alec, pointing at the diagram, "This is where I’m going to bring them out. Gotta figure there’ll be soldiers posted on the street."

Alec took Logan's hint and ran with it, "Mmm. Not for long." He gets out of the car, heading to where Logan indicated

Max and Joshua descend the ladder.

Max tells Logan, "We’re in some kind of chamber."

Joshua whispers, "I was here with Annie before."

Logan continues his instructions, "There are three tunnels at the far end. Take the second one on the right. Hurry."

Police enter the chamber from the tunnels. Max and Joshua hide, quickly getting out of sight

Max whispers urgently into the phone, "We can’t get through. There are too many of them."

Logan cursed, "They’re coming in behind you, too."

Joshua sneaks carefully over to the water controls. A cop sees him at the last minute, but Joshua immediately starts the flow of water that he turned off earlier, flooding the chamber. Two cops are knocked into the water. Max swings from a chain and kicks the others down. As more police enter from another tunnel, Max and Joshua run.

"Let’s go!" she tells Joshua

The police fire after them and give chase. One of them speaks into his radio.

"We are in pursuit. Repeat, in pursuit."

----------------------------
Aboveground

The lead cop speaks into the radio in response, "Roger. Out. Let’s go! You heard him! Let’s go!"

All the police aboveground swarm around the manhole and take aim at it.

In the sewers, Max and Joshua climb a ladder.

Aboveground, the police turn a spotlight on the manhole. The crowd cheers. Some onlookers wave signs, reading “PROTECT THE PEOPLE, DESTROY TRANSGENICS” and “TRANSGENICS ARE TRASH.” Normal pushes to the front of the crowd to watch. Everybody is watching the manhole.

Sketchy emerges from it and crowd groans.

Normal yelled at him from the sidelines, "You idiot!"

Terry Caldwell gives Normal an odd look

Normal shrugged, "I don’t know him. I don’t know him. He’s just an idiot."

In an unoccupied area, Max and Joshua emerge from another manhole. Unconscious policemen lie on the ground, and Alec stands there, counting some money with a satisfied smile

Alec quirked an eyebrow at Max, "You have any idea how little the cops in this burg get paid? It’s pathetic!"

Logan drives up and everyone jumps into the Aztec quickly

In the sewers, Annie hears footsteps approaching.

"Hello?" She keeps a hand on the cement block wall and walks forward, calling, "Is somebody there? Hello? Hello?"

White appears, using a faux calming voice

"Don’t worry, miss. It’s all over."

------------------------------
Logan pulls up to Joshua’s house and everyone gets out

Alec announces, "Well, that was fun. What say we order a pizza, huh?"

Joshua bends down to Logan, who has stayed in the driver's seat, "Thank you, Logan."

Logan nodded in acknowledgement, "No problem, big fella."

Logan asks Max, "Need a ride to your place?"

Max answered quickly, "Oh, no, it’s okay. I got my bike. Thanks, Logan." She starts to get out of the Aztec but Logan's voice stops her

"Max?"

She turns back, "Yeah?"

"I just want you to know...however things may be between us, I always got your back."

"I know Logan. Me too."

Max gets out of the car. Then Logan drives away, while Max stands and watches him leave.

Inside, Alec is on the couch, watching TV. Max and Joshua join him.

Alec asks Max, "What’s Logan’s problem, anyway? I mean, everything turned out okay."

A channel 8 reporter states on the TV, "Questions remain. Community leaders are demanding to know how the creature could have eluded the manhunt with so many law enforcement agencies involved."

Joshua smiled proudly, "Creature has friends, that’s how!"

The reporter continued, "We’re here to bring you breaking news in this shocking development. Police have now confirmed that the cause of death was a snapped neck. Witnesses say it would have taken someone with superhuman strength to account for the state in which the body was found."

Max, Alec, and Joshua look up in alarm.

"Once again, a tragic ending to tonight’s events: The kidnapped girl, Annie Fisher, was found dead at the scene just moments ago, murdered by her abductor, who remains at large. Police have a description of the kidnapper..."

Joshua roars, pounding the floor in furious anger

The reporter continued while Max and Alec try to calm Joshua, " ...sewers early this morning. Miss Fisher, who had been blind from childhood, spent several terrifying hours with her attacker, as police tried in vain to locate and rescue her. Sadly, that was not to be."

Joshua made pitiful whining noises, "Annie...??"

"A terrible end to this story tonight. Annie Fisher was only twenty-three years old."

As the reporter continues to speak, a body bag is loaded into an ambulance.

"And so, to recap, the situation here tonight is grim. After an exhaustive all-day search involving police and rescue departments, the kidnapped girl, Annie Fisher, has been found murdered. Stay with us as Channel Three News brings you all the details tonight at eleven o’clock."

At the scene, White is standing in the crowd. His cell phone rings.

He answers with a satified smirk on his face, "White. Fe’nos tol. Just keeps gettin’ better and better, doesn’t it?"

He gets into his car. The ambulance that has Annie drives away.

Back at Joshua's the TV is still going. "Once again, the attacker remains at large. And equally disturbing are rumors that a transgenic from what is apparently called the X-series, which appear to be human while possessing extraordinary strength and speed, may have assisted in the creature’s escape."

Joshua was crying heartfelt pitiful sobs. Max immediately kneels on the floor next to him and embraces him ..... Alec, remembering his own heartbreak with Rachel, felt compassion for the dog man too. He knelt on the other side of Joshua, hugging him and Max together in his embrace as Joshua sobbed for the loss of the only woman he ever loved

------------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

WOOHOO!!!! Love it hon! You're on fire!!!

[Dana0715]

Max had finally convinced a grieving Joshua to go to bed. After tucking him in and he was finally snoring away, Max quietly left the bedroom and carefully closed the door

She jumped when she heard Alec's voice

"Is he OK?"

She placed a hand over her speeding heart and snapped in a stage whisper, "Don't sneak up on me like that!"

"Sorry!" Alec apologetically responded. "I didn't mean to startle you. I was just concerned about Joshua."

"He's asleep now. Let's hope it helps."

Max began to sway a little and Alec had to catch her before she passed out

"Max!" Alec held her up, checking her pupils and pulse, "Max, you're dead on your feet! When was the last time YOU slept?"

"Shark DNA remember? I don't sleep much."

"You didn't answer my question Max."

Max tried to think and said, "Three days.... I think!"

He bent down and picked her up, "Alright, that's it! Time for YOU to get a little shut-eye for yourself!"

She struggled weakly against him, "Put me down Alec. There's too much to do!"

"Nothing that can't wait for a few hours." He told her stubbornly as he carried her into the spare bedroom, the only one left that was decent enough to sleep in. He himself used this bedroom while staying with Joshua. The rest of the bedrooms needed some work before anyone or anything could sleep in them

He placed her on the creaky old bed and removed her boots

"Alec.... I can do that myself you know!"

He raised up, hands on his hips, "Will you PLEASE for the love of God, let someone take care of YOU for a change?? Geez! All I'm trying to do is make you comfortable!"

Max wasn't used to this. She's used to doing everything herself. Alec covered her under the blanket and he started to leave

"Wait!" Max said sleepily, causing Alec to pause at the door and turn back

"Stay with me?" Max asked

Alec debated within his mind, not sure if this was the smartest thing to do

"Max... you know what will happen if I do that." he quietly told her

"I just..... don't want to be alone tonight."

He stared at her intently and finally asked, "Are you sure?"

She nodded

He pulled off his own boots, removed his jacket and crawled into bed on the other side, staying on top of the covers and staying fully clothed

She didn't need any sexual overtures NOW since she was so tired and needed rest

And come to think of it, he was pretty tired too. The worry over Max and Joshua today, then dealing with Joshua's grief took it's toll with him too

She snuggled back against Alec and he draped an arm over her, pulling her against him in a spoon fashion

They were both asleep within minutes, Max feeling safe and secure in Alec's arms for the first time in months, and Alec feeling needed for once in his life

-----------------------------
TBC

----- Added 18 Minutes later -----

Three hours later, it was 2:00 am and Max awoke, blinking in the dark, for a moment forgetting where she was

She and Alec hadn't moved from the position they first fell asleep in. Memories of Alec playing Rhett Butler to her Scarlett O'Hara, picking her up and carrying her into the bedroom, came back to her mind

She carefully turned over and her enhanced vision could easily make him out in the dark.

His eyes were closed, his breathing even, he was sleeping peacefully. She began to notice little things about him she never really noticed before

First, how boyish he looked when his guard was down and he was asleep

Second, a little scattering of light freckles over the bridge of his nose and cheekbones

And the small smile on his lips as he slept peacefully, not moving a muscle

She was transfixed by that mouth. He has used that mouth numerous times during her heat cycles to give her pleasure and she usually just took what he gave, not able to help it due to being in heat. Her only thoughts were selfish satisfaction during those times

She leaned up carefully and kissed him on the lips, wondering what all she could get away with while he was asleep

She eventually lifted her head and smiled when he smiled in his sleep and rolled over onto his back

She laid there and just stared at him, looking her fill. Something he would normally not let her do if he was awake

He drove her crazy sometimes. He was arrogant, he was cocky, he was a smart ass....

But unlike Logan, he really challenged her. He made her think. Logan, although he was a sexy guy himself, he was just.... too perfect. Logan was born with a silver spoon in his mouth (which he relinquished), but he had the etiquette and grace of a man used to the finer things, knowing exactly how to respond in every social situation, knowing exactly what wine goes with what dish...

But she and Alec had a shared history of being raised by Manticore. They were both transgenics. And Alec was the only one that seemed to know what she was thinking before she did and responded immediately.

She caressed his cheek and in his sleep, he leaned his head into her caress. Softness was something neither of them were raised with, and yet they without realizing it, sought it out in each other

On the flip side, she called his card when he wasn't doing something she thought he should be and therefore he did the same with her

She realized after all these months of knowing him, she began turning to him a lot for advice, mostly on transgenic issues, but he was the one guy in her life that completely understood that she had let loose the transhumans and transgenics from Manticore..... and that she felt a responsibility to make sure they were safe. And he was her cocky sidekick that she found she relied on more and more as time went on

She couldn't resist any longer and she leaned over him and kissed him again. She felt his mouth respond against hers.... he was obviously waking up now

Alec had been dreaming that Max was seducing him ..... and now it turns out as he's waking up that is exactly what she's doing now

He cupped a hand behind her head and kissed her back passionately. She responded immediately, cupping his face in her hands as she poured her feelings for him that she was just beginning to realize into the kiss

--------------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

Awesome!!!!!!

[Dana0715]

What a way to wake up!

Alec thought this as he raised up, rolled Max onto her back and trailed open mouth kisses down her neck

He didn't even ask, he simply started unbuttoning her blouse and with every inch of exposed skin revealed, his mouth christened the area

He stopped suddenly and exclaimed, "What the hell??"

Max had to bring herself out of the sensual fog and raised up, "What? What is it?"

He got up quickly and turned on the bedside lamp, then found a hand held mirror he keeps with his shaving kit. He sat on the bed and held the mirror in front of her chest for her to see

Some strange markings were showing up on her skin

Max grabbed the mirror, then she looked down at her chest. Her bra was still on, but exactly on the areas that Alec had kissed, these strange symbols were popping up

Alec could see she was about to freak. He wanted to do that too.... but somebody had to be level-headed here

"What's happening to me?" Max demanded

He picked up the bedside lamp, removing the lampshade, and brought it around to Max's chest, studying the markings

"The meek shall inherit the earth...." Alec murmured

"You can read these??" Max asked

"I can read 14 different languages Max. This is an ancient language......'all life is sacred'...."

He finally looks up at Max and sets the lamp back where he had it.

"These things seem really important. Maybe it's a message that Sandeman encoded in your DNA."

"But why am I the chosen one huh?? Do you think this will pop up on all X5's? Or am I special?"

"I don't know Max.... but let's not panic, OK?"

"Not panic??" Max asked, then she reached forward and grabbed Alec by the shirt, shaking him, "NOT PANIC?? There are SYMBOLS popping up on my body like some people get acne! Do you see anyone else that has crazy symbols on their body??"

"Hey! Max!!" Alec grabbed her wrists, and pulled back, causing Max to fall on him and he kissed her. She struggled for a moment and then melted into the kiss

Once he realized she had calmed down, he slowly removed his lips, grinning ear to ear

"I really need to remember that the next time you fly off the handle. I have found a way to actually shut you up!"

She glared at him and he kissed her again and she melted again. She finally hit him in the stomach and jumped off the bed

"Max, what was that for?" he groaned, holding his stomach

Max didn't like the fact that Alec had that kind of power over her, and she didn't want him to think he could just overrule her with a kiss. Yes, it was effective, but she'd be damned if ever really knew it

"Look.... what caused these symbols? That's what I wanna know. Was it just your saliva? Was it hormones?"

Alec shrugged and said, "Well we can test another spot. Think of the most gory things you've ever seen or experienced and we can see if it's just my saliva.... or if being horny coupled with the saliva does it."

He held out his hand, "I'll just try on your wrist.... that's innocent enough, right?"

"Alec, with you, NOTHING is innocent."

That rogue smile of his was back, "You know me SO well."

She held out her arm to him and he told her, "Seriously, think of anything that turns you OFF... and this should only take a few seconds."

She thought of all the things she had to deal with today. Joshua's grief, Annie's death, hiding from the police while searching for Joshua, the smell of the sewers....

"Done!" Alec announced and held up her wrist. She didn't even realize he had licked or kissed it

But apparently he did because the symbols were popping up there too

"Do you think it's any transgenic saliva or just yours?" Max asked

"That is one thing I really don't want to have tested Max."

Alec got up and walked over to his bag, digging around inside and pulling out a digital camera

Max pulled her blouse together, "You are NOT taking nudey shots of me Alec!"

"Relax!" Alec told her.... "Just the symbols. They seem to be fading fast and I want to study these. As much as I like staring and licking your body..... I doubt you can handle that for the time it will take me to study these. It's best to take pictures of what appears and look over the photographs later."

Max could understand his reasoning and sighed. "Fine! But it must be close-ups and you HAVE to make sure that someone that reads them can't tell if it's my boob or some other part of my body."

"Will you trust me?" Alec asked humorously. "Geez! You make it sound like I'm a horndog! Oh, wait!! I AM a horndog!" Alec was laughing as he threw a pillow at him

His face became serious. Only a quirk of his mouth showed he was joking, "Oh honey! You're going to PAY for that!"

---------------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

WOOHOO!!!! I totally love it!! Well done!!!

[There Is No Spoon]

Awesome updates Trina.

Keep them coming.

[Dana0715]

The next morning, Alec was in the living room looking through his digital camera photos of the marks on Max's skin

This perplexed Alec to no end. What triggered it? There had to be something that started this whole "symbols popping up on skin" deal. He has had his mouth on many different parts of her body in the past and this never happened until now.

That was the mystery that was bugging him.

Then he reviews what popped up and this seemed big. Like, biblically big! Like "Armageddon knocking on the door" big!

If White ever got ahold of this information, Max would be public enemy number one. White would see to it

And they don't even realize that Max could be what saves mankind, if his translations are correct

He had a legal pad and pencil, jotting notes. Then he felt hands massaging his shoulders, and he grinned

"Oh yeah! Just a little to the left.... perfect!!"

He had sat there for so long he was getting a crick in his neck that now Max was massaging out

"Damn! Where have you been all my life?" Alec asked

Max smacked him playfully. He sat his stuff aside and tugged on one of her arms, causing her to fall into his lap. And she was laughing

Actually LAUGHING! He did that and he was still on top of the world!

Max has not said the words "I love you" to him, and come to think of it, he hasn't either. But they both agreed sometime early this morning to give a relationship a try

Joshua's sadness and the runes on Max's skin aside, this was one of the happiest days of Alec's life

Her giggles settled down and her arms were around his neck. She turned her head a moment to look at the paper he was jotting notes on

"So what did you come up with?" Max asked, curiously reading the Manticore shorthand that she knows too well

"Bottom line? You're equal to the christians Jesus Christ..... as in you're the savior of the people. There's going to be some kind of Armageddon...." He reached for the notepad to hold it in front of both of them. "My guess is it's going to be some kind of biological warfare. There's formulas popping up in your skin too. Now my chemistry is a little rusty, but it looks like some kind of description for a vaccine."

"But a vaccine for whom specifically?"

Alec looked into her eyes and shrugged his shoulders, "I honestly don't know. I don't know if it's for everybody, or a select few. Maybe we can get Logan to dig a little further for us. He's got all the technical know-how at his fingertips."

Her eyes fell at the mention of Logan and Alec stiffened slightly. He couldn't help it. Max once believed herself to be madly in love with Logan. Something she repeated time and time again during the last year. That's something you don't just get over.

"You're right." she said quietly. "I gotta talk to him sometime I guess."

"How about if I talk to him?" Alec asked

She shook her head, "I think I should..... eventually. Right now let's just put it aside. We have Joshua to worry about right now."

"Yeah, did you hear that whimpering in the bedroom last night? Poor guy!" Alec remarked

Max's soft heart was one of her weaknesses sometimes, "Yeah, he has to be so heartbroken."

She snuggled closer to Alec in his lap, her head on his shoulder and he in turn pulled her closer to him, his chin on her head

"I feel almost guilty .... being so happy with you while Joshua is going through so much."

"We could put US off for a little while if you want.... I'll still be around when you're ready."

She carefully raised up so she wouldn't bump his chin, then looked him squarely in the eyes, "Only if you want to." She was watching his reaction carefully

But there was too much Manticore in him and he didn't show his emotions easily, "Do you?"

Max shook her head, "No.... I'm tired of being alone."

Using a finger to tilt her chin, angling her lips toward him, he admitted, "Me too!"

It was during this kiss that Joshua walked in. They broke apart quickly and Joshua turned his back on them, averting his eyes

"Please don't get busy in front of me!"

"Oh Joshua, we weren't.... we were just kissing. That's all." Max jumped up, feeling really rejuvenated after rest and sex and walked toward Joshua, checking on him

"Are you OK big fella?" Max tiptoed to check his eyes. "Are you hungry?"

Joshua shook his head sadly

"You need to eat Joshua.... how about some soup?"

"No.... just wanna paint."

"OK..." Max said kindly, patting his arm, "It's good to keep busy. You go ahead. I'll put together some breakfast. Alec and I have to go to work in a little bit. Will you be OK by yourelf?"

"Max, for the love of God, stop fussing over him, OK? He'll be fine!" Alec jumped up out of his seat and guided Max to the kitchen

"But..." was as far as Max got when he guided her out of sight, picked her up and plopped her on the counter, kissing her again

After a couple of minutes, Alec released her lips and said, "Yep! Still works!"

She shoved him aside as he chuckled, jumped down off the counter and began gathering items to make oatmeal, still not happy with how easily Alec can manipulate her

"Maxie, come on." Alec wheedled, coming up behind her and holding her. "Joshua can't be mothered through this OK? Let him find his own way of coping. Let him paint. Let him mope. Annie only died last night and he won't even be allowed to go to her funeral to pay his last respects.... give him time, OK?"

Max sighed. She hated to admit it but Alec was right

"OK.....(she rolled her eyes and sighed) you're right......... so do you like fruit in your oatmeal?"

---------------------------------------------------
TBC

[Dana0715]

Alec's cell phone was ringing as he and Max arrived at Jam Pony for another workday. He looked at the display and handed it to Max

"I think it's for you. It's Logan."

She gave him a pleading look and he groaned, "Oh COME ON Max! If I answer he'll just ask for you. You said you would talk to him..... "

"Yeah... but not right now."

The phone stopped ringing now and he put it back in his coat pocket, leaning against a locker while Max opened hers to get what she needed to start her day

"Max, why are you putting this off? This isn't like you. You usually face problems head on, get it over with as quickly as possible."

She slammed her locker and said, "Because I DON'T want to hurt Logan....... he keeps holding out hope that I'll come back.."

"Because you're not straight up with him."

One thing about Alec, he just told it like it was. Max knew she needed the honesty, but sometimes that much honesty was irritating as hell

Because once again dammit, he was right!!

Alec was biting his thumbnail nonchalantly, the only clue that he was a little nervous about this upcoming chat, "You need to sit down and tell Logan what's what, You've been avoiding him and it's time to sit down and just be straight with him. Now if you still have feelings for him, or if you have second thoughts about us, please say so now and 'WE' stop here! I never wanted to pressure you into anything."

"No..... you're right...." she rolls her eyes, "AGAIN!" Then she shouldered her backpack, ready to grab a ten speed and begin her day, "I'll see if there are any packages I can deliver close to his address and swing by.... can you cover for me?"

"Absolutely.... Normal will never know you're playing hooky while I'm around."

She giggled and put her arms around his waist, staring into his eyes, "Yeah, when you're around he only sees you. I think I'm beginning to see what that crush is all about!"

That was the only time you could get Alec to blush, the mention of Normal's crush

Her eyes were sparkling with humor as she asked, "Hey! Do you think he can make ME shorts that say Curvaceous Killer?"

"Nope! I'm special!"

"Yeah.... his special boy toy!"

He began tickling her, "Take that back! You better take that back or I'll have to torture you!"

Their laughter caused OC and Sketchy to take a peek between the lockers

"What is going on over here??" OC asked, smiling in amusement

She hit Alec in the stomach again, making him stop. He groaned, "Maxie, you gotta find another place to hit! That's getting old!"

"We'll talk later OC.... I gotta bounce! See ya at Crash tonight?"

"You got it Boo!" she told her

Alec was looking pretty satisfied and Sketch stood next to him

He asked, "Did you?"

Alec looked at him, brows raised, catching exactly what Sketch was asking. "Sketch! I'm surprised at you. That is SO rude! I do NOT kiss and tell!"

Sketch slapped him on the shoulder, "Which means YOU DID!! So the shrew has been tamed!"

Alec snorted, "Hardly!!" Then he yelled, "Hey Normal! Give me a delivery! I'm ready!"

He got away from Sketch as quick as he could

-----------------------------------
TBC

[trucherrygirl]

Awesome updates! I especially like the scene where Max asked Alec to stay with her and they end up falling asleep together holding each other. That was really, really sweet! Looking forward to more updates! :)

[There Is No Spoon]

Great updates Trina.

Looking forward to reading your next updates.

[lauraforever]

I totally love it! Never stop writing! How do you update so fast?!

[Dana0715]

Max knocked on Logan's door, not looking forward to the inevitable conversation they would have

Logan was wearing workout clothes as he opened the door, toweling off the sweat on his brow. Surprised, he paused

"Max?"

"Hey..."

He leaned against the doorjamb, blocking her entry, "What brings you here?"

"Can we talk?"

"Hey Logan!" a familiar female voice called out from within the apartment, "That exercise machine of yours is GREAT for my abs!"

Asha came around the corner and stopped, eyebrows raised

"Max!" Asha regained her composure and went to stand next to Logan, a hand on his arm in an obvious possessive move

"Oh! Well!" Max shook her head to clear the shock, "Sorry to disturb you Logan... another time."

She turned to leave and Logan almost grabbed her before remembering the virus, so all he said was, "Max! Wait! What did you wanna talk about?"

She was down the hall by then and turned back to him, shrugging, "It's cool! Nothing important." and then she left

Logan didn't know what to think of this unexpected visit from Max. Asha looked up at him, concerned

"You OK?" she asked quietly

He shook it off, turned to her and faked a smile, "Yeah! I'm fine! It's time to move on." He put an arm around her shoulders and led her back inside, "If you think the work you can do on your abs is great, let me show you some other features of the exercise machine."

---------------------------------
Max ran into Alec on the way back to Jam Pony. He was on his way to deliver a package. He turned his ten speed to her and stopped the bike in her path, forcing her to stop

"So! How did it go?"

"Asha was there.... I didn't get to talk to him."

"One thing I can say about that girl.... she doesn't give up!"

"Logan needs someone like her. They both fight government corruption, they have so much more in common...." She met Alec's eyes, then leaned forward and kissed him, erasing whatever fears he was starting to harbor, "Kinda like how you and me are."

"Good answer!" Alec said, smiling the charming smile that melts most women completely. Then he waved the package he had, "I gotta get this delivered. See ya later, OK?"

Max proceeded back to Jam Pony and Alec was on his way to an address across town

----------------------------------
(The following is from the episode "Berrisford Agenda"..... yes people, the story of Rachel will be told and I decided to do it now as a glitch in the Alec/Max relationship and how they work it through)

Alec arrived in front of a palatial estate with a locked gate. There was a surveillance camera at the gate and a buzzer you have to press for entry

Alec reached out and pressed it and a flashback happened, a sense of deja-vu, making him feel like he's been here before

Quickly, he tossed the package over the gate and turned his bike back to the road, taking off just as the camera caught a glimpse of his face

He rode back to Jam Pony like a bat out of hell, his heart pumping.....

Memories began flooding his mind, memories that Manticore tried to erase during a period of reindoctrination he was forced to go through when he didn't do what Manticore told him to do

----------------------------------
(flashback - Manticore, three years ago)

Alec's CO, Sandoval was standing in front of Alec at Manticore. Alec standing at attention as he was trained to do

Sandoval asked him, "Have you been briefed on your target, X5-494?"

"Yes, sir. Robert Berrisford, fifty-eight years old. Widow. CEO of Mercidyne and one of Manticore's subcontractors."

Sandoval was pacing in front of him, hands clasped behind his back. Alec was staring at a spot on the wall, not making eye contact like he was trained to do, standing ramrod straight at "Attention"

"Our intelligence indicates that Berrisford's been curious lately about the work we do here--asking questions he shouldn't be. Close surveillance has become a necessity."

"Yes, sir!" Alec responded

"We've established a cover for you. Initially, your primary contact will be with his daughter."

----------------------------------
(present day)

Alec was pumping the ten speed as hard as he could, trying to run from the memories of the first woman he loved in his young life

Rachel Berrisford

Manticore killed her..... she was a sweet, innocent 17 year old girl, he was 18 and his cover was as her piano teacher, Simon Lehane. Manticore taught him how to play classical piano within two days. Due to his photographic memory and extremely detailed procedural memory, he picked it up easily

------------------------------------
(flashback again to Manticore)

Alec is in a room playing a grand piano that Manticore set up for his lessons. He was playing a complicated Mozart piece perfectly while Sandoval observed from a nearby observation room

Sandoval spoke quietly to one of the technicians, "He's very good!"

"Yes sir. He's picked it up even quicker than we hoped"

Sandoval asked, "And when did you start the lesson?"

"Yesterday sir"

They see that Alec finishes the piece and stands up as Sandoval and the other men leave the observation room and join him.

"Nice work 494" Sandoval commented

"Thank you sir" Alec responded

"I understand this will be your first deep-cover mission?"

"Yes sir!"

The technician told Sandoval, "He's had four successful away missions, but nothing long-term in the field. We've been prepping him for the last year."

Sandoval decisively told the technician sternly, "I want him deployed by the end of the week."

------------------------------------
(present day)

Alec screeched to a halt inside Jam Pony and threw the bike down, walking purposely to his locker, passing surprised onlookers

Max was handling a pick-up, so she wasn't there. OC and Sketch looked at each other in confusion, then back at Alec

Alec began hitting and kicking the lockers like an enraged animal. Normal came running out from behind the counter. Alec was his favorite employee and he let him get away with a lot of slacking, but THIS was destruction of property and wouldn't be tolerated!

"Hey!!!" Normal grabbed Sketch on the way, "Help me settle him down!"

The two of them pulled Alec from the lockers and he knocked both of them down

Max walked in and saw what was going on. A crowd was gathered around the locker area

Max started elbowing her way through the other Jam Pony messengers

"Move people! Let me through!!" Max called out as she made her way to the front just as Normal and Sketch were pummeled to the ground

"Alec!! What are you doing??" Max scolded. Alec turned on her, breathing hard

"Stay out of this Max!"

"Stay out of WHAT??" Max asked just as OC jumped on Alec's back, grabbed a handful of hair with one hand, her other arm around his neck. This set off Alec and he threw OC across the room

"That's IT!" Max stated as she tapped Alec on the shoulder. He turned to face her and she hit him hard between the eyes, knocking him out flat

Max was muttering to herself, "Throw MY best friend across the room lover and you're gonna GET that smackdown from me! Teach you to ever do THAT again!"

When she saw everyone was looking at her in awe, she waved her arms, "Hey! Nothing to see here! I got this!"

Normal was pinching his bleeding nose and yelled, "She's right! Nothing to see here! Get back to work! BIP!!"

---------------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

I totally love it!!!

[Dana0715]

When Alec came to, he found himself on his back on the concrete floor of Jam Pony, Max crouched next to him with a disapproving look on her face

And he had a RAGING headache!

He sat up, rubbing the achy area between his brows and winced

"What happened?" Alec asked

"You went into some kinda rage, knocked down Normal, Sketchy and original Cindy before I had to take you out."

Alec didn't remember any of it. He raised up and Normal was at Alec's feet, looking concerned.... and he had a bloody nose that he kept a handkerchief over

"Oh man! Normal! I'm sorry!" Alec told him. "I don't know what got into me...."

"Yeah, well, see you don't do it again. You scared everyone half out of their wits." Normal told him. "Take the day off and go home."

Normal pointed at Max, "And YOU missy-miss, you're taking over his shift."

He stood and went back to his counter. Max helped Alec up and then he shrugged out of her grip, feeling uncomfortable that he was so helpless around Max

"I got it! I'm fine!" Alec snapped at her

Her hands were up, her eyes hard, "Fine! Be like that! I was just trying to help!"

She grabbed her backpack in a huff and stormed away

-------------------------------
Since his name has been cleared of his twin brother's murders, he decided he would go back to his own apartment, after checking in on Joshua to make sure he was OK

It was the least he could do. So far he wasn't making a lot of friends today!

Joshua was painting yet another Annie picture, but at least he was dealing..... so Alec went down to the basement, remembering there was an upright piano down there

For some reason, he was drawn to play it. He removed the dust cloth that was over it, used a couple of fingers to test the keys and it was slightly out of tune, but not too bad. He pulled out the piano bench, sat down and began playing a soft melody at first

Joshua heard it upstairs and cocked his head, listening

As Alec played more passionately, running his fingers expertly up and down the piano, more flashbacks came to mind

----------------------------------
(three years ago, Berrisford estate)

Alec, dressed in suit and tie, wearing wire-rimmed glasses and carrying a briefcase approached the gate of the Berrisford estate. He pressed the buzzer and when a voice asked for identification, he answered, "Simon Lehane, Mr Berrisford hired me to tutor his daughter in piano?"

The gate opened with a buzz and Alec, aka "Simon" walked through. When he made it to the front door of the house, a butler answered, allowing him in. Then the butler led him up a spiral staircase to the second floor. Alec looked around, trying not to show his awe. This house was old money. It was spectacular! High ceilinged, tasteful art and antiques

He was led into a drawing room with a grand piano and a young girl with dark hair had her back to him at first, staring out the window, looking at the gardens.

Then she turned and smiled brightly, approaching Alec with an outstretched hand, "Simon Lehane? I'm Rachel Berrisford."

They shook hands and he politely told her, "Nice to meet you. Shall we get started?"

Their first lesson went well, it was all business at first. She was playing a Chopin piece and he was pacing slowly, listening intently

"How's this?" she asked hopefully as she played

He smiled at her in approval, "It's nice! Just watch your dynamics."

All of the sudden, an impish grin lit up her face and she changed the pace, playing the "Peanuts" theme instead. Alec chuckled, Rachel laughed and finished the Peanuts piece

"I like that!" Alec told her delightfully, then Mr Berrisford walked into the room at that moment. Rachel's eyes brightened

"Hi Daddy!"

"Hello kitten! How are the lessons?" he asked as he bent down and kissed her on the head

Excitedly, she exclaimed, "Simon is a MUCH better teacher than the last one! He's a lot more fun!"

Berrisford was amused, "And what was that I heard you play as I walked in?"

She blushed and Alec intervened, "I was just trying to make it fun.... mix it up a little."

"I like how you think Lehane." Berrisford nodded approvingly at the young man. Then he gave Alec a playfully stern look, "But you gotta watch her. She'll talk her way out of lessons if you let her."

Alec smirked in good humor as Rachel exclaimed, "Daddy!!!"

"Practice makes perfect kitten!" He told her, then as he was leaving, he told Alec, "Stay on top of her or she'll never practice."

"Yes sir." Alec said politely as he left

Alec turned back to Rachel and commented, "He seems like a very nice man."

"Oh he's great! I couldn't have asked for a better dad.... he just dotes on me a lot since Mom passed away."

"I'm sorry to hear that." Alec answered in sympathy, "How long ago?"

"Five years.... how about you? Are you close to your parents?"

"No, it's just me. That's okay; they died a long time ago. I don't really remember them."

This time Rachel's eyes clouded in sympathy, "That must have been really rough on you."

After a moment's pause, Alec decided to change the subject, "We're supposed to be playing piano, not talking about my sad childhood, young lady." he admonished

With a small smile, she went back to her lesson

--------------------------------
In the present day, Alec was now playing the same Chopin piece. He ended it with a dramatic flair, then sat there in silent remembrance for a moment.

He reached into his backpack and pulled out a silver necklace with a heart-shaped locket

Rachel's....

Joshua followed the sound of piano playing to the basement. He gently puts his hand on Alec's shoulder. Not expecting the touch, he reacted on instinct and jumped up, turned around, and in a blur he puts Joshua in a choke hold.

"Alec?" Joshua gasped, and Alec suddenly realized what he did and let him go

"I'm sorry man!"

Joshua nodded, then found the locket on the floor that Alec dropped. Joshua bent down and picked it up, handing it back to Alec.

Alec carefully took it out of Joshua's hands and said quietly, "I need to go..... sorry about that Joshua. About trying to strangle you I mean.."

"No worries." Joshua answered, watching Alec leave

---------------------------
As Alec headed home from Joshua's, his cell phone rang. He answered it with his customary, "Yeah?"

The Chopin piece that Rachel played so well so long ago..... the one he just finished playing at Joshua's, was now being played in his ear

His eyes widened and he threw his cell phone into a brick wall, completely shattering it, and he ran the rest of the way home, running from memories that were becoming too much for him

----------------------------------
Max came by Joshua's after her shift was over so she could check on him. This time, for once, she found Joshua painting a new painting, a non-Annie painting. It was abstract

"Hey Big Fella! What's this?" she asked curiously

"It's Alec"

Max was a little taken aback.... all the black and red didn't form a person at all.

"Must be abstract" she said

Joshua nodded. "Alec very complicated" he said

"I don't get what's going on with him today." Max remarked, "Has he talked to you?"

"He played Father's piano.... then almost choked JOshua"

"What??" Max roared, then she was about to leave, "I'll kill him! What is he THINKING??"

"Wait Max! Lots going on in Alec's head."

"Like WHAT?"

"Look" Joshua points at his painting, "See outside, lots of pretty colors. Tricks and treats. But inside..." he points at a black and red area, "Darkness, confusion, blood..."

Max folded her arms and asked, "What's he all dark and confused about? Has he told you?"

"Doesn't have to..... it's Manticore."

That gave something for Max to think about. She knew something set Alec off today and she knew how Manticore trained them to not have any emotions, just do as you're told to do, no questions asked

She was going to find her man and have a talk!

-------------------------------
She checked his apartment and he wasn't there, so she went to Crash, where she found Alec nursing a scotch at the bar

She took the stool next to Alec and placed a hand on his. He shot her a cold look, removed the hand and took a swig of scotch

"Go away Max" he told her coldly

"No! I'm not going away! You're going to fess up and tell me what your deal is!"

"It's not your concern Max." Alec told her, not looking at her

"Hey!" she grabbed him by the jacket and made him look at her, "I love you dammit! And I am here to help you whether you like it or not!"

The words "I love you" hit him in the solar plexus, but he refused to show it. He just answered, "All you'll get from me Max is pain and suffering. I'm not worth loving, OK? I don't even know why you would put up with me."

He gulped the last of his scotch, sat the glass down and smacked the bar, yelling, "Barkeep! Another one!"

She knew he was hurting about something, and she was pretty sure it had nothing to do with her, she was just the easiest target right now. So she tried to steel herself a bit, and said, "Alec... if you're in some kind of trouble and need my help, then you should ask now and not wait until it's too late and everything's all messed up, like you usually do."

He smirked at her choice of words and answered snidely, "Well, I appreciate the offer, Max. I really do. But you don't know what the hell you're talking about."

She quietly pleaded, "Then explain it to me."

He took a another swig of his scotch, watching her..... in his mind, he was thinking it's best to push Max away before he hurts her just like he's done with Rachel in the past. Why didn't he remember that he was no good at this relationship stuff??

His words were scathing, almost mean, "I would, see, but you wouldn't understand. You can't understand; you weren't there. You ran. You and your little rugrat brothers and sisters. You think life was rough when we were ten? A little schooling, a little brainwashing, some maneuvers outside? You think that was tough? Huh?"

Max shrugged, "Sucked pretty hard from what I remember."

"Well.... Take it from me sweetheart. Later on, it got a whole lot worse."

He turns back to his drink, sips it, then stares into it, lost in thought, lost in the past as he said, "But you did what you had to do, right? Then you tried to forget. And when you couldn't forget, they had WAYS of making you NOT care."

He saw the look of pity in Max's eyes and he coldly told her, "I don't want your pity! Just go away. All I want right now is your absence!"

That hurt, but Max refused to cry. Angrily she stood, then said, "You know where I am if you need me."

Alec stood too, paid for his drink and left Crash. As he walked out the door, two of Berrisford's men followed him. When Alec realized he was being followed, he listened and slowed down his steps. One of the men called out, "Simon Lehane?"

Alec turns and they both jump him. He's fighting the both of them. Max walks outside, sees the commotion and jumps into the fight. She grabs one of the men so that Alec would have the other. When Max knocks out the man she was fighting, she turns to find Alec violently kicking the other man, who was already unconcious

Alec was yelling, "You stupid sonofab!tch!" and just kept violently kicking him hard, over and over

"Alec!! Stop!!" Max cried out and yanks Alec away from the man, throwing him on the hood of the car

"Calm down!! It's over!"

Alec realizes what he's done and in a sudden fit of anger, he shoves Max away from him and says, "Stay the hell away from me Max!"

And he runs off, leaving Max standing there wondering what is going on?

She sees something silvery on the pavement and picks it up

It's a silver heart-shaped locket

Earlier that day she had to go back to the Berrisford estate to get the signature Alec neglected to obtain for the delivery of the package and she remembered a portrait of a woman that had the same locket

She remembered the name of the signature too.

R. Berrisford

Max hated to admit it, but she needed Logan's super-sleuthing skills. She wasn't sure he'd help, but she had to try

Her man needed help, and she had no clue how to help him

----------------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

totally love it! Miss ya on AIM

[Dana0715]

Jan, I'm only on AIM when I'm at my parents' house.... you'll probably see me there tomorrow. I have the day off tomorrow.

[Dana0715]

Max stood in front of Logan's apartment door, debating on knocking or not..... but she needed Logan's help if she was to help Alec

She knocked on the door and waited

Logan answered, this time fully dressed in sweater and jeans.

"You're making a habit of this Max." Logan told her

"Logan..... I need your help."

He stepped back and gestured, "Come on in!"

-----------------------------------
Logan closed the door and asked her, "So, What's up?"

"Remember how you said regardless of our relationship, that you still have my back?"

"Of course, and I still mean it."

"Can you come up with some information on a guy?"

Logan went to his computer, sat down and said, "It's what I do. Got a name?"

"Berrisford. First initial R."

----------------------------
Alec was at his apartment, he removed his jacket, threw it over a chair carelessly and went into the kitchen to pour himself a drink

Remembering more.....
------------------------------------
(Manticore flashback, three years ago)

"Fine work 494." Sandoval commented at Alec once again stood at attention, "Anything we need to know that isn't included in your report?"

"Yes, sir. I've been invited to dinner."

"When?"

"Tonight sir"

"We had no idea your relationship with Berrisford progressed this far."

Alec cleared his throat and said, "It wasn't Berrisford who invited me, sir. It was the daughter."

Sandoval thought about that one for a moment and asked, "Under the impression there's a romantic interest on her part?"

Alec looked puzzled, having never had any kind of romantic relationship before. Sandoval tried to simplify the question

"Do you think she likes you 494?"

"She's given every indication that she enjoys my company, sir."

"Good! Play along, 494. This can bring you beneficial access."

"Yes sir."

Later that evening, Alec and Rachel are dressed formally and they sneak away from the dinner party together, hand in hand, laughing as they run across the yard to the pool room where there's an indoor pool

As Rachel coaxes him inside, he was doing as Manticore told him, to play along

Problem was..... he REALLY DID like her and this was when he started having doubts about what he was ordered to do by Manticore

"Come on!" Rachel pulled him into the pool room by the hand, giggling

"Rachel, we shouldn't be gone too long. Your father--"

She placed a finger over his lips to silence him, "My father is busy with his cronies, talking business. You'd be bored."

"Or maybe not" he said around her finger

She removed her finger, smiling seductively and shaking her head at him, "You're a funny one!"

"I am?" Alec asked, intrigued

"Most boys would much rather spend a few minutes alone with a girl than sit in some smoke-filled room, talking about genetics."

He placed an arm around her waist, pulling her to him and told her, "Well, I'm not most boys."

"I know" she tells him, smiling and causing him to return the smile

She nodded toward the pool, "Do you want to go for a swim?"

He glances at the pool, then back at her, playing along like he's supposed to, and he answers, "All right."

She begins to lower her dress straps down her shoulders and Alec couldn't tear his eyes away from her, until she blushed and said hesitantly, "Um... could you turn around?"

Quickly, he averts his eyes and turns his back on her, "Um yeah! Sorry!"

He began removing his tie, taking off his jacket and unbuttoning his shirt

A few minutes later they were both in the pool in their underwear and he treaded water over to her

She was drawing curlicues on his shoulder with her finger and asked, "In case you hadn't noticed, I've been sort of throwing myself at you for the past few weeks. Don't you like me?"

"Oh yeah... I like you." he said, sounding slightly breathless

Rachel smiles, leans forward and kisses him on the mouth. It was hesitant and shy, he closed his eyes and enjoyed the brief moment, then when it was over, he opened his own eyes, slightly taken aback. It's obvious he just had his first kiss

"I like you a lot" he murmurs before kissing her again

His first time was with Rachel that night in her bed, she was a virgin also. The foreplay started in the pool, then they moved to her bedroom, sneaking in

The few following weeks he was with her was a sweet, innocent time in his life

And he fell head over heels in love with her, just like she did for him

A week after they made love the first time, he had snuck into Berrisford's office just before his and Rachel's appointed piano lesson and was copying files onto a disk. Just as it finished, he pocketed the disk and Rachel walked into the office

"Simon?" she asked curiously

Surprised, he gave a bright, "Hey!"

She walked further into the office, "What are you doing?"

Quickly, he said, "Uh... I got lost looking for the bathroom."

"Oh!" she said knowingly and told him, like it was a secret, "the bathroom's down the other hallway"

Smiling suavely, he nodded, "Right. Right. Well, I can't help it. You've got me all turned around."

She reaches up and kisses him sweetly and he kisses her back, then they hug. You can see that Alec is having a mental dilemma

Rachel whispers into his ear, "I love you." Alec holds her tighter and gulps.

Rachel hugged him back and then as they parted, she felt his hands

"Your hands are shaking. And they're like ice!"

Nervously, Alec asked, "They are?"

"Simon,,, are you alright>" she asked with concern

He gave her his most reassuring smile, "Yeah. I'm all right. I'm just happy"

This makes her smile at him and they hug again

----------------------------------
In present day, Alec went into his bathroom, splasing cold water on his face. He drys his face with a towel and looks at his reflection in the mirror above the sink. For a moment, he thought he saw Rachel standing just over his shoulder. He turned quickly and there was nothing there

When he turned back to the mirror, his eyes hardened. He raised a fist and hit the mirror right in the center, shattering it, and then he walks out

As he pours yet another scotch, he remembered when Manticore demanded he kill both Robert and Rachel Berrisford

(flashback to Manticore)

"The files you brought us are very enlightening, 494" Sandoval told Alec, who is once again reporting everything to Sandoval and standing at attention. "Berrisford's acquired some damaging information about Manticore, and has plans to alert his friend in the Senate."

He stopped pacing and told Alec, "At ease soldier" Alec placed his hands behind his back and widened his stance, feet were shoulder length apart and now he could look Sandoval in the eye

"This might be a good time to send a message to all our suppliers, don't you think 494? Something decisive."

Alec said nothing.... but he dreaded what he was afraid would come up next

"Eliminate the target tomorrow. According to reports, he takes his daughter to school in the morning?"

"Yes sir" Alec gulped visibly

"Take them both out. That's pretty decisive." Sandoval nodded at Alec, "You'd better get back there. Lesson starts at four, doesn't it?"

"Yes sir, it's just...."

Sandoval got in Alec's face, demanding, "It's just what, 494?"

"Sir, I can eliminate Berrisford without involving the daughter. It just seems to me the collateral damage is an unnecessary--"

"Let's make one thing perfectly clear 494. You're not in charge of this mission, 494. Your job, and your only thought, is to follow our orders"

"Yes SIR!" Alec responded automatically

"Are you capable of doing that?"

Alec paused a second and then answered shakily, "Yes sir"

Sandoval was not done with him, "Because if for some reason we lost confidence in you...we'd have no need for you. Is that clear??"

"Crystal, sir!"

The next day found Alec planting an explosive device underneath Berrisford's limo. He snuck away quickly and hid in the bushes, holding the remote in his hand that would detonate the bomb

He saw Berrisford walk out the front door and get into the limo, waiting on his daughter to take her to school

Alec snuck into the house..... he had to do something! His feelings for Rachel have come to the forefront

He loved Rachel. He had never been in love before, but he was now. And he knew if he didn't follow through with his orders from Manticore, basically he would be dead. But he'd rather Rachel live than him

He ran up the spiral staircase as quickly as he could and met Rachel halfway

Rachel looked surprised, "Simon, what are you doing?"

This was very urgent and he HAD to make her listen, "We don't have a lot of time."

Rachel could tell something was VERY wrong, and she asked, "What's the matter?"

He had her by the shoulders and told her, "Listen to me. You and your father need to leave town right now."

She was confused and asked, "Why?"

He was trying to convey how urgent this was and he shook her slightly, "Please! Rachel! I'll cover for you. I'll tell 'em that you left in the middle of the night. But you have GOT to go NOW!"

"Ow Simon, you're hurting me" Rachel was beginning to look scared.... scared of Alec more so than anything and that was tearing Alec apart

He grabbed her hand and started to pull her with him, "Come with me!"

"No!" she told him and jerked out of his grip, "Tell me what's happening Simon!"

"Okay..." He paused and didn't know of any other way to tell her but straight up. So he took a deep breath and told her, "Rachel, I was sent here to kill your father."

Rachel gasped and started backing away from him in fear, and he rushed to try and explain, appealing to her, reaching out to her

"Please Rachel..... It was my job. You were my job."

In anger, she slaps him hard across the face. he rubbed his jaw in surprise as she she busrts into tears and runs past him. Alec tries to stop her but she struggles her way past him. He held the locket in his hand as she ran, accidentally tearing it off her neck in their struggle

"DADDY!!" Rachel calls out, running out the front door

Alec runs after her, "Rachel, don't!! Don't get in the car!!"

"DADDY!!" Rachel shrieked

Just as Alec runs out the front door, the car explodes

And he knows he didn't detonate it

Fearing the worst, he falls to the ground on his knees and screams in agony, "RACHELLLL!"

An SUV pulls into the drive and there's 3 men inside. The one in the front passenger seat shows he has a detonator in his hand. Two men get out of the SUV and begin dragging Alec to the vehicle, he's struggling and screaming, "Rachel.... NO!! GOD, NOOOO!! RACHEL!!"

-------------------------
Alec remembered being tortured for not following orders, going through reindoctrination. Once he came out of it, they enlisted him through the breeding program, trying to brainwash him into believing females are just on this earth to breed

It almost worked..... treating women as commodities, until he met Max, his third, and final Manticore breeding partner

He sipped more scotch, wishing with all his might that he could get stone drunk

Just so he could forget the horrible memory of Rachel dying..... by a bomb that he was forced to set

------------------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

LOVE it!!!!

[There Is No Spoon]

Another great update Trina.

Will this story stop at "Freak Nation" or will you continue?

Looking forward to reading your next post.

[Dana0715]

Sherman, I was going to at least try and continue after Freak Nation, if I can come up with some ideas for "Season 3...". I've bounced around a few ideas in my head. We'll see what happens

----- Added 1 Minutes later -----

Logan's apartment

"I think I got something." Logan announces as he's typing away on his computer. "Robert Berrisford"

"Who is he?" Max asks from a few feet away, always careful of the virus

"Former CEO of Mercidyne Pharmaceuticals. They specialized in cutting-edge gene-splicing techniques and stem-cell research. At least they did, until two years ago, when someone planted a bomb under Berrisford's car."

"What are you saying? Is he dead?"

"No. Caught a lucky break, I guess. A few days later, he made a deal with the FBI."

Max was thinking, putting the puzzle pieces that she could together, "So the Feds bought him protection from whoever wanted him dead, and in return, he got out of the genome business."

"Yup! Closed the company and retired."

"So what does this have to do with Alec?" Max asked

"Looks like Berrisford's company had several government contracts, including the CDC, but given the givens, can you guess who their biggest client probably was?"

Max nodded knowingly, "Gene-splicing and stem cells. Sounds like Manticore to me." She was pacing and finally asked, "Think Alec was responsible?"

Logan turned in his chair in her direction, steepling his fingers, "He was a true-blue soldier back then Max." He shrugged, "Maybe he drew the assignment."

"He did say there were things he wanted to forget."

Logan stood and paced, thinking it through. Solving puzzles like this was his domain and he loved it

"Let's say I'm right. Alec tries to kill Berrisford, but the mission goes sideways. What if a very-much-alive and probably pissed-off Berrisford got a glimpse of Alec when he made a delivery to his house the other day?"

"So you hire some guys to take Alec out as revenge."

He stopped pacing, finger raised, "Now Alec knows he's been made. Knows the man he tried to kill is gunning for him. What does he do? What's he been trained to do?"

Max nodded sadly, "Take him out first."

Logan sat on his desk, folded his arms, watching Max speculatively, "What are YOU gonna do?"

Max gathered her things and left, "Try to stop him from doing something stupid. Thanks for your help Logan!!"

---------------------------------
She found him at his apartment. He was sitting on the floor, his right knuckles were bloody, still had a bruise on his forehead from when Max hit him earlier today, his head laid back against the wall and a bottle of scotch in his hands, not even bothering with a glass anymore

"Alec?" Max asked quietly, approaching him carefully... "You dropped something" she sat the locket next to him on the floor.

His green/gold eyes opened and focused on her in a cold, calculating manner

"What part of 'Go away Max' did you NOT understand?" Alec asked

"I'm not going anywhere Alec. We're a couple now. Couples work through their problems. You're NOT getting rid of me that easily."

She sat next to him, leaning against the wall, copying his stance, "I'll just sit here with you, share your misery and lighten your load."

He jumped up, then swayed a little. He can only just get a slight buzz from the alcohol, but his transgenic metabolism burns the alcohol faster than he can drink it

"Max, I am in a pretty violent mood right now. Don't believe me? Go in the bathroom and take a look at the mirror if you want. Point is... you stay around me and I could hurt you."

She stood, facing off with him, "You don't scare me Pretty Boy! You know I could kick your ass with one hand tied behind my back."

If he weren't wallowing in misery, he'd actually chuckle at that statement

"I'm dangerous tonight Max.... I could hurt you."

"Just try it Pretty Boy! Because you know what..... I might even let you. Because you need to take it out on someone, you need to let out the pain and the misery you're in. Share it with me!"

He threw the scotch bottle across the living room and it shattered against a far wall. He stalked over to Max, slammed his hands on the wall behind her, his body blocking her in

"You have NO idea what you're asking for Max!"

Max cupped his face and said, "Believe me..... I do! I'm here! Use me..... let it out!"

He lowered his head and kissed her. She was gentle with him, but he didn't WANT gentle. So he picked her up, slammed her against the wall, she wrapped her legs around his waist and he attacked her mouth with a vengeful kiss that would have really hurt an ordinary woman

But Max took it all

Most people don't realize when transgenics have sex, at times it's incredibly animalistic, something no human could really understand

This was one of those times

Alec carried her into the bedroom, used his foot to kick the bedroom door closed and tossed her on the bed, following after her, fitting his body on top of her and between her legs

He ripped off her blouse and bra in one swift motion, she tore off his t-shirt as quickly as she could

He thrust his tongue into her mouth, taking possession, she sucked on it and dueled with it using her own tongue, to show him he hadn't won anything yet. She could give as much as he did!

He trailed his mouth down her neck, bruising it with his teeth in places, even drawing a little blood, then licking it away

Max scratched savagely at his back, arched her own back against his weight, the feel of his jean clad cock against her heat was unbearable

He wasn't waiting..... there was just no time for true foreplay. He shed her of her jeans and panties within moments, then hurriedly got rid of his jeans and boxers

She pulled him down on the bed and flipped him to where he was on his back and she straddled him

She held his wrists above his head and began giving him the same treatment he gave her earlier, grinding her heat against his but not taking him inside her yet, kissing him forcefully, nipping and biting his neck and torso

But he shoved her away, jumped up on his knees and dragged her over to where she was on her knees in front of him. He pushed her forward so that she was on all fours. He pushed down her shoulders to where her ass was sticking up in the air

And he bit her right butt cheek, then soothing it with his tongue

He positioned his cock at her entrance and plunged her, holding her waist in his hands, forcing her to take him all in before her body was completely ready for him

She grunted, he withdrew and plunged back in with such force she almost hit her head on the headboard. Her hands came out to brace herself against the headboard so she wouldn't hit it again

"Yes!" Max wailed, "Oh YES! More!! Please!!"

He grabbed a fistful of her hair, pulled her head back to him and kissed her soundly on the mouth, nearly smothering her in his need. But transgenics can hold their breath for seven minutes..... she took what he gave

She brought his free hand around to her front and together, they massaged her clit in hard, fast circles

She began whimpering and he didn't care. He continually nailed her from behind, stroked her from the front and kissed the very breath out of her

Until she came..... her body exploded and she went wild. His hands in her hair and on her privates was all that held her down as she reached back and clasped the back of his head, keeping his mouth on hers while she rode out the storm of her passion

He grunted a few times and then with one final demanding thrust, he came inside her too and finally collapsed on top of her, she on her stomach and he on top of her

The runes were popping up in different areas of her body again, but by then, Alec and Max both were too worn out to do anything about it.

He rolled off of her and spooned her against him. They fell asleep, exhausted

A few hours later though, Alec awoke and made a decision

Someone has been gunning for him, and he needs to once and for all find out who it is

He decided to visit the Berrisford house

Crawling carefully out of bed, he gathered his clothes and went into the living room. After he dressed, he grabbed his favorite leather jacket

And left

Max heard the door close and opened a bleary eye, then raised up. Realizing Alec was no longer there

She was pretty sure where he was going

So she also got up, got dressed and left

---------------------------------
Alec rode his motorcycle to the Berrisford home, hiding it across the street among some trees, camouflaging it with branches

He climbed the gate and jumped down on the other side, landing in a cat-like crouch. Then he carefully jogged toward the house

He turned the knob on the front door and surprisingly, it opened

As he walked in, the two men that jumped him outside of Crash saw him from the second floor and came running down the stairs

The first guy he took out with one punch at the bottom of the stairs

The second guy was a little tougher, but he dealt with him pretty quickly too

Alec ran straight to the drawing room where the piano is located

There was a dark haired woman standing at the window. Alec held his breath

"Rachel?"

She turned and it was an Asian woman that was obviously NOT Rachel

He felt the barrel of a pistol against the back of his head, and he heard Berrisford's voice.

"Welcome back, Simon."

-----------------------------------
Later, Alec is handcuffed to a chair, and Berrisford is stalking around him with a gun in his hand.

Berrisford snarled, "You came into my house. You pretended to care for my child."

"I DID care!" Alec told him

"Shut up!" he yells and he backhands Alec across the mouth, causing a split lip

"Don't lie to me!"

Alec was piecing everything together, "You made the phone calls. You played the music."

Berrisford smirked, "Had to get you back here."

"So.... What are you going to do now?"

He raises the gun, pointing it at Alec's head, "What do you think I'm going to do?"

Alec closed his eyes, knowing death was near and almost welcoming it

"Tell me one thing first." Alec asked

"What's that?"

He opened his eyes and looked to Rachel's father, pain and anguish in his green/gold depths, "What happened to Rachel?"

Berrisford was taken aback for a moment, "They didn't tell you?"

Alec shook his head

Berrisford's voice was breaking as he said, "She saved my life, that's what happened."

He lowered the gun at that moment, thinking back

"If it weren't for Rachel, I would've been sitting in that car. She wasn't that lucky. The blast knocked her unconscious. She fell into a coma. She never woke up."

Berrisford began to cry in front of Alec, actually causing a few tears to well up in Alec's eyes, "She's been dying for two years. Do you have any idea what that's like? Watching somebody you love slip away from you every day? Do you have any idea what you've done??"

Max made it to the house and she was sneaking quietly up the staircase, following the sound of voices

Finally, Berrisford gets ahold of himself and raises the gun again. His hand trembles and so does his lips as he thinks of his dying daughter

Alec finally screamed, "What are you waiting for? I deserve it. Kill me!!"

Berrisford still hesitates and Alec yelled, pratically begging

"DO IT!!"

Max sneaks up behind Berrisford and knocks him out with a punch

When Alec sees her, he expelled a long breath and asked, "What are you doing here?" as she picks up a nearby key and walks over to unlock his cuffs

"Saving your ass. I told you to ask for my help before it was too late and you messed everything up."

Once he was released, instead of following Max out of the house, he had one stop to make. He walked purposely down the hall to Rachel's bedroom

When he opened the door, he found she was laying there on a hospital bed that was set up in her room, she was hooked up to IVs and monitoring equipment. Alec walked in and knelt by her bedside, taking her hand in his. Max stayed at the doorway

Now she's pretty much figured out what had happened and she was allowing Alec a few minutes alone to say goodbye

Alec stared into Rachel's face, her eyes closed in what would look to be a peaceful sleep

"I should've tried harder, Rachel. I should've fought them. I didn't understand." He bows his head a moment, then raises it again to continue, "I didn't understand how much I loved you back then."

Alec puts her locket into her hand, closes her fingers around it, then presses her hand to his forehead, his eyes closed, tears beginning to fall. He bends down and hugs Rachel, burying his face in her shoulder as he sobs. Max walked away from the doorway, giving him his final moments with Rachel

Finally, Alec raised his head, brushed away the hair on her forehead, kissed her forehead then said in a broken voice, "I hope you forgive me!"

He stood and wiped the tears on his shirt tail, sniffling. He's not used to crying. It's something that he just doesn't do. And he was glad Max wasn't here to watch it

Max.... Alec had a slight sad smile when thinking of her

"I have a new girl now..." he began telling Rachel, "And boy.... she can tell me what's what, if you know what I mean..... you're the first girl that taught me how to love. And now I'm passing that knowledge on to Max.... if she'll still have me."

He turned to leave, then turned back to take one final look at Rachel

"You'll always have a place in my heart Rachel."

Then he left the bedroom. He walked downstairs and found Max waiting on him outside

And he did a surprising thing

He just walked up and hugged her, crying on her shoulder and she held him while he did it

"You tell anyone I've blubbered like an idiot, I'll deny it! I swear!"

"No one would believe me anyway." she said against his shoulder humorously

-----------------------------
Two days later there was a headline in the newspaper, "RACHEL BERRISFORD DIES AFTER LONG ILLNESS. Funeral will be held for daughter of ex-CEO Robert Berrisford."

Max took the newspaper into the living room where Alec was flipping through channels on the TV. She showed him the article

"Funeral's today" she told him.

He looked at her a little sadly, "You don't mind?"

"I'll go with you" Max told him

They showered and dressed and went to the cemetery. Max waited outside the cemetery, Alec wanted to go in alone and she understood

"I'll be waiting" she told him, kissing him before he went inside

He stood in front of Rachel's headstone for the longest time

RACHEL BERRISFORD
BELOVED DAUGHTER
JAN. 15 2002
OCT. 21 2020

Robert Berrisford steps up to the grave and stood beside Alec

He warned Alec, "Don't come back here again."

Alec could take a hint. He starts to step away, but he stops when Berrisford continues to speak. Alec just let him say his peace

"I thought I could kill you. I hate you that much. Even though she's gone, I'm still Rachel's father. I still want to do the right thing...make her proud of me. I don't want to be like you."

Alec then silently turns and leaves the cemetery, leaving the father to grieve for his daughter in peace

Max was waiting for him. There was someone on HIS side that will help him sort this all out

He reached out and kissed her softly. He didn't care if the whole world watched

When they parted, she asked, "What was that for?"

"Because I love you too!" Alec told her. "I seem to recall you said you love me and I hope you haven't changed your mind."

"Not at all... but know if you ever throw me around like you did last night, I'll pummel your ass into the ground!"

Alec chuckled and hugged her, "I wouldn't expect less of you Maxie!"

Then hand in hand, they walked back home

---------------------------------
TBC

[There Is No Spoon]

Awesome update Trina.

Looking forward to reading your next post.

[phoenixnz]

fantabulous updates trina, love it :D

[Dana0715]

Hey fellow Dark Angel fans! Feel free to post ideas for what you would like to see in "Season three"...... The ideas I have are

1 - Virus will be completely gone
2 - Alec/Max relationship will experience some trials they have to work through
3 - Lydecker will come back
4 - Logan/Asha relationship will deepen
5 - Explore the hatred of the general public toward transgenics and bring it to a civil rights type of ending, where there will always be prejudice by some, but at least Mole, Joshua and others will be able to walk the streets

Any other ideas or anything you want to expand on that I stated above, please feel free to share

[lauraforever]

totally missed the last update! LOVED Rachel! *sniff*

Uhm, of the ideas... I love #1, #2, #3 and #4

[Dana0715]

Next update!
-----------------------

A week later, Alec was at Crash waiting for Max and sipping his scotch. He had something he really needed to talk to Max about. He almost went ahead and handled the situation himself and wasn't going to let Max know anything, but now that he's trying to keep a relationship going with her, he felt full disclosure would be best

He stared at a piece of paper with a name and address and was fully absorbed in his thoughts until he felt a hand on his shoulder, startling him out of his reverie

'Hey!" Max said, leaning down to kiss him on the cheek in greeting before taking the stool next to him at the bar. She turned to the bartender and requested a beer. Once she got it, she noticed how contemplative Alec was and asked, "So what's so important?"

He slid the paper over to her on the bar and she picked it up and read it

"Dr Greenberg? The guy that invented the DNA targeted virus?"

Alec nodded, "I have some contacts that found where he's hiding..... I'm planning on talking to Logan and possibly the two of us go find this guy and get this virus thing over with."

"Why Logan? Why not take me instead?"

He noticed Max sounded offended, and he rushed to explain, 'Logan and I need to talk anyway. Clear the air. And if we work on something together, work toward a common goal, maybe it might smooth things over. Also, you need to be cured of this virus so that if you were to accidentally bump him or something, he won't die."

He took her hand and said what was upmost on his mind, "And I've said it before.... I want to make sure you have a fair choice. I want to be sure that I have your whole heart and it's not by default that you're with me. Call it insecurity, but..." He shrugged, "I guess it is what it is." He gulped the rest of his scotch and placed it back on the bar. He signaled the bartender and pointed at his glass, signalling a refill

'So I'm supposed to just sit and twiddle my thumbs until the MEN get back? I don't think so!"

"Max..... I'm not trying to exclude you, but Logan and I can be more direct with each other without your presence. If you're there, we'll just continue being polite and THAT is frankly driving me crazy. Logan and I were becoming friends and I don't want our relationship to look like I'm throwing it in his face. I'm a guy, I know how angry that would make me. You need to stay here and look after Joshua anyway."

"Joshua! That reminds me! Did you know he's moving??"

"Moving? From his house? Where will he go?"

She placed a flyer in front of Alec and she pointed at the big bold letters, "Terminal City...... it's becoming transgenic central apparently. I feel so awful that all this hatred towards transgenics is somehow my fault. I let them loose on the world and now they're hated just because of how they look. Something they can't help!"

"Max..... you gave them a choice. Just like I plan to do for you. I'm going to get this cure and bring it home. In the meantime, check out this Terminal City and do what you do best. I know you. You'll be out there gathering supplies and evaluating their needs. And I am sure they need someone like that."

------------------------------------------
An hour and a half later, Alec was standing in front of Logan's apartment door. He knocked and thrust his hands into his jacket pockets, bouncing on the balls of his feet, anxious.

Logan answered the door and shook his head in amusement, "First Max, now you. Something I can do for you Alec?"

"Yeah.... we need to talk."

----------------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

WOOHOO!!! TOTALLY love it!

[Dana0715]

As Alec walked into Logan's apartment, Logan closed the door and always the good host, he asked, "Can I get you something to drink?"

"Scotch." Alec told his drink of choice

Logan realized that's something the two of them have in common, it's his drink of choice too

Logan went into the kitchen and poured two shots of scotch, bringing it back into the living room. Alec was standing at the window, looking down at the city

"Talk about a penthouse view!" Alec murmured, and Logan caught what he said

"Yeah, well, i like it." Alec turned at Logan's voice and accepted the glass from him

"Have a seat." Logan gestured, and sat in an easy chair across from the couch. Alec took the couch after shedding his jacket

Logan just waited patiently for Alec to talk

"Remember Dr Greenberg?" Alec asked him

Logan nodded, "The virus inventor."

"Right, I think I have a lead as to where he is now. You have wheels, we both have connections to get money. So I thought we could go get the cure and bring it back. End this once and for all."

Logan was slightly suspicious, and curious too, "Why are you so gung-ho on getting the cure? If I'm out of the running, it makes things easier for you."

Alec leaned forward, elbows on his thighs, cradling the glass in both hands. He stared straight into Logan's eyes, "I don't want to win Max like that. This way, she has a fair choice. If she does decide later that she would rather be with you, well....." He looked down a moment, then back up, "I want her to be happy, regardless. But if even with the virus gone she STILL chooses me, i'll be the happiest man on the planet."

Logan leaned forward also in the same stance, "Alec..... Max is a hard girl to get over, and i'll probably always have a spot in my heart for her, but virus or no, I'm not competing. I can tell she no longer harbors those feelings for me that we used to have..... and I sometimes wonder if she ever really did. I may have been just a passing crush. i'm finally moving on with my own life and I refuse to sit around and wait and see if Max is going to change her mind. So...... unless she just shows up one day and states, 'Logan, I want YOU'.... you won't see me vying for her affections. I've seen more passion out of her regarding you than she ever felt for me. So I gracefully bowed out."

"I guess I just want to be sure that Max will not come between our friendship. We started building one and then all of a sudden, there was just this wall between us."

'Well, when I saw you two together when I got out of the hospital, just after her miscarriage...."

"Wait!" Alec's hand was up, "When are you talking about?"

"You were walking out of Max's apartment with her, around a week or so after I got out of the hospital. You two were standing close and talking, you kissed her and walked away. Later I found out that you two....."

"Whoa! Wait! I think I know the day you're talking about. The day after Max broke me out of jail. I was arrested for murders my twin brother committed and I holed up at her apartment for the night..... but nothing happened that night Logan. We just talked."

Logan furrowed his brow..."Then why did she...."

Alec waited and Logan stood, remembering the conversation when he was drunk, he kept blocking her way out of the apartment, and it was only when she let him believe she and Alec were together that he let her go

"She didn't actually tell me you two were together, she let me believe it. I accused her of ...... oh wow! I can't believe I did that."

"Logan.... I know her well enough to know that she probably just said that so that you two could completely break it off and you would stop running after her. The virus thing scares her. She's afraid of coming within five feet of you, afraid the virus will transfer to you again. We were only together during heat cycles. Now I know to ordinaries such as yourself, you may still consider that 'cheating', but to us it's not. The heat cycles catapult an X5 female into sex, so it was either me or some stranger and during those times, it's ONLY about sex. I was just the lesser of two evils for her then. But we got to know each other more and more, one thing led to another and now we're together, trying to make it work. But we've only been 'together' in that respect for about three weeks."

Now Alec stood, placing his glass on a coffee table and faced Logan, "Regardless of all of that, I'm not a jealous type and I trust Max to make the best decision for her. I hope it's ME, and yes I'd be hurt if she chose you, but I would move on knowing she's happy. So how about we get this virus thing settled once and for all, find Greenberg and get it done?"
-----------------------------
TBC

[Dana0715]

(From the episode "Love Among the Runes"
------------------------------------------------
Logan and Alec have been gone a week and while gone, Logan's apartment was trashed because White's people traced the Eyes Only broadcasts to his apartment. Max set up new digs for Logan at Joshua's old house and got what she could out of his apartment. Alec had to break the news to Logan while they were in Canada.

Now Max has been busy at Terminal City and has become the unofficial leader. She, amongst a few other X5s are the ones that go out and gather supplies. She enters a building in Terminal City with a couple of containers of gasoline. She passes it to one of the transhumans

"Gas up the generator." She turns to Luke, a bald-headed mutant that was created for digging trenches and he happens to have a lot of technical know-how, " Got anything?"

Luke is sitting in front of some closed-circuit TVs

"It's all quiet on the transgenic front."

Max nodded, patting luke on the shoulder, "Let's hope it stays that way."

Joshua comes in and sees Max. He greets her, "Hey, little fella."

Max smiled, JOshua seemed to be doing better since Annie's death, "Hey. I found this at your old house." She hands him the snake pendant he used to wear. Then she asked, "Listen, about that symbol..."

Joshua took it from her carefully, handling it gently, "Father told me that the two snakes interwind together."

He referred to their creator Sandeman. Dix, another bald-headed trench mutant, peered between Max and JOshua, studying the pendant

"Sort of a caduceus. You know--the wand carried by Hermes, messenger of the gods."

Joshua smiled at Max, "Messenger, like you."

Dix continued spouting out facts, "The Greeks adapted it from a more ancient Babylonian symbol representing fertility." He looks around and notices everyone looking at him oddly, "I read a lot!" he tells everyone in defense

Max commented with a shrug, "All I know is it's the same symbol White's breeding cult uses. I hate to say this, but maybe Sandeman was involved with them somehow."

Joshua wouldn't hear of the good man he calls "Father" being part of White's breeding cult, "No, Max.", he shook his shaggy head vehemently

"Joshua, These are major bad guys. I mean, I'm wondering if--"

He pointed at her sternly, "I don't like you wondering. Father was a good guy. I remember."

"Ok...If you say so...." Max answered uncertainly

Luke put in his two cents worth from the CC TVs, "Good or bad, if Sandeman did create Manticore, he was one strange dude. I mean, look at us! What was he thinking??"

Dix seemed slightly angry, "And why did he bother? Humans hate us!"

Mole just arrived, the tall lizard man who chronically smokes stogies, "The feeling's mutual." he muttered around his cigar

Joshua just looked sad, "People afraid of things that they don't understand."

Alec arrived and yelled, "Yo! Anyone home??"

Max, delighted, ran to him and hugged him. He picked her up, swung her around and kissed her happily

"Now THAT'S what i call a welcome home!" Alec commented and he placed Max back on her feet

But their happiness was short-lived. A voice comes over the monitors.

"All cars, we have a transgenic on the loose, heading eastbound towards..."

Alec, Max, and everyone turn and listen. Luke mutters, "Uh-oh"

"What's going on?" Max demanded

Luke answered, "Transgenic. The cops got him on the run."

"Location?" Alec asked, gathering gear

"Sector five. Last seen headed east on Fourth. White's men are on their way."

Max nodded, "So are mine!"

She, Alec and Biggs, an X5 male who was the proverbial tall, dark and handsome stud type left together to find the transgenic that's being dogged. They each jumped on a motorcycle and took off

They finally stopped at an area that all transgenics know to run to and killed their motors, hiding and waiting. Biggs and Alec were obviously comrades in arms in the past and they caught up with each other while waiting

They were trying to remember their first mission together and were arguing about it good-naturedly. Biggs explained, "No, first thing we ever did together was the Volkovitch job, over in Kezmekistan or wherever."

Alec remembered, "Oh, yeah! That's right. Ooh, the off-hours were definitely the highlight of that mission."

They looked at each other and said at the same time with huge grins, "Lola!"

"Who's Lola?" Max asked, now no longer watching the street but catching the gist of the male conversation

"No one!" Alec answered quickly, clearing his throat

Biggs smiled smugly, 'Right! No one!"

They now see the commotion and a transgenic with snow white skin and hair is running through the streets, pursued by several police cars as well as White's car

Max, Alec and Biggs start their motorcycles and rev the motors. They all put on their sunglasses

"Ready?" Max asked

Alec's grin was big and cocky, "I'm ALWAYS ready!"

"Funny...." Biggs answered as he adjusted his gloves. He gave Alec a knowing look, "That's what Lola said too"

They take off to help their fellow transgenic, Max in the lead, Alec and Biggs flanking behind her

The cars surround the transgenic. The cops get out and take aim at him.

"Freeze! Don't move!"

Alec sped his motorcycle toward a side area and pulled out a pole. He tucks it under his arm to that it extends out in front of him about ten feet. He used it to knock down a couple of cops as he sped by. Biggs swings his cycle and kicks some cops down as he rides by them. With the guys keeping the cops busy, Max pulls up to the transgenic. He climbs on the Ninja, behind her and they speed off.

Alec pulls out his Glock from his waistband and shoots out the tires of a police car as he flies by. White arrives on the scene and takes aim at Max and the other transgenic, who seem to be heading straight toward White. Biggs takes aim and shoots out White's tires and this momentarily distracts White. Max veers up a ramp, passing over White. Max takes the opportunity to kick him in the head as she passes by, knocking White down on the pavement. Otto and White both fire at her, but she gets away. In anger, White throws his gun after them, jumps up and knocks down one of the cops in his outrage

They got away and he was not one bit happy!!
-----------------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

Ohhhh the plot thickens!! I love it!

[Dana0715]

At the edge of Terminal City, Joshua and another transgenic stand watch on top of a building. Max, Alec and Biggs arrive with their new resident

Joshua was signalling, "Here they come! Open the gate!"

The gate is opened long enough for them to ride through, and then is closed again.

They are joined by other transgenics as they killed their motors and dismount.

Luke met them, "Way to go, guys!" He peers at the artic transgenic they just brought in, "You okay, pal?"

He nods and smiles, "I am now!"

Max waved around her with a flourish, "Welcome to Terminal City."
-------------------------------------
A week later at Jam Pony, Alec sees Normal making copies of some flyers.

"Whatcha got there, boss?"

Normal passed one to him, "Check it out."

Alec read aloud, "Coalition for a Transgenic-Free Seattle." He quirked an eyebrow at Normal

"That's right. The mutants are getting organized; we're getting organized, too!"

Alec muttered, "Yeah, good idea."

"It's not the ones that look like monsters we gotta worry about. It's the other ones, the X-series. They look just like you and me, so you really can't tell."

Biggs rides in on his motorcycle and comes to a stop in front of Normal's desk.

Normal reprimanded his newest employee, "Hey! What are you doing? Don't ride the motorcycle inside!"

Alec conjoled, "Cut him some slack, Normal. You know, Biggs here has already been on three runs this morning, huh?"

Biggs dismounted and told Normal, "And I'm ready for my next one, boss."

Alec's arms were out, appealing to Normal, "What'd I tell you? I told you he was a good worker. And, you know, my idea about doing the deliveries on motorcycles has upped our efficiency by, what, fifteen percent?"

Normal nodded, "Yes, Moto-Pony is a huge success. Doesn't mean you can ride the hogs indoors."

A couple of new messengers, one male and one female, enter. Two more X5s that Alec helped get jobs for

Alec turned to Normal, "Hey, did you get those sector passes I wanted for these guys?"

"What? Yeah, here." He hands Alec two sector passes and Alec passes them out to the new recruits

"There you go. There you go. Happy riding!"

In the locker area Max and Original Cindy talk. Original Cindy checks out the new female messenger, Cece as she passes by.

"That is one fine transgenic sister." OC said to Max as she looked Cece up and down, checking her out

Normal is passing out his flyers now, calling out, "Vigilance, yeah? They're everywhere, people. Our fair city has become Transgenic Central. Don't be afraid to rat out your friends and neighbors."

OC folded her arms and gave Normal the evil eye look, "Normal, how do we know that's you're not a transgenic that's just running a game so that nobody suspects you?"

Normal laughs at her, mutters a "Yeah right!" and walks away

Max copied OC's stance and murmured to her, "Normal's calling for vigilance. Meanwhile, Jam Pony's home to the transgenic underground."
-----------------------------------------
Later, in Terminal City, Biggs is revving his motorcycle as Luke and Mole watch.

"It keeps backfiring on me." Biggs said, trying to fix it

Luke shook his head, "Timing must be off. I'll take care of it."

Nearby, a computer beeps. Logan appears on its screen.

"Anybody home?" Logan said on the monitor

Luke turned back to the screen, "Hey, Logan. Adjust your camera. You're a little off-center."

In Joshua's house, Logan sits down at a desk where he has set up his computer equipment, which looks worse for the wear. He adjusts the camera mounted on top of his monitor and sees that Joshua has joined Luke at their computer.

"How's that?" Logan asked as he centered the camera

Luke approved, "Much better!"

Joshua bent forward, "How's the new digs, Logan?"

"They're pretty sweet, Joshua. Thanks for letting me crash here."

"No problem. You need anything?"

Logan answered hesitantly, "Well, yeah. Talked to Eyes Only; he's trying to get his operation up and running again."

Luke commented, "Takes some pretty sophisticated hardware to pull off those cable hacks of his."

Logan advised, "Getting on the air isn't the hard part. It's not getting traced."

"What does he need?" Luke asked

Logan started listing off the top of his head, "I.T. server. Couple of C-34 processors, for starters."

Luke nodded, "I'll look around. You ordinaries--no offense--left a lot of good stuff behind when you cleared out of Terminal City."

"None taken, and I appreciate it Luke. Thanks!"
----------------------------------
Alec and Max enter the TC building together and he calls out to Mole

"Hey, Mole. Look what I got."

They drop off some stuff they've brought in front of Mole to go through. Joshua saw them and welcomed them

"Hey, little fella."

"What's up?" she asked him

"Logan's on TV!"

Max approaches the computer. She and Logan begin talking

"Hey, you." Max greeted

"Hey yourself." Logan responded

"I'll come by later with Alec so we can get that injection taken care of and stop this virus for good"

"Sounds like a plan" Logan said..... they were both quiet for a moment and it was becoming kind of awkward

"I know Joshua's house doesn't exactly have the penthouse view. How's it going?"

"Warm and dry. Can't complain. How you doing?"

"All right."

"Good. You and Alec must have had a nice welcome home huh?"

"Well it got interrupted, but I'm glad you're both back safe and sound."

Awkward silence again, so Max said, "So, um...catch you later?"

He nods, "Yeah. See ya, Max."

"See ya."
-----------------------------------
Later, Max and Alec walk through an abandoned building somewhere in Terminal City. It looks like it must have been a lab at one point, but is now littered with debris.

Alec wrinkled his nose, "Ugh! Each place worse than the last. We're never going to find anything Logan can use in this dump."

"Here we go!" Max announced and inds a piece of computer equipment. "This looks salvageable."

"Good. Can we go now?" Alec whined

Something on the wall caught Max's attention, a sign reading, "'Advanced Recombinant Genetics.' Wonder who they were?"

While Max puts the computer equipment in her bag, Alec pokes around the lab carefully
He idly opens an autoclave and finds a large snake inside.

Jumping back, he exclaims, "Whoa!"

Max walked over with her bag and asked, "What?"

"Look at that." Alec pointed

Max didn't shriek like most girls would, she just said, "Ugh. What the hell is THAT doing here?"

"I don't know. Can we please go now baby?"

Alec closes the autoclave, trapping the snake inside and they start to walk out of the lab.

Max wondered aloud, "What is it with these snakes? It's like Ames White and his Familiars are following me around!"

Alec grinned and nudged Max, "'Ames White and his Familiars.' Kinda sounds like a rock band, you know?"

After they leave, a man enters. He opens the autoclave and gently removes the snake. You can tell he's not at full mental capacity

"Oh, did they hurt you, George? Huh? I know, it does sound like a rock band. Question is, how do they know about all that, huh? It's a good thing you scared them off. Now we got the place to ourselves, huh?"

He dances around with the snake, singing a waltz.
---------------------------------------
At his headquarters, White joins Otto at a computer, looking annoyed and bored.
"So what am I looking at here?" White demanded as he looked at the images of the others in the room on the screen

"A Thermal imager. Fifth-generation. Very high sensitivity."

White snarked, "And I should care about this because...?"

Otto signals someone and a man escorts an X-series into the room.

White looked up, hatred in his eyes, "Why's he in here??" he demanded

Otto pointed at the screen, "Take a look."

They both see the transgenic's image on the computer. Everyone else's in an orange/red color but the trangenic's is white. "See how the image is whiter? That's 'cause the X-series run an average basal body temperature of 101.8 degrees--three degrees higher than a human being. Scan the crowd with the thermal gating set at, say, a hundred..."

White proudly straightens up from looking at the screen, facing Otto, "...It picks out transgenics. Otto, my friend, you have earned your pay this week. Requisition as many of these as you can, and get 'em in the field ASAP."

"Very good, sir."

White's cell phone rings. The older priestess is calling him from the mental patient's room, the one that we saw earlier with the snake

"White."

"He's escaped."

"Escaped? When?"

"Last night, during the ceremony."

"Any leads?"

"No, but we'll find him."

"We'd better. He knows too much. Fe'nos tol."

"Fe'nos tol."
----------------------------------
TBC

[There Is No Spoon]

Great updates Trina.

The Transgenic vs Familiar dynamic that started in season 2 and was hoping would be elaborated and explored more on in season 3 never happened, because of course the show was cancelled. The story with the Familiars continued in the Dark Angel books, but I thought the books rushed to the conclusion with the Familiars. Always pictured epic battles or confrontations between the Transgenics and Familiars (something similar to "Underworld"). Basically if you have not read the books. The Transgenics and Familiars had a huge brawl, of course the Transgenics win and Agent White ends up having his head ripped off by Joshua and with that, it was the end of the Familiars and the books.

Will, that's my thoughts for season 3. Continue with the Transgenics vs Familiars.

Looking forward to reading your next update Trina, your doing an awesome job of rewriting season 2.

Post soon.

[lauraforever]

Totally LOVE it!!!

[Dana0715]

In Terminal City, Mole, the lizard man, assembles a gun next to a space heater. He was created for desert fighting. The artic transgenic Max and Alec rescued opens the fridge and sits on a crate in front of it.

Mole groused at him, "Will you quit doing that?!?"

"It's hot as hell in here!" the artic trangenic retorted

Mole shook his head and turned to Luke, "These Arctic Division guys. Always complaining!"

The artic guy responded to Luke, "Would you listen to him? With his little space heater over there!"

"When we took out Saddam, we did fifty clicks across the desert in one day!"

"Siberian campaign, we did sixty clicks through the snow in one night!"

Mole stood, "I'm talking 115 degrees!"

The artic guy stood and retored, "Wind chill 30 below!!"

"Baking sun!"

"Driving snow!"

They both look to Luke, who shrugs sheepishly

"What do I know? They made me to dig trenches."

Max and Alec arrive together with their bounty from the lab

"We gotta get this over to Logan right away. Then we can get that injection in me and be done with it."

Alec grabbed her arm and pulled her to him in an embrace, "Then we live happily ever after?" he asked hopefully

"Well.... as happily as we can while fighting the good fight on behalf of trangenics."

Mole yelled at them, "Guys, cut that out! You're making us sick over here!!"
--------------------------------------
At Joshua's house, Logan walks into the living room, wearing the exoskeleton. He briefly jumps up a few feet, testing it out. He notices some large planks of wood lying by the fireplace. Logan props one up against the mantel and breaks it with a kick in the center. As he throws the wood into the fire, Alec and Max arrive

Alec commented thoughtfully, "Thought you didn't need that thing to walk anymore."

"I don't." Logan answered

"So is it more like an enhancer, then, or...?"

Logan straightened for a moment, answering, "Something like that. Got my equipment?"

Max held up the bag triumphantly.

"How about the cure?", Max asked as she laid the bag of equipment on Logan's desk

Logan goes to a portable safe, flies through the combination and retrieves a vial. He gathers syringes and needles. Then he paused and passed it to Alec

"You should probably give it to her.... safer for us all."

Alec took the items from Logan and nodded, "You got it"

Max sat down and rolled up her sleeve. The runes on her arm were still there and Logan focused on it. 'What's all that?"

"Strangest thing..." Max commented while Alec was putting the medicine into a syringe and making sure no air comes back out. "They just popped up. And what's even stranger is that Alec can read it."

Logan looked at Alec curiously and Alec noticed everyone looking at him. He shrugged, "Some old man taught it to me at Manticore when I was about 8 or 9."

"Wait! You didn't tell me that." Max exclaimed. "Did he have a cane with the Manticore symbol on top?"

Alec thought about it and said, "Yeah, now that you mention it, he did. Forgot all about that. He used to let me play with it."

Alec injected her with the syringe in the bend of her elbow, pushed the plunger then pulled out the needle, placing a cotton ball on the injection sight. Max held it there with her finger and bent her elbow, thinking over this new development

"So Sandeman taught YOU how to read this...... do you think maybe Manticore found out there you were the key to unlocking this part of my gene and therefore set you up as my breeding partner?"

Alec disposed of everything and then crouched on the floor by Max, thinking that over. "Sounds like something they would do."

"It was like we're SUPPOSED to be together, like it was planned from the beginning since we were little kids."

Alec shook his head, "It's possible but SOMETHING triggered it to begin with. It wasn't just sex, there is something that started the chain reaction. And THAT is what I wanna find out. And since we're discussing this....." He turned back to Logan, who was breaking a few more planks with his enhanced legs, "Hey Logan! Can you find a scientist that can make a vaccine using Max's blood?"

Logan tossed the wood into the fire and turned to Alec, confused, "With her BLOOD? You wanna run that by me again??"

Alec reached into his back pocket and withdrew some folded sheets of yellow paper, "I translated what popped up on her skin, and here..." he hands the paper to Logan, "is a type of recipe for a vaccine, with chemical symbols as the ingredients. I had to get a chemistry book from a high schooler at Jam Pony to translate those."

Logan looked over the information. No matter what anyone says, Alec was one smart person! He may play himself off as cocky and arrogant, but his IQ had to be off the charts

"I'll look into it," Logan promised

Finally the moment of truth had come. Was the virus cured for good or not?

Only one way to find out!

Max extended her hand, Logan shook it. They waited a moment.... and nothing happened

Max jumped up and down excitedly, "We're cured! Hurray!! I don't have to worry about bumping you or anything!! This is AWESOME!!"

Logan and Max were ecstatic and were about to hug, but they stopped and turned to Alec

He waved at them, laughing "Oh go ahead! What harm is there in a hug?"

Logan and Max embrace, thrilled the virus threat was no longer a threat.
-----------------------------
Later in the day, Alec and Biggs walk down the street toward their motorcycles. Alec's cell phone rings. Biggs notices a man in the distance standing outside the Light of Life Mission, collecting change from passersby.

"Your donation will help keep this neighborhood clean!" Someone puts money in the cup and the man hawking tells him, "Thank you, sir!" He continues calling out to the passersby, "Yes, one of those trannie freaks could be dating your daughter."

Alec was on the phone with Normal, "Hello? Hey, boss. Yeah, I'm on my way in right now...All right, but you better put me on the clock now. Bye." He hangs up and tells Biggs, "I gotta go for a pickup in sector nine."

They say goodbye, Alec takes on his motorcycle and Biggs continues listening for a moment to the man collecting donations

"Those trannie freaks--they're all over the place, man."

Biggs shakes his head, revs up his motorcycle and leaves in a different direction from Alec
---------------------------------------
At White's headquarters, Otto approaches a second man, who sits at the computer with the thermal imager.

Otto bent down to ask, "How we doing?"

"Nothing yet."

A man sits in the driver's seat of a taxicab across the street, aiming a small handheld device at passersby. He has a small thermal imaging screen in the car

"Control, this is Position Twelve."

The man with Otto spoke into his radio, "You got something?"

"Think so."

Otto and the second man watch on the computer screen as a white image moves into view. Her temperature registers as 100.2 degrees. The man in the car sees it is a woman blowing her nose.

The man in the taxi shook his head and said, "Never mind. Just an old lady with the flu."

"Roger, Position Twelve."

Moments later, Biggs rides into view and dismounts his motorcycle a short distance away. He shows up white on the thermal imaging screen, and his temperature registers at 101.8 degrees.

The man in the car gets excited, "Wait a minute. Check it out!"

Otto is now talking into the radio, "Hey, copy, Position Twelve. We see him. Stay on him."

"Copy that."

As Biggs stops at a juice stand, he notices several men in the area watching him, including a sector cop. Suspicious, he starts to walk away.

Otto announces into the radio, "Listen up, people, you've been made. All units converge!"

The sector cop begins following Biggs, speaking into his own radio, "Control, this is Position Nine. We're in pursuit."

"Copy, Position Nine. Calling in backup now."

The sector cop and a couple of the other men who had been watching Biggs now approach him from different sides. The cop takes aim at him.

"Freeze!"

Biggs throws his juice in one of the men's face and starts running. The cop fires and misses. Biggs, pursued by more police, manages to get away.

"Control, this is Position Nine. We lost him."
----------------------------------------------
In the abandoned lab, the mental patient uses a couple of mirrors to draw a barcode on the back of his neck.

Checking his handiwork in the mirror, he says, "That should do the trick."

The snake hisses neaby and the guy looks down at his pet

"All right, you can come." He puts the snake into a paper bag and leaves

---------------------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

I totally love it

[There Is No Spoon]

Another great update Trina.

Will Biggs survive this time?

Looking forward to reading your next update.

Post soon.

[phoenixnz]

Great update Trina. My vote for Season 3 is more on Ames White - slimy so and so and the conspiracy.
Maybe more on Sandeman and the origins of Manticore - perhaps Lydecker can shed some light on it.

[Dana0715]

At Terminal City

Luke escorts the mental patient into the building, calling out, "Hey, all. Say hello to the newest resident of Terminal City. C.J., everyone. Everyone, C.J."

"Hey, C.J." Everyone says at once

Mole looked him over and asked, "What are you? X-3? X-4?"

"I'm X-5...dash four one one."

"X-5?" Max asked suspiciously

CJ salutes her and announces, "The few, the proud!" He lowered his arm and asked, "You don't believe me? Okay. I'll have to show you."

He hands his bag to Luke and strikes a fighting stance in front of Max. "You want a little, huh? You want a piece?"

He jumps around, making very bad martial arts moves, complete with strange noises- -including barking. The others stare at him. C.J. obviously has no fighting experience whatsoever. Alec was trying to hide his laughter but Max just stared at him in disgust

After a few more air punches, CJ asked, "Didja see that? The way I blurred?"

"No." Max answered

CJ pointed at her, "Exactly. That's 'cause I'm so fast. Still don't believe me?"

He tries to fight Max to prove himself. She fends him off with barely any effort at all, and fells him to the ground with a punch. Alec, feeling kind of sorry for CJ, walked over and helped him back up to his feet

CJ rubbed his jaw where Max punched him, "Ow!"

Joshua was standing behind him and when CJ turned around, Joshua grabs him by the lapels and growls at him menacingly. C.J. notices Joshua's pendant, the snake pendant Joshua always wears, the one Sandeman gave to him years ago

"Where'd you get that?" CJ asked, curious

"Why?" Max asked with a hard edge to her voice

CJ shrugged, "No reason."

Max didn't let it go, "Is that something you've seen before?"

"No." CJ answered nervously, shaking his head

At that moment, Luke pointed at the monitors, "Guys! Hey, guys! Guys!"

A newscast has come on TV, announcing that the police are pursuing a transgenic. They show a picture of Biggs' face.

The anchorwoman was saying, "If you see this individual, please alert the authorities immediately. This alleged transgenic is considered to be a dangerous fugitive and should not be approached under any circumstances. It is unclear if the suspect is armed."

Alec grabbed some weapons, "It's Biggs." He and Max leave together, walking toward their motorcycles as Alec dials his cell phone, "Come on. Pick up! Answer!"

With everyone else suddenly distracted, C.J. sneaks out of the building, leaving his paper bag behind

Walking down the street hurriedly, Biggs hears his cell phone ring. He pulls it out of his jacket pocket and checks the display. Seeing it's Alec, he answers

"Hey! You won't believe what just happened to me!"

"Where are you?" Alec asked

"Near your place."

"We're on our way! You've been sighted as a transgenic. Find a place to lay low!"

Alec hung up quickly and he and Max speed off toward Alec's apartment building as quickly as possible

The man who was collecting donations is watching the newscast that's broadcasting Biggs' picture. He notices Biggs walking by. He motions his friends and points at Biggs, who just passed by them. They follow Biggs for a couple of blocks

"Excuse me!" The donation man yelled toward Biggs

Biggs just kept walking, scanning his surroundings for the best exits

Sarcastically, the donation man called out, "You wanna help keep the neighborhood trannie-safe?"

Biggs turned to face him this time and noticed three others with him. He smiled and said, "Some other time!"

At that moment, Biggs pulled out garbage dumpster and with a heave, rolled it toward the men. It gave him the few seconds he needed to dash away from them

Others began noticing him from the picture on the TV as he ran by. When some of the citizens noticed he was being chased, they joined in. He had to dodge down one alley and up another until finally, he had no where else to go. His only way out was blocked by about ten vigilantes who had chains, crowbars and anything they could hold as a weapon

Biggs began to think this was it, he would go down fighting, but there's no way he can take on all these men with weapons

The donation man led the pack and he waved a wooden plank menacingly, "Time to die Trannie Freak!"


At that moment, Alec and Max speed their cycles into the alley, scattering the men. Alec pushed one out of the way and Max kicked another as they sped toward Biggs, then maneuvered their bikes to turn on a dime and face the way out of the alley

"Get on!!" Alec called to Biggs. Biggs immediately jumped on the back of Alec's bike

Max picked up a lead pipe without getting off her bike and as she and Alec sped back toward the exit of the alley, they had to take on a few of the vigilantes that tried to jump them while escaping. Alec pulled out his Glock and shot one at close range right between the eyes, shot the next one in the shoulder, just enough to wound him and get him out of the way

Max banged a couple of them, one on the head and the other she threaded the lead pipe between the knees and just flipped him on his back

The three of them sped out..... but it caused a death and numerous injuries. They knew that this would not look good for transgenics, but their hands were forced and it was killed or be killed

--------------------------------
At Terminal City, Alec, Max and Biggs arrive safely and walk into the main area where everyone is gathered watching the news

"The suspected transgenic met a violent confrontation when members of a local neighborhood watch group tried to subdue him. He had two accomplices, a male and female, early twenties, also suspected transgenics. We have no pictures to produce of these two accomplices at this time. We take you live to Senator James McKinley, chairman of the Congressional task force on the transgenic threat."

The camera was now on McKinley, "Obviously, I don't condone this sort of vigilantism. Though I understand the fear and anger that drove these people to take matters into their own hands, I have to ask you to remember these transgenics are dangerous. We now have a death and several injuries because law abiding citizens thought they can take the law into their own hands. Let me reiterate! Let the authorities do their job! Call local law enforcement if you find any of these transgenics."

Luke snorted, "Yeah. Leave the trannie-killing to the experts!"

McKinley continued, "Progress is being made. A recent technological breakthrough helped us identify and capture three transgenics in the city of Seattle alone. We anticipate many more arrests in the days ahead."

A reporter in the audience asked, "Where are the captured transgenics being held?"

"I'm afraid that information is classified. They'll be transported to a central and secure facility within the day. We are winning the war, ladies and gentlemen. You have my word."

He walks away as the reporters continue to call out questions.

"Is the public in danger?"

"Senator, can you tell us more about the technology..."

White waits for McKinley in the doorway. They speak quietly to each other

"Imagine...a good old-fashioned lynching. I love it!" White told him

"I hope I didn't sound TOO disapproving." Then McKinley changed the subject to the missing mental patient, "So, he escaped? During the Katara ceremony, no less. Could be bad for us...for you."

White told him with confidence, "I'll take care of it."

"See that you do. Fe'nos tol."

"Fe'nos tol."

At Terminal City

Max was doing a walk-through, figuring out what they need, Alec was beside her. "Are you still tight with the arms dealer in Koreatown?"

Alec nodded, "Yeah."

"Tell him we're gonna need the nastiest stuff he's got. TK-67's, grenade launchers, whatever. Money's no object."

Luke overheard as they walked by and commented, "Sorta is when you don't got any."

Alec just looked at Max and said simply, "Then we'll get some."

"What's the plan?" Dix asked

"We're gonna hit his headquarters and get those transgenics out of there before White ships 'em off."

Mole finished loading a rifle and said, "Sounds good to me!"

Max turned to Luke, "That so-called X-5 you brought here the other day--where's he from? "

"Met him outside on the street. Why?"

"I think he's connected to White's breeding cult. I want to know what the hell he was doing here!"

"Don't know. But, uh, he left this behind."

He hands her the paper bag. She sets it on a table, opens it, glances inside and looks at Alec. He peeks in and then empties the bag onto the table; George the snake was inside, causing a couple of people to jump back. Alec and Max just looked at it thoughtfully

"If he's connected to White's cult, I'll confront him." Alec said as he picked up the snake with his gloved hands and put it back in it's bag

"But I have a bunch of questions.... especially how the HELL these markings are coming up on my skin and WHY?"

Alec turned to face her, "And if White gets ahold of you, the secret's out. No, it's safer for me to confront CJ and find out what he knows about White, what he has planned, that kind of thing. YOU stay here."

He picked up the bag and began to leave but Max stopped him

"Hold on there! I don't take orders from you. I'm going with you."

"Like hell you are! Joshua, Mole!" Alec signalled to them and they each grabbed one of Max's arms, holding her back

"Let me go guys! I gotta help him!"

"No little fella, you stay here. Be safe." Joshua told her as kindly as he could while holding her back

Alec was already several feet away and he turned back to tell her, "Get your strategy together to rescue the captive transgenics. If this CJ is connected to White's cult in any way, he doesn't need to see the runes on your skin. For once Max.... just trust me! OK?"

-------------------------------
TBC

And Sherman, to answer your question, yes I'm keeping Biggs around. I have a few ideas for him in "Season 3"

[lauraforever]

That was totally awesome and funny! Love this chapter!

[There Is No Spoon]

Awesome update Trina.

Good to see that Biggs make it this time.

Looking forward to reading your next update.

[Dana0715]

Jam Pony

Otto and his men enter Jam Pony menacingly.

"Reagan Ronald." Otto called out to Normal

"Hey, Special Agent Gottlieb. How you doing? Good to see you."

"Wish I could say the same."

A short distance away, Sketchy suddenly looks nervous and OC asks him, "You okay?"

"That's the guy!" Sketchy whispered

"What guy?"

"The government guy. Roughed me up when I was covering that story about the transgenic that lived in the sewer. He must be here to shut me up for good."

Otto holds up an I.D. It's Biggs' Jam Pony ID that he dropped while being pursued by vigilantes

"You recognize this?"

Nervously, Normal answered, "That, uh, appears to be a Jam Pony I.D. badge, sir."

"We found it on the ground last night. It appears it belongs to a wanted transgenic named Biggs. Now how do you suppose it got there?"

Normal's hands were up in a surrender gesture, "Look. Look, you gotta believe me. I had no idea he was one of them. If I had, I never would have hired him."

Sketchy hides. Worried, Original Cindy sneaks into Normal's office and opens his file drawer, pulling out a couple of files.

Otto continued interrogating Normal, "How many transgenics do you have employed here, Mr. Ronald?"

"None that I know of, sir."

"That you know of?" Otto asked suspiciously

"Yeah. I mean, you know, how can anybody be sure? I just-- " Then defensively, he tells them, "Listen, guys, I gotta tell you, I hate them. I hate them. I loathe them, like any God-fearing American should."

Original Cindy leaves Normal's office and ducks behind the counter as the men approach.

Otto was making a beeline to Normal's office, "Then you won't mind if we take a look at your personnel files."

"No, that's--that'd be okay, sir. Go ahead. Take your time."

Normal and the NSA men enter his office. Original Cindy walks away from the counter, clutching the files. Sketchy meets her as soon as she comes out

"Hey, what'd you just do?" Sketch asked

"What do you mean?" OC asked nervously, checking behind her to make sure the government guys were busy

"I saw you go into Normal's office. There are more transgenics, huh? And you're trying to protect them!"

Original Cindy gave him a once-over look, "You're trippin'!"

Sketchy tries to look at the files. Original Cindy turns away, but not before he catches a glance.

"Why'd you take Max and Alec's files?" he asked

OC hissed at him, "Why do you think??"

Sketchy realizes and walks away in dismayed shock.

In the abandoned lab, C.J. is napping under a table. George the snake crawls over him, and C.J. wakes up, finding his snake reclining on top of him

"Hey, George, you found me!"

"So did I." Alec said, squatting next to where CJ was laying

CJ spoke to the snake, "Oh, why'd you bring HIM here??"

"I have a few questions for you CJ and I want some straight answers or I might have to hurt you..... Who are you and what the hell are you doing in Terminal City?"

CJ turned over, his back to Alec, "Same as you. Hiding out."

Alec had enough of this and yanked him out from under the table with one hand on the back of his coat collar, then he turned CJ to face him and pinned him back against the table, leaning over him menacingly

"You're not a transgenic, so start talking! Why are you here??"

CJ knew this guy meant business and he whined, "They're after me!"

"Who?" Alec asked

"Familiars! Think I want to go back to that loony bin of theirs?" Alec let go of him and studied him, deciding CJ had a few screws loose. CJ recognized Alec's look and stood straight up, pointing a finger under Alec's nose, "Don't look at me like that. I'm not crazy!!"

He nodded and smirked, "Riiight. I see that!"

"They locked me up because of my dad. He was part of it all until he got out. Turned his back on the whole damn thing."

"Why'd your dad he leave the breeding cult?"

"Because...he knew I wouldn't survive, and he didn't want me to die."

"You mean the whole initiation thing with the snake blood?"

CJ looked at him in surprise, "How did you know about that?"

Alec shrugged, "A friend of mine kind of.... found herself in the middle of one of those snake-whatzit ceremonies...." Alec waved that away, "Never mind. How did your dad know you wouldn't survive?"

"He was a scientist. This place was his. He tested my DNA. That's not allowed, see. 'Everyone has to be initiated,' they said. 'Thousands of years of tradition,' they said. But he said "Screw tradition," and sent me away." He carries his snake to the autoclave and sets him inside, closing the door.

Alec leaned his hips against the table and folded his arms thoughtfully. ""Until they caught you, and locked your ass up. Does that about sum it up?"

"They're everywhere man!" He looks around, like he's checking to see if anyone is listening, then he leans close to Alec and whispers, "You never know who's part of it."

Alec played along and whispered back, "The initiation thing--what's it for?"

CJ whispered, "I don't know." Then he began talking in a normal volume, "They don't tell you unless you take it and survive. My dad wanted to change things with science and technology, but they said that was heresy."

"So your dad got sick of the whole selective-breeding thing and started to get into the gene-splicing game? Is that it?"

"He didn't come here until later, after the government took over."

"Took over what?"

CJ playfully rapped Alec's forehead with his knuckles, "Hello! Anyone home up there! Manticore dumbass!"

"Manticore?" Alec asked

"Who do you think made you?"

Alec raised up off the table, the puzzle pieces coming together in his mind, "Sandeman. Sandeman's your father?"

"Duh! Haven't you heard a word I've said?"

"Is he alive? Do you know where he is?"

CJ shrugged, "Maybe."

"I have a WHOLE lotta questions for him. Where can I find him?"

"Why?" CJ asked suspiciously

"Just curious.... like to meet the man that made us. Have different questions for him too like why he made us...why he left.." And to himself, Alec mentally added, "Why are markings showing up on Max's body?"

"Look CJ...... If you help me find Sandeman, I can get you enough money to start over anywhere you want. But you gotta set up a meet and greet betweeen us."

"I don't know..." CJ said hesitantly

"Come on CJ." Alec nudged him with an elbow, "I mean, we're kind of related. Right?"

"Well, when you put it that way..."

That night, Alec and C.J. wait outside. C.J. is stacking some rocks in a little circle.

Alec checks his watch and asks, "Where is he??"

CJ was squatting, playing with his rocks and mumbles, "Dad drives kinda slow."

Ames White appeared suddenly, big smile on his face, "Always made our poor mother crazy!"

White and his men surround them and take aim. Alec's hands come up while one of White's men frisk him and take his Glock

"Hello, 494, we meet again."

CJ stood and greeted nervously, wringing his hands, "Fe'nos tol......my brother."

Alec didn't see that one coming, and he looked at CJ, then at White, dawning comprehension set in that he was set up

"Sonofa----"

"Ah ah ah!" White waved a finger in front of Alec, back and forth while one of his men handcuffed Alec's hands behind his back, "You're talking about my mother there, and I would have to kill you. We don't want that now do we?"

Later, in a closed room, Alec's hands are cuffed above his head. He's obviously been beaten. His shirt is off, there are whip marks across his back, his eye and lip are swollen. And White was losing patience.

C.J. sits in the corner, watching, hugging his knees and rocking back and forth

Alec peeked out at White and taunted, "Poor Sandeman. One son's a loon, the other's a psychopath!"

"Be nice." White said, "We're practically family. Right?"

Alec spat at him and then said, "Don't remind me!"

"Hey, I'm not happy about it, either 494. Do you really think I want to cast my lot with YOU? I hate everything about you and your transgenic friends 494."

CJ was speaking in a little boy voice, "Did I do the right thing, Ames? Did I do good?"

White was circling around Alec and said, "Oh, yeah. You did real good, C.J. Real good."

"So you're not gonna send me back there, right? To that place?"

"No, no worries little brother. Nothing like that."Then to Alec, he spoke like they were close friends, "Confidentially, if you're wondering about the name, I changed it. Sort of a symbolic thing."

He backhands Alec across the face, Alec spat blood on him. White just took out his handkerchielf and wiped the blood on his face away

"White, as in unsullied, free of my father's betrayal and shame."

CJ was still talking in a little boy voice,
"What do we do with him? Ames, what do we do?"

"Now, answer my question 494, where is 452?"

Alec raised his head to face Ames and smirked as best he could, "Probably waitin' in my bed for me. She's GREAT that way. No, wait! She might be showering.... or she might be eating supper.... or I KNOW, she's probably outside ready to kick your ass! Hey uh..... what was the question again?"

White tasered him and Alec cried out through clenched teeth until he stopped. Then Alec asked, 'Is THAT all ya got? That barely tickled!"

"452 is the one I need.... I know that for a fact. According to my dad's records, some markings should appear exactly six months after her 20th birthday and that YOU 494, YOUR DNA would bring it out. I guess if you always wondered why Manticore paired you two off, I guess you've found your answer now. I know you two are much more than breeding partners and I would bet if you were the bait, she would come running....." White whispered in Alec's ear, "Right into my trap!"

"Max would never fall for it Ames. You should know by now she's too smart for that."

White kept talking as if he hadn't heard Alec, "See, he wanted to destroy our destiny. Five thousand years of planning.... down the tubes."

CJ looked up, "Destroy? How?"

"By creating her...... 452."

CJ was rocking and thinking, "She's the one he used to talk about."

CJ stood and said to himself, "Oh, boy, this changes everything."

CJ snuck up behind White and said, "You made a big mistake!"

C.J. picks up the taser that White had set aside and uses it on White, knocking him down to the floor and twitching. Eventually White passes out.

"Sorry, brother, but if what you said is true, she's the only chance I've got. And therefore, HE'S gotta live or she'll never help me!"

He takes White's keys and uncuffs Alec, who falls to the ground, His arms and legs have given out on him

CJ pointed at White and told Alec, "Oh, he's gonna be mad. He's gonna be really mad. He's got a will to him like you won't believe!"

Alec was rubbing his wrists and shoulders, CJ was helping him to his feet, "Not that I'm complaining, but why the change of heart?"

"Don't you ever listen? You're it, man! She has the markings but YOU'RE the key that starts them. Time's running out. It's coming. Let's go!"

Alec shook his head to clear it, "What's coming??"

Someone knocks on the door.

"Sir?"

CJ lowered his voice to sound like White, "Yeah?"

"Prisoners are ready for transport."

Still in the disguised voice, CJ answers, "Five minutes."

"Very good, sir."

Alec and C.J. leave the small room and stand at the entrance to the main room of the building. Several transgenics, chained together, are being led up a ramp into the back of a van. Alec checks all vantage points, where all the guards are, how far it is to the van, etc

"I need a weapon." Alec was leaning against the concrete wall, trying to gather every last bit of strength. CJ pulled out his Glock from his coat pocket and offered it to Alec.

"You're alright, you know that?" Alec told him with a smile and he playfully ruffled CJ's hair.

Finally, Alec made sure his gun was loaded and he checked around one final time. He turned back to CJ, "You ready?"

"You kidding? I'm sticking with you!"

Alec shrugged, then winced at the pain, "I'll take that as a yes."

Alec rushes into the main room and knocks out the men guarding the van, then begins shooting at the guards on the catwalk, taking them down one at a time. In the small room, White wakes up. Alec punches and throws the driver out of the van and gets in. C.J. picks up a gun and fires at several of the men too, running toward Alec

Alec yelled toward him, motioning, "C.J.! Come on!"

White enters the main room and fires at the van, barely missing Alec. C.J. jumps into the open door of the van, blocking Alec

His hands were out and he yelled to his brother, "Stop! Hi! All done, all done! I was wrong! Mistakes were made here!"

"Move!!" White yelled, keeping his gun trained on the driver's door to take out Alec

"Come on, bro, it's all good!"

"I said MOVE CJ!!"

White shoots C.J., who falls to the ground. Alec immediately shuts the driver's door. White and his men fire on Alec, and he ducks to avoid the gunfire. He realized he was out of bullets in his Glock. He starts the van and turns to CJ one last time

With what little strength he had, CJ motioned, "Go! Go! Get outta here!!"

Alec drives the van out of the building. The men chase him a little ways and stand there shooting at him, but he gets away with the chained transgenics in the back.

At Crash

Original Cindy and Sketchy are having a beer together at a table

“How long you known?” Sketch asked

“About a year.”

“Why didn't you tell me?” Sketchy asked, hurt

“What difference would it make?” OC answered wisely

“How can you say that? She's one of them.”

OC pointed at Sketch, admonishing him, “She's been a good friend to you. You gonna believe what you hear on TV or what's in your heart? So what if she was made in a lab? She's the best person you know!”

Sketch considered this and nodded, “You're right. She is. It's all good.”

At Terminal City, Alec takes bets from the various transgenics, who are in a partying mood. Who can last the longest, Mole in front of a freezer or the artic guy in front of a space heater

Mole calls out to the crowd, “All right, let's do this. Huh? Huh? Let's see what you've got, igloo.”

The artic guy retorted back, “Yo, salamander boy, time to get schooled. Come on!”

Max talks to Logan via the computer. She received Alec’s report and he is now the hero in TC that brought back the captured transgenics

“So Sandeman is White's father?” Logan asked

She nodded, “And I guess in some twisted kind of way, it means he's my brother.”

“Huh. Well, one thing's for sure. If Sandeman tried to leave the cult, then Joshua was right--he's one of the good guys.”

Max sighed sadly, “So is C.J., in his own crazy way. Whatever Sandeman was trying to tell me with these things, it sure as hell freaked White out. Alec told me he made it sound like I was the Second Coming, here to foil his big, evil plan. Like I even know what it is.”

Mole was counting down in the background, “Three...two...one. In there!”

Mole stands in front of an air conditioner. The Arctic guy stands in front of the space heater. Each continues to trash-talk the other. The other transgenics look on and cheer.

Alec called up to Max, “Hey, Max, check it out! We've got a little bet going on over here, to see who can last the longest. You want in?”

She smiles and shakes her head. “You’ve always got some bet goin’ down don’t ya?”

“Honey you knew that the first day you met me!”

Alec walks away. Max turns back to the computer.

Logan politely told her, “I'll let you get back to the party.”

Max signs off, “Take care Logan”

In the mental hospital, C.J. is bound in a straitjacket and gagged. White sits on his bunk next to him, talking to him

“I'm disappointed in you, C.J. You did a bad thing. Very bad thing. You had a chance to redeem yourself, and redeem our family. You threw it away, like garbage.”

White goes to the window and looks out. A shooting star passes overhead.

“I'll find her. Now that I know what she is...I have to.”


TBC

[lauraforever]

Totally love it!!

[There Is No Spoon]

Another great update Trina.

Keep the updates coming.

[Dana0715]

From the Episode "Freak Nation"
-----------------------------

At night, outside Terminal City, a reporter is speaking into a news camera. Near the fence, a wooden X burns, reminiscent of the flaming crosses the Ku Klux Klan used to burn regarding their hatred of blacks, now it's a flaming X showing hatred to transgenics, including the X-series.

Several guys are throwing debris over the fence, screaming at the transgenics, none of whom are currently in sight.

The anchorwoman continues speaking into the camera, "Terminal City is a twenty-block no-man's land here in the heart of Seattle. Closed ten years ago after a massive toxic spill, it is without power or water, and it is a felony to go beyond this security fence right behind me. Terminal City is far from empty; it is home to rats, stray cats, a few homeless humans, and--according to reports--an ever-increasing number of transgenics, some of them far from human. Local citizens have begun setting up flaming X's, like this one, outside the fence as a warning to the transgenics inside."

Men are yelling trash-talk through the fence

"Get out of here, you freaks!"

"Go back where you came from!"

"Hey! Freakazoids!"

Max rides her Ninja down the street and arrives on the scene. The guys stand and look at her as she pulls to a stop and revs the engine.

Max mutters to herself, "Two million years of human evolution and THIS is what we get? You morons!"

Max pops a wheelie and rides right through the flaming X, completely destroying it. Dropping her front wheel back down, she uses a ramp to jump the fence into Terminal City, landing on the other side and then rides away.

The anchorwoman exclaimed on camera while looking into the distance, "What the hell?!"

She turns to the cameraman, "Did you get that? Tell me you got that!!"

Max rides through an area that looks like it used to be a parking garage. She parks her motorcycle in the main part of the building, which is huge and dark, and mostly unfurnished. Max dismounts the Ninja and removes from it a metal briefcase. After taking a few steps, she is surprised to see Mole standing by a post.

"Hey, Mole." she greets him

"Hey, Max. How'd it go?"

They start walking together as Max talks, "Ever notice how drug dealers have no sense of humor when it comes to money?"

She points to dents made in the briefcase by bullets and hands it to Mole.

Max joked, "That oughta keep us in Skittles and beer for a coupla weeks."

Mole obviously had no sense of humor, "Good, 'cause we got a lot of new people around here."

Mole hands the briefcase to someone else. As he and Max walk through the building, which is lit by torches, they pass quite a few transgenics. Some are playing chess, some are warming themselves by barrel fires, and a guy sits with his arm around a girl and nods to Max as she passes

Mole continued, "We got X-5's, X-6's, even a few sevens. We got transhumans, anomalies, pregnant females...It's turning into Grand Central Station around here. Now we're gonna need gas for the generator, iodine tablets ASAP, blankets, bedrolls, Sterno for stoves, we're gonna need food, we're gonna need weapons, bullets, ammo, guns, grenades, anything we can scrounge..... Oh, I'm gonna need more cigars!"

Max smiles, "Hey, there are only so many hours in the night!"

They enter the building that has living quarters, computers, and TVs. Dix and Luke watch the news on TV.

"Evening, gents!" Max calls out

Alec was cleaning a rifle and his sardonic smile couldn't have been wiped off his face if he tried

"Destroyed any flaming Xes lately?" Alec asked. Then he pointed at the TV, "They got the whole thing on tape. That was some kick ass maneuvering. One day I'm going to have to show you how it's REALLY done!"

She smacked him playfully on the arm as she passed, "Kiss my transgenic ass! I could take you down like that!" and she snapped her fingers for emphasis

"Maybe one day I'll make you prove it..... but until then PLEASE be more careful. We can't have them showing pictures of YOUR face all over town. Biggs can't leave TC now and of course, he's lost his job."

On TV, a reporter is interviewing some guys on the street.

"Some people are calling you vigilantes. How would you answer that?"

"Nah, we're just concerned citizens, that's all. Kinda like, uh, a neighborhood watch group. Look, we just want our streets safe from these mutant freaks. You know what I'm saying? I mean, what are we supposed to do--wait until they break into our houses and take our daughters?"

Mole exclaimed, "You believe this pudknocker?"

The man on TV was still talking, "I mean, they need to go back wherever the hell they came from and stay out of our neighborhood!"

Another guy grabs the mike and says, "Yeah, get out of town, you egg-sucking freaks!"

The first guy takes the mike back, "Yeah, you're right on, Charlie."

Dix was trying to keep his sense of humor as he turns to the others at TC, "Well? You heard him, boys. Looks like it's back to Manticore for us!"

Luke laughs. Max walks over to Joshua, who is painting a flag. It has a black stripe on the bottom, a red stripe in the middle, and a white stripe on top. In the middle of the black stripe, there is a barcode. In the middle of the flag, Joshua has painted a white dove, wings spread.)
"Hey, Joshua. Whatcha doin'?"

Joshua proudly told her, "It's a flag. It's our flag."

Luke was a little sarcastic about this, "Yeah, 'cause we're gonna need a flag when our transhuman drill team is marching down Fifth Avenue in the St. Paddy's Day Parade!"

Dix joined in, "Let's not forget halftime at those Seahawks games."

Max silenced them, "Hey, cut it out!"

Joshua explains the flag. He begins by pointing to the barcode.

"This is you, me, even them. It's all of us." He then points to the black stripe at the bottom, "This is where we came from--where they tried to keep us."

Max nodded, understanding, "In the dark."

"Secret." Then Joshua points to the red stripe in the center, "This is where we are now, because our blood is being spilled." Then he points to the white stripe at the top, "This is where we want to go."

Max surveyed the flag in wonder and said, "Into the light."

Joshua nods, proud that she understood, "Right."

At the train station, White talks to the older priestess on his cell phone.

"You understand that bringing in this team now could compromise my cover at the Agency?"

"Your Agency position has served us well, Ames, but the Conclave feels that--"

"With all due respect to the Conclave, bringing in outside muscle is NOT the solution to this problem."

"Hardly outside muscle, Ames. The Phalanx are the best we have--the elite of our warrior breeding line, the tip of the spear. They come by direct order of the Conclave, so discussion is pointless."

"Fine! I bow to their wisdom."

White hangs up. Two women and three men get off a train and approach White. The woman in the lead is tall, Amazonian, extremely well muscled and stands over 6 feet tall

"Fe'nos tol. I'm Thula, team leader."

"Fe'nos tol." white greets the newcomers

Thula looks over White speculatively, "I've heard a lot about you, Brother White. I'm surprised you couldn't handle one girl on your own."

White smirked, "Your target's a little more than just a girl."

Thula quirked an eyebrow, "You defend your failure by flattering your enemy?"

White hands her a black/white headshot of Max, "452 is a threat to everything we've worked for throughout the generations. Her death is our highest priority. Next to that..." He provides a second picture of Alec, "he is a very close second. It would be nice to have him out of our hair too."

"Don't worry, Brother White. We'll clean your mess up for you."

At Jam Pony, Cece joins Original Cindy at her locker.

"You seen my girl?" OC asked her and Cece shook her head. Then she turned so that OC could check the back of her neck

"Do I need a touch-up?"

She lets Original Cindy check the back of her neck, and OC responded, "No, you're good."

Alec enters Jam Pony, greeting everyone at the beginning of his workday, "Sky. Normal, what's the good word, buddy? "

Normal begins singing and bringing out a cake with lit candles, "For he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good felloooow..."

Alec shook his head, muttering, "The man's finally lost it!"

Normal stops singing and hands Alec the cake.

"Many happy returns, there, buddy boy!"

Alec blushed slightly, looking over the cake, "Um.. It's not my birthday."

"Yeah, it's right there in black and white on your application form."

Alec shook a finger at him good-naturedly, "Oh yeah, yeah. Boy, nothing gets by you, does it, Normal?"

Normal slapped Alec on the back, "Now I made that without eggs and butter, all right? I know you like to look after the ol' physique. Go ahead. Blow it out."

While Alec blows out the candles, Normal turns to Original Cindy. "By the way, if you see your shiftless colleague Max, tell her she's fired."

OC said, "She's gonna be here like any minute."

"Do you think I buy your tissue of lies for like a nanosecond?"

Alec tapped his temple and said, "Yep! The man is like a steel trap. By the way.... Max is in the bathroom. She'll be out here any second. She came in with me."

He pointed at OC only, not reprimanding Alec at all, "You keep covering up for that reprobate, you're gonna be out of here, miss."

OC put her fist on her hip and asked, "Ya promise?"

------------------------------
A male and a female walk down the street. The female, who is VERY pregnant, looks few years older than the male, who appears to be about 13. As they pass some cops, the female puts her hood up.

The male was watching over his pregnant friend and asked her, "You sure this is the right way?"

She nodded, a little out of breath, "I think so." She checks the directions she's holding, "Said south on Seventh. I figure we got another half a klick or so."

She groans a little and stops, wincing in pain.

The young male was concerned, "Can you make it?"

She nodded, determined, "I'll make it."

A police hoverdrone passes overhead. They duck into a phone booth, and the female pretends to be making a call. The hoverdrone snaps pictures of them and a nearby building, and then goes away. The male and female start walking again.

A van approaches them. One of the two people inside points, and the van pulls to a stop in front of the male and female. They turn and start to run but the door of the van opens and Joshua waves them back.

"No no! Hey! Hey! Come back! Hurry!"

They climb in quickly into the back of the van, shutting the door. Mole is the one in the driver's seat.

Once they were inside, Joshua tells Mole, "Go! Go!"

Mole quickly starts driving.

The female introduces herself, "Hey. I'm Gem, X-5. This is Dalton."

"X-6." he tells them

Joshua points at himself and tells them, "Joshua. " He notices her large belly and asks, "You're having a baby?"

Gem nodded, rubbing her stomach, "Yeah."

"When's the baby due?"

Gem rolled her eyes, "Last week. Just been keeping my legs crossed until we reach the Promised Land!"

Mole looks back at them quickly while he's driving, "Yeah, well, Terminal City ain't exactly the Promised Land, honey, but we got a couple guys with some medical training--"

Joshua saw a truck pull out in front of them and he grabbed the dash, calling out, "Mole! Watch out!"

Mole looks back at the road, but not quickly enough to avoid slamming into the rear end of a pickup truck that has suddenly backed into the street.

Once everyone was still, Joshua asked, "Is everyone fine?"

Gem nods, Dalton said, "Yeah, I think so."

Dalton checked over his pregnant friend, "You all right?"

She smiled reassuringly at him, Dalton has become the younger brother she never had, "Yeah. I'm fine."

Mole kept turning the key in the ignition, trying to get the van started again and he began cursing. "Bastard son of a b!tch backs out without even looking!"

Joshua was looking around and seeing two guys get out of the truck, walking back to them. He frantically told Mole, "We need to go!"

A crowd is now beginning to gather and Joshua said again, "Uh, we need to go! Now!"

"Yeah, yeah, hang on." Mole groused, still trying to get the van going

Dalton poked his head between the two transhumans and asked, "It's not starting?"

They now see the driver of the pickup is holding a tire iron and looking angry. His passenger looked ready to fight too

Gem cursed, "F*ck! This is NOT good. We've got company!!"

Joshua was getting extremely antsy now, "Uh, we gotta--we gotta blaze. We gotta blaze now!"

Mole rolled his eyes, "Man up, dog. You're the one who wanted some action!"

The driver and his passenger approach the van now.

"Uh-oh." Joshua muttered under his breath

The driver begins banging the van with the tire iron, "Hey! Punk-ass! Look what you did to my truck!"

That perterbed Mole more than anything, "Punk-ass? Did he just call me....?"

Mole gets out of the van and stands with a shotgun resting on his shoulder.

Mole loved that they took a few steps back after seeing his large frame and lizard face. He growled at them, "You mean MISTER Punk-Ass, don't ya?"

The driver and the other people gathered around get a good look at Mole.

"Damn! It's one of those freaks!" The driver yelled

Mole gave him a faux pitiful look, "Now, that hurts!"

Mole shoots his rifle once into the air. The crowd, including the other driver, runs away screaming. Joshua, Gem, and Dalton get out of the van.

Mole shook his head, snickering, "I'll say one thing for ordinaries--they know when to run!"

Joshua began pulling Mole with him, "Maybe we should run, too!"

"Dude! We don't run, we fall back. There's a difference! Let's go."

They run in the other direction. Joshua calls Max on a cell phone as they run through a busy marketplace, attracting stares. Max pulls her Ninja to a stop and answers her cell phone. Joshua and Mole pull their hoods uup

"Go for Max." Max answered

Joshua was frantic, "Little fella, little fella, everything's gone sideways, it's FUBAR, people screaming, and Gem is trying to keep her legs crossed so the baby won't pop out!"

"What??? What are you talking about Joshua? Where are you??"

"I'm at South Market--"

"OK, listen to me. You're right around the corner from Jam Pony. Find Alec; he'll get you a car. Okay? Joshua??"

"Max? Max?" Joshua checks the phone and puts it back in his jacket pocket. He told Mole, "Battery died. She said Jam Pony, then battery died."

"Which way? Come on!" Mole asked

Joshua takes Gem's hand and leads the way, "Come! Come!"

They run down the street, pushing people aside as they go

"Out of the way! Out of the way!" Mole yelled

People were staring at them and calling them names

A cop notices them and speaks into his radio.

"Suspects in sight."

They turn around and run a different way.

The cop now calls in on his radio, "I'm in pursuit!"

Some other cops join him in the chase. The group arrives outside Jam Pony. All of them, except for Dalton, have their hoods up. Alec rides his bike out of the building and is surprised to see them. He screeches the ten speed to a halt when he sees Joshua and Mole out in the open

Joshua ran to him in relief, "Alec! I'm so glad to see you!"

He nods skeptically, "Uh-huh."

"This is Gem. She's having a baby." Joshua tells him

"Oh, so naturally you thought of stopping by Jam Pony in BROAD DAYLIGHT??"

"Max said to come see you, and to get a car, and head back--"

Alec sees police cars arriving behind them.

"OK... Don't turn around. Don't turn around." Alec turns to where his back is to the cops also and begins walking, "Just.... Keep walking. Keep walking."

They walk away as police get out of their cars and take aim.

"You, in the hood! Drop your weapon!"

Another police car cuts the group off from the other side.

"SH!T!!" Alec mutters... trying to come up with a quick plan

"Drop the weapon now! Put your hands on your head! And don't move!"

Alec's hands are out, trying to protect everyone, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! Whoa!"

Mole shoots once into the air, grabs Alec by the back of the collar, and points the shotgun at him as if he were a hostage.

"Get back! Or he's dead!"

Joshua grabs Gem and aims a revolver at the police. Gem pulls his hand down so that the gun is pointed at her, following Mole's lead

"I said, stay back or he's dead!" To Alec, he mumbles, "Play along!"

Alec nodded, hands in the air, "Yeah, no problem."

Mole pulls him into Jam Pony. Joshua, Gem, and Dalton follow.

Alec muttered to himself, hands still raised, " Oh, this should be interesting!"

Normal and the messengers watch the five of them enter. Mole is still holding Alec at gunpoint.

"Jumpin' George Dubya." Normal exclaimed

Alec whispers to Mole, "Don't blow my cover."

"No problem! Got a back door?"

"Yeah."

Mole yells out to everyone, "All right, nobody move!"

Joshua closes the front door and locks everyone in. The five of them walk through as everybody stares, dumbfounded. Both Mole and Joshua pass very close to Normal on the way. Joshua and Original Cindy exchange a glance as he passes. The group reaches the back door and Normal heads for his office.

"They've got my boy!" Normal talks to himself and he ran to find his weapon

Alec opens the back door and Mole follows him out. Police cars are parked outside and cops are taking aim.

Alec's hands are still raised and but he tells the group, "No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, go back!"

"Freeze!" one of the cops yelled

Before Joshua and the others get outside, Mole and Alec turn around and head back for the door.

"I said freeze!" the cop yelled

The cops start firing. One bullet hits Alec in the upper left arm.

They run back inside and close the door.

Normal sees that Alec is wounded and he thought the transgenics have done it

"Hold it right there, freak show!"

They stop in their tracks as Normal points a gun at Mole and Joshua.

Normal looked at Alec in concern, still pointing the gun at Mole and Joshua, "You're bleeding."

Alec cradled his arm and said, "Yeah, bullets will do that to you."

Sirens sound outside as more police cars arrive.

Normal was talking to Alec, "Okay, you're safe now."

Alec sighed and rolled his eyes, "No..."

Alec blurs and rushes over, twists Normal's arm over his head, and wrenches the gun away from him. Mole points his shotgun at Normal. Alec held up the gun and said, " ...I'm safe now."

Alec gestures to Mole, who nods and lowers the shotgun. Normal holds his arm and stares at Alec in shock. One of the messengers runs toward the door.

Alec called out authoritatively, "No one leaves!"

Cece, who had been standing nearby, knocks the fleeing messenger down with her arm

"Nobody move!" she calls out, pointing and looking around the room to make sure no one else would try that

Sketch grinned and whispered to OC, "Cece's one of them, too? Cool!"

Alec held his injured arm and said, "Cece, call base. Tell 'em we're in trouble. Joshua, take the front. Mole, you got the back?"

Mole goes to the back window, "Got it."

Alec nodded at Dalton, " Kid, what's your name?"

"Dalton, sir." he answered automatically since X5's outranked X6's in Manticore

"All right, Dalton, why don't you head upstairs and keep an eye on the street for me?"

Normal was still in shock, "My golden boy's a mutant!"

Alec gave him a small smile, "We prefer 'genetically empowered'."

Normal rolled his eyes heavenward, "Take me, Jesus!"

Mole punned, "Careful what you wish for."

Outside, police cars are surrounding the building and lots of cops are taking aim at it. A police hoverdrone passes overhead. Dalton runs upstairs and looks out the window.

A cop gets on the bullhorn, "You in the building! This is the Seattle Police Department. The building is completely surrounded. Throw your weapons out and come out with your hands visible, and you will be treated fairly under the law."

Max arrives on the rooftop of the building across the street from Jam Pony.

"Throw your weapons out, and come out with your hands on top of your head."

A hoverdrone passes in front of Max. She jumps on top of it and balances her weight to steer across the street. She breaks through the window of Jam Pony, surfing on the hoverdrone as it slides to a stop on the floor in front of everybody.

She hops off and asks, "Hey. Who ordered a pizza?"

-----------------------------
Later, Mole watches from Jam Pony's upstairs window as more and more police arrive outside. Cece comes upstairs.

"My watch." Cece tells him

After one last look, Mole tells her, "It's all yours."

Downstairs, the messengers are sitting around, nervously watching the goings-on. Dalton dresses Alec's wound. Max stops to look at it, curious

"What's that?"

Alec was in pain, "It's a hole in my body made by a bullet."

"Been there, done that. Check the news. You'll live!"

Alec thought it was typical of Max to not show sympathy

Original Cindy is sitting with Gem, who is sitting on a couch and breathing a bit heavily.

"Hey. How's Gem?" Max asked

"This girl is having a baby!" OC told her

Gem shook her head, struggling through her labor, "I can still move, if you need to displace."

Mole mutters, "Turning into a damn pig farm out there." Sky, the guy Cece knocked down earlier, walks by and Mole stops him by pointing the gun at him, "Who said you could get up?"

Sky is clearly intimidated, "Uh...bathroom!"

Sketchy pulls out his camera and snaps a picture of Mole. Mole quickly turns around and points the shotgun at him.

Max saw what was happening and marched over to Sketchy, "Hey!"

Max pushes Mole's gun down and snatches the camera away from Sketch

"No more pictures!" Then she tells Sky, "Go!" pointing to the bathroom

"Uh..."

"Go! Now or never buddy!!"

Sky runs to the bathroom.

Mole stood over Max, clearly perturbed, "Who put you in charge?"

"These people are not the enemy Mole."

"Don't be so sure."

At Mole's comment, Max looks around at all the messengers, who are watching her.

Normal put his two cents' worth in from where he was sitting, "I always knew you were a wrong number. You never had me fooled for a second there, miss."

Sketch snorted, "Yeah, whatever! Transgenic Central, right here under your nose!"

"Shut up." Normal retorted

Max looks at the messengers again.

Max held her hands up for quiet, "All right, people, listen up. I know things are really tense right now--"

A female messenger answered sarcastically, "Gee, I wonder why!"

Max just shot her a look and finished what she was saying, "But if you'll just sit tight and be patient, me and mine will get out of here before you know it."

Normal stands up, "Well, I got a hot flash for you, girlfriend. Me and mine are gonna get out of here right now. Let's go, people! Bip bip bip!"

He motions for everyone to follow him. The messengers start standing up.

Normal walks right up to Mole and says, "Go on, take your best shot, frog boy!"

Max was standing between them and she had a hand on Mole's chest, holding him back. Original Cindy stood next to Max, showing a united front

"Nobody's shootin' at anybody. Now sit your raggedy ass down Normal!"

Normal shook his head in disgust, "Oh, I see. Not only are you one of Sappho's daughters, you're one of THEM, too?"

She was waving a finger in front of Normal, "No. What I am is a friend to Max, and Alec, and Cece, and the rest of 'em. We walk outta here now, and they're toast."

Normal shrugged, "Well, I don't have a problem with that."

OC wouldn't budge, "Well, I do. And I'm guessing so does anyone else here who's down with my girl. So how 'bout we just take a minute and figure this b!tch out, so that nobody else gets hurt. Aiight?

----------------------------------
TBC

[Dana0715]

At Joshua's house, Logan is working on something, half-listening to the news on TV.

The anchorwoman announces, "It's been less than an hour since an unknown number of armed transgenics and transhumans barricaded themselves inside this building--the offices of the Jam Pony messenger service--but already angry crowds have gathered, shouting anti-transgenic slogans."

At the mention of Jam Pony, Logan looks up. The TV shows footage of Max riding the hoverdrone into Jam Pony

"Just moments ago, an unknown woman apparently commandeered a hoverdrone. She somehow rode it over the police cordon and into the building in which the suspects are barricaded. Police believe that the woman is also a transgenic, apparently come to the aid of the suspects inside."

Logan grabs his gun out of the desk drawer and walks toward the door. He stops, looks at the exoskeleton standing in the corner, and puts it on, then heads out to Jam Pony

Later, outside Jam Pony, some people in the crowd are holding up signs with slogans like the following:

OUR KIDS ARE NOT SAFE
STAY OUT OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, FREAKS
MAKE OUR STREETS MUTANT FREE
KILL THE FREAKS

Some of the police are keeping the crowd under control.

A police detective wearing a suit and a bulletproof vest, who is apparently in charge of the situation, is walking around giving orders to some of the cops.

"Where the hell is my phone? A secure line should have been in here ten minutes ago. And get that damn news team behind that barricade! Next camera I see in the street, the guy carrying it goes for a ride."

White and Otto approach him, flashing their badges.

"Special Agent in Charge Ames White."

The detective smirked, "Nice badge. Picture looks just like you!"

"Appreciate you securing the area, Detective. We'll take it from here." White told him

Sarcasticallty, the detective responded, "Oh I'm so pleased. Now I won't have to miss my little boy's recital this afternoon!" He turns to one of the cops, "Get this idiot out of here!"

White just calmly advised him, "You're out of your league, Detective. Please ask your men to stand down."

Not back down a bit, the detective told White, "Not until all those hostages are out of there in one piece." Now he's calling out orders to someone else, "Where's my freakin' phone??"

White tried again, following the detective, "You're not dealing with a bunch of thugged-out punks who boost TVs for a living. They're highly-trained, genetically-engineered killing machines."

The detective told him, "Well...... As far as I know, no one's dead yet, and I intend to keep it that way. So I need you and I need your lady friend (he gestured to Otto) to situate yourselves behind that barricade so I can do my job."

"You forcing me to go over your head?" White threatened

"Do what you gotta do, Special Agent in Charge White. Just do it someplace else!" The detective yells at his team, "Where the hell is my phone, damn it?"

White opens his cell phone and walks away.

Inside Jam Pony, everybody is watching the news on TV. Reporters are interviewing people on the street.

"The economy's bad enough; you want 'em taking your job? You want 'em living next door, spittin' out their mutant, half-breed kids?"

The second guy they interview is the driver of the truck that got smashed by the van earlier.

"These mutant freaks are an affront to nature. They don't deserve to live!"

At that comment, one of the messengers glances behind her at Max and Joshua. Joshua is standing behind Max with his arms around her, like a big brother holding a little sister. She and Alec glance at each other sadly

The driver was still speaking on the news, "Where's the accountability? Who's taking care of this? Nobody! These freaks are running rampant. They get to do whatever they want. They got protection or somethin'? These things aren't natural. They shouldn't be alive. They don't deserve to live. They should be lined up with the scientists and shot like the bunch of rabid dogs they are. These freakoids smashed up my truck. That's taking bread out of my mouth. That's screwing up my job, my livelihood. Who's gonna feed my kid? Who's gonna pay my rent?"

Max shook her head sadly and tells Joshua, "We just gotta hang tough. It's gonna be okay."

"I don't know. The way upstairs people look at me...I don't know if it'll ever be okay."

Another rant from another guy on TV, "I say kill the freaks, or send 'em back to whatever cesspool they came from! Yeah!"

The crowd behind the guy cheers. Jam Pony's phone rings and Max goes to answer it. Normal calls out, "If it's a package, get a number!"

Max answers the phone with, "Start talking!"

The detective that fought with White earlier is now on the phone, "Detective Ramon Clemente of the Seattle P.D. Who is this?"

"Let's just keep it simple and you call me 452."

"Okay...452."

Max made a list of demands, "I want a van parked outside with a full tank of gas."

"Wait.... Before you give me your Christmas list, why don't you let those people that you're holding in there come on out?"

"No way! Not until I get my transportation and a guaranteed safe passage out of here!"

"I understand you have a wounded man and a pregnant woman in there who I'm sure need medical attention."

"Just the van. We'll take care of our own."

Clemente rubbed the headache that was beginning to form between his brows, "If I agree to your terms, when do I get my hostages?"

"Half when the van arrives, half when we get to our destination."

"Which would be where?"

"It's not far. They'll be home for dinner."

She hangs up and Mole stalks over to Max

"You're dreaming if you think they're gonna let us just drive off into the sunset. Get it through your head--the only way they want this to end is with us dead."

Alec stood between Max and Mole now, staring Mole down, "I would advise you to go back to your post Mole and stop harassing Max. She's trying to help, so back off!"

Later, a reporter is interviewing a woman on the street.

She smiled into the camera as if she was talking to a child, "Oh, there's no point in discussing human rights, since they're not human, so they don't have rights. They don't even have souls. And it's worse than that, because animals don't have souls, but they were meant to be here. These things were never even intended by God to exist. They are an insult to everything in His creation."

The people inside Jam Pony are waiting around. Most are no longer paying attention to the TV. Sketchy stands up and approaches Max.

Quietly, he asks, "Hey, Max. I was hoping you might possibly be interested in having me interview you about your life as a hot transgenic female on the run in post-Pulse America?"

Max could not believe what she was hearing and she gave a loud, emphatic, "NO!"

Mole gets in Sketchy's face. Sketchy sits back down, subdued

Mole walks away now. Original Cindy watches him go by while staying with Gem. She leaned over to Gem and asked, "Please tell me that he is NOT the baby's daddy."

Gem shakes her head and smiles tiredly, "He was another X-5. We were breeding partners."

Sarcastically, OC remarked, "That sounds real romantic!"

Gem shook her head and shrugged, "It wasn't." she said simply

Clemente calls Jam Pony again and Max answers.

"What do you got?"

Clemente sighed, "A headache. And I got the vehicle. Now send out the hostages."

A bus bearing the words SEATTLE METRO POLICE arrives. Max hangs up the phone.

"It's on!" she tells everyone

Outside, White sees the bus pull up.

White turns to Otto, "Get our people in position."

NSA snipers stand at the windows of a nearby building and point their guns out small holes in the window panes. Police snipers take aim from the rooftop.

Logan arrives on the scene, walking through the crowd and adjusting an earpiece.

Alec partly opens the front door of Jam Pony. Everybody inside is gathered around the door, but nobody is visible from the outside. Max peers out and speaks into her cell phone.)

"How's it look?" she asks Logan

Logan speaks into the microphone attached to his earpiece, "I don't know; it's dicey. We got shooters on the roof and the bus door's on the exposed side."

"Yeah, looks pretty messy." Max agreed as she peered out

"All right, you're going to have to use the messengers as shields."

Max sighs, "Okay." She yells outside, "Clemente! I'm gonna need the snipers on the roof pulled back, or no deal!!"

Clemente immediately speaks into his radio, "Sniper team, pull back. Pull back."

The police snipers step back from the rooftop edge.

Logan didn't see the snipers behind the windows and he tells Max, "All right, you're clear."

"Wish me luck!" She hangs up, then yells outside, "First group's coming out!!"

Alec opens the door the rest of the way. Max talks to some of the messengers.

"Okay, guys, come on. Keep your arms in the air and go slow, all right? Be careful."

That group of messengers walks outside with their hands up.

Clemente uses his bullhorn, "This way. Come this way. Keep your hands in the air. Come towards the barricades." After those messengers have left, he calls out, "Okay, 452, the keys are in the vehicle. Your ball!"

Max waves the transgenics and the rest of the messengers to the door.

"Okay, guys. They're not going to shoot at us. We got a kid and a pregnant girl. They don't know which ones are transgenic and which aren't."

Mole grunted around his cigar, "Yeah, well, a couple of us they got a pretty good idea!" Mole grabs Normal so he can use him as a shield. He didn't like Normal much and the feeling was mutual between the two

Original Cindy walked up to Max and warned, "They saw you, boo--flyin' right over their heads."

She put Max's arm around her so that Max could use OC as a sheild. OC raised a fist and said, "I got your back Boo!"

"Thanks." Max said to her friend

Cece stepped forward, "But they don't know about me."

OC pointed at Max, "Then help me protect my girl, OK?"

Cece nodded, standing to Max's left

Max calls out, "All right, let's file in, guys. Come on."

Joshua uses Sketchy as a shield as they walk out

Sketchy was actually sort of enjoying this, "This is my cover story, man!"

White is outside amongst the crowd and he speaks into a microphone so the NSA snipers can hear him on their earpieces.

"Wait for my command." he tells them

Slowly the group walks outside, led by Mole and Normal. As they walk around the front of the bus, headed for its door, Logan notices White and Otto standing in the crowd. He follows their gaze to the building nearby. The police snipers from the roof are still gone, but now Logan sees the guns pointing out the windows.

White gave the command, "Take the shot."

Logan pulls out his gun and shouts a warning to Max.

"Max! Look out!!"

He uses the exoskeleton to jump onto the roof of a nearby police car.

Max rushed everyone back into the building, "Go!"

They turn back and start to run for the door of Jam Pony, but one of the snipers gets off a shot. It hits Cece and she goes down.

"Get back!" Max yelled

Logan jumps again off the car and fires several times at the windows while he is in mid-air. Logan, Mole, and Alec exchange gunfire with the snipers as the group runs inside.

Clemente yells into his radio, thinking it's his men, "Cease fire!" The shooting continues and he repeats, "Cease fire! Dammit!!"

Max and Mole drag Cece inside of Jam Pony. Once everybody else is inside, Logan runs in and Joshua closes the door behind them all.

Max was shouting orders, "Fall back! Cover the door! Anyone else hit?"

Everyone else answered no.

Max and Logan check Cece over and they find that she is indeed dead

Mole is ordering the messengers, "All right, get down. I want everybody on the floor, now. Get down. Stay there. Stay down."

OC had big tears in her eyes as she stood over Cece, "They killed her!"

Max stood and faced her best friend, "Hey OC? I need your help, OK? Go take care of Gem. Can you do that for me?"

Original Cindy nods and goes to sit with Gem, whose labor has grown more intense now

Joshua looked so confused, "Why did they do this? We did everything they wanted."

Mole was angry and pointed the gun at Max for emphasis, "This is on you. I told you not to trust the cops!"

Logan tried to appeal to Mole, "It wasn't the cops. It was White."

The others look surprised.

Joshua growled low, remembering White killed Annie, "White is out there?"

Logan nodded, "Yeah, White's guys did this. They killed Cece."

Joshua growls menacingly

Alec was leaning against a pillar, and he remarked, "Maxie... They screwed this whole thing up on purpose to escalate the situation."

Max was rubbing her brow, "Yeah, well, it worked."

Mole was still angry at Max and still telling everyone about it, "What difference does it make who fired? They all want to see us dead!"

Logan raised his hands up, "Ok.... Everybody needs to calm down."

"I'm not gonna wait around for them to try again.!"

He grabs Sketchy and drags him to the front door. Max runs over to stop him

"Mole!! What are you doing??"

"Until we get safe passage, we kill one hostage every hour, starting now."

Logan grabbed Sketchy's arm, but spoke to Mole, "Let him go!"

Mole looked at Logan with intense disdain, "I don't take orders from your kind!"

Max got in his face, "No, but you take orders from ME. Now let him go!"

"No! We gotta show them we mean business, or we're dead!!"

Logan snorted, "That's a good idea. Start shooting people, 'cause that's what White wants, and then you can prove you're the monster people think you are!"

Mole was now towering over Logan, "You shut the hell up! You're not one of us!!"

"No, I'm not. But guess what?" Logan spreads his arms out, "I'm standing right here with you, aren't I??"

Max signalled for quiet, "All right, people, listen up! If we don't stick together, we don't get out of here alive!"

She gave a stern look to Mole and asked him, "You understand that??"

Mole releases Sketchy, and Logan makes sure he gets back to his chair safely.

Mole answered, "Okay. But if they come near the building, I start taking them out. Come on, Joshua!"

Mole walks away. Joshua looks at Max, undecided

"Joshua..." Max pleads

Joshua turns and follows Mole.

Sketchy looked up to Logan and Max, "Thanks, guys. That was close!"

Outside, White and Otto approach Clemente again.

Clemente started ranting at White, "You Fed son of a b!tch! You get off my scene right now, or I swear I will kick you to the curb myself!"

White gave him a smug look, "Seems to me your snipers got a little carried away Detective!"

"Those were YOUR men back there, and we BOTH know it!"

"Oh! Is that what we know? See, I don't know that at all, but what I do know is that this was just faxed in from the governor's office."

He slaps a piece of paper against Clemente's chest

Clemente grabs it and reads it, "So you got friends in high places. I'm supposed to be impressed?"

White pointed at the paper, "I draw your attention to the part where I'm given overriding jurisdiction. You screwed up, Lieutenant."

Clemente rolled his eyes, "Yeah, when I voted for THIS nimrod." He crumples the paper and tosses it away

White now knew he held all the cards, "Now my tactical team is going to go in and we're going to get this thing done, and YOU are going to stay out of my way." He slaps Clemente on the back, "But thanks for coming out!"

He and Otto walk away, leaving Clemente stewing

At Jam Pony, Alec lays Cece's body on Normal's desk. Max covers the body, looking pensive.

Alec placed his good arm around her shoulders, "Wasn't your fault."

Max sniffled against his shirt, "This is all my fault. I let these people loose in the world. But there's no place for us out here. There's no place anywhere!"

Alec tilted her chin to look at him, "You gave us freedom, Max. The thing about freedom...it's never free."

Later, after dark, Gem is in heavy labor, breathing hard and moaning.

Original Cindy is coaching her, "Push. Push. That's it, girl."

Gem pushes and moans

Normal shakes his head at what they're doing. He finally gets up and joins them.

"No. Wrong. Ca-ca. Don't you know anything about birthing babies? Pushing is exactly what she should NOT be doing right now." To Gem, he speaks gently, "Listen, I want you to breathe and relax, okay? All right, now breathe...and relax. Breathe and relax. All right, that's it. That's it."

He looks under her skirt.

"Okay. Okay, you're fully dilated. You're in a late second stage. It's not going to be long now. I want you to breathe from your diaphragm, okay?"

Original Cindy did a double take, "And you know this how??"

Normal answered, "Dad was a dairy farmer. I know my way around the inside of a heifer better than you do."

Max happened to walk by and Gem grabs her pants leg to get her attention. When Max stops and squats next to her, Gem told her, "I need a weapon."

Max wiped her brow with a damp cloth, "You're out of this fight, soldier."

"Me and my baby are getting out of here alive!"

Max told her sternly, "You get that baby into this world. We got your back. Okay?"

"Just breathe, honey." Normal continued coaching her through the labor pains with OC supporting Gem from behind

-----------------------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

2 awesome new updates Trina hon! Keep up the good work!

[There Is No Spoon]

Great updates Trina.

Really liked your version of "Freak Nation."

Looking forward to reading your next update.

[Dana0715]

On the TV news, a reporter interviews another guy on the street as the people in Jam Pony watch

"I say we kill 'em like cockroaches. Burn 'em out, before they spread...before they breed!"

Outside, a van pulls up. The Phalanx get out, dressed in black combat gear, and approach White, giving the Familiar salute. White shakes his head..... don't they know how dangerous that is??

White then speaks into his radio, "Clemente, this is White. I'm inserting my team now. Remember, zero interference!"

Clemente speaks into his radio, "It's your world."

Otto approached White, clearly confused, "What is this? Who are these people??"

White just told him simply, "They're on loan from another agency."

"What agency?? I don't understand what's going on here, sir!"

White got in Otto's face, "Let's keep it that way. You're not cleared for this op. Now move the men back and secure the perimeter!"

Otto hesitates and then White gives him a stern look, "Walk away. Do it now!"

Otto walks away reluctantly. White speaks to Thula, indicating the crowd before them, "Look at them. When we carry her out in a body bag, they'll be clapping and cheering. They'll never know that she was their only hope."

Inside Jam Pony

Max was heading for the front door, "It's me White wants. I'm going out there!"

Alec stepped into her path, "No way! Not happening!!"

"Alec! He wants this thing to end as badly as possible, and I'm not gonna let that happen. At least everyone in here will still be alive."

Logan now stood next to Alec, folding his arms in defiance, "Max, you're not going out there!"

"Both of you, get outta my way! I have to!"

Alec placed his good hand on her shoulder, "Max, listen to me. I translated the new runes on your skin, the ones that have popped up in the last week." He pulls out a piece of paper from his jacket pocket

Joshua, overhearing the conversation, asked, "Is that the message from Father?"

Alec nodded at Joshua, "That's right. I think it's complete now. The symbols have multiple meanings, but the gist is something like, 'When the shroud of death covers the face of the earth, the one whose power is hidden will deliver the helpless.'"

"What's that supposed to mean to me?" Max asked

"It's what I've been telling you. It means something really, really bad--like maybe biblically bad--is going to happen."

OC was standing next to Alec and then looked at Max, "And you're the one who's gonna stop it."

Mole pushed his way through the circle and declared, "Look. If all of this is about White getting Max--I mean, specifically Max--then I think she SHOULD go out there."

"Forget it!"

"No way!"

The first was said by Logan, the second by Alec and they said it together at the same time. Mole kept trying to make them see his and Max's point of view

"No, she makes a break for it, lets him see her. She's fast; she has a chance at making it!"

Alec shook his head, stubborn as ever, "Nope! Not happening!"

"Then he'll leave us alone because he knows she's gone."

Logan could not believe he was hearing this and spoke up, very loudly, "No. No. Out of the question, Mole!"

Alec peered at Max and gently told her, "I'd rather die than let you go out there like a lamb led to the slaughter. And belive me, you step one toe out there, I'm going with you, injured or not."

Mole was still arguing with Logan, "Wake up, chimp! We're out of options here!"

Logan definitely had balls for an "ordinary" and he stood toe to toe with Mole, not caring that he's about six inches taller and outweighs him by about 75 pounds, "No Mole, YOU wake up. If she is the key to saving millions of people from some kind of apocalypse..."

"YOUR people or MY people??"

"Hello! People! Human beings, like you and me!"

While Logan and Mole argue, and Alec and OC are trying to talk Max out of this hair-brained idea of hers, Max tunes out. She turns away from everyone and stares into space for a minute. Suddenly she turns back around and snaps into urgency, shushing everybody

"They're coming! They're coming!!" She points at Joshua and orders, "Carry Gem!" Then she tells everyone, "Come on, let's go!!"

Mole wasn't budging, "I don't hear anything!"

"Shh! Joshua, you carry Gem. Hurry!"

Alec looked to Dalton who was standing by at a window. Dalton gave an all clear, so Alec turned to Max, "Max, we're clear! What's the matter?"

She started hurrying everyone upstairs to the second floor and snaps at Alec, "Don't argue with me! Dalton, let's go. Come on. I need everybody upstairs right now. Let's go. Follow me."

Joshua picks up Gem and follows everyone upstairs

Outside, White and the Phalanx walk toward the building, fully armed

White tells Thula, "Remember, our primary target is 452. Secondary is 494."

"What about the hostages?"

White smiled evilly, "Let's show the viewers at home what the mutant menace does to innocent people. Take out the hostages, the freaks, the kid...take out anything with a pulse!"

Thula nods. She and three other Phalanx begin climbing the outer wall of the building.

Inside, most of the group arrives on the upper level. It is divided by glass partitions, and is empty except for a couple of desks, a file cabinet, some shelves, some mannequins, and general debris. Alec and Mole stay downstairs for the moment

Max was leading everyone in, "Come on, guys, file in. Stay low. All the way to the back."

She got the first group of people behind a glass cubicle and she stops Sketchy, "Hey, Sketchy--keep 'em quiet, and keep 'em down. You're in charge over here." She turns to Original Cindy, Dalton, and Normal, tucking them in another cubicle, behind a desk, "Take cover behind the desk. Behind the desk. Come on! Hurry up!" She points at Normal, "Bring that baby safely into this world, we'll watch your back." She points at Dalton, "You keep everyone in here safe!"

Downstairs

Alec's eyes widen as he looks outside, he yells a warning and begins to run, "Mole!!"

Mole motioned Alec upstairs ahead of him, "Go! Go! Go!"

Jam Pony's front door explodes open. White and one of the Phalanx enter the building, guns drawn. Mole and Alec arrive upstairs and Alec closes and locks the door behind him. Max, Alec, Mole and Joshua take cover. The messengers are hidden in the back; the others duck behind columns and the file cabinet. Logan has his gun ready in a glass cubicle, behind a desk. Max signals to Mole first and he signals back, indicating he's out of ammo. She turns to her right to see Alec, asking the same question, and he shrugs and signs back. Alec turns his gun in his hand around to use as a blunt object.

Max whispered, "Wait for my signal. We hit hard, we hit fast, and we don't back off. This is for all the marbles, people!"

Somewhere a window breaks, and four of the Phalanx enter from the ceiling. They walk around, guns drawn, searching.

Gem is unable to keep from grunting and moaning in her labor. Normal tries to shush her. Original Cindy comes up with an idea and puts a rag in Gem's mouth for her to bite on and to muffle the noise.

Max silently signals to Logan, Joshua, Mole, and Alec. Each gives a thumbs-up in response.

One of the Phalanx opens the door and lets the other Phalanx and White in, and all six continue to search the upstairs of Jam Pony

Gem's breathing and grunts grow a little louder, but stay muffled behind the gag they fashioned.

Normal whispers, a finger to his mouth, "Shhh. Wait. Wait."

The Phalanx hear Gem's muffled moans and slowly head toward the desk, which is behind a glass partition.

Mole, Max, and Alec--who have climbed and hidden on the ceiling--drop down, and each begins fighting one of the Phalanx. The fourth Phalanx is taken by surprise by Joshua, growling and snarling, and they begin to fight.

The fifth Phalanx is standing near the glass partition behind which Logan is hiding. Logan stands up and fires at him through the glass. The Phalanx falls to the ground. Logan discovers he has just run out of ammunition and starts to reload as quickly as possible. While Logan ducks behind the file cabinet and is reloading, the Phalanx he fired at rises from the ground busts through the glass, grabs Logan and pulls him through the glass partition. They begin fighting. Logan's Phalanx punches him and throws him through the glass again. Finally, Logan uses his gun to shoot the Phlanx repeatedly until dead

Mole defeats his Phalanx and fires at White with what ammo he has left. White ducks, and while Mole continues to shoot, a Phalanx grabs him from behind and shoves him into a shelf.

Alec's Phalanx shoves him through a glass partition. The partition crashes beneath Alec's weight and the Phlanx jumps on top of him. Alec's fighting was hampered by his bullet wound. He finally got the helmet off the Phlanx he was fighting and realized it's a woman. The two were fighting hard, rolling over and over in the glass

The female Phlanx finally pinned Alec on the ground, sitting on top of him and using her legs on his arms, grinding a knee into his bullet wound and causing a lot of pain and Alec cried out in rage and pain. She bent down and said, "If White didn't want you dead so badly, I'd keep you as my pet, kitty cat."

Alec grunted in pain, his white teeth flashing in the dark, "Thanks for the offer babe, but I'll pass…….” He raised up just enough to spit out, “ You would need a paper bag over your head for me to have anything to do with you!"

Realizing she has just been insulted, by a transgenic no less, she brings out her gun to point at Alec's head. He closed his eyes, waiting for the bullet..... and then she was suddenly gone!

Alec opened his eyes and realized Logan kicked the b!tch off of him, and because the exoskeleton enhanced his legs, she went flying through the glass partition where Gem was and landed on the other side of her

Gem was crying out loud in her labor now and she saw the Phlanx next to her about to get up. Gem punched her in the middle of a contraction, knocking the Phlanx out. Dalton and OC quickly handcuff her and sit on her while Normal stays ducked under Gem's skirt and talks her through the labor

"Push Gem! Now's the time to push!"

Logan helped Alec up. Alec nodded to him in grudging respect, holding his injured arm, "Thanks!"

"Don't mention it!" Logan responded, then they turned to take over for Joshua

Eventually, Joshua saw White and he tapped Mole on the shoulder, who was currently fighting him and told him, "This one's MINE!"

White and Joshua circle each other, Joshua growls low

Max has been fighting one of the bigger Phlanx's and she gets the helmet off. You see it's Thula. Max and Thula circle each other, and Max kicks Thula's gun away so she can't get to it. Max had her fists up and ready

Thula nodded, "452."

Max just looked her over and demanded, "Just bring it, b!tch!"

Max and Thula begin to fight each other like two well trained warriors

Max lands several blows on Thula and vice versa. Both are evenly matched, and in some ways, Thula was physically stronger, but Max was quicker. Thula kicks Max to the floor and then picks her up bodily and throws her through a glass partition. Once Max comes stumbling back out, Thula jumps from a desk and wraps her legs around Max's neck, swings in a circle in mid-air and takes Max down in a flip.

Max just shook her head, and got back up, not letting Thula get the best of her

Thula shoves Max headfirst through a glass partition. and now Max has about HAD IT with this uberb!tch!

Thula swings a chair at Max. Max ducks, and the chair breaks a partition, shattering more glass over Gem and the others hiding behind the desk.

Normal is still coaching Gem, "Okay, it's time to push now. Come on. Push push push push push, with all your might, all your might, all your might...All right, it's coming. It's coming."

Max and Thula continue to fight each other. Thula backflips onto Max and knocks her down.

Joshua grabs White in the middle of their fighting and shoves him up against a wall. He roars with rage, bashes White against the wall, and slams him into a shelf, remember upmost in his mind that THIS man is Annie's killer and he wanted White to suffer!


Normal is still coaching Gem, keeping his head under her skirt and a flashlight in his teeth, "Okay, the baby's coming out. I can see the head. Now you really gotta bear down, now. Really bear down. Time to push now!! Bear down hard, now, honey. Bear down hard. That's it. Good."

Gem cries out loud now in her agony and Normal continues coaching her, "Go! Push push push push push push push push push!"

Max and Thula keep fighting, neither gaining much ground on the other

Joshua breaks a desk over White.

Normal is still coaching Gem, "One more big push. You gotta really crank down. Really crank down, okay?" Then you hear the baby cry out

Thula leans over Max, punching her repeatedly. Max sneaks some handcuffs out of Thula's pocket and gets a cuff around one of Thula's wrists. Thula stands up, pulling Max with her, and starts to choke her. Max uses a column to run her legs up it, flip over behind Thula so that she is out of the choke hold and standing behind Thula. She swings Thula by one arm so that Thula ends up wrapped around the column and then handcuffs her other wrist. Thula is now standing with her arms around the column, wrists cuffed together. She struggles, and tries to kick at Max, but doesn't succeed. Max stays out of reach

Joshua, snarling, throws White through a thin wall, then picks him up and throws him again, tossing him around like a rag doll in his rage

Logan grabs a gun that was left on the ground by one of the Phalanx and helps Alec up after they fought the last Phlanx together

"You still all right?" Logan asked

"Yeah, been through worse!." Alec nods

Except for Thula, who is still cuffed to the post, the Phalanx are now all lying on the ground. Some are unconscious. Logan, Alec, and Mole disarm them and check to make sure the fight is over.

Logan points a gun at a concious Phlanx and demands, "Stay down!"

Alec checks through the whole upstairs, "Max! Clear!"

Mole from another end, "Clear!"

Joshua, still snarling, bends White backwards over his knee. We can hear White's back cracking.

Max runs to Joshua, "Joshua, no!! Joshua, NOO!!"

Joshua growled, "He deserves to DIE! He killed Annie!!"

"No. He deserves to die, a LOT. But if you kill him now, the only thing people will remember about today is how some transgenic killed a human being in cold blood...and then they'll never stop hunting us! Is that what you want?"

Joshua takes a moment to consider this, and then drops White to the ground. He plants his foot on White's neck to restrain him, and Max leans in close to speak to White.

"Bring around your muscle queens anytime. I'll be happy to kick their ass."

White glared at her, clearly injured and beaten, "We are not finished 452!"

"Fe'nos tol.... b!tch.!"

Max flicks him on the nose hard and goes over to join Gem and the others. Normal is handing the baby to Gem.

"There you go. Oh, what a dear little sweet soul, huh?"

Gem checks the back of the baby's neck and smiles in relief.

"No barcode. She doesn't have one."

Max smiled back at Gem, "Then she's free."

Later, Logan is dressed as one of the Phalanx. He pokes his head out the front door and shouts to the police outside.

"Weapons down! Hold your fire! Team coming out!"

The Jam Pony door opens all the way and Logan walks out. "Let's go. Federal agents! Step back!"

Alec, Sketchy, and Original Cindy are also dressed as Phalanx. Original Cindy escorts Gem, Dalton, and the baby. Alec and Sketchy escort Max, Joshua, and Mole--all handcuffed- -at gunpoint. Logan parts the crowd of police as the group walks toward the Phalanx van and an ambulance parked nearby.

Logan calls out, "I need you back. Move! Move! We may have a biohazard here, people. Make a hole. Make a hole. Move! Move! Let's go." He stops in front of Clemente, "Agent White wants your people in there to secure the crime scene ASAP." Then he yells out to his "team", "Let's go! Let's go! Let's go, let's go!"

Max, Joshua, and Mole are led into the back of the van. Dalton, Gem, and the baby are led into the back of the ambulance.

Logan commanded to the van driver, "We're going to need to commandeer this vehicle."

He notices Clemente hasn't moved and Logan became more authoritative, "Agent White is not a man who likes to be kept waiting, Detective!"

Original Cindy climbs in the back of the ambulance and shuts the door. Alec does the same in the van. Sketchy approaches the driver of the ambulance.

"All right, we'll take over from here--unless you want be stuck in a six-hour decontamination hose-down."

The driver backs off, and Sketchy gets in the ambulance driver's seat. Max, Joshua, and Mole remove their handcuffs as Logan gets in the van driver's seat. Logan yells at the police to get the crowd of angry onlookers out of the way.)

"Clear the barricades! Clear the barricades!!" He starts the van and has to repeat, poking his head out the driver's window and waving, "Clear the barricades! Clear 'em! Let's go!!"

Max spoke quietly to Logan, "Nice and easy."

The crowd moves aside as the van and ambulance slowly start driving.

Logan is still yelling out, "Let's move it people! Move! Move! Let's go! Let's move it! Move, move, move, move! Get out of the way!!"

Sketchy was driving the ambulance and looked in the rearview mirror at Original Cindy, "All right, where are we going?"

"Just drive!" OC told him, watching out the back doors

"Can I turn on the siren?"

Fed up, she yells, "Just drive, fool!"

While they were driving away, Clemente was heading for the Jam Pony building with his team, "All right, let's get in there!"

After a minute, the van and the ambulance get away from the crowd and drive down an empty street.

Max grinned, "We're clear!"

Everybody cheers.

Mole had a fist in the air, "Yeah, baby. That's what I'm talkin' about!"

Alec removes his helmet and finger combs his hair, "It's all good!"

Max goes back to sit next to Alec and leaned over and whispered, "You know..... a man in uniform makes me..." she whispered in his ear, "REALLY hot!"

That got Alec's attention! He joked, "So I can keep the uniform? Sounds like it will really come in handy later!"

"Yeah.... do keep it! I like it on you!"

They were about to kiss when Logan cleared his throat and teased Alec, "You know.... Just for the record, that chick was kicking your ass!"

Alec looked at Logan and then at Max. To salvage his pride, he said, "I had it. I was just settin' her up. Lulling her into a false sense of security before swooping in, ya know?"

"Riiight!" Logan answered with a big grin. "And you were going to attack AFTER she blows your head off?"

"Dude! If you're fishing for a thank you, then fine! THANK....you! Now can we get off the subject?"

Sketchy and Original Cindy hear Max's words via the radios in their helmets regarding the all clear

"Yeah!" OC cried out, fists raised

Sketchy was cheering from his driver's seat, "All right! We rock!!"

They remove their helmets in excitement.

Max goes back up front and kneels next to Logan, giving him directions, "All right. Head for Terminal City."

Clemente and his men enter Jam Pony, guns drawn. They see Normal and the remaining messengers sitting on a bench, waiting.

"Anyone hurt?" Clemente asked

Normal answered, "No, we're okay. But you better go look upstairs."

Upstairs, Clemente and his men find White and the Phalanx tied to a column with packing tape. Their mouths are taped as well, and they are wearing only their underwear.

Clemente squatted in front of White, who was bound and gagged. Clemente was chuckling at the predicament White was in, "Special Agent in Charge White."

White tries to yell at Clemente, but his words are muffled and unintelligible, thanks to the tape. Clemente pretends to understand him, still chuckling.

"What? The transgenics taped you up and took your uniform?"

White tries to say something.

"No way!" Clemente said

White tries to say something again and struggles against the tape

"And YOU want ME to go after them? You know what? That's a good idea!" He turns to his men and tells them, "Let's go!"

White keeps trying to yell at Clemente as he walks away, not giving any indication that he'll have White released anytime soon

Later, in police cars, Clemente and the rest of the police chase Max and the others, sirens blaring.

Logan looks in the rearview mirror, "We got company."

You can hear Clemente yelling into the bullhorn behind them, "Stop your vehicles now, or you will be fired upon. Pull over now, or we will use deadly force to stop you!"

Max instructed Logan, "Don't stop. Keep moving!"

Sketch, in the ambulance, asks OC, "Uh-oh, what should I do??"

Gem tells him, "Keep driving."

OC placated Sketch, "Just follow Max. She's gotta know what she's doing."

Sketchy shrugged, "Okay!" and did as he was told

They approach Terminal City. Its gates are closed and locked.

Max instructs Logan, "Go straight through the gates."

The van breaks through the gates, followed by the ambulance and the police cars.

Max continues instructing Logan on where to drive, "You're gonna make a right, a left, then straight up the ramp."

They enter the parking garage, then they finally enter the other side of the garage and come to a stop.

"End of the line." Logan tells them with a sigh

The police all get out of their cars and draw their guns. Clemente speaks over the bullhorn.

"Throw your weapons out and let me see your hands."

Mole, in obvious disdain, asks Max "So what's your plan now??"

Joshua looked hopefully at Max, "Little fella?"

"Throw your weapons out now!" Clemente yelled

Max paused a moment and shrugged, "You heard the man."

The others groan and sigh in defeat, not knowing that Max has a plan up her sleeve

"Well, this sucks!" Mole groused

Alec and Max give each other a knowing look.... apparently Alec was involved in the final planning

"Throw your weapons out and put your hands where I can see them. Throw them out. Do it!!"

The van and ambulance doors open and the people inside throw their guns out. Then they slowly step out, their hands in the air, while Clemente keeps yelling.

"Step away from the vehicle, and keep those hands up. Do it! Put your hands up. Keep them up! Keep those hands up. Step out of the vehicle and keep those hands up. Get down on your knees and put your hands on your head."

Everybody complies except Max, who remains standing, hands up

"Get down on your knees now. Do it!"

Max puts her hands down and slowly steps forward. Clemente lowers the bullhorn.

"452?" he asks

She nods, "You can call me Max."

"I think you better get down on the ground."

Max pretended to think about it, "Actually, I think you should probably go!"

"I'm not gonna tell you again." Clemente threatened

Max stood, determined, "I'm not gonna tell YOU again."

He hears guns cocking in the background, and one by one, Terminal City's many other transgenics appear and take aim, led by Biggs. The police are vastly outnumbered. Logan, Alec, and the rest of the gang that were on their knees now stand up

Max gestures around her, "You can try to arrest us all, but you guys might want to call it a night and go have a beer."

Clemente turns to his team, "All right. All right, everybody, let's back it up. Let's back it up! Outside the fence! Back it up! Come on, let's move!"

Every police car except Clemente's leaves.

Clemente gave Max a grudging respectful look, "You kept today from turning into a bloodbath, and I respect that."

Max nodded in acknowledgement, "You held up your end, too."

Clemente is obviously a good guy trying to do the right thing and even seemed to have a soft spot for their plight, "But you haven't won anything. This is gonna get real ugly, and this is way over my head now. These people's lives depend on the decisions that you make right now. I pray you make the right ones...Max."

Clemente leaves.

Mole began giving orders, "Escape and evade. We divide up into teams, pick an azimuth, and go to ground."

Max shakes her head, saying, "No, we stay here!"

Mole was so tired of dealing with this stubborn X5 female, "In a couple of hours, that perimeter will be completely locked down. Tanks, National Guard, every cop within a hundred miles."

Dix sounded sad, but he was siding with Mole. He gently told Max, "We'll be digging our own grave, Max."

Luke agreed, "Mole's right. If we move now, they'll never be able to catch us all."

Max knew if she didn't start talking and explaining, she'll lose everyone, "Where are we gonna go? I can't stop anyone from leaving, but I'm THROUGH running and hiding and being afraid. I'm not gonna live my life like that anymore."

She looks over everyone and asks loudly so everyone can hear her, "Aren't you tired of living in darkness? Don't you want to feel the sun on your face? To have a place of your own where you can walk down the street without being afraid?"

She declared to the assembly in a Joan of Arc fashion, "Dammit!! They made us, and they trained us to be soldiers, to defend this country. It's time for them to face us and take responsibility, instead of trying to sweep us away like garbage. We were made in America people..... and we're NOT going anywhere. So what if they call us freaks; who cares?? Today I'm proud to be a freak!!"

She points in front of her, "And today we're gonna make a stand, right here, right now. Who's with me??"

Max raises her fist into the air. After a moment, Joshua does the same, followed by Logan and Alec. Alec winks at her and nods in support. One by one, the others join in until everyone but Mole has their fists raised

Mole looks around, sighs and finally grumbles, "What the hell!" He raises his fist also, making the voting complete

Original Cindy said quietly to Max, since she's directly in front of her, "Right on girlfriend!"

The next day, a TV reporter interviews Normal, who is sweeping the sidewalk in front of Jam Pony.

"Tell us about your captors. What are these creatures like? Is it true you delivered a transgenic baby?"

"Yes, I did indeed. And a beautiful, bouncing baby girl she is."

"So you're saying they're not all monsters, then?"

"Monsters?" Normal shakes his head, "No. No more than you and me." He turns away from the camera and yells at one of his messengers, "Hey! Let's go, there, Sparky. Not a country club. Bip bip bip! Move!"

Days later

A reporter speaks into the camera, "As dawn breaks on this, the third day of the siege at Terminal City, the situation is tense but unchanged. While several hundred transgenics remain barricaded inside the restricted area, police and National Guard stand an uneasy watch at the perimeter--each side seemingly waiting to see what the other will do next."

On a rooftop inside Terminal City, a group watches as Joshua and a few other transgenics raise the flag he painted. Alec stands behind Max, he notices she's getting cold in the early morning wind. He opens his jacket, folds her inside it against him and hugs her to him, watching the flag fly in the breeze

"Now look what you've done!" Alec murmured into her ear

Max looked up and behind her into Alec's eyes and they kiss as everyone watches the flag flaps in the wind

---------------------------
End of Season 2...... those that have seen the actual season 2 can probably tell the few areas I've changed. :) Will work on season 3 when I get a chance

[lauraforever]

Totally love it! This is awesome!!

[There Is No Spoon]

Great update Trina.

Like I have said before I really like your version of season 2. Great job.

Bring on season 3.

[phoenixnz]

Whoa, that was amazing Trina. Yay for Max.

[Dana0715]

It was a week into the stand-off, military still camped outside of Terminal City, and the transgenics inside preparing for a battle

Alec had found a way, using the sewer systems, to smuggle the weapons they would need into TC and now they're ready for whatever may happen

Max made sure everyone understood to not fight unless they have to. She wanted as few casualties as possible on BOTH sides

She was feeling the strain of leadership. Alec was great to lean on during all of this, and he had a talent with helping her relax enough at night to go to sleep

Usually through fairly vigorous sex!

They had their own pallet within the TC terminal, curtained off by old blankets and wire they found to use for privacy.

It was 5:00 am and Max was wide awake. She only sleeps a few hours due to the shark DNA within her. But she was nice and warm under her blanket, Alec's leg thrown over hers and his warm body against her back

She felt.... secure. Safe. There was something about Alec's presence and scent that made her feel so secure, that everything would eventually turn out OK for the TC residents

She felt Alec begin to stir awake behind her. He had the shark DNA in his system too, but not quite as much as her. He seems to sleep more soundly, but he still was raised a soldier and wakes at the crack of dawn out of habit. Although reluctantly

She felt Alec's cock become hard behind her, against her ass and he hugged her tighter to him, his lips trailing over her shoulder

Max smiled and murmured, "Good morning!"

His hand had trailed up from her stomach on a slow trail until he found a breast and squeezed. His lips were now nibbling an earlobe

"Mmmm... good morning." he whispered, rubbing his hard-on a little more insistently against her ass, giving a huge hint of what he wants

Max turned over to face him, then rolled Alec onto his back, straddling him

Alec's nostrils flared, and he became even more aroused

"I can tell.... your heat cycle is coming up. Probably within the next 24 hours."

She began to work him inside her, hearing the breath hiss out of his mouth, and she replied, "Bad time for it..... but at least you're here to help."

She leaned forward to bend down and kiss him once he was fully inside her. Against his mouth, she murmured, "I so badly need to f*ck you."

His hips raised up against her, "I'm all yours." he told her with a smirk

Max braced herself, her hands on Alec's shoulders and he placed his hands on her waist to help support her and guide her as she raised up and then slid back slowly.

Max closed her eyes in bliss and bit her lip. Alec's body was perfect for hers, the exact compliment. And after so many times of them being together, Alec probably knew her body better that even she did

Max was moaning and Alec raised his upper body and clapped a hand over her mouth

"There's other people listening.... try to keep it quiet." he whispered into her ear, his shoulders shaking with silent laughter

And he knew very well that just makes her hotter. Alec laughed quietly, then moaned when she swiveled her hips over his, her inner muscles squeezing his cock at the same time

"F*ck!" Alec bit her shoulder after the stage-whispered exclamation

"I am.." Max responded and did it again, knowing exactly what can make Alec beg too

His hands were back at her waist, but his mouth now trailed down to find a nipple. He teased it with his teeth, causing Max to whimper, then laved it with his tongue before sucking it into his mouth

"Make me cum Alec.."

His head raised up from what he was doing, releasing the nipple from his mouth. He watched her for a moment with her eyes closed, her body moving slowly against his, trying to draw out the sensations and torturing him too in the process

He raised a thumb to brush over her lips, giving the hint. She sucked it into her mouth, her tongue rolling over his thumb one of the most erotic sensations Alec ever experienced

Once she released his wet thumb, he placed it between their bodies, his lubricated thumb finding her clit and he began to stimulate her

She began to move a little faster on his cock, his thumb adding extra stimulation right where she needed it. She cupped his face in her hands and kissed him deeply, taking a little more time with that erotic act, allowing their tongues to gently tangle, sucking his bottom lip between hers, and he'd mimic the same action, then sealing their lips together again to start over

Max could feel it, she was about to cum. It was building up within her and she was whimpering again against Alec's mouth. Alec increased the pace of his thumb, Max increased her pace against his cock, until finally she felt her whole body explode in a kaleidescope of pleasure

Alec used his free hand to clasp the back of her head and use his mouth to muffle her sounds as best he could. All other transgenics with pallets within TC could probably hear them anyway, but no need to broadcast what they're doing any more than what they already are

Finally, Alec flipped Max over to where she was on her back and he was on top, never losing his connection within her and he began to push toward his own orgasm while she was still in the middle of hers. Her inner muscles were squuezing him mercilessly and with five full final thrusts, he slammed himself into her to spill his seed within his mate, finally collapsing on top of her in relief

They stayed like that for a few minutes as his cock became more flaccid and eventually withdrew out of her. She loved his weight on her as he laid his head on her shoulder, trying to catch his breath. She caressed the back of his head and neck with one hand, caressed his back with her other hand and hooked her legs over his to keep him in place for a little while longer

He finally raised his head, meeting her eyes

"I love waking up with you!" Alec cheeky grin showed exactly what he meant

"Right back at ya!" Max replied. He kissed her again, then rolled off of her

"We gotta get up!" Alec told her, not really in too much of a hurry to move

Max sighed and stared at the high metal ceiling, "I know. Alec.... who's going to lead during the three days I'm on my heat cycle?"

Alec thought it over and said, "The two of us would be busy..... why not Biggs? At least until you're ready."

"Well.... good idea except for one teeny tiny problem. What if you're missing during the next three days? You have that ammo to pick up and you know how dangerous it is right now with YOUR face also plastered on the news, thanks to White. You've made Biggs your 'second'.... as in the friend you trust to be there for my heat cycle if you're not? And THEN who should take over here in TC?"

"Maxie, I have no intention of being away from you in the next three days." He saw Max's worried look, the look that says she want's all of her bases covered and he sighed, "OK, fine! Let Mole take over TC. The only problem I have is that he wants to fight NOW...."

"Just tell him as long as you and I are here, he doesn't make a move unless it's cleared with us first."

Alec stood up now and began gathering his clothes and putting them on. Max laid on the pallet, watching him, staring at the crotch area that gave her so much pleasure a moment ago. Alec had put on his pants now and stopped just short of zipping them when he saw what she was staring at

"Maxie.... you know if you keep looking at me like that we'll never get outta here."

Max grinned lasciviously, "You are one insatiable man!"

He shrugged, zipped his pants and winked, "Someone's gotta keep up with you!"

---------------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

I totally love it ;)

[Dana0715]

Max had a feeling of trepidation throughout the day. She was beginning to think she was going crazy

During the Jam Pony siege, she knew when they were about to be attacked by the Familiars. She didn't know HOW she knew, she just did

And this is similar..... that something was going to happen to Alec, which is why she was pushing for more answers this morning from Alec than she normally would. She tried to get him to turn the recon of ammo over to someone else, but this was something Alec started and he intended to see it through himself, swearing this is an easy in, easy out job

He had left at 9:00 am that morning with 3 X6's, ranging in age from 14-17.... and they had been trained like he had. The only difference is that X6 transgenics are not as free thinking as the X5s, which made X5s perfect as officers over X6s. Alec needed soldiers that follow his orders to the letter without question, and they needed all the X5s they could spare to stay within TC, just in case

But by 9:00 pm that night, Max was about to go out of her mind with worry because Alec was expected back six hours ago!

And her heat cycle has started, causing some X5 males to get distracted from their chores when she'd walk by

To keep a riot among the X5 males from happening, she had Joshua lock her up in a room in a vacated apartment complex and post a couple of transhumans outside her door as guards. The transhumans wouldn't be affected by her heat cycle and were strong enough to keep X5 males away

She exercised herself relentlessly, chin ups, push ups, sit ups, crunches, jumping jacks, anything she could do to keep her mind off her hormones. She also began issuing orders periodically about needing to organize a search party to find Alec and the missing X6s and was told they were handling it, that she was in no condition to think straight right now

After another full day went by and no Alec, she admitted to herself that she couldn't think straight any longer and finally admitting defeat against the heat cycle, she opened her door and pointed at Mole authoritatively

"Go find Biggs! NOW!!" then she slammed the door closed

--------------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

love it!!!

[Dana0715]

Biggs was keeping busy with inventory, counting out what ammo they had now. Alec had put him in charge of the inventory this morning and there were some missing

Probably some of the other transgenics hoarding the weapons for themselves, just in case!

"Hey Biggs!!" Mole was crossing the concrete floor of the ammo storehouse, which was just a converted warehouse. Biggs raised his head from his clipboard, eyebrows raised in query

"Max is asking for you..... it's highly probable that Alec has been captured, she's in that female horny cycle the X5 b!tches have and now she's asking for you. Better get yourself over there before other X5 tomcats get the idea to do the same."

Biggs looked a little surprised. Alec had asked him to step in if Alec was nowhere around..... but who knew it would happen this soon?

"Has anyone sent out a search party?" Biggs asked as he passed his clipboard to the large lizard man

"We can't afford it until we get a more solid lead..... if we keep sending our guys out there to find Alec, the less people we have here to fight." Mole waved him away, "Go take care of business for your buddy."

Biggs jogged through TC until he got to the abandoned apartment building where Max was kept. Joshua was standing guard at her door this time

Biggs knocked and then opened the door to walk in. Joshua caught a glimpse of Max grabbing Biggs by the front of the shirt and pulling him inside, closing the door and bodies slamming against the door

But within ten minutes, Alec was stalking into TC, anger in his stance, his whole body smudged with dirt, jaw clenched, hands fisted at his sides, obviously bruised and battered from whatever he went through, but murder was in his eyes.

Dix asked nervously, "Ummm... Alec? Where have you been?"

"I've been set up, that's where I've been!! That rotten little.... BIGGS!!" Alec yelled through the terminal, Alec's voice echoing through the terminal as he called out, "Where the hell are you??? Haul that ass out here!!" He turned to the others and proclaimed, "That sonofab!tch SET ME UP!! Get him out here!!"

Luke looked really sheepish, "Um .... Alec?" he said hesitantly

"WHAT?!?!" Alec turned on the little bald headed mutant in fury

"Max is in heat and Biggs..... er, that is..."

Alec didn't rile easily, but betrayal definitely did the trick for him. And now knowing what else he's doing...... it was all beginning to make sense. "I'll KILL him! I'll tear him apart with my BARE HANDS. Where is he??" Everyone was a little afraid of him now and he yelled, "SOMEBODY tell me where he is NOW!!"

Dix pointed in the right direction and Alec took off on foot. When he made it to the apartment complex, Joshua's eyes were really big, surprised and thrilled to see him, but knowing what was going to happen by the look in Alec's eyes

"Alec? You're back?? That's wonderful!!"

"Wonderful huh? Well, not for long buddy. Get outta my way!!"

Alec realized the door was locked so he stepped back and kicked it down, knocking it off his hinges

The smell of Max's heat cycle was in the air, and to Alec, that exonerated her of any kind of guilt, knowing that she can't help herself. But Biggs..... different story. Especially after what he found out tonight

They had only gotten their clothes off and that was as far as Biggs and Max got before Alec grabbed Biggs by the throat and threw him out the door, then stalked after him again. He turned back to Max long enough to point at her and say, "I'll deal with you later."

The transgenics had gathered outside the complex to watch curiously. Alec dragged a naked Biggs out of the complex by his ear and threw him onto the asphalt outside, causing Biggs to have to roll, scraping different areas of his body

"You f*ckin' set me up!!" Alec yelled, following Biggs as he rolled. Alec kicked him in the side, causing Biggs to roll again. This time, Alec just stood there, hands on hips, watching him get up

Biggs was standing now, a little unsteady and looking confused, "What the HELL are you talking about??"

Alec smirked, taking note of Biggs's aroused state, "Blueballs will be the LEAST of your worries by the time I'm through with you! I barely got away AGAIN from White and his breeding cult freaks. The X6s weren't so lucky. I did some asking around, and I also poked through White's office. All of which is what took me so damned long to get here. There was no additional ammo like you told me..... and the more I questioned, the more YOUR name just kept coming up FRIEND!! You were offering me up to save your own skin, weren't you?? You made a deal with WHITE!!"

Biggs, completely unabashed about being naked in front of everyone, just had his hands out in front of him in defense

"Whoa!! What do you take me for?? I'd never..."

Alec didn't give him a chance to finish. He clocked him on the jaw, sending him to the ground again

"Joshua!!" Alec called for his friend, "Get the man his clothes....." Alec popped his knuckles and said, "I want this to be a fair fight! At least give him a chance to defend himself before I kill him!!"

Luke leaned over to Dix, snickering, "Like it's fair now that Alec has beat the snot out of him?"

Dix wisely said, "Alec's bringing Biggs to his level..... Alec's obviously had to do some fighting before he got here, and looks pretty beaten up too. Now they're both going to fight injured."

Biggs stood again and cradling his bruised jaw, he shook his head in disbelief, "Alec! Get yourself together man!! I don't know where you got your information but...."

Alec pulled out a handheld tape recorder from his jacket pocket and started to play it for anyone close enough to the two of them to hear

It was obviously Biggs's voice on the recorder, and White's

Alec paused it for a moment before it got to the good part, "It's amazing what one finds when poking around in the office of the bad guys. white records all of his transactions and here's YOURS Biggs, with YOUR bar code number on the friggin' tape, receiving protection from White if you offer ME up! You wanna explain WHY you've turned into a traitor all of a sudden?? We don't have room for traitors in Terminal City!"

Joshua had brought out Biggs's clothes and Max kept herself locked in the apartment, watching from a window in rapt attention

Damn!! Biggs looked good without his clothes! Even beat up and bruised, he was one fine piece of meat!

She knew that was the heat talking and was almost disappointed that he was getting dressed..... ooooh but Alec!

Alec's back was to her so she got a fine view of his ass in his jeans. Even dirty and disheveled, he was gorgeous!

He's here! She sighed dreamily. And he'll take care of this heat problem.... soon! But somehow the whole tomcat fight that was going on was extremely arousing to Max and she couldn't tear herself away from the window

Alec was stalking around Biggs in a circle, fists clenched, "Let me see if I have this right..... you timed this perfectly just to be with Max haven't you?"

"No! Dude! YOU'RE the one who came up with THAT idea, NOT me! YOU asked ME to 'stand in' when you're not here for the heat cycle."

"I'll never do that again! Especially knowing what I know now. You wanted her for yourself."

"Hey, look! Max is a hot chick! But she's not Lola, OK? This is not one of those 'share a chick' deals."

"So what is it? If it's not Max, then it sounds to me like you're saving your own skin."

By now, Biggs had his clothes on and he was facing off with Alec, knowing there's nothing more really to say....he's been caught now. "Manticore taught us to do what we must to survive. Survival instinct Alec. It was your ass or mine! I chose mine!"

Mole was in the crowd, shaking his head. Then he yelled, "Take him down Alec! We don't need his kind here!"

Biggs and Alec were circling each other, Biggs wiped a little blood off his lip from the last punch Alec delivered

He taunted Alec, "She's too good for you anyway and you know it 494. You should have heard her calling MY name this time."

Alec jumped then, kicking Biggs in the chest with a karate kick, knocking him to the ground and knocking the breath out of him

But Biggs didn't stay down long. He jumped back up and was circling Alec warily again, catching his breath

"I always hated you man! You just keep receiving everything I ever wanted..... including the hot chicks."

"Dude! From what I remember, you got your share too. Can't blame me for not getting laid."

This time Biggs tripped Alec by sticking out a foot and pulling Alec's leg out from under him. Alec fell on his back. Then Biggs jumped on Alec while he was down and the two of them fought, punched, rolled..... the sound of fists and grunts loud in the air as the transgenics of TC stepped back, giving them room to fight and watching with interest

Biggs was on top of Alec and Alec rolled, causing Biggs to lie on his back and Alec on top of him. Alec pulled out his Glock from the back of his jeans, pointed at point blank range and fired, the bullet catching right between Biggs's eyes. Then Alec stood, no emotion whatsoever as he tucked the gun back into his waistband

Mole jeered from the crowd, "What happened to fair fight?"

"He confessed.... couldn't take the chance. Get him out of here!" he ordered as he stalked back into the apartment complex

And to Max

------------------------------
TBC

[lauraforever]

Awesome!!!

[There Is No Spoon]

Wow!! Biggs survived season 2, but not survive season 3. That was just awesome Trina.

Looking forward to reading more, post soon.

[phoenixnz]

Whoa, holy moley, Biggs turned traitor??? I don't know what was worse, Biggs turning Alec in or Alec shooting him. Yikes! Good job Trina

[Dana0715]

Two weeks later

White kept the hatred toward the transgenics at a feverish pace, the stand-off was still happening. Max had talked to Clemente a couple of times, trying to find a peaceful solution, but it seemed with the racist hatred of the populace wanting transgenic blood, there wasn't going to be a peaceful truce any time soon

Everybody within TC were getting anxious and short-tempered. Being confined behind the fence, not being able to get out, Max was feeling the strain of leadership and Alec could tell it was getting to her, especially when seeing the circles under her eyes


Alec was feeling it too. He was designated as second-in-command in TC and he did as much as he could to lift some of the burden from Max's shoulders

They really needed a break before they went stir-crazy!

Alec had left on another scouting mission earlier that morning, and brought back some more weapons. It was some pretty major firepower he and another set of X6's had retrieved

But he knew it still wouldn't be enough. Each transgenic can probably fight 5-10 people, but like Max, he wanted as little bloodshed as possible on both sides

After showering in the public shower facilities the TC residents set up, Alec dressed then went in search of Max. They need a break and he had a plan

He found her with Dix and Mole..... and a third person was sitting in front of the computers. Max was pointing at something on the screen and placed her hand on the person's shoulder and when he turned, showing his profile and was speaking to Max, Alec's eyes narrowed

Logan Cale

Granted, Logan has helped them out a great deal and travels from Joshua's old house to TC using the sewer system. He's been a huge help in getting their computer systems up and running

But every once in a while, Alec wonders if Logan still has feelings for Max. He's certain Max has no romantic notions toward Logan, but he still doesn't completely trust Cale when it comes to Max

As he walked up the metal steps to get to Max, Alec had to remind himself that he has to trust Max. These jealous thoughts of his really needs to stop. Max would fillet him alive for not trusting her if she had an inkling of his doubts

"Hey Max" Alec said in greeting as he cleared the last step and walked behind Dix and Luke to get to Max and Logan

Max's tired, but welcoming smile toward Alec helped alleviate some doubts. She answered, "Hey sweetie!" and kissed him hello. Alec did note that Logan turned away from the exchange, staring at the monitor, a slight tic in his jaw evident

Holding Max to him by keeping his hands at her waist, and she in turn had her arms around his neck, he slowly released the kiss and grinned, he nuzzled her nose with his.... purposely rubbing it in a little for Cale

"Do you think TC can do without you for a few hours?" Alec asked

Her eyes looked so tired, but a spark of hope appeared in their brown depths. Then it died as she said with a deflated sigh, "I don't think so.... if White or the military gets wind I'm not here..."

"You can put Logan in charge of surveillance and Mole in charge of military until we get back. You're tired, we need a break from all this stress. And plus...." he patted her pager that was in the waistband of her cammies, "you can be paged if something goes south. Right Cale?" Alec asked, giving Logan a look that practically dared him to argue

Logan turned back to them, a mask of indifference on his face, "Sure! I got this! Dix and Luke are great. I've even learned a few things from them that I didn't know!"

"Well...." Max was clearly torn

"Maxie..... everyone needs a break periodically and neither of us get a moment's break unless it's lights out, and even THEN something seems to happen sometimes. I know you have shark DNA but even sharks get tired eventually!" He kissed her lightly and asked against her mouth, "Please? Just a few hours away, that's all."

She leaned into Alec, laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, smelling whatever soap he used for his shower and breathed deep of the scent

"I want to.... so badly, you have no idea."

"Then it's settled! I'll give Mole the news that he's in charge and to ONLY attack if we're being attacked. I'll gather a few things and meet you at the sewer tunnel entrance on the south side."

He kissed the top of her head and was about to leave when she grabbed his belt loops at the side of his matching cammies and pulled him toward her, a smile of pure love spreading on her face. "What is going on in that head of yours Alec? What do you have in mind?"

Alec disengaged her fingers from his belt loops and kissed each hand, "It's a surprise. We can't go far, but I think I know somewhere that we can go and won't be disturbed."

Alec kissed her quickly on the mouth and turned away to leave, calling over his shoulder, "Be ready at 1500 hours."

-------------------------------
Alec conversed with Mole, then left for what they called the "mess hall", gathering only the items that were rationed for him and Max and placed them in his backpack. He had to go back to the apartment he and Max have now set up for themselves and get a sleeping bag, roll it up and secure it. He carried the sleeping bag under his arm, the backpack on his back and made sure he was wearing his black leather jacket and hiking boots

Once he met up with Max, she grabbed her own jacket. She was dressed similar to Alec. They both were wearing the standard issue clothing from their days at Manticore. Gray t-shirt, gray/white/black camouflage pants, black belt, black hiking boots and now black coats

Alec remembered the first day he saw Max in her cell after her recapture at Manticore, dressed the same way, all attitude and sparks. She even kicked him in the stomach after he announced they were breeding partners

He smiled to himself in nostalgia. Oh the memories!

"Ready?" Alec asked her

"Yeah.... let me help you with that." Max reached out for the sleeping bag and took it from him, raising an eyebrow at Alec in query

"We're going camping?" she asked

"Something like that." Alec grinned, knowing this was going to drive Max crazy, trying to figure out where they are going and what they'll be doing!

They descended into the sewers, Alec took her hand, leading the way. Max followed Alec wherever he led, she would follow

-------------------------------
TBC

[Dana0715]

After walking through a wooded area, they topped a familiar hill overlooking the ruins of the Manticore facility that blew up about a year ago

"This is your idea of romantic?" Max asked uncertainly

He led her down the hill, "Hey! No one will bother us here! I've checked it out a few days ago. Did you know your old barracks is still intact? It's like ol' Renfro was making sure you'd make it out."

Max remembered how after all the psychological abuse she endured with Renfro, that Renfro made a surprising move and took a bullet for her. That was the first clue that she, Max, was special amongst the X5's

"Strange how that white-haired b!tch actually tried to protect me in her own way, but yet, keep me under her thumb."

They made it to the east side of the building and were walking around it to the south side, where Max's barracks were at one time

"That's Manticore for you. We were precious high dollar commodities, but the US government wanted to keep our existence hidden. Hence.... the problems we're facing now."

They walked hand in hand around the debris and for once, the sun was out in Seattle. Alec remarked, "Do you realize that today is the one year anniversary of the day we met in your barracks?"

"Really? No, I didn't know! If you recall, I wasn't allowed to have any kind of time keeping items around and that included calendars."

"I had a calendar in my barracks, that's the only reason I knew. I just always wondered.... if we knew that what we know now, would that day have played out differently? So I guess.... I'm kinda rewriting history."

Max grinned, "Oh I see! If we would have acted on our attraction that day instead of waiting until after we escaped Manticore and I was in the middle of a heat cycle."

"Yeah, I thought you were hot! When Renfro sent me to you as your breeding partner, I was almost dancing a jig. I was secretly elated."

"You're kidding! Right?" Max stopped Alec to look into his eyes. He was dead serious.

"Nope! I saw you from a distance, the whispers and things that were said about the rogue X5.... and stepping into your barracks that day, I thought you were broken and would do as told, and instead I got kicked in the stomach."

Alec was smiling now in nostalgia and sighed, "Ah! The memories!"

"Well, at first I was shocked that you looked so much like Ben, that at first I thought you WERE Ben, but then I realized you were his twin and a completely different person. I was trying to get out of Manticore..... and you being dangled in front of me was pretty tempting."

"Really?" Alec asked, practically preening

"Hey! You're hot too...... but don't let that give you a swelled head buster, or else I'll have to deflate it for you!"

They crawled over some rocks and made it to her old barracks. Sure enough, everything but the roof was still intact, even her old cot was still there, but covered with dirt and gravel

Alec flipped the mattress to clear off the debris first, then placed it back on the cot, taking the sleeping bag from Max and unrolling it onto the cot. He patted it, "Have a seat."

"You know we're wearing exactly what we wore that day!" Max commented

He looked down at his clothes, then hers, then grinned, "Perfect isn't it? Except...." he pulled off his coat and had her pull off hers. It was about 65 degrees so it was comfortable enough for them.

"NOW it's exactly what we wore that day!" Alec grinned in rememberance. He was standing at the "doorway", and Max thought she should do this now, while they're both exactly where they were on the day they met

In this roleplay, Max sat on the bunk they just cleared out and the sleeping bag was spread over it. She turned away from him for a moment, remembering their first conversation and once she had that mental image in her mind, she turned back to Alec with a shocked look on her face, "Ben?"

Alec remembered this conversation only too well, and he decided to begin as they did back then. With his perfect procedural and eidetic memory, it was like a tape recorder playing back the conversation

"What?" Alec asked, pretending to be completely puzzled, playing along

Max's shoulders slumped and she looked at the floor sadly, "You look like someone I used to know." she muttered

Alec, just like he did then, placed his hands behind his back and walked a couple of steps into the cell, looking around, "Well, my designation's 494."

Max raised her head, "His was 493. You must be twinned."

Alec nodded, "493 you say...Your fellow traitor. Went psycho."

Max's eyes narrowed as she stood, "What do you know about it?"

Alec turned to face her, slightly bitter, "I know that because of him I had to spend six months in psy-ops. They wanted to make sure it wasn't genetic. Looks like ten years in the world finally got to him."

"It was THIS place that got to him!" Max said as she stood toe to toe with Alec, feigning anger

Alec shrugged, "Whatever. Well, let's get this over with, huh?" He removes his shirt like he did then, tossing it aside

Max's hands were on her hips, "What are you doing?"

Alec smiled his roguish grin, "We've been paired off. I'm your breeding partner."

"My what?!?" she asked with slight outrage

"We're supposed to copulate every night until you get pregnant. We have our orders."

Max tried to keep from laughing. "Copulate" was SUCH a Manticore term, she thought with a mental eye roll!

This was where Max deviated from the script. She raises an eyebrow and folds her arms, looking Alec up and down, checking out his chiseled chest and biting her lip, "My breeding partner huh? How archaic!", pretending to hide the fact that she actually LIKES this pairing, for once Manticore was doing something right!

Alec, pretending that he couldn't read her, just shrugged, "It's your own fault, sweet cheeks. If you and your friends hadn't blown up the DNA database, they'd still be whipping up embryos and putting them into surrogates. Now let's get this over with. Take off your clothes."

When she hesitated, he started unbuckling his belt and toeing off his boots, "C'mon 452, the quicker we get this done, the quicker I'm out of your cell."

"Welllll.... What if I don't want 'quick'." That stopped him with raised eyebrows shooting up in surprise. She looked down to an area behind his zipper, "And I'd also like to see the goods first before I buy, if you get my drift."

Alec stood close to her, pretending to intimidate her, "You're not meat shopping soldier, it's not like you can choose who to be with. And for the record... this isn't isn't exactly a plum assignment for me either, honey." He tilts her chin up by crooking his finger under it, "You spent half your life out there in filth and degradation." Alec released her chin and steps back from her a little, "I could catch something!" he tells her, purposely goading her

Max was now taking off her own shirt, tossing it aside and approaching Alec, who whistled at the view of her naked top half. He stood his ground though, wondering what she would do next. Max smiled flirtatiously, "Oh you don't have to worry about me 494.", she whispered huskily. "You know as well as I do that I went through a complete physical and have to continue going through one every month. I'm clean, and I assume you are too."

"Of course! Manticore would have no less!"

"Good! Now that we understand each other.... one last thing. Regardless of what Manticore says...." she stood on tiptoe and whispered, "I don't want to be pregnant. Got anything to help with that?"

Alec smirked, reached into his back pocket and presented about four condoms. "Good enough for ya sweetheart?"

She immediately grabbed the back of his head and kissed him, wondering in the back of her mind what would have really happened if she did this. She hated Alec back then because of her attraction to the smart alec roguish X5...... he may look like Ben, but he was nothing like Ben.

Alec lifted his head, grinning knowingly and licking his lips, "You know.... the kissing part can be skipped. They just want us to f*ck."

Against his mouth, she breathed, "Well soldier, if you wanna f*ck me, I like the kissing. So kiss me! Show me what you got! Or are you such a horrible kisser that you're afraid I'll spread it all over Manticore that you can't...."

At that, he kissed her back, hard and passionately and pulled her body flush against his. She stroked her hands over his smooth chiseled chest, then around to this back. He slid his hands down from her waist to her ass and pulled her against him, making sure she feels what she does to him

Alec nibbled a path toward her earlobe, teasing it with his teeth, "So you like to be kissed.... only on the mouth or different areas?"

"That's a 'Duh!' kind of question! Wherever you want." she said breathlessly as he nibbled a path down her neck

-------------------------
TBC (sorry again about having to stop there, work issues!!)

[trucherrygirl]

Okay, since I don't watch the show I have 2 questions:

1. What's Manticore?
2. What does TC stand for?

This is great so far, Trina! I love the set-up you have between Max and Alec. Though I hope she does get pregnant and have a really cute baby girl! Hehe, I'm such a sap! Looking forward to your next update!! :)

[Dana0715]

I tell ya, Dark Angel and Tru Calling should PAY me for promoting their DVDs! Ha!!

Max Guavera and Alec McDowell were both made in a lab called Manticore. They are beautiful looking people, who happens to have animal DNA within them. They have enhanced strength and sometimes they "blur", meaning moving almost faster than the human eye can detect

TC - Terminal City, a fictional neighborhood within Seattle, WA where the transgenics now live.

Seriously, go rent or buy the DVDs. I think you'll like them. The first season was mostly about Max and Logan's growing relationship (as far as the romance stuff goes) and the second season introduces Alec, but nothing ever actually happens between them. I "rewrote" the second season for my own pleasure here. :)

[trucherrygirl]

Ah, OK! I understand it better now. Dark Angel always seemed like a good series. I'll have to look into getting the series when I can! From what I can tell, there are only 2 seasons, right? And aren't there a series of DA novels (like Buffy has)? I could have sworn I've seen them before!

Also, with Max and Alec... aren't they kinda like Tru & Jack? At least that's what I've heard, but I could be wrong!

Haha, I think TV show writers should take some fanfic writers seriously, though I know they can't for legal reasons. It's really a shame, though. Tru Calling is mainly what inspired me to want to be a TV writer and a romance novelist, especially with all of the Tru/Jack stuff. I've been saying for years I want to write what I call The Ultimate Tru Calling Novel and get it published... for real! *sighs*

Since you're into crossovers, you should write a Tru Calling/Dark Angel crossover at some point! Even if it's R or NC-17, I'll still read it. I think it would be a really interesting read! And your pairings should be Tru/Jack and Max/Alec, of course! :)

[phoenixnz]

Hee hee, loved the role-playing. Alec is such a smart aleck, hee hee. (Hence the name) :D

[Dana0715]

Ah, OK! I understand it better now. Dark Angel always seemed like a good series. I'll have to look into getting the series when I can! From what I can tell, there are only 2 seasons, right? And aren't there a series of DA novels (like Buffy has)? I could have sworn I've seen them before!

Also, with Max and Alec... aren't they kinda like Tru & Jack? At least that's what I've heard, but I could be wrong!

Haha, I think TV show writers should take some fanfic writers seriously, though I know they can't for legal reasons. It's really a shame, though. Tru Calling is mainly what inspired me to want to be a TV writer and a romance novelist, especially with all of the Tru/Jack stuff. I've been saying for years I want to write what I call The Ultimate Tru Calling Novel and get it published... for real! *sighs*

Since you're into crossovers, you should write a Tru Calling/Dark Angel crossover at some point! Even if it's R or NC-17, I'll still read it. I think it would be a really interesting read! And your pairings should be Tru/Jack and Max/Alec, of course! :)

Yes, there are some DA novels (Sherman - aka There Is No Spoon, can tell you more about that. He has them, I never read them. I wanna keep my ideas fresh for the time being). And yes, there were two full seasons of Dark Angel, unlike Tru Calling where it ended in the middle of Season 2.

I don't really know if I can compare Max/Alec to Tru/Jack. Tru and Jack are polar opposites in Tru Calling. Max and Alec were created by Manticore to be supersoldiers, so they had that common bond. Max escaped Manticore in pre-adolescence with 11 others and then was recaptured by Manticore. It was after the recapture she met Alec, who was a twin of one of her "brothers" that escaped with her

Also, I wouldn't necessarily say I'm "into" crossovers. :) When I started my crossover, I didn't know about this section of K-site where you could post any fanfics from any show or else I would have been spending a lot of time here instead. So, since I was always in the Smallville section of Creative Endeavors, I had to come up with a way to blend Smallville and Dark Angel if I wanted to write about Dark Angel, and that's how I got my Smallville/Dark Angel crossover started, which I'm assuming you're referring to.

What I am into, I guess, are writing about sexy actors. :) Jensen Ackles tops the list now for me, and he played Alec in Dark Angel, and of course now plays Dean in Supernatural. Also, there's Tom Welling, who I was totally fascinated with for a while (huge crush, don't tell my husband, ha!) and I wrote a lot of Smallville fics using all kinds of ideas about Clark Kent or Kal. And there's David Boreanaz (sp?) who played Angel. I like to have a connection between my characters, even if it's feelings they keep from the other. Like I said, I consider myself a romance writer, but I guess you also see my sexual fantasies come out too. Ha!

I'm glad you're reading my stories, and I like yours too. I've received your links in my PM of your stories and I'll check into them as soon as I can.

[There Is No Spoon]

Finally caught up. Fantastic updates Trina.

Really liking your version of the continuation of Dark Angel. Definitely different than books.

Looking forward to reading more.

[Dana0715]

Alec had backed Max toward the cot. When her knees bumped the cot, she sat down, which placed Alec's zipper at eye level with Max

Alec smirked, watching her stare at his crotch, reminding her, "Didn't you say something about checking the goods first?"

His belt was already unbuckled, and the button at the top of the pants were already unfastened. All that was left was the zipper. Taking the tab between her thumb and pointer finger, she purposely let the backs of the rest of her fingers caress down his length as she lowered his zipper slowly

She lowered his pants, and once they were at his ankles, he kicked them out of the way, leaving him in the black boxer briefs.

Max leaned forward slowly and nuzzled the area just under Alec's belly button, but above the waistband of his boxers. He had to grab her head for balance because the move took him by surprise

Max loved the smell of this area of his body, clean male body, slightly musky scent of his arousal, she nuzzled her mouth and nose just above the waistband of his boxers, lightly kissing and licking the entire area, causing his stomach muscles to contract


"452...." Alec's breath hitched on saying her designation because her cheek was rubbing up and down lovingly against his hard cock....... he was trying his best to stay in the role they started in, but she was doing things that short-circuited his mind

"My name is Max." she tells him huskily. She began lowering the waistband of his boxers, just enough to see the weeping tip of his cock. Her tongue licked the moisture off the tip, knowing after so many times they've been together now how that drives him crazy

She looked up at him, giving him little kittenish licks, and said, "You need a name too."

Alec groaned and closed his eyes as Max bathed the head of his cock with her tongue, "I told you.... my designation is 494."

She lowered his boxers a little more, where she could lick halfway down his cock and back up again. His fingers tightened in her hair

"I think..... I'll call you Alec." She sucked the tip and a harsh expletive spewed from his mouth, making her grin, "Alec fits you..... short for 'smart-alec'."

Trying to take a deep breath, he replied huskily, "Works for me!"

"Good!" she lowered his boxers completely and grabbed the base of his cock in her fist, "Because my second choice would have been Dick!"

She lowered her head and sucked his entire member into her mouth. Damn!!! She was the first X5 he ever met that LIKED giving head. The Manticore X5 females he had been paired with before just wanted to get the experience over with. Max liked driving him to the brink of madness

Like right now

"Ok..... MAX." Pretending to test her name for the first time, "You're gotta stop before I explode."

Giving the head one final loving lick, she sat back, smiling with satisfaction

He knelt in front of her and kissed her fully on the lips. He loved those pouty lips. He even loved the taste of himself on her tongue

Without asking, Alec helped Max out of her boots, then he unfastened her cammies and unzipped them, removing pants and panties in one move, tossing them aside and spreading her legs open

Smiling in male satisfaction, he saw she was dripping wet for him

He had to have a taste too. It was only fair after what she did to him earlier!

He kissed, licked and nipped his way up from her knee, over her thigh slowly, taking his time. He knew he was making her anticipate the moment that his tongue will touch her heated core

He decided to draw the moment out a little bit

Once he made it to her hip, he breathed hot air over her p*ssy, making her squirm, then he moved to her other leg

"You f*cking tease!" Max breathed out

"Yeah, well, payback's a b!tch isn't it?" Alec replied, working his way back up her leg with his mouth. Max spread her legs wider, leaning her shoulders back against the cement block wall and using her hands in his hair to guide him where she wanted him

He wasn't listening

He kissed the pubic bone, kissed and licked all around the crease where the leg meets the hip, but no matter what hints she gave, he still didn't give attention where she wanted it most

"You just met me, so let me lay down a few rules. First, I never take what isn't offered freely. Regardless of Manticore rules. They would want me to take you by force if I have to.... but I find that completely distasteful and will never do that."

"Fine! Stop talking and do it already!"

Alec grinned, shaking his head, his hovered above her p*ssy, "Doesn't work that way MAX. I like hearing a female beg me to take them. I accept nothing less."

"And if I don't?" Max asked

One single, solitary finger slipped within her depths, circling her entrance, stroking within and finding the G-spot.

"I'll just torture you until you do. You might find you actually LIKE torture. All you have to do...." he stroked against her g-spot.... it felt so good. She was so turned on, he hadn't touched her clit yet.... and he obviously had done this enough times to Manticore females that they became putty in his hands

"All you have to do is submit to me.... beg me to take you and I swear, you'll never know pleasure like the kind I can give you."

"Lick me, dammit!"

"I think we need to be a LITTLE more specific, Maxie." Alec taunted, "You don't mind if I call you Maxie, right?" he tapped her g-spot again, then asked, "Lick you.... where?"

"Where do you think, dumbass!" Max snarked like she probably would have done that first day, "I don't think you're quite that stupid!"

"Gotta say the magic word Maxie....." he circled his finger, just one finger, tantalizingly within her, once in a while making a stroke of the g-spot, but trying not to do it too often. He didn't want her cumming yet

He blew a hot breath of air over her clit, but still wouldn't touch it. He taunted, "C'mon 452..... beg me. You can do it!"

He began kissing her thighs again and by now Max was about ready to weep. She needed so much and he kept holding back on her

"Fine! Fine! Please!" she said hotly, getting frustrated

"Please.... what?"

"Dammit all to hell 494!! Lick my p*ssy and make me cum..... PLEASE!"

He gave her clit one tiny lick as a reward and then grinned, "Now was that so hard MAX?"

Then his mouth opened wide and sucked the entire upper portion of her p*ssy into his mouth, sucking in the clit and using his tongue to flick back and forth over it

Within seconds she came hard and fast, crying out loud and calling Alec's name

Once she settled down, Alec had to loosen her grip on his hair and he raised up to where he was staring at her in a possessive way

"I'm going to f*ck you now" Alec told her crudely. He placed a condom on himself hurriedly and positioned her to where he could stand on his knees, and her legs stayed open. He pulled her hips closer to the edge of the bed and poised for entry

He didn't take her just yet.... he bent down and kissed between her breasts. then sucked and bit each nipple slowly and tantalizingly, then worked his way up to her neck, nuzzling and nipping there until he lightly bit her ear. He knew saying dirty things into her ear, the things he intended to do to her, made her hottest

"I am going to f*ck you so hard and so good, you won't be able to sit down without remembering how good it felt for me to be there."

He entered her swiftly in one stroke and then waited until her body became accustomed to him

The combination of her moisture and the lubricated condom made the entry that easy. Max kissed him again, thrusting her tongue into his mouth, and his tongue dueled with hers as he withdrew and impaled her hard and deep again, making her whimper in pleasure

Due to Max's prodding, he increased the pace to a hard, fast tempo. Max grabbed his ass and spread her legs wide, her head back and neck exposed

Alec growled low in his throat and watched Max as her pleasure increaased, fighting to keep control of hus own urge... wanting to make sure she cums first before he lets go

Watching Max in the throes of orgasm was the sexiest thing Alec believed he had ever seen. When she cried out again, louder this time, and he felt her inner muscles contract around his cock, he slammed into her a half a dozen more times before he finally let go and collapsed above her

Max cradled Alec's head against her shoulder. He could hear her heart beating in rhythm with his and they each tried to catch their breaths

Max smirked, "I think the guards are watching us!" she whispers to him

His head came up and grinned, then he looked over his shoulder where the door would have been, "Ah! Let 'em watch! They might learn something!"

Max giggled as Alec began trailing kisses back down to her nipples and getting Max stirred back up again

"Alec? What do you think you're doing?" Max asked him fondly

"I just remembered something." Alec told her as he kissed his way back up to her neck, back to the hot spot below her ear and using his finger to test the sensitivity of her clit

"What's that?" Max moaned out

He trailed his lips to her mouth, kissing her lips once, then twice

"Remember when we reported to Renfro the next day?" His pupils dilated again in arousal and he was already getting hard for her again. He tossed the used condom aside and quickly put on another, "If you remember.... I had told her...... we did it TWICE!"

And he proceeded to do it all over again!

--------------------------------------
TBC

[There Is No Spoon]

Wow!!!! What an update Trina.

Definitely looking forward to reading more.

[phoenixnz]

Twice huh? Evil, Trina, for leaving it there.

[There Is No Spoon]

Trina, will you be updating this story? Hope so.

[Dana0715]

Another update!

----------------------------
When Alec and Max arrived back safely to TC, Max was called away to settle a dispute between a couple of transhumans. Logan took the opportunity to pull Alec aside

Alec saw Logan approach, his features determined. He knew something was definitely up

Logan asked Alec quietly, "Can you meet me in the conference room in about 10 minutes?"

"Sure..." Alec let that word drag out a little, "Is something wrong?"

"It's something Max doesn't need to know about. At least the specifics. It's a mission I need you for. I'll discuss the rest later when we meet."

Logan walked away and Alec shrugged off Logan's brusque manner. Alec had to remind himself that he had nothing to worry about regarding Max's feelings toward her former boyfriend. She had just proved her feelings on their outing today

When they met later, Logan locked them in the makeshift conference room, causing Alec to raise an eyebrow

Why is Logan being so secretive?

Logan motions for Alec to take a seat, then Logan himself sits across from Alec with a manila folder in front of him

He began, "I have my reasons on why Max should know nothing about this, which will be explained. I think you would be the best man for this acquistion mission. But so we're clear...." Logan looks Alec right in the eyes, "Whether you take this job or not, you are NOT to tell Max anything. Is that understood?"

Alec prides himself on reading people well.... and all he saw in Logan's eyes was a concern for Max. Usually he demands to know specifics before making promises, but he took a gamble when he saw and felt Logan's true concern for Max's safety

"You got it." Alec affirmed

Logan slid the folder across the table to Alec. Alec was slouched casually in his chair, but when he opened the folder, he sat up, ramrod straight.

The first photo was of a barcode on the back of an X5. All X5's can read a barcode without seeing the numbers and Alec swallowed

"Ben." Alec stated flatly, then lifted his eyes to Logan, "You found Ben? Max thinks he's dead."

"From the intel I've gathered, they have done him like they did with Zack, harvested his organs, replaced them with cybernetic implants..."

"But Max broke his neck Logan."

"And you've never seen Manticore produce a Lazarus effect in another X5?" Logan asked sarcastically, "Manticore's technology seems to be far more advanced than most." Logan reaches out and flips through a few pages, finding the doctor's report, presenting it to Alec, "According to this, they put Ben's body into a full body traction device after resetting his neck and spine, allowing the stem cells and nanocytes in his system to fix and repair the damage AFTER taking out a kidney, a heart and his liver, then replacing them with implants. Then when he was revived and still in his weakened condition, he was put through reindoctrination. The doctor believes his psychoses is cured."

"But you don't believe that." Alec stated instead of asking

"Damn straight!" Logan responded, "You don't just get over being a serial killer. I don't care how advanced Manticore is, they're not stupid. They would have kept him on a short leash."

"But instead Max torches the Manticore facility, allowing Ben to escape...." Alec trailed off while he checked Logan's notes, "He went to Gillette, Wyoming? That's where the original Manticore facility was located. They closed down after the Pulse and moved outside Seattle."

"You'll see the pictures I've gathered from a satellite that was orbitting the area.... apparently he's living in the surrounding woods as a hermit."

"And you think he might snap." Again Alec stated it, and didn't ask it

Logan nodded

"And you want to keep Max out of this..." Alec trailed off, letting Logan finish the thought

"Because Max was first obsessed in finding him, then trying to find the brother she remembered from her days at Manticore, then she had to fight him and kill him. Afterward, she went into a very deep depression that took months for her to get over. I don't want to see that happen again."

Alec knew Logan was right. And that he did the right thing in coming to him. This IS his twin after all, HIS actual brother

And unlike Max, he won't hesitate to take Ben out if he poses a threat to anyone, especially to Max.

Alec stacked everything neatly and put it back in the folder, passing it to Logan, "I have a photographic memory, you can keep this. I guess I'm heading to Gillette. Home sweet home for the first ten years of my life!"

Logan pulls an envelope out of his jacket pocket, smiling, "I knew you'd come through. Here's a bus ticket and money to get you by for a couple of weeks. And Alec...."

Alec smirked, waving Logan's next words aside, "I know, I know. Be careful."

-------------------------------
TBC

[phoenixnz]

Yikes - don't like the idea of Ben being on the loose. I remember what happened in season one.

[Dana0715]

Alec decided to use his motorcycle instead of a bus to get to Gillette, Wyoming. He hated buses and would rather have some sort of control over this mission Logan sent his way, which would be his own transportation

He knew cell phone reception in the mountains would be sporadic at best, if not completely non-existent. So if something does happen to him in this stand-off with his twin, Logan was the only one who knew where he was going and approximately where to find him.

He had to do a lot of figurative dancing with Max. He promised Logan he wouldn't tell about Ben, nor the parameters of this mission, so he had to lie. He hated lying to Max. And he was pretty sure that she knew he was lying. Judging by the fact that she kept herself busy all night with TC matters and never came home to his bed last night.... she probably felt betrayed. And he could understand why

He had every intention of making it up to her when he got home, but right now he has to get his mind in the game.

Find his twin! That's the main objective. Then judge his mental state, decide if he should bring Ben back to TC....

Or kill him before he kills others

---------------------------------
X5-493, aka "Ben" was squatting by a campfire, roasting some venison meat on a spit for his supper. It's been over a year since the attack on Manticore, a year and a half since Lydecker hauled his ass back to Manticore and had him revived.

Ben's blondish hair was now past his shoulders, covering his bar code, he also grew a beard and mustache that was very bushy now. He hadn't shaved since he escaped Manticore, and he has not received a hair cut since then either. He did take daily baths in a stream about two clicks away

He knew he looked incredibly shaggy, not like his former self, a mountain man. And that's the way he preferred it. He didn't want anyone recognizing him for the murders he committed in the past

Seeing the meat was done, he made himself comfortable next to the campfire, using a knife to peel off some meat and eat. He always kept a watchful, wary eye on his surroundings, his gun sitting next to him within easy reach for protection.... and a necklace with a locket, a picture of the Virgin Mary on the front and a cut out picture of Max inside

His eyes hardened as he remembered the months back at Manticore after being revived and going through reindoctrination. He did whatever he had to do to survive Manticore, which meant pretending he was blindly obedient to them. He was kept in a separate unit from Max, so he never knew that she was within Manticore while he was there

After the reindoc, he met Director Renfro. He was in a cell, dressed in scrubs that were given to him and paper shoes. He had a cot with one blanket, a toilet in his cell, and a cold concrete floor. There was no heat in the cell. If it wasn't for his high metabolic temperature, his feet would have frozen as well as the rest of his body.

He recognized female interest in Renfro's eyes and he also saw she was the commander within Manticore, the one that gave all the orders. So when he found her weak spot, her lust for him, he exploited it, hoping to get on her good side and find a way out again

So he flirted with her, complimented her, seduced her even, did everything that came naturally to an X5 alpha male. Surprisingly the b!tch fell for it. It disappointed him really. He honestly thought she was a lot smarter than that and would have recognized a con when she saw it

But of course she had kept him under control with a freakin' shock collar for months, the one he found on his neck when he woke up in his cell. Renfro only had to demonstrate it once. She pressed a button on a remote, he felt a shock come over his neck and almost close his throat, making it hard to breathe and bringing him to his knees

He knew all he had to do was give her neck a quick twist and it would be over, he could take the remote and her gun she kept in a holster on her hip, and have a lab tech take off the collar, then get the hell outta Dodge

He didn't bank on Renfro giving him a different purpose in life instead

She was working for a man named Sandeman, who Ben found out was the creator of the Manticore genetically enhanced. He overheard Renfro on the phone one night. He pretended to be asleep in her bed and listened to her side of the conversation. He actually understood French as well as English. He was fluent in seven different languages

Since Renfro let him roam freely in the south wing of Manticore where newly reindoctrinated soldiers resided (although she still didn't remove the damn collar off his neck), he snuck into a lab tech's office when he noticed it was empty and hacked into the computer there. It took some time, but since he excelled in diagnostics and computer programming as a child, he hacked into Renfro's database and found the information on Max. Still not realizing Max was back at Manticore, he found how she had no junk DNA in her system.... and what truly surprised Ben was that Sandeman had her made special, that she carried the cure to some future bio-warfare that Sandeman was certain would happen in the near future. And it was Ben's genetic make-up that would bring out the formula on her skin

He grinned to himself. Manticore, or actually Sandeman, had every intention of breeding him with Max. That would have been fine by him, Ben thought. He always liked Max, she was fascinated by his stories when they were children and he always used to try and show off for her. He didn't blame her for killing him.... only for leaving his body for Manticore to retrieve

But he forgave her, she couldn't carry his body out of the woods that day, so what else was she supposed to do?

Now, in present day as he was eating his supper, Ben realized he and Max were the chosen ones, the two saviors of mankind. Practically messiahs in their own right. For once he had an important purpose in life, that the Blue Lady had chosen him and Max for this very important mission. So he knew he had to find a way to get to Max eventually, he'll tell her what he found out and they'll save mankind together. He had no reason to doubt that she wouldn't go along with it. It's for the good of the human race for God's sake!

Ben thought back again to that day of hacking into the computer system. He remembered he didn't have time to look any further on that day, so he deleted his tracks on the computer, making sure no one could tell that he had been on the system, and hid in a closet when he heard the lab tech come in. He waited patiently until the technician left, then Ben himself snuck out, heading back to his cell to contemplate what he found, and what it means.

He was told by one of the Manticore guards that Director Renfro demanded his presence in her quarters. Ben smirked. He knew what she wanted

Now it's his turn to get something HE wanted!

After some careful, calculated, seductive persuasion, Renfro told him everything. At least he thought it was everything. What he didn't know was that she withheld the information that Max was in Manticore, AND paired up with his twin instead. She told of Sandeman's plan to have the runes that will show up on Max's skin translated and made into a vaccine to vaccinate the populace from the bio-warfare the Familiars will set off on the world.

He respected Renfro's mind and train of thought, because the two of them had similar thought processes and eventually, they worked really well together. She even took the shock collar off his neck, but kept it in her quarters. The night he found Renfro shot in the lab and Manticore was about to blow sky high, he went back for the shock collar. That thing would have it's uses later, and then he barely got his butt out of Manticore before it exploded. He had stood and watched it burn to the ground, still not realizing Max had done that, taken down Manticore herself and released everyone

Now the information he knew about him and Max gave Ben a false sense of superiority. Like he was some kind of god and Max will be his goddess

The only killing he did now was animals. He did take the time to pull their teeth and offer it as a sacrifice to the Blue Lady, thanking her for choosing him as a key tool in her crusade to save the world

He had no idea where Max was now, but he knew eventually he'd have to trek back to Seattle and start there. He was waiting on a sign from the Blue Lady. Until then, he lived like a hermit in the mountains

------------------------------
TBC

[phoenixnz]

Hmm, he certainly is fixated on Max, and now has a messiah complex. It's an interesting insight into the mind of a psychotic Trina. Keep going. You're doing great.

[Dana0715]

Alec had parked his motorcycle behind the bushes by the highway when he reached Gillette, camouflaging it with tree branches. Knowing hiking into the woods as quietly as possible and taking his twin by surprise during nightfall was his best bet

But three hours later, Alec stood stone still in the middle of the forest, knowing he heard a twig snap somewhere nearby and he carefully laid down his backpack and began to slowly reach for his Glock. He only had the moonlight for illumination, a half moon that peeks through the trees, but that didn't bother X5-494. One of the X5's greatest assets was perfect night vision

Then he heard a gun being cocked just behind him before he could get to his gun, and he realized it's best to not reach for it right now and let the other person think he's unarmed.... The barrel of Ben's gun was within inches of him and he knew he found his twin. Or more accurately, his twin found HIM. Alec raised his hands up in surrender, keeping his back to his brother and quipped, "We meet at last."

"Who are you?" Ben demanded, gun pointed straight forward and aiming at Alec's temple as Ben began to circle behind him

Alec shrugged. "You know, that's kind of a funny story, about who I am."

Ben stayed just behind Alec, so he hasn't seen his face yet. "Yeah, well, I'm not easily amused so skip the story... and for the record, I don't have anything worth stealing."

"I'm not a thief."

He felt the barrel of the gun pressing behind his ear now and Alec quelled the urge to panic as Ben muttered. "Then I know what you are and you're dead."

Alec spun quickly and knocked the gun aside with his right hand, then immediately followed up with a front kick to Ben's chest. Half a second later, his own gun was in his hand, pulled out of his waistband and pointing it at Ben. He expected Ben to blur, charging him for the weapon, but when he saw the look on his brother's face he realized he had more of an advantage than he thought.

Ben was staring at him, hazel-green eyes wide. Ben felt like he was looking in a mirror that would reveal what he looked like two years ago, the military haircut, the clothing, even the way Alec was holding his gun.

But Ben recovered quickly. His eyes narrowed. "Clone?"

Alec nodded and smiled. "X5-494 at your service, better known as 'Alec'. Manticore got it right this time." He motioned with his weapon. "Put the gun down."

Ben complied, carefully laying the automatic on the ground and standing back up with his hands raised, watching Alec carefully.

"Kick it away from you." Alec told him

Ben toed the gun on top of his boot and kicked the gun so it hurled toward Alec and land at his feet. Alec nodded

"So, little brother," Ben said, hands raised and eyeing Alec with suspicion. "You've been sent to kill me?"

Alec was watching Ben's eyes closely, waiting for him to make a move. "Not unless I have to."

"Then you might as well pull the trigger now." And in a move too fast for the human eye to follow he dove for the gun on the ground.

Alec's finger tightened, but he didn't fire. And then he was looking down the barrel of a gun as well.

Ben and Alec were circling each other, guns drawn and pointed at each other. Ben chuckled, "A standoff?" His green eyes watching Alec over the gun sites. A sly grin with still perfect white teeth gleaming in the moonlight. "Why didn't you shoot me?"

"I still could," Alec said coldly

"Likewise, little brother. How'd you find me anyway?"

"Wasn't hard. You were spotted on satelite. How, I don't know. You must've been careless. Once I got here I just looked for a place where I'd be layin' low -- at least if I was the nature type."

"You shouldn't have come after me. Now I've got to kill you."

Still circling each other, Alec replied, "Hey, what did you expect? That I'd just let you kill again? You know what you are. Serial murder is frowned on in most states, includin' Oregon."

"I don't kill people any more." Ben stated flatly

Alec raised one eyebrow doubtfully. "You tellin' me that when Manticore revived you, they fixed those nasty little psychotic killer tendencies? No more urges to become a dentist or some tattoo artist?"

"They fixed the chemical imbalance in my brain," Ben said. "Wasn't that in your mission detail, soldier?"

"No, it wasn't." Alec made a mental note to to check up on that tidbit when he got back. "Why should I believe you?"

Ben shrugged, but still kept the pistol aimed rock steady. "Believe what you want, little brother. But I'm better now. And I want a life."

"We both do," Alec said without thinking.

"At least I tried to get away from Manticore," Ben said. "You just keep right on doing your little soldier thing, taking orders like a robot." Ben smelled something in the air, something only other X5 males can sense, the smell of a female ON the male. No amount of showers can get rid of the smell completely and he recognized the scent in the air. A thought hit Ben and he chuckled, "Max is pulling the strings here, ain't she? She knows I'm alive now, that her killing me didn't stick." Ben looked Alec up and down in his usual cocky manner, "So she sent her lapdog to fetch me one way or another right? She must want me bad. What does she pay you? More time between her legs?"

"Shut your f*cking mouth Ben." Alec told him coldly, not allowing himself to fall for Ben's lies, even though it struck a nerve. "You don't know what the hell you're talking about."

"Ah! I should have guessed it. You're in love with her." Ben shook his head in mock sympathy, "She'll just break your heart, man. Because every time she's with you, I would swear she thinks of me. You're just a poor substitute."

Alec shot off a bullet that whizzed just past Ben's ear, and Ben barely ducked out of the way. Then in a deadly voice, Alec warned, "That's your final warning Benny. Put the gun down."

Ben smiled wide, withdrew the pistol and put it back inside his waistband, "You know what? You talked me into it." Mockingly, he spread his arms wide, "I surrender, little brother. I'm all yours."

Alec didn't realize what hit him. A blunt object smacked him hard on the cranium and knocked him to his knees, then he fell forward on his face at Ben's feet, unconscious

Ben peered at the man holding a rock in his bare hands and winked, speaking Portuguese to the man. "Nice work Rodriguez. Looks like you got yourself an X5 male. So where's my half mil for delivering him to you? Oh! And one more thing!"

Before the man could answer, Ben reached into his own duffel and held up the shock collar with the remote, "And this is the only way to control him, otherwise he'll kill you in a blink. You don't get this collar until I get my money. Understood?"

----------------------------------
Alec came awake slowly, with a pounding headache and unable to move his arms

He opened one eye, then two, noticing it's now daybreak and he's inside a tent. Testing his arms, they were handcuffed behind his back and he was laying his side.

Slowly raising up onto his knees, he gave himself a moment to get used to that position because it made his head spin. Damn! Whoever konked him on the head really did a number on him!

He felt something on his neck, it was kind of heavy and it made his neck sweat, like some kind of collar. Maneuvering into as much of a standing position as he could in the small tent, he sank back onto his knees when he realized how shaky he was. He wouldn't be able to get his handcuffed hands from behind him until he's able to stand up straight and jump. So he gave up on the idea for now

But what is this THING on his neck?? Of course he couldn't see it, just feel it

He looked down at himself and noticed he wasn't wearing his own clothes either. These were apparently Ben's clothes

He heard buzzing just outside the tent and realized that was what woke him up in the first place. He carefully looked through the flaps of the tent to see what it was

Ben had pulled out Alec's Braun rechargeable razor and was finishing the task of shaving his beard off. He apparently already had his hair cut, judging by the hair on the ground next to him and the clippers the Portuguese guy was putting away

He heard Ben call out in Portuguese, "Get my tattoo kit, Rodriguez." Ben used his own mirror to hold it behind him and used Alec's mirror in front of him to get a good look at his barcode

"I gotta alter this just a bit..... like I did his." Ben motioned his head to the tent, then he caught a movement and turned. Grinning, he reached out and lifted the flap, calling into the tent, "Rise and shine little brother. You're about to go on an international trip."

Alec forced himself on his feet and, staying crouched in the low tent with his hands bound behind him, he walked out, then stood and asked, "Just where do you think you're sending me?"

Ben had finished shaving and now Alec got a good look at him in daylight. He was the spitting image of himself..... complete with Alec's clothes on too

"Portugal has been looking for an X5 for a really long time. God knows what they want exactly, but for half a mil, I don't ask questions. Whatever it is, they're expecting to turn a profit on you."

Alec was now leaning against a tree, trying to make his head quit spinning, "Why didn't they take you when they had the chance?"

Ben shrugged, "Damaged goods I guess. You know..."Ben twirled a finger next to his temple, smiling mischieviously, "Psycho killer and all that. You, on the other hand, are more valuable to them. I don't know if they're going to harvest your organs and chop you into little pieces and auction you off to the highest bidder...... "

The Portuguese man said something, and both Ben and Alec caught it since they both knew how to speak the man's language. Alec's eyes widened but Ben laughed

Ben stood up and slapped Alec on the shoulder as he passed by, "Well, congrats little brother! It looks like you'll make some fat rich sap a fine ass-b!tch! Be sure to send me a wedding announcement now."

Alec advanced forward, jaw clenched, "You sonofa-" and that was as far as he got when Ben turned quickly back to Alec and pointed the remote at him, pressing a button. Down Alec went onto his knees, letting out a cry of pain until Ben released the button, making the electric shock stop, but Alec's body was still trembling and jolting from the impact

Ben squatted next to Alec, taunting him, "Hurts, doesn't it? I had to wear that damned thing for 6 months! I have a strong suspicion you'll be in it for the rest of your life."

He turns Alec forcibly onto his stomach and places a knee on the small of his back, pulling Alec's hair hard to yank his head up

Bending down, he whispered into Alec's ear, "Don't worry little brother, I'll take GOOD care of Maxie for ya. She'll never know you left. Because as far as she's concerned, I will be you."

Through gritted teeth, Alec vowed then and there, "You better hope they kill me, because once I get out of this....." he turned and spit toward Ben, "I'll f*cking kill you."

Ben mocked him, "See? We're not so different are we?"

Ben stood and left Alec on the ground, "You've given me a chance for a new life little brother. I'll return to Seattle as you and simply take over where you left off."

Alec turned to his side, still trying to catch his breath, "You're wanted back in Seattle, Ben. I was arrested once for your murders!"

"But you're out now. Did Maxie pull a few strings to get you freed? If I know her the way I think I do, she probably did save your ass."

He helped Rodriguez pick Alec up on his feet and they shoved him into a box that was in the back of a jeep. They closed it quickly and Ben peeked between the wooden slats at Alec, feeling arrogant and cocky

"Have a nice life little brother. I'm sure gonna enjoy yours!"

Ben noticed Rogriguez get into the driver's seat of his jeep and Ben passed the remote to him

Ben backed away now and motioned for Rodriguez to go.

Look like poor 494 is being reduced from Manticore soldier to being part of the sex trade

Life couldn't get any better for Ben!

--------------------------------
TBC

[phoenixnz]

Ooh Trina, looks like Ben's just as bad as ever. Hopefully Max will know the difference. Poor Alec, how are you ever going to get him out of this?

[Dana0715]

Leanne - I'm going to leave the story about Alec "in the air" for the time being and concentrate mostly on Ben. But keep reading, because he will eventually be rescued/or escape. :) I just don't want to dwell too much on what Alec has to endure because it won't be pretty. It will just be implied later

-------------------------------------------
"F*ck! No! This can't be!" Max muttered to herself. "Not now! No, no, no!"

Max was in her bathroom in the apartment she shared with Alec, staring at a white stick that showed conclusively the plus sign

"Damn! Damn! Damn! This is SUCH bad timing. I can't be...."

There was a knock on her bathroom door and Original Cindy called through, "Hey Boo! Stop mutterin' and tell Original Cindy what's up! Do you have any idea what OC had to go through to get that test kit for you?"

Max washed her hands and cleaned up, then opened the door, holding out the little white stick to show OC the results

OC tried to be upbeat, "C'mon sugar, it can't be all bad. Babies are a blessing. And Lord knows you need a blessing at this time."

"Not while we're still dealing with a freaking stand-off with the military, White and his breeding cult 'no pain, no gain' cronies always breathing down our necks.... God OC!"

Max crumpled to the floor, her back against the wall and covered her face with her hands, trying her best not to cry, "How are we going to raise a baby in this transgenic-hating world?"

OC sat next to Max and pulled her into her arms reassuringly, "You and Alec got somethin' most don't. That's love, Boo. You'll figure this b!tch out together like you always do."

Max's head was on OC's shoulder and she shakily asked, "What if I miscarry again? I don't think I'm strong enough to go through that again."

"Then you'll deal with it, girl. You are much stronger than you give yourself credit for. Look at how you run TC and keep everyone's morale up! You care about everyone here, and I think that shows that you DO have a mothering instinct. You'll have a better chance of carrying this baby to term. But watch out..."

Max raised her head and an eyebrow, "Why?"

"Because this time, Alec will hover over you until you go stir-crazy. He didn't get to do it the last time and now you are his mate, his love, and you're going to have his baby. Makes a man get all protective and sh!t." OC nudged Max conspiratorially, "Girl, this is the time you can get anything you want out of him."

This made Max laugh, which is exactly what Original Cindy was trying to do, and Max hugged her appreciatively, "Thank you! I needed that!"

"Any time Boo! Now when's your boy comin' back?"

Max sighed, "Don't know.... Logan said they found another X5 male in Gillette, Alec was just going to retrieve him. That's all I know. Surely he'll be back anytime now. Gillette is just a day's drive from here."

-----------------------------
Ben followed Alec's tracks back out of the woods and then found the hidden motorcycle. He rummaged through Alec's duffel, knowing he threw a set of keys in there when he was stripping Alec and clothing him with his clothes.

Ben had altered Alec's barcode to look like his, and then he altered his own barcode to look like Alec's. Now it's just a matter of acting

He had found a cell phone and a Jam Pony sector pass in Alec's possessions that Alec never turned back in, so Ben figured Alec had been employed at this place. It would at least help him get through the sector check points that are rampant in Seattle

He also found an envelope of cash which he added to his own cash from selling Alec off to the Portuguese

Finding the keys to the motorcycle, he uncovered the motorcycle and started it up. Seeing there was a half tank of gas, he calculated mentally the miles per gallon and he realized he could make it easily back to Seattle

Putting on Alec's sunglasses, he revved the motor and took off in the direction for Seattle

And back to Max

He has been a true and loyal soldier for the Blue Lady's cause and now he's reaping the benefits. Delivering his twin to him was his sign from the Blue Lady, and now things are working in his favor

Five hours later he stopped at a diner in Oregon, finally needing something to eat. He parked the motorcycle, carried the duffel inside with him for safekeeping and kept Alec's Glock in the waistband at the back of his jeans, under his jacket, just like Alec did

He fervently hoped that being twins, they were enough alike in mannerisms that he could pull this off when he reunites with Max

As he sat down in a booth and placed his order with a cute waitress, Alec's cell phone rang. Ben decided to let the voicemail get it. Then if he chooses to call them back after hearing the voicemail, he can do so

He began checking the voicemail when he received his lunch. He thanked the waitress and dismissed her, not noticing the admiring glances she was giving him and how she was practically screaming an invitation to him to hook up with her later. He had other things on his mind and pleasures of the flesh will have to wait

There were three voicemails from the same person, a man named Logan. He'd swear he heard that voice before, but he couldn't put his finger on it. Each message was more urgent than the last

Maybe he had been wrong. Sounds like this Logan character sent his clone out after him and one of his messages stated Max was asking lots of questions and would be calling him soon

Which means Max had nothing to do with this

That actually put a smile on Ben's face. To Ben, Max may be a good fighter and a good soldier as well, but she was once loyal to the Blue Lady too, and she had a true heart

Ben barely finished eating when the phone rang again. He picked it up and read the display

It was Max

Time to put the game face on!

He flipped open the cell phone and pressed the talk button

"Hey Max. Everything OK?" Ben answered, pretending he's Alec and looking forward to hearing Max's voice again

--------------------------
TBC

[phoenixnz]

Yikes, matey. Just the thought of what you're implying Alec has to go through has me worried.

I don't mind if you focus on Ben. I just hope Max sees through him, but I will wait patiently, biting my nails, lol, for your next update.

[Dana0715]

Author's note - It seemed like no matter what I tried to come up with, I couldn't make the Ben thing in TC work. I think Mole, Joshua and Max would figure him as a clone pretty quickly and that story would end quick. So I'm driving the drama in a different direction.

---------------------------------
Ben never made it to Seattle like he planned. He was ambushed by White and his Familiars

Ben was running like a madman through the forest now, having had to ditch Alec's motorcycle. He had only heard of Ames White and his Familiars. And after trying to fight four of them at once a few moments ago, he realized their fighting techniques were far superior than his

Which is why when he found the opportunity, he ran

Manticore taught him to do whatever it takes to stay alive and now he's running for his life

A gunshot was heard and Ben fell to the ground, face first, a sharp pain in the middle of his back. He looked up to find White standing above him, a gun pointed at his head, a gleam of satisfaction in White's eyes

"Maybe this will send a message to 452. May you rot in hell 494."

Ben realized this man thought he was Alec and before Ben could say anything, White pulled the trigger, shooting him in the head and killing him instantly

White put his gun back in it's holster as if this is an every day occurence for him, and turned to one of his cult members, "Cut his head off just under the barcode and ship it back to 452 in Terminal City."

He pulled out a small spiral bound notepad from his inner jacket pocket and jotted a note, tearing it off the pad when he was through. He passed it to Thula

"Enclose this in an envelope taped outside the package."

White walked away, a smile on his face. 494 has been a thorn in his side since he first set eyes on him. And now this will cause the agony for 452 that he wanted her to experience, the mental anguish she caused him over the loss of his son is now being returned to her

And he intended to do so much more to her before killing her outright

-------------------------------
"Max! There's a package for you at the gate!" Luke called out as he walked into the control room

"Package for me?" Max looked perplexed.

Logan stood and said gently, "It could be a trap Max. I'm going with you."

Logan picked up his handgun and made sure it was loaded before the two of them walked out. JOshua and Mole announced they were going too as protection

Once at the gate, Max glanced at the cardboard box in the messenger's hands, and had to open the gate enough to get the Jam Pony clipboard from the messenger and sign it. It was apparently a new guy that she never met while working at Jam Pony. He thanked her, passed the package to her and left

Mole handed her a pocket knife and she opened the sealed edges of the box and lifted the flap. She immediately dropped the box in shock, turned and ran to another gated area to throw up

Logan almost ran after her, but he really needed to see what was in the box first

"Aw hell! That's just cold!" Mole exclaimed

Joshua knelt by the box and whimpered, "Alec?"

Logan's stomach dropped to his feet and he was about to lose his own lunch too. At least that's the way it felt. The box was lined in plastic and Logan could see the side of Alec's head was blown off, and the head was turning gray

Mole took charge and closed the box up, noticing the note on top

He pulled it off and handed it to Logan, "It's addressed to Max."

Logan took it from him, debated on giving it to her or not. He looked over at Max, seeing how she was sobbing and retching. He took matters into his own hands and opened the envelope himself. If she wants to sue him for violating federal law, so be it

Logan read aloud, "Now that one thorn in my side is out of the way, you're next 452. And I'll make sure you get a public crucifixion for taking my son from me. AW"

"White!" Joshua growled, "He killed Annie and now Alec."

Logan knew going to the authorities would do no good right now. He looked at Mole and Joshua, then put the envelope in his inner jacket pocket

"Say nothing to Max." Logan told them. Joshua nodded and Mole answered, "Sure thing!"

Logan walked purposely over to Max and crouched down next to her. She was so overcome with grief, she just blindly reached out for comfort, clinging to Logan and crying into his shirt

"Why him Logan? They were after me!" she asked, her voice muffled by Logan's chest as she sobbed

Logan sighed tiredly and hugged her tighter, "It's probably just another tactic to mess with your head Max. C'mon. Let's get you to bed."

Max wasn't listening and she cried out, "I can't have lost him Logan! I can't raise this baby on my own!"

Logan was shocked still. She's pregnant again. With Alec's baby. Stress caused her to miscarry before and he didn't want that happening again to her. She was pregnant, exhausted, and now sick literally with grief.

Making a decision, he picked Max up and stood, carrying her to Max and Alec's shared quarters. Joshua ran up, causing Logan to stop his progress for a moment. Joshua looked down at Max and stroked her forehead, "Hey Little Fella." he said kindly

Max was still too distraught to even acknowledge Joshua. Logan decided to give Joshua something to do

"Hey Joshua, there's some herbal tea in my duffel. Could you take out a package and add it to hot boiling water and bring it to Max when it's ready?"

It was the easy kind that you didn't have to steep in a tea bag, and Logan knew Joshua could handle that. Joshua nodded and took off to do as Logan asked.

Once Logan made it inside Max's converted apartment, he laid her down gently on the bed, removed her boots and tucked her in under the covers

He noticed Max hugging the pillow to her and she cried into it, saying, "It even has Alec's smell."

Logan still loved Max, and he had wanted to make her happy. If Alec was what made Max happy, he had made the decision to let her go. Now there was no Alec and she was grieving. He was too much of a gentleman to take advantage of the situation for his own selfish reasons, but he could be a friend and help her through this

She was carrying a baby and she needed to calm down

Joshua finally came in with a chipped cup of tea. Logan used the spoon inside the cup to stir it and taste it, to make sure it tasted okay and it wasn't too hot. Then he set the spoon on the converted nightstand (which was a small filing cabinet) and he coaxed Max to drink some

The tea seemed to help her settle her stomach, and her nerves. Logan thanked Joshua for bringing the tea and promised he'd stay with Max and would call Joshua if he needed him. But for now, she needed to sleep

Logan had handed her his handkerchief and she used it to blow her nose and dry her eyes, but she couldn't seem to completely stop crying. Eventually she was hiccuping with sobs. Logan was about to get up to get her more tea and Max reached out and grabbed his hand, thankful that the virus is no longer a threat

"Logan?" Max's voice sounded pitiful, like a little girl's, and Logan's heart went out to her. He remembered when he saw her shot in the heart and he thought she died in his arms. He can definitely relate to grief

"I'm here." Logan told her gently, sitting on the edge of the bed, grasping her hand firmly in his

"Don't leave me."

"I'm not going anywhere Max." Logan promised her, stroking the hair back from her face

When she had settled down some, Logan reached into his pocket for his cell phone and called Dr Carr. He was sending a sedative to give to Max that shouldn't hurt the baby. Sam was going to come through the sewer tunnel to deliver it himself

And one hour later, Max was given a shot by Dr Carr that finally put her to sleep. Once that was done, he nodded toward the door, indicating to Logan that they needed to step outside and talk

Logan followed Dr Carr out the bedroom door and gently closed it behind him. They were in Max's living room with the shabby furnishings she and Alec had scavenged and found. She tried to make it homey with throw pillows and little touches, and Alec replaced the legs on the couch and chair. But there really wasn't much that could be done for the raggedy furnishings

Both Logan and Dr Carr sat down and the good doctor got right to the point

"If she doesn't keep herself calm Logan, she's going to lose this baby too. Your job is to make sure her life is as stress free as possible until she can handle it better. You can delegate to whoever you want to when you need a break, because I know you can't stay in TC for long periods of time and risk being exposed to the toxic waste here. I'm sure Joshua and different ones will spot you if you need help."

Logan had already made up his mind, "I'm getting her out of here, Sam. You should of heard her earlier. She could still smell Alec's scent in the sheets and pillows and it just caused her to cry harder. I think.... " Logan paused for a moment, thinking, "While she's sedated, I'm taking her out of Seattle. Mole could take the reins of TC until Max is well enough to handle it. I'll have Joshua get Alec's things out of here so that Max won't have to."

Dr Carr snickered, "You know Max will have your head on a platter for taking over decisions for her."

Logan shrugged and remarked dryly, "Her health is more important to me than keeping my head."

Dr Carr dug into his medical bag and gave Logan some prenatal vitamins and two more vials of the sedative, along with syringes and needles

Finally, he stood and told Logan, "You know I'm always a phone call away if you need me again Logan."

"I appreciate it Sam. Thanks for everything you've done."

"By the way..." Dr Carr stopped at the door and turned back to Logan, curious. "How's your legs?"

Logan grinned and flexed his legs for Dr Carr to see, "No exoskeleton, and they're still working fine."

Dr Carr nodded, "Let's hope it stays that way."

------------------------------
Alec was f*cking tired of waking up in places that weren’t his own bed -- like now. Blinking his eyes as his brain rebooted he realized he was lying on his stomach on a freezing metal floor and that a very cold wind was whipping across his shivering body. Wherever he was, it was also very dark. Opening his eyelids to slits, cat pupils focused on the flickering flames of a fire just beyond the bars of what appeared to be a cage.

Alec rolled his eyes. Great. Just great.

Sitting up slowly, his head spinning from the drug that b!tch had given him before he was shipped in a packing crate to God knows where, he shrugged stiff shoulders and took stock of himself. They’d left him Ben's cammies and t-shirt, but other than that he’d pretty much been stripped. Even his boots and socks were gone, his bare feet half numb from the cold.

Realizing Portugal is NOT supposed to be this freezing cold, as far as he knew, his mind began to uncloud from the drugs as he remembered what happened

Familiars attacked the Portuguese, found him in a crate, and due to him fighting and struggling with him, that b!tch that tried to kick his ass at Jam Pony just a few short months ago slammed a needle into his neck, effectively sedating him

He was glad the shock collar was gone. He didn't care why it was off, just glad it was off!

Chafing his arms, Alec clenched chattering teeth and peered out at the camp where he could see a number of dark figures walking around the perimeter of the lighted area, some carrying rifles from the looks of their silhouettes. Other cages like the one he was in surrounded the immediate area -- he counted ten in all. Not really big enough to stand up in, they were approximately 6 feet square -- large enough to uncomfortably hold a man ... or a transgenic.

Alec knew where he was -- well, not exactly WHERE he was, but he knew who had him. White's famous Breeding Cult, one of the inbred, advanced humans who’s legacy included an agenda for genocide of the Ordinary human race, not to mention a renegade “Father” who’d created Manticore’s human/animal hybrid transgenics in an attempt to thwart his peoples’ evil plan.

“Familiars” as they called themselves hated his people with a passion, Alec knew. They considered his kind worse than animals -- a taint on humankind’s genetics -- and were as intent on wiping his race out as they were intent on destroying Ordinary humanity.

The thought was chilling even moreso than the frigid air of this mountain camp. Alec looked around at the other cages and their occupants, trying to get his bearings and maybe formulate a plan.

Obviously they had a reason to keep him breathing, at least for awhile. He was surprised they didn't kill him outright

There was a blond-headed kid in the cage next to his, probably an X6 from his age, curled up asleep in a corner, arms wrapped around himself trying to keep warm.

“Hey,” Alec whispered harshly, keeping one eye on the armed guards on the other side of the big fire. “Kid! What’s goin’ on here?”

The boy stirred and raised his head, which is when Alec realized he knew that face. It took a moment to place, but he’d always had a knack for remembering people and his mind didn’t fail him this time. It had been over a year ago in an old barn just north of Seattle, right after Manticore had gone down, half a dozen or so X6s and and an X8 running for their lives when he and Max had come across them. Max had named this one--

“Zero!” Alec said sharply. “Report, soldier! What’s our status?”

“Sir?” the boy mumbled, his blue eyes widening as he recognized the X5. “They got you too?”

“Looks like,” Alec said with a grimace. “Who are ‘they’? No, wait. Lemme guess. Breeding Cult, right?”

“Yes, sir,” Zero said, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. His face was dirty, his clothes in rags, and he looked way too thin. Alec had to wonder how long he’d been a captive here.

“What are they doing with us?” Alec asked, needing to know the worst first.

The boy looked away, and Alec could swear there were tears in his eyes. “Anything they want to,” finally came the answer. “They hate us so much ...”

“Well, the feeling’s mutual,” Alec said, his jaw tightening. “So, they’re not just killing us?”

“No, sir. They’ve ... they want to keep us alive, at least some of us ... for awhile.”

“Why?”

Zero just shook his head and buried his face in his arms.

Alec’s gut clenched and he swallowed hard. It took a lot to break an X series soldier, but whatever they’d been doing to this kid had pretty much done the job.

“Are there any more X5s here?” he asked, looking around at the other cages where dark bodies lay mostly unmoving.

Zero shook his head. “Usually they kill the X5s right away,” he said quietly. “They’re too much trouble.” He looked up at Alec. “I don’t know why you’re still alive.”

“Because we have special plans for X5-494,” a smooth, syrupy voice said from behind the brilliant flames. Gina, the b!tch that he fought at Jam Pony, stepped into the light. Appropriately enough, she was dressed head to toe in black leather, and was even carrying a small whip. She looked ridiculous, Alec thought ... but also cruel and dangerous. He’d seen that gleam in peoples’ eyes before, and her hatred for him was almost palpable. ”Welcome to our humble little camp in Siberia."

Alec nearly choked. No wonder it was so freakin' cold!!

”Miss me that much, huh?" Alec remarked cooly, eyeing her carefully with that whip

“Oh, you’re going to get a chance to prove how good you are, my kitty cat,” Gina said.

“What the hell does that mean?” Alec had to ask, the hair on the back of his neck prickling just above his bar code. He didn’t have Max’s sense of prescience, but he could clearly feel hatred, especially when it was aimed at him..... and lust. He glanced around at the other cages. Why weren’t they all dead?

“We have a use for a strong male like you,” Gina said. Another Familiar, a tall muscular dark-complected man who’d been adding logs to the fire, turned his head and grinned at her words -- or rather leered. Alec shuddered

“Use?” Alec said, needing to know the worst.

“You’re accustomed to being hunted, right?” Gina said, planting hands on her hips and cocking her head to one side as she regarded him.

Alec had never felt so much like an animal in his life. It was just the way she was looking at him ... something in her eyes. “More like I’m used to BEING the hunter,” Alec clarified.

“Bred to kill,” Gina said, sucking on her lower lip. “Tell me something, 494. How old were you when you murdered your first human?”

“Nine,” Alec said without hesitation, remembering his first Manticore pack hunt and the taste of blood as he’d licked it off his hands while Lydecker stood to one side smiling proudly at his feral “kids.” It hadn’t exactly felt good -- that kill -- but it had felt natural. It was something that haunted the X5 still ... that he had something deep inside his psyche that, when the circumstances were right, overrode his conscience ... allowed him to slay without thought or mercy. Then again, his mind whispered as he saw the way the b!tch was looking at him, that kind of genetically programmed homicide just might come in handy soon. “What are you gonna do with me?” he asked bluntly.

“We’re going to play a little game in the morning,” Gina said, glancing over her shoulder at the man behind her. “My boys need practice, and you need a chance -- however slim. You’ll be set free, 494 ... given a head start. And then you’ll be hunted down.”

Zero was listening in his cage, his blue eyes wide and terrified. Again, Alec had to wonder what they’d been doing to the X6 to have beaten him down so badly. “What about him?” he asked, nodding at the boy. “And the others?”

“Not worth our effort,” Gina shrugged. “Oh, my men still play with them. Just not the same way they’re going to be playing with you. You present a bit of a challenge, 494, and yes, that’s a compliment. These others ...” She glanced at Zero and made a wry face. “They broke too easily.”

“And if you catch me, what then?” Alec asked tersely, although he already knew the answer.

“You’ll become one of my men’s toys too,” Gina said with a lascivious smile. “Maybe mine as well.” She looked him up and down. “You’ve got a nice body for an animal.”

“And if I get away?”

Her eyes flickered with what Alec almost thought was pity. “Don’t worry about that,” she softly said. “You won’t.”

*****

They raped Zero that night, and all Alec could do was watch, seated in the corner of his cage, arms wrapped around his knees, shivering with cold and his eyes filled with murder.

There were four of them (including the guard from earlier who seemed to be the one with the most authority after Gina) ... four f*ck-strong Familiars holding the young X6 face down over a log with his pants around his ankles while they took turns sticking their dicks up his ass.

Zero endured the torment silently, his expression ... his eyes ... blank. But then what else could he do? Bound hand and foot as well as outnumbered by creatures every bit as strong as he was he had no way to fight back other than with his apathy.

Beneath his rage, Alec was proud of the boy ... proud of his own kind. And he also wondered if -- when his turn came -- he’d be as brave.

Afterwards, when they were essentially alone and Zero had been thrown beaten and bloody back into his cage, Alec tried to talk to the boy ... comfort him. But the X6 simply lay on the metal floor of his prison, eyes open and staring, responding to nothing ... catatonic, and eventually Alec closed his own eyes in sleep.

It was still dark when they came for him -- six big Breeding Cult guards including the ones from the night before. Jolted awake by the sound of his cage door being unlocked, Alec scrambled to his feet and backed against the bars, half-crouched, half-ready to spring. If they thought they were going to do to him what they’d done to Zero the night before they were going to be f*cking a corpse because 494 had already decided he’d die before allowing himself to be raped.

However, the biggest of the guards, Gina’s man -- his black eyes glittering and a vicious smile cutting through his swarthy face -- was stepping back from the open cage door. “You’re free to go,” he said, the leather of his black biker’s jacket creaking as he swept an arm wide.

Alec looked down at his own bare feet, then out at the snow-covered landscape. “Go where?” he asked, his voice rough with thirst. He had been without food or water for 2 days now

“Anywhere you want to,” the Familiar said.

“So you can hunt me down?” Alec snarled, still not emerging from the cage. “Contrary to what you might think, I’m not an animal.”

“Yes, you are,” the man said with a tired sigh. “And you’re going to run, and we’re going to chase you, and you’re going to be caught and, after we’re done with you, you’ll be killed and your body and all its filthy b@stardized DNA burned.

“Boy, you just said a mouthful,” Alec quipped. “What if I don’t wanna play your little game?”

“You saw what we did to that boy last night?” the swarthy man said, nodding toward Zero’s cage where the X6 was now curled in a fetal position on the floor.

Alec clenched his jaw and raised his chin a fraction higher.

“Well,” the guard continued. “Let’s just say that we’ll be spending a lot more time and attention on you than we did on that little piece of sh!t. You ever seen someone who’s been raped to death, 494? Eventually you die from internal bleeding, but it takes a hell of a long time. Of course,” he glanced around at the other five men, “me and mine will be enjoying ourselves the whole time so it’s nothin’ to me if you wanna just drop your pants now and bend over so we can get the party started.” Emphasizing his point, he reached down and very slowly unzipped the fly of his black denim jeans.

Alec’s heart speeded up. He really didn’t have a choice. No way could he take out six of these bastards. Hell, even one would give him a hell of a fight. “All right,” he said, swallowing hard. “I’ll play. How much head start do I have?”

“Ten minutes,” the guard said.

“Ten minutes!” Alec shouted. “Aw, come on, guys! That’s not fair!”

“Ten minutes,” the words were repeated.

“I need shoes.”

“No, you don’t.”

“How about food ... at least some water.”

“Eat snow, and it’s nine minutes now.”

“How do I win?” Alec asked quickly.

“You don’t,” the guard said with a big smile. “Your reward is getting to breathe a few hours longer.”

Sh!t!, Alec thought as he looked up at the mountaintops, visible now in the faint pink glow of the rising sun.

“Eight minutes,” the big man said quietly. “Tick tock, 494.”

The words sent a chill up Alec’s spine, stirring a memory from a long time ago when another Cult member -- Ames White -- had tried to force him into service and said the exact same words

“You won’t win, you know,” Alec said as he stepped out of the cage, his eyes on the woods.

“I’ll see you dead at my feet within a day,” the guard said levelly.

One corner of Alec’s lips quirked in the smallest of lopsided smiles. “That’s not what I was talking about.” Then, in a graceful leap, he whirled on his bare feet and blurred, vanishing into the tree line before any of his captors could so much as blink an eye.

Gina grinned, then turned to her second-in-command, "Contact Brother White and let him know whoever he got in Oregon is not the real thing. That WE have 494.... and we're going to have some fun with him."

*****
TBC

[phoenixnz]

:eek: I don't know which part got me the most. On the one hand, I felt really horrible for Max, having to find that. On the other, I feel really bad for Zero and what happened to him. And poor Alec. Let's hope he has a few tricks up his sleeve. Oh, I can't wait for the next update. Don't leave me hanging, please Trina. I'm going to be bouncing up and down eagerly waiting to see how Alec gets out of this.

[Dana0715]

He was cold. He was hungry. And his stomach hurt from eating snow. But other than that X5-494 was pretty much all in one piece. He at least had that much going for him, Alec thought as he loped through the slushy pine-needles of the forest, trying to put as much distance between himself and his pursuers as possible without burning himself out. This was actually a lot like an exercise back from his old Manticore days, he thought as he ducked his head to avoid an overhanging branch then picked up the pace again, ignoring the way rocks and branches were cutting into his feet. He couldn't feel it anyway, they'd gone numb now. He just hoped his high body temperature would slow down frost bite.

He’d been on exercises ... even missions ... where he’d had to rely solely on his own stamina for hours or days at a time and he’d always made it through with flying colors. If nothing else, Alec knew he could count on his genetically empowered body to see him through. Even the hunger and freezing temperatures didn’t phase him that much. He could survive up to two weeks without food if he had to ... six days without water (although there were plenty of creeks and streams around to take care of that problem).

Max ... Alec thought of her as he ran, trying to keep her in the forefront of his mind, a reason to live. She’d be wondering what had happened to him, but would she have a clue where to look? Logan would know where to start looking, but after that it would seem X5-494 disappeared off the face of the earth.

Glancing around at his surroundings, the X5 squinted into the rising sun and realized he was headed east..... and from what he knew of geography, this couldn't be Siberia. Canada maybe? The Familiars would say anything to mess with his head. If this was Canada -- and he had a strong sense that it was -- then the mountains were probably someplace in Alberta Province ... real wilderness territory. He’d need to find a road ... transportation ... But first ...

The X5 stopped in his tracks, listening, nostrils flaring slightly, using every bit of his feline senses to try and detect how close his pursuers were. And then he heard it -- there was someone to his left. Head swiveling, his vision zoomed and he caught sight of the top of a black knit cap.

Gina’s head guardsman. Of course he’d be leading the charge. The sound of a rifle being cocked sent Alec into a leap, diving for cover even as the sharp crack of the shot echoed painfully in his ears. He crashed through a thorny shrub, landing on his shoulder, bruising it on the rocky shale of the mountain slope.

This couldn’t continue, the X5 knew as he caught his breath and heaved himself back to his feet. If he simply ran he’d be shot in the back -- not the way he wanted to leave this world.

But Alec had a plan.... if he could manage it.

*****

The large swarthy Familiar checked in with his fellow hunters via walkie-talkie even as his eyes scanned the rocks and short trees mounted at the base of the mountain slope. He’d gotten a glimpse of his quarry, but only a glimpse. Those damn mutants were faster than Hell when they wanted to be, and this cocky bastard was no exception. He was really looking forward to putting a bullet in that cat’s flesh, only hopefully the shot wouldn’t be fatal. No ... he really did want to play with this arrogant male for a little while before slitting his throat and taking his head and genitals back to headquarters in a sack where they’d be mounted on the trophy wall alongside myriad other grisly body parts representing the transgenics his people had hunted down and killed over the years.

There was a sound to his left, and the Cult member turned that way. His team wasn’t far. They’d spread out to cover more territory. With luck, this hunt would end soon and he’d be back to camp in time for dinner and another go at that pretty little X6 boy he’d gotten into the habit of enjoying before bed each night. Then again, if things went right, it might not be the X6 who’d pleasure him tonight, but this X5.

“You could give up, you know,” he called loudly, his voice echoing through the trees. “Come out and I promise I’ll make it quick. It’s not like you can escape. You have no food ... not even any shoes. You’ll probably freeze to death tonight.”

“Actually,” Alec said, stepping into the clearing behind the guard, surprising him, but still a good twenty feet away. He lied through his teeth and putting on a brave front. “I’m not particularly cold. High metabolism and all that. Remember?”

The guard jumped, instantly bringing the rifle to bear. “I’ve got him,” he said into the walkie-talkie quickly. “Converge on my coordinates.” Then, to Alec, “You didn’t give us much of a hunt.”

The X5 shrugged cockily. “Like you said, what’s the use?”

“Wise man.”

“Man?” Alec replied, his lips quirking in a little smile at the use of the word.

“Animal,” the Familiar corrected himself.

Alec strolled further into the clearing, ignoring the sharp gravel as it bit into his feet, his eyes narrowed and focused completely on the cultist.

“Stop right there,” the guard said, bringing the rifle to bear.

“Hey,” Alec said innocently, spreading his hands wide. “You’re the one with the gun. I’m just surrendering.”

The rifle swung down, aiming at his leg -- a move the X5 had halfway anticipated -- cripple instead of kill -- and Alec blurred. His strong hands closed on the weapon before the Familiar even realized his prey had moved. Alec was that fast. However, getting the weapon away from the guard wasn’t as easy as the X5 had hoped it would be. Breeding Cult warriors might not have a transgenic’s feline attributes or their speed, but they were their equals in strength and couldn’t feel pain. Alec realized the second his muscles met such powerful resistance -- resistance no human would have had -- that he was in trouble and his eyes widened in panic

With the gun between them, the two warriors wrestled, each trying to wrench the weapon free. Alec was at a disadvantage with his injured shoulder, but he was high on adrenaline, the need to survive. The guard managed to get the stock loose from his hands. Yanking the rifle away, he took several steps backwards as Alec lost his balance and fell. Then he took quick aim and pulled the trigger. The shot was incredibly loud in the silent woodland clearing ... and wide. Once again Alec blurred, this time tackling the man around the legs and bringing him to the ground where they both rolled. And then the Familiar had both hands around Alec’s throat and all the young transgenic could see was that dark-complected, pock-marked face inches from his own and a pair of black eyes blazing with hatred. His vision began to dim ... his heartbeat skipping as blood was shut off to his brain. Frantically reaching with his hand, Alec’s fingers closed around a rock.

The satisfying sound of the stone hitting the Familiar’s skull was like an egg breaking. For just a second, those dark eyes widened with surprise. Then the pupils dilated and blood gushed from the guard’s nose and mouth as he slumped forward on top of the X5.

Alec pushed the distasteful weight off of himself and scrambled to his feet, his hands massaging his bruised throat as he tried to listen to hear if the others were coming. Someone had to have heard that shot. The guard’s walkie-talkie blared with static and a voice inquired, "Milo! Come in! Did you get him??"

Alec knew he had only a minute or two. Shaking with adrenaline overload and the after effects of near strangulation, he went to his knees beside the Familiar’s body and searched him, pocketing the guy’s wallet, keys, and a big hunting knife he had in his belt. The shoes were too large, but were better than nothing, and the socks were soothing to his own bloody cold feet. Last, he stripped off the guy’s black leather jacket, shrugged into it, and was reassured by the feel of extra clips of ammo in the pocket.

There was a sound to his right, and Alec’s head shot up. Time was up. Grabbing the rifle, Alec leaped into the underbrush surrounding the open space, then took up a position behind some rocks.

He wasn’t going to run any more. He's making a stand

He waited until the three Breeding Cult members were all in the clear, two bending over their buddy’s body and the third standing watchful guard. They probably thought their quarry had fled.

One of them brought out his walkie-talkie, but before he could speak into the mic a small round red hole appeared in the middle of his forehead followed instantly by the sound of a single shot. Alec had been a crack sniper at Manticore back in the day, and he hadn’t missed. Chambering another round, the X5 squeezed off two more shots as the other two Familiars scrambled for cover. One went down with a bullet in his back -- dead before he hit the ground. The other caught a round in his thigh and fell. Pulling a hand gun ... a .45 from the looks of it ... the young Familiar, a blond who wasn’t any older than Zero, aimed directly at Alec as the X5 slowly stood up on the edge of the underbrush and stepped into the clearing.

“Drop it and I’ll let you live,” Alec said quietly, not even bothering to aim the rifle at the kid. He knew panic when he saw it, and he sensed the boy had probably never killed before in his life -- just something in his eyes ...

“Stay back!” the youngster yelled, cocking the gun and pointing it at the X5. “Stay back you filthy piece of animal sh!t!”

The kid’s finger squeezed the trigger, the shot as loud in the clearing as the first had been. Only his target wasn’t there.

“Sorry,” Alec grunted as he landed on top of the kid and his hands grasped and twisted the boy’s neck, snapping it neatly. The young body slumped beneath him and, for just a second, the X5 closed his eyes, swallowing bile that was rising in his throat. 494 might have been bred and born do this kind of thing, but he still hated it ... could only do it when provoked ... Rising shakily to his feet, he spared one small thought of contriteness for his actions, then searched the boy’s pockets too, coming up with another 50 bucks. Last, he tucked the .45 into his waistband. There were still two more hunters out there after him. His job wasn’t done.

And then there was also Gina ...

*****

Alec could have preternatural patience, a trait that served him well in poker, pool, battle, and sometimes even with women. However, it was all he could do to force himself to wait for darkness to make his next move. In the meantime, he lay low, kept warm, and listened to the walkie-talkie as the two remaining hunters found the bodies of their comrades, contacted base, and ultimately headed back with the apparent intention of ordering a helicopter to expedite the search for their escaped prisoner the following day.

In the meantime, Alec rested in a rocky depression concealed by some small trees and watched the flickering light of the Familiar’s main camp a quarter mile away as dusk descended. The moon had just risen over the horizon, and the X5 was considering making his move, when he heard shouting ... screams. Something was going on and Alec carefully and quietly made his way toward the camp, staying in the woods outside the perimeter of the camp.

Which is when Alec remembered the other transgenic prisoners in those cages and his heart turned over in his chest. These cultists will punish the ones there because of losing Alec

*****

He got there just in time to see Zero being dragged out of his cage and Alec watched carefully for an opening to take out the Familiars that were abusing the boy first. His eyes zoomed in as they threw the X6 face down in the dirt.

If Alec had anything to say about it, he was determined that this would be the last night the boy was getting f*cked by these low-lifes

Filled with rage and his heart aching, 494 fought the urge to run shrieking into that group of ghouls so he could tear out their throats with his teeth and bare hands. But then his eyes caught sight of a machine gun lying on the ground near one of the guard’s packs. It was about ten feet in front of the X5 and no one was close to it. The Familiars must have believed their prisoners were so broken, they didn't have to worry about a revolt

Alec blurred, grabbed the machine gun and was back at his position in the forest before anyone noticed. He sat it next to him on the ground and used the rifle to take careful aim of the bastard that was about to victimise Zero again..... and fired, right between the man's eyes

*****

Gina was used to dealing with transgenics ... tracking them ... capturing them ... torturing them ... and ultimately killing them. However, most of her captures over the years had been youngsters ... X6s ... kids still in their teens and still not wise in the ways of the human world and therefore relatively easy targets, or else transhuman mutants that were more animal than human fleeing and fighting on instinct alone. The few X5s she’d managed to get her hands on had either died quickly, fighting like tigers, or had been handicapped by genetic problems, seizures, progeria, and the like. X5-494 had been a real treat for her to hunt down and capture ... a challenge, not to mention a fine looking specimen who’s head and body parts would bring bragging rights when mounted on the wall of the Familiar’s hunting lodge -- a trophy worthy of her own high status in the Breeding Cult. Plus, everyone knew that 494 was rumored to be the infamous 452’s lover. And 452 was number one on the Cult’s “most wanted” list. In fact, Gina had seriously considering keeping 494 alive and in agony for a very long time just so she could one day torment 452 with the knowledge that her mate had died slowly and screaming. Or simply have him so weakened that she'd torment 452 nightly with f*cking him right in front of her. However, there hadn’t been time for all of that, so she’d arranged the hunt instead.

However ... her team had blundered badly. The X5 had apparently escaped -- for now.

Dusting her hands off after tossing another X6 boy to one of her men so they could have their fun, Gina looked around. A movement on the edge of the camp caught her attention and she squinted, trying to focus in the encroaching darkness, for once wishing she had the genetic enhancements of her enemy. Then she heard the gunshot and pulled out her own gun to aim it at the shadow she saw

Tall, muscular, and moving with the grace of a natural athlete (or an animal), X5-494 clenched his jaw as his eyes collided with the female Familiar’s. Then he raised the machine gun. And pulled the trigger, allowing the gun to shoot off several rounds on this female leader

The last thing Gina Calero saw in this lifetime was the brilliant flicker of hatred filled, glowing green-gold eyes as, without any qualms whatsoever, X5-494 opened fire, cutting her voluptuous body in half with a stream of bullets.

This got the attention of the other Familiars as Alec, his eyes full of murder and hatred, systematically walked through the camp, blowing away every Familiar he caught sight of, hoping he wouldn't kill an X6s along the way. But if he did, at least their torment would stop

He was about to blow away the last and final Familiar, until he saw the big, burly man holding a middle-aged man in front of him like a shield and Alec froze

Deck!

Colonel Donald Lydecker was at this camp too. Alec didn't question why, probably just because he was connected to Manticore in any way caused him to be placed here to torture too. He looked older, grayer, thinner, but he still had a hard edge in his ice cold blue eyes.

"Drop your weapon you transgenic filth or I kill him."

Alec smiled coldly, not dropping the weapon at all and still approaching the Familiar, gun cocked and ready to fire, "I always hated this man, so I don't care if you kill him, or if I do. I'll go through him to get to you without a second thought and that will take care of two problems at once."

The Familiar's eyes widened as he stepped back. But Deck took his shot and pulled out a hunting knife he apparently hid on his person and turned, plunging it into the heart of the Familiar. The Familiar's hands were slack now and Alec yelled

"Tuck and roll Deck! Now!!"

Lydecker did it, he quickly dropped and rolled away and Alec shot off a round with his acquired machine gun, making sure the filty sonofab!tch was dead

----------------------------
TBC

[Dana0715]

The last Familiar in the camp was dead. Alec scanned the clearing with his enhanced vision, making sure there were no others lurking or simply playing possum, pretending to be dead

Using the shoulder strap on the machine gun, Alec put it over his shoulder, and then the rifle, then extended his hand to help Lydecker to his feet

As soon as Deck was standing, Alec looked him over with a critical eye. Deck had been beaten pretty badly, one eye swollen shut, his back whipped savagely, judging by the stripes on his back, arms and legs... and his shirt and pants were torn and ragged in places, and Deck also walked with a limp

"You okay?" Alec asked, trying not to hover over the older man, knowing how he hates that

Deck did a surprising thing and clapped Alec on the shoulder, the bruised one, and Alec had to clench his teeth to keep from yelling an "Ouch!"

"Good job son! I knew you'd come through when I saw them send you out in the woods this morning."

Alec plucked Deck's hand off his shoulder, "I'm not your son, and don't pretend we ever had that kind of relationship. You were my CO, that's it."

Alec walked away to find Zero and check on the other X6s, all males, not a female to be found. He crouched next to Zero who was covered in Familiar blood, luckily his ratty clothes were still on him.... they hadn't got as far as stripping him yet..... but the boy was still catatonic. A defense mechanism most Xs have learned during any kind of torture, where you retreat within your own mind and tune out what's going on around you

"Hey!" Alec shook him, "Zero? C'mon soldier, man up! Pull out of this! You're safe now!"

Still no response. Alec hated to do this to the kid, but he hauled off and slapped him hard across the face

Shaking him harshly, he growled at Zero, "Come to soldier!! That's an order!"

Zero finally blinked and his eyes widened, "Sir?"

"Stand up boy!" Alec hauled him up by the shirt. He hated manhandling the X6 like this, but he had to do something to get Zero his bearings again and it was the only thing Alec could come up with, "Stand at attention when I'm talking to you!"

As tired and worn out as Zero was, he stood himself at attention, still shaky and slightly disoriented. He gave a half hearted salute, "Yes sir!"

"Every Familiar in this place is dead, but I have a mission for you..... gather all weapons and clothing from the dead and bring them back here, pronto!"

There was a spark of hope in the boy's eyes and Alec's heart flipped for him, but he wouldn't show it to the boy. "Did you say 'dead' sir?"

"I don't like repeating myself soldier, but yes, dead as a doornail. Now we gotta hurry before more show up, and ya know they will eventually. Gather the equipment I told you while I try to scrounge up food for everyone."

Food! The X6 was practically drooling and he smiled shakily at Alec, apparently still weak but now he seemed to have a little hope. "Yes sir!" he answered tiredly and he began doing as told

Alec systematically went to each X6 and gave the same treatment to each one to snap them out of their apathetic states. Some he had to be a little harsher than others. He found two that were too weak to do very much due to starvation and exhaustion. He had Deck watching over them while Alec went to one of the campfires, finding elk meat being cooked into a stew in the stewpot. Pulling out the ladle, he began spooning it onto a plate that he cleaned as best he could in the snow. The X6s won't care if the plate is completely clean or not, they're going to be like animals diving for the food. Alec wanted some so badly and he gave himself a spoonful to get him going, but he felt the X6s needed the food most and he could hold out a little while longer if he had too

As soon as he turned toward the sick X6s, the others ran quickly toward the campfires, nearly plowing Alec down in their haste to get to food. He had to say something, although he was happy they were getting sustenance

"Don't eat it too fast boys! Don't want bellyaches on top of everything else!"

Deck fed one X6 while Alec fed the other by careful spoonfuls, giving them water that Deck happened to get from inside the cabin, which was fed by an underground well

"There's no way we can get all of them out of here tonight." Deck murmured sadly in his gravelly voice that still brought chills up and down Alec's spine

"I think this buys us a little time. Unless you know something I don't." Alec quirked an eyebrow at his former CO then continued feeding the sick X6

Deck answered, "These two need at least a week of R&R, the others...." Deck looked over the X6s that were devouring food like animals, almost fighting each other for food, "They might fare a little better, but could be almost fully restored in a couple of days, knowing how transgenics bounce back quickly. However their psyche... that's something else."

Alec couldn't help but agree with Deck, but kept silent, coaxing his X6 to eat. He saw out of the corner of his eyes that Zero managed to get some food for himself. Alec wouldn't normally pick favorites, but that boy found a soft spot in the X5's heart

And he intended to at least help Zero with his psyche in the future. He'll make sure the boy bounces back, one way or another. Turn this experience into something useful

Like fighting against the Familiars that were responsible for all the atrocities they performed on that boy

Alec's jaw clenched in memory of last night. And he planned what he would do to help train Zero later

When his X6 wouldn't take anymore food, Alec shrugged and ate what was left in the bowl for himself. Once that was done, he gave orders. Having some do dishes, some take the sick X6s into the cabin and into beds, another distributing weapons and warm clothing

Everyone was going to sleep in a warm bunk tonight and Alec volunteered himself for sentry duty, knowing the others were too weak tonight to be of much use. They really needed their rest. Then one or two of the healthier X6s could spot him at dawn so he could rest

He cleaned Deck's wounds first and gave him clean, dry, warm clothes to dress in. Deck nodded his thanks and walked into a cabin to bunk down for the night

Alec walked through the camp, counting the bodies. He had ideas for these bodies that didn't include a burial, would send a message to White and his cohorts, and maybe help give some much needed therapy to the X6s, get their old fight back

Alec grinned. Revenge is SWEET!

---------------------------
TBC

[phoenixnz]

Ooh, fantastic updates. Lydecker alive, yay! But omg, is this bringing out the inner sadist in Alec? Because I think he enjoyed killing Gina and some of the other Familiars too much.

[Dana0715]

Leanne - I simply look at it that Alec reached his limit. He knew with the Familiars it's "kill or be killed" and the torment of his kind wouldn't stop until they were dead. And becoming a big brother figure to Zero and having compassion for the boy, I am trying to convey that Zero's abuse helped push Alec over the edge and to do what it takes to stop it. Next he's going to do a training exercise with the X6s to bring their old fight back. So hang in there! If you think this is bad, just wait! :)

[phoenixnz]

No, you're right, I can see how it happened. What they did to Zero, and poor Alec for being forced to watch that, it's easy to see how it makes him go over the edge.

[Dana0715]

After an X6 spotted Alec the next morning for guard duty, Alec dragged himself to the cabin where the sick X6's were and made a pallet in the floor by the fireplace near them. He usually sleeps lightly and he can be there if either of them need help

One X6 quietly followed him inside, bringing a plate of food. Scambled eggs, sausage links, toast and coffee. He offered it nervously to Alec, and Alec raised his eyebrows at the spread

"Where did ya find all this?" Alec asked, curious

"There's a food hut about 4 cabins down sir."

"Did you cook this?" Alec asked

The young X6 that couldn't be more than 14 nodded his shaggy head, "Yes sir. I used to work in the mess hall at Manticore."

Alec regarded him with a playful look, "Or more like you were drafted to KP duty for some infraction. Whaddya do?"

The X6 ducked his head sheepishly, "I put a frog in Renfro's mashed potatoes during lunch. Someone snitched."

Alec tried his best to keep from outright laughing. He was sure ol' Renfro deserved it. Alec checked his food, "No frogs in here, right?"

The boy had long shaggy brown hair that covered his eyes and was long enough to cover his bar code and he shook his head vehemently, giving Alec a hero worship look that almost embarassed him. "No sir! You saved our lives! You really kicked some Familiar ass!"

Alec sat at the hearth by the fire, placed his coffee cup by his feet and held the plate in one hand and ate with the other, realizing the food was surprisingly good. And there was real marmalade too! God! He was in Heave! Alec thought this as he closed his eyes, for a moment savoring the flavors

When he opened his eyes, the kid looked pleased, so Alec decided to verbalize, "Good job kid...." Alec finished chewing and took a sip of hot black coffee, then asked, "So, do you have a name or do I keep calling you kid?"

"Dallas.... sir."

"Well Dallas, I see you have things well in hand on the food front. Make sure we have plenty to last today, because we need to get out of here after dark tonight."

"Colonel Lydecker has found a plane sir...... it's about a half click away in a hangar that those Familiars must have built for it. He's checking it out now sir."

"Dallas, do me a favor will ya? First, call me Alec instead of sir. I'm not THAT much older than you are. And second, Deck will probably figure a way out of here for us and that's one less thing to worry about for me. When I finish this, I'm getting some sleep."

"Then sir.... Alec" , Dallas corrected himself quickly when Alec shot him a look at the 'sir', "You might prefer to sleep in the bedroom there. We have to come in and check on Dodger and Will."

Alec was finishing what was on his plate and shrugged, "I'll keep an eye on them. That's why I set up a pallet in front of the fireplace and close to them. If they make a peep, I'll check on them. They look like they're sleeping pretty soundly right now. All I need is a few hours shut eye and I'm good to go."

He passed his dirty dishes to Dallas and said, "Wake me at 1200 hours. Can you do that for me?"

"Yes sir!"

Alec rolled his eyes at the "sir" as Dallas left. Old habits died hard I guess, Alec thought. In Manticore, the X5's were the CO's of the X6's. And Alec was one of the lieutenants that pulled "Kiddie Duty" as they called it in Manticore, one of the team leaders that trained his own squadron of X6's. Although none of these kids were in his unit, but they sure knew who he was

Alec checked his acquired watch he got off of one of the dead, seeing it was 8:00 am. He got comfortable in his pallet and fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow and it seemed like just a few minutes that Dallas was waking him up, telling him it was noon

Alec scratched the stubble on his face, yawned and stretched as he sat up, realizing he has a 4 day growth of beard on his face. He made a mental note to find a razor and shaving kit. Surely there's one left around here somewhere!

Dallas brought lunch and Alec went ahead and ate. The old training at Manticore was coming back. Eat when it's given to you, because you never know when you'll be punished and food will be withheld for a while. In this case, it's more like you never are certain where your next meal will come from!

Dallas even brought Alec towels, more clothes that would fit him, soap and at Lydecker's orders, a shaving kit, toothbrush (still in it's package) and toothpaste.. Alec could have kissed the boy! But all Dallas got out of Alec was a wink and a "Good job boy!" as he made his way to the bath house to clean up

Feeling like a new man afterward, Alec came out of the bathhouse clean shaven, freshly scrubbed and clothes layered on him against the cold. Then he made his way to the cabin Lydecker took over to find out what the old man has up his sleeve. Because if he knew his former CO like he thinks he does, Deck has got a plan. And Alec was perfectly happy to let Deck lead..... at least until it regards something that harms him or his unit

-------------------------------------
TBC

[Dana0715]

"No! No way! And if I haven't made myself clear, HELL NO!"

Forget letting Deck lead. Alec thought. If he thinks he can get away with this idea of his....

"It's the only way 494."

"My name is Alec." Alec hissed dangerously

Lydecker looked the X5 over speculatively and said, "Let me guess. Max named you didn't she?"

"Yeah.... so?"

Deck actually had a hint of a nostalgic smile, "Max named her whole unit."

God, Alec missed Max so much, but he had to get his head back in the game. Pushing thoughts of Max out of his mind for now, he stated, "Don't get me off the subject Deck. You want to handcuff and chain me like some kind of criminal to get us past military police in Seattle. That was your plan. I don't trust you quite that much. Knowing you, you'll haul my ass to the police and collect the reward on my head."

"Do you really think I want Manticore technology in someone else's hands?? It's simply that you're too well known soldier. While you were sleeping, I did some checking. You are number two on Seattle's most wanted list, Max is number one. Pictures of the two of you are all over the news, the Internet and on Wanted posters all over Seattle as well as pictures of that dog boy friend of yours. Do you think you can really waltz through the Seattle Air Base without someone recognizing you and wanting to claim the reward for himself?"

Alec knew Deck was right, but it galled him that once again, he had to be trussed up like a friggin' Thanksgiving turkey AGAIN.

"Deck, do you realize what I've been through? I've been kidnapped, not once, but TWICE. I've been shocked by a shock collar, I've been knocked over the head by a rock, I've been beaten, shot at, threatened with either death or rape and then I was hunted like some would hunt deer. Handing all this power over to you to bring me through the Air Base..... that puts a lot of trust in you that frankly I don't have."

Deck stood so suddenly, he knocked his chair over. Glowering over Alec in his seat and pointed a finger under his nose, he hissed. "You think YOU had it rough soldier? Frost bite has taken two toes off my left foot. Those bastards finally did catch up with me when they were hunting me and I became the girlfriend of 4 of those ugly freaks. I've also been whipped head to toe, starved for days, used snow for water, had to live in a cage like an animal, urinated and defecated all over myself and having to live in my own filth in that cage and you're whining because you had ONE DAY of hell?" Deck grabbed Alec by the collar and shook him, "I went through seven months of hell soldier!! And I haven't whined once!"

Deck grabbed Alec by the chin hard. Green/gold eyes meeting hard blue eyes. "So don't you dare whine about what you went through. Consider yourself lucky. I at least still have my balls intact. As for them...." he pointed outside, "Every last one of THEM have been castrated. Be glad you weren't part of that number because you would have been next."

Holy f*cking sh!t! Alec's eyes widened. He had had no idea things were that bad. He knew they were starved and raped, but those poor boys castrated?

Alec finally turned his head away in shame and disgust, and Deck released his chin, nodded with satisfaction and stood

"Now, all I wanna do is get you past the security. I'll remove your chains afterward. I have the military pull to get you through the air base without too many questions, and if there are questions I'll handle it. You just behave yourself unless I give you a signal otherwise."

Alec couldn't get past what Deck revealed to him a moment ago. "Castrated? As in...."

"Luckily the cock is still there, but no balls. Cut right off, no anesthesia, they were left to bleed to death and didn't realize the fast clotting abilities of the X series."

To Alec, that would be a fate worse than death. He stood and went to the window, watching the boys chopping wood, or handling guard duty or other chores

Finally, Alec turned back to the Colonel, "Fine. Chain me up. But as soon as we are in transportation, you take the chains off. Just get us to a sewer entry and we'll take the sewers to Terminal City."

Alec walked out of the cabin.... he needed time to think! And maybe to throw up!

--------------------------------
Back in Seattle

Logan was really frustrated. Matt Sung was out of town on vacation with his family, so he couldn't help get him and Max through sector checkpoints. He had Max disguised in the platinum blonde wig and got Gem to help cover her barcode with make-up. He finally just had to bring her to his house.... actually the house that belongs to Joshua. Since Joshua is now living in Terminal City, and Logan needed a place to stay when his identity as Eyes Only was compromised, it seemed like the best place to take Max. To get her away for just a little while, away from anything reminded her of Alec

They had a memorial service for Alec at dawn this morning. It was really nice. Joshua painted a portrait of Alec, this time not abstract and it was actually a very good likeness of the roguish X5. Max clung to Alec's pillow like a child would cling to a favorite stuffed toy or blanket.

And Logan didn't have the heart to take it away from her. Everyone seemed to understand. That Alec-scented pillow was her one bit of comfort and she wasn't relinquishing it for anyone

Logan had Sam Carr take Alec's head and place it in cryo. And least this way, Sam can study the physiology better and learn more about the X5 anatomy

At least head to bar code!

Logan had to actually assist Max into the house. She was so grief stricken, she couldn't lead TC anymore. Logan turned the reins over to Mole for the time being and he was determined to get Max back to her former self, or as much of her former self as possible. Terminal City needed her, especially now that Alec was gone

Logan had taken a few calls on Alec's behalf. One was an arm's dealer that had the weapons Max has been wanting for a while, but he required fifteen grand. Another call was the guy that supplies Mole's Cuban cigars

When the last call was from some girl that seemed to get off on falling for convicts, she left a message for Alec regarding "doing him" anytime, anywhere...... Logan hung up in disgust

He sat Max in the living room on the couch and she automatically laid down and curled into the fetal position, clinging to her Alec-scented pillow

Logan removed the blond wig and brushed her bangs out of her eyes, telling her gently, "I'm going to fix you some soup. You really need to eat something Max. I'll be right back."

He stood and walked toward the kitchen. He wasn't even sure she heard him. He remembered when she died in his arms after a gunshot and he reacted pretty much the same way for a few days

He sincerely hoped he could help her bounce back, find a purpose to keep her going

----------------------------------
When Alec made it back to camp, Dallas came running up to him

"Sir! Come quick! Zero's gone off the deep end!"

Dallas grabbed Alec by the hand and dragged him with him.

"What are you talking about? What's up with Zero?"

"Come see! You won't believe it!"

Alec jogged through the snow behind Dallas until they reached the clearing and the sight before him shocked him speechless

Zero had constructed a large wooden X and he had nailed one of the dead men to it and had apparently stripped him, then raised the wooden X to where he was eye to dead-eye with the stiff.

And Zero had just cut off the man's balls and was holding them up in his hands, yelling at the dead Familiar

Dallas held Alec back for a moment when Alec was about to rush forward and whispered, "That guy.... did the same thing to Zero a few months ago and was the first to break him. He tormented Zero the worst and it was every night too!"

Alec recognized the dead man as the one on the hill, the first one he fought and shot while being hunted. Alec had stolen his coat, boots and hat

But this guy apparently stole a lot more from Zero. Something Zero could never get back

His innocence

-------------------------------
TBC

[phoenixnz]

Poor Zero - it doesn't sound like he'll ever regain his sanity. Poor kid.

Great updates Trina.

[Dana0715]

Leanne - Zero just has a lot of bottled up rage. Just trying to work through that. :)

-------------------------------------
Alec had to make a decision fast and he hoped the decision he made was the right one to help Zero

Alec called out to everyone with a shrug, "You know what? I think Zero has the right idea here."

The three X6 boys that were witnesses looked at Alec like he had lost his marbles. Alec quickly explained

Approaching Zero and the dead Familiar, Alec coached the X6, "This faggot turned you into his own personal p*ssy. I say we tear him apart. And that..." Alec pointed at what Zero still held in his hands, "is one way to start."

He turns back to the rest of the boys, "These motherf*ckers put you through the worst kind of hell imaginable. They tell us they feel no pain. Well, let me impart a little wisdom here boys. They may not feel physical pain, but once we're done, they'll sure as HELL feel mental and emotional pain when they find their friends staked, slaughtered, maimed and finally burned."

It looks at each of them one at a time, "I say you get your balls back boys! I know you can't do it literally, but you sure as hell can do it figuratively! Let's send a message to this Familiar trash and let them know they can't f*ck with us forever. We're making a stand boys!"

Alec raised a finger to signal to give him a minute and he ran to a tool shed, forcing the door open and coming back out with a club that had metal spikes at the end. God knows why Familiars have this, but it would sure come in handy now

He walked purposely back through the wide-eyed boys to Zero and had him drop his prize on the ground, then put his hands around the handle of the club. Making Zero look him in the eye, he told him, "Beat the sh!t out of this stiff. Break every bone in his body! Get it all out boy! Show him! Show all of 'em! This is what they get if they tangle with you!"

Alec stepped back and Zero looked down at the club then at his former tormentor. Gritting his teeth, he raised the club back and with a war cry, hit the guy across the chest, knocking the makeshift cross and the body down to the ground

It didn't stop Zero though as he raised it again over his head and brought it down with all his strength, bludgening the guy repeatedly

Boy! White's gonna have a mess to clean up!

Alec turned back to the other boys, "I think I'm gonna do the same thing. I have some rage to work through too. And I'll start with...." he walks over to the dead bodies that no one has buried yet and pulls out Gina, dragging her body by the arm

Alec began making his own cross while the boys watched, taking two 2x6's and nailing them in the center to make an X, using the nails and hammer that Zero had used. After that was done, he roughly dragged Gina over to the makeshift cross

Now Zero was done, the body he beat couldn't really be beaten anymore and he was out of breath. Alec used rope to tie Gina to his cross, tying it tightly under her ribcage, then tying the arms and legs, finally raising the cross and using the support behind the cross to spear it into the ground, then he used the hammer to pound it in

He looks at the surprised boys, and now the delighted gleam in Zero's eyes. Alec yelled out, "Find me a whip! I know they got one around here somewhere!"

Within two minutes, one of the boys presented the whip to Alec. Alec tested it in the air first, hearing the crack and making the boys jump. He stepped back a few paces and without further ado, began repeatedly whipping Gina's body, causing marks all over her. She had been stripped down to her thermal underwear when everyone was trying to gather clothes. The whip was tearing the underwear and causing lash marks all over her body

THAT should get a message across, Alec thought when he had had enough and tossed the whip aside

"OK. We're going to use her and the others as target practice. I want each of you to find a weapon. A gun, a crossbow, I don't care. Zero and I will post each of these stiffs up as your targets."

They all still stood there and Alec growled, "That was an order boys! Go!!"

They scrambled away quickly to do his bidding, leaving Alec and Zero there alone. This gave Alec an opportunity to check over his favorite X6

"How ya feel?" Alec asked him and Zero actually smiled

"That felt good! If I ever see another Familiar again..."

Alec smiled back and nodded, "Watch out for Zero. He'll take 'em all out!"

Zero finally didn't look like a maniac. He looked like a soldier that was working through his rage. And winning

Zero presented his fist to Alec, "You got that right!"

Alec connected his fist with Zero's in agreement, then suddenly became serious, "Let's get the rest of these bodies staked up. You know anything about explosives?"

Zero nodded as he helped Alec pull out a particularly large dead body, "Yes sir!"

"Good! Do you know how to work a trip wire to set off an explosive? Where if someone walks across it...."

Zero grinned proudly again, still on the same wavelength as Alec, "They go BOOM?" Zero remarked jokingly

"Exactly!"

"Yes sir!"

"When we finish staking our targets up, I want you to rig explosives with trip wires. Before we leave we'll set them up under each body."

"I could set it up where the X goes first. You know, pour kerosene on it or something."

Alec liked that idea, "I knew there was a reason I liked you so much. Just..." he leaned conspiratorially to Zero and whispered, "Just don't tell the others. OK?"

----------------------------
Lydecker eventually came outside, using a large stick he made into a makeshift cane and saw what Alec was doing within just a couple of minutes of scanning over the clearing

Deck sat in a rocking chair and sipped his coffee, contemplating

It just proved to Deck once again. He had trained Alec and his unit to be soldiers, to be killers

And Alec still had it in him

From what Deck remembered of Alec's formative years, 494 doesn't kill unless provoked. That was a liability in Manticore soldiers, who were supposed to kill when given the order from a superior officer. No amount of reindoc they put Alec through could remove that tendency to hesitate on a kill

And he seems to have a history to fall in love with his marks

First there was that Berrisford girl.

And now there's Max. He could tell by the mention of her earlier that 494 has fallen in love with Max too.

When Deck had retrieved Renfro's briefcase from White almost a year ago, he had checked the database and it had Alec's file, as well as all other X5's, 6's, 7's and 8's. He was classified as a superb soldier, a crack shot when handling guns, perfect marksman with crossbows

And he had an eye for the females

Since they couldn't trust him on long-term assignments, he was only given short term assignments where he would be back home at Manticore within a week. They learned he was also a hustler, always making deals, always seemed to have a hand in someone's pockets. Manticore turned a blind eye to this, because it's a trait they could actually use in their X5's

The X5's were all made to look physically pleasing too. Studies prove that attractive people are more accepted by the general public, and they needed their X5s to blend in

Alec and Max were two of the best looking specimens they had. And Max always had a way about her that sparked loyalty in everyone around her

Back at Manticore, Zack and Ben would have done anything she told them. Zack was supposed to be the leader, but Max was the brains behind the unit. Deck knew that when he'd observe them

In Alec's group, Alec was the leader, not a follower like Ben had been. Which of course classified Alec as the alpha male of the group, like Zack was for Max's group

Alec had a way about him that invoked loyalty from his followers too. Deck remembered upon closer inspection of X5-494, Alec had a laid back quality about him, he also had a good dose of empathy that the scientists apparently forgot to splice out of his DNA, and a keen sense of how to talk anyone into anything

Like talking that X6 out of his delirium a moment ago. Alec's empathy caused him to realize that Zero had a lot of bottled up rage that had to get out. And Alec did the quickest thing, the most effective way to help him work through it

If he could start his own version of Manticore, he'd love to have Alec and Max back on the team. But he knew what Max would say to that. "Screw you Deck!"

Chuckling at the thought, Deck sipped his coffee and plotted out his next move. Seattle was becoming a trasgenic hating war zone. Deck thought he could be a part of trying to make it to where transgenics will once again be free to walk the streets again


Now the transhumans like the dog boy, he'd have to find somewhere to put them where they can roam freely without fear.... but would still probably have to be behind walls or fences for their own protection

But for now, he has to get everyone that's still breathing out tonight. He had made sure the plane worked, he found uniforms the X6s could wear. Alec could wear his own clothes, but will be chained at the wrists and ankles

If all goes well, they should be in Terminal City in the early morning hours tomorrow

---------------------------------
TBC

[phoenixnz]

I still don't trust Deck - he's obviously got his own agenda. But good on Alec for helping Zero work through his issues. He really does like the kid, doesn't he? It's almost as if he's taken on a big brother role.

[Dana0715]

Alec had been pleasantly surprised when he was "forced" into a military police van in Seattle, chains and cuffs on his wrists and ankles, and the recovering X6s wearing military police uniforms. Deck did some fast talking, pulling rank as colonel as he walked through the Air Force Base, ordering a van to carry his prisoner to police headquarters

Deck spoke in such a way that no one argued and everyone scrambled to do his bidding

It almost seemed too easy, Alec thought as Zero began working on unlocking the cuffs from Alec's body.

But it worked as Deck pulled out of the compound, driving the van to 4th and Main where they will drop into a sewer and head for Terminal City

One of the X6's, Will, had died back at the Familiar camp, his injuries way too far gone to do much for him. They brought his body back in a body bag, and they put the other sick X6, Dodger, in a second body bag, having him pretend to be dead. He was sickly and pale looking enough that all he had to do was hold his breath for the amount of time to get him off the plane and transport him on a gurney to the van. Everyone was now pulling poor Dodger out of the body bag and helping him sit up. Dallas was sitting in the front passenger seat with Lydecker while the others shared the two bench seats in the back

They pulled into an alley between two stores and they all got out. Alec opened that manhole lid and wrinkled his nose at the smell

But it has to be done!

Alec instructed the X6's, "Climb down there and wait for me at the bottom. Hurry!"

Then Alec turned to Deck and said, "Thanks for getting me home."

Deck just nodded and then Alec had to say, "You know I can't take you with me. We have a lot of Terminal City residents that would take the first chance they can to kill you. But, you do need an explanation to give as to how your prisoner escaped. So...." Alec cracked his knuckles and asked, "Do you want me to hit you, or simply choke you enough to pass out?"

Deck was still recovering from his own ordeal, if anyone took enough time to look at him closely. If it wasn't for the military hat he was wearing, they'd see his face was more lined and his hair grayer. But he still had the harsh blue eyes that could pierce right through you

"I think they need to see bruises 494. So go ahead and hit me. I know you want to."

Alec smirked, like he has been looking forward to this moment for years, and he hit Deck quickly right between the eyes, effectively knocking him out. Alec watched his body slump to the ground and he squatted next to Deck and whispered, "Hope we never see each other again Deck."

He got up and made his way to the sewer opening, climbing down the ladder and with his strength, he pulled the manhole cover lid back in place above his head, then jumped down to land next to the waiting X6's. Alec grabbed Dodger himself, seeing the boy was already exhausted, and he threw Dodger over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and told the others to follow him. The other 4 had to carry Will together as a team through the sewer tunnel. They all followed Alec with no questions, trusting him completely

-------------------------------
It took two hours of navigating the sewer tunnels and having to allow the X6's some breaks from carrying dead weight. But finally, they made it to Terminal City

Alec propped Dodger up against a wall, making sure the boy could hold out a little while longer, then he climbed the ladder and removed yet another manhole lid. As soon as his head poked up, guns were cocked and pointed all around him. The mutants heard someone coming and they were just trying to protect themselves

"Whoa, boys! It's me!"

Mole never wavered with his shotgun and said, "You have to be a clone. Alec's dead.... and you're next."

"What??" Alec asked and then saw very quickly that he was serious, "Hey! Mole! I'm not dead!" Alec carefully pulled himself out of the sewer to stand before them. Something wasn't right here. He felt like he had walked into the Twilight Zone. "Guys! It's me! It's Alec."

"Or a clone." Mole stated, looking him over suspiciously. "Alec wouldn't be caught dead in that outfit."

Alec looked down at himself, oversized flannel shirt and wool pants that frankly were a little itchy, but he looked at it he could suffer with it and make sure the X6s got what they needed until he could get to his own clothes. Mole was right. It's a far cry from his usual jeans or khakis, layered shirts and leather jacket

Alec had to grin at the lizard man in friendly humor, "In normal circumstances, you're right Mole. But if you have had the week I have had, you'll wear whatever it takes to stay warm, regardless of how it looks."

There was more of a crowd showing up and staring at Alec in wonder. Alec spotted Joshua approaching and he yelled out, waving his arms "Hey! Josh! Get over here and confirm who I am before Mole shoots me, will ya??"

Mole pulled the safety back on the shotgun, about to blow him away and Alec had to talk fast, "C'mon Mole! It's me! I was supposed to meet with your cigar supplier two days ago. Did he call?"

Mole stopped and engaged the safety again, lowering the gun and looking the X5 over

"Alec!" Joshua cried happily as he pushed his way forward through the crowd and picked Alec up in a bear hug, nearly crushing Alec's ribs. "You're alive!"

"Course I'm alive Josh. Nothing keeps me down for long. Why did everyone think I was dead anyway?"

Joshua finally turned to Mole and nodded, "It's Alec. Same scent!"

Mole grabbed Alec by the collar and shook him fiercely, making Alec gulp because Mole was a really strong and tall transhuman. "Don't EVER take off like that again without checking in with somebody. We had a memorial service for you just this morning."

Alec motioned into the sewer for the X6s to come out and Alec helped pull Dodger up first. Joshua rushed to help, noticing how pale the poor kid was. Alec called out, "I need someone with medic training to check him over. We may have to call Dr Carr or Dr Shankar."

All of the rest of the X6's pulled themselves out of the sewer opening and everyone rushed to do Alec's bidding. Alec finally turned to Mole, "I have been on missions that have lasted much longer than this and no one thought I was dead within a week. What made everyone think I died?"

Mole lit his cigar and then explained, "Must have been a clone of yours. White cut the head off of an X5 that looks exactly like you and has your bar code."

His run-in with his twin seemed like a lifetime ago by now and Alec ran a hand over his own barcode as he explained, "Yeah. Logan sent me after my twin, Ben. He grew up with Max in Manticore and escaped with her back in '09. When they met up last year, it turned out he was a psycho killer. Max had to kill him."

"Let me guess." Mole drolled, "They played Lazarus with your twin."

"Yep! Pretty much. Brought him back and I was going to either retrieve him and bring him back to TC.... or take him out if he was a threat. Instead, he had me knocked over the head, altered my barcode to look like his and sold me out. I wound up in a Familiar camp and found these boys all caged up."

Alec sighed tiredly as he watched Joshua taking the boys under his wing and he ended the story with, "Long story short, Deck was there too and he helped us all get back here."

"Ol' Lydecker is back from the dead too huh?"

Alec gave his trademark smirk, "Well, he was never technically considered dead Mole."

"Just MIA."

"Right. I'll tell you more details later, but right now, I'd like to get a shower and my own clothes, and find Max."

Joshua had just come back and heard the last sentence. "Max at Logan's. Grieving."

Oh man! Alec realized his "death" may have caused a serious heartbreak for Max. He knew he'd probably do somewhat the same thing. Grieve, cry, scream, maybe throw some things

"I guess I better hurry and get over there huh?" Alec said as he clapped Joshua on the shoulder, then jogged away to change and shower. He would love to be back in his own Levis instead of these borrowed clothes.

----------------------------------
An hour later, Alec pulled his motorcycle in front of Joshua's old house. He wore a helmet just so he wouldn't be recognized and he kept it on until he got to the door. He removed the helmet and walked in without knocking

"Max?" he called out and stopped short, feeling like his heart was being ripped from his chest

Because Logan had his arms around HIS woman and she was crying on his shoulder

He didn't mean to ever put Max through this. He walked further into the house because they didn't seem to hear him

"Max?"

Both Logan and Max turned to the voice. Max's gasp was audible to all, but Logan narrowed his eyes

"Alec?" Max asked in that little girl voice she has when crying

Logan stood quickly, grabbed his handgun and pointed it at Alec, "Or Ben." Logan announced, jaw set

F*ck! Alec raised his hands again, having a gun pointed at him for the second time today

--------------------------------
TBC

[phoenixnz]

Ooh, hope Alec has something up his sleeve to convince Max.

[Dana0715]

"Show us your barcode." Logan demanded, "Max can tell the difference."

"Yeah.... see.... about that...."

Max stood suddenly, throwing her pillow down on the couch and marched over to Alec. She grabbed him by the back of the head, pulling him forward hard, saw his barcode, then pulled him back up by the hair, gripping hard and making Alec wince

"Ben! What the hell are you trying to pull?"

Alec almost had tears in his eyes, "Max! I'm not Ben!"

Max shook Alec's head as she gritted out, "Your barcode looks like Ben! I know Alec's barcode anywhere and that's not it."

Alec finally found a way to disentangle Max's hand from his hair and he held her hand, pleading. "Max! Logan sent me to go after Ben and then Ben knocked me out and altered my barcode." Alec turned imploring eyes to Logan, "Tell her Logan. Tell her how you sent me to retrieve Ben."

Max turned to Logan, fists now clenched at her sides as she was approaching Logan, and Logan knew with a gulp of his own that he was in trouble. He never had the chance to tell Max about the mission he sent Alec on, because he knew she couldn't handle the news right now. He was dealing with his own guilt over Alec's death, but Max's grief and the health of her baby came first

Apparently he has to do some explaining, and fast!

"You sent Alec out and got him KILLED??" For the first time in a week, Max was feeling something other than grief, and she turned her anger on one of her closest friends

"Max! I'm NOT dead! I'm right here!" Alec rolled his eyes

"Shut up!" she turned glaring eyes on Alec and he shut his mouth quickly, knowing better than to push. Max turned back to Logan, waiting for an explanation

Logan kept the gun trained on Alec and also tried to explain to Max at the same time, "I had found satelite footage of Ben in Gillette. In the woods that surrounds the old Manticore site. He was living there as a hermit."

"And you couldn't tell ME to go find Ben? Ben would have never killed me."

"How do you know that Max?" Logan asked hotly. "You two may have been like brother and sister at one time, but you KILLED him Max." Logan hated it, to say those words flat out like that, but he had to make her see his reasoning. "He could have had ideas of revenge against you. You left his body for Manticore to retrieve and saved yourself. If he was still psychotic, he would have taken you down. And let me remind you that it was White that killed Alec, not Ben."

"Hello! I'm still here!" Alec yelled out, flabbergasted and annoyed

"Shut up!" Logan told him, pulling back the safety on his gun, "Or else I will shoot first and ask questions later."

Alec ignored Logan and tried to plead with Max, "Max, I'm telling you when I met up with Ben in Gillette, we each had a gun on the other, facing off. He had an accomplice that snuck up behind me and hit me over the head with a rock, knocking me out. I still have that knot on my head! That's why pulling my hair was so painful earlier. You wanna see?"

Max was still suspicious and said, "Doesn't explain why you are wearing Ben's barcode."

Alec spoke quickly, "OK, after I got knocked out, he had a portable tattoo kit and altered my barcode to look like his, and then he altered his to look like mine."

Max stopped a moment to think about that, saying, "That could explain why we have a head that looks like Alec and has his barcode..."

Alec grimaced in distaste, "Ugh! A head? What do you mean?"

Logan finally lowered his gun, put the safety back on and tucked it into his waistband, "Max got a special delivery from White. Alec's head, or at least, that's what we thought it was. If what you say is true, that was Ben's head."

Alec shuddered, "God! That had to be disgusting!" He started to reach out to Max, but she was still suspicious. He dropped his hands with a sigh, "I'm sorry you had to go through that Maxie." He turned to Logan, "Where's the head now?"

"With Sam Carr."

Alec thought of something, "Wait a minute.... Dr Carr would probably be able to scan my barcode and pull apart with a computer what is in my DNA and what part of the barcode has been altered by man. Actual ink versus a DNA imprint."

Max and Logan look at each other questioningly, thinking it over. Then Max turned hard eyes on Alec

"Question.... where did we first meet?" Max asked, testing him

"In your cell at Manticore when I was brought to you as your breeding partner." Alec answered without pause

"When was the first time we had sex?" Max asked

"Max.... do you really wanna go there with Logan listening?" Alec asked

"Answer the damn question!"

"Fine! The night after Manticore burned down, outside the barn we took refuge in. You went into heat and sought me out."

"I did not! You jumped me!"

"I was on guard duty Max! You sought ME out."

"All I did was walk outside and you jumped my bones."

Alec was laughing, this is an old argument of theirs, "Max. You came outside to me, I didn't go inside the barn to you. I was trying to stay AWAY from you because I knew you were in heat and you wanted nothing to do with me and you would hate me later. You walked outside, I warned you not to come any closer to me, you didn't listen and we f*cked. End of story!"

Finally Max smiled and threw her arms around him tightly, breathing in his scent, "Welcome home Alec." and then she kissed him

This was the welcome he wanted from the moment he left Canada

Then she broke the kiss and hit him on the shoulder, "Don't EVER scare me like that again! Do you have ANY idea what I've been through in the last week?? I have learned that.... I can't live without you, dammit! So the next time you're traipsing off on another mission...."

This time, Alec shut her up by pulling her into his arms and kissing her again, effectively stopping her tirade. Once he lifted his head from the kiss, he waggled his eyebrows and murmured, "Yep! Still works!"

The two of them couldn't seem to stop kissing and touching each other, and before long, Logan coughed loudly to get their attention

"Guys, if you keep that up, I will need to leave the house for a few hours and let you get your reunion out of the way."

Logan was giving Max a meaningful look and patted his stomach, then quirked an eyebrow to see if she got the hint

Max asked Logan, "Ummm.... do you mind leaving us alone for a little bit?"

Logan knew Max had some news for Alec.... and three's a crowd. He grabbed his jacket and said, "Not at all, just.... lock up when you leave, OK?"

After Logan left, Alec thought just like any typical male would. That she got rid of Logan for some "quality time" with her man, so Alec lowered his head for another kiss. Max placed her fingers over his mouth to stop him

"If you kiss me, you're gonna get me all addle-brained and I won't be able to tell you what I need to tell you."

He had an arm around her waist, her body was intimately close to his and he used his free hand to remove her finger and suck on digit into his mouth

"Can't it wait?" Alec asked huskily, sucking first on the pointer finger, then the middle finger, knowing how she likes that

She shook her head gently and said, "But.... I'll tell it like a secret. It's just one sentence. Lean down and let me whisper it to you."

Oooh! This sounded intriguing. Alec leaned forward and Max stood on her tiptoes and whispered hotly into his ear

"I'm pregnant."

Alec's eyes looked like a deer that was caught in the headlights of an oncoming car. He purposely put the Manticore mask on his face, showing no fear as he asked, "How do you feel about that?"

"Scared..... I mean, with the way the public hates transgenics, and Senator McKinley is pushing for sterilization of all transgenics and transhumans, this is big Alec. How can we keep a child safe from all the hatred out there?"

Alec pulled her into an embrace and held her, saying, "Maxie, all we can do is like any other parent of a minority does. Teach them about how there are some people out there that have small minds and discriminate, but teach our child to not make the same mistake of others. I'm not sayin' we'll be perfect parents. But we'll do the best we can, and we'll love this child. That's way more than what we got at Manticore."

Max smiled and looked up at him, "I hadn't thought of this, but our child won't have to go through the training that we did...."

"Or reindoctrination"

"Assassinations"

Alec kissed her again, and then nodded, "He can just be a kid."

"He? Someone wanting a son?"

Alec shrugged and said, "I honestly don't care one way or another. As long as it's healthy."

They kissed again and finally, Max grabbed Alec's hand and led him upstairs to one of the bedrooms

--------------------------------------
Two weeks later - back in Terminal City

The military wasn't going to wait much longer. Everyone was gathered around the television sets in the command center, listening to the sector police chief and a National Guard major giving a speech about how this intolerable situation would soon be resolved.

"Resolved how?" Dix asked.

"How do you think?" Mole said. "By killin' all the mutants."

"I'd like to see them try," Max said while sitting on Alec's lap, one of the few seats available. "We're well armed and well supplied. They'll take heavy casualties if they try to take us down and I doubt they want that kind of bad PR."

"There's been some movement on the perimeter this morning," Mole pointed out. "Could be they're gettin' ready to launch an assault."

"Ah, you always think the worst," Luke said. "More'n likely they're just rearranging the troops, changing out the ranks."

"Be quiet," Max hissed, listening to the newscast.

"Our sources inform us that plans are underway to arrange a meeting between the mutant leaders and the military," Channel 9's anchorwoman read. "We'll keep you up-to-date on any new developents in this area."

Max turned to Alec in confusion. He was just as confused as she was. She told him, "I haven't gotten any party invitation You?" Alec shook his head and Max turned back to the TV screen, pondering. "I wonder what she's talking about?"

"Maybe about this," Joshua said from the doorway. He was holding up an envelope. "One of the soldiers outside slid this under the barricade."

Max stood up and walked down the steps to the ground floor, taking the envelope from Joshua. Tearing it open, she read what was inside, then turned to the others, passing the note to Alec. "They want two of us to come to the sector police station so we can start negotiating. They guarantee our safe passage."

"I'll go with you," Joshua said.

Max smiled at her dog friend. "I appreciate the offer, but I think you'd make them nervous, Big Fella."

"That leaves me out, too," Mole said, chewing on his cigar. "Who you gonna take then? Alec?"

Alec looked over at Mole with a raised eyebrow, "Who else? Someone's gotta be her bodyguard!" he quipped

*****
At police headquarters

"Exactly what do we know about these transgenics?" Major Donahue asked. He'd only recently arrived in Seattle to take over the National Guard operations and had yet to be completely briefed on the Terminal City situation.

A man in a white lab coat, Dr. Chin, shuffled through a stack of papers until he found what he was looking for. Then he turned to the major. "In a nutshell, sir, they're supersoldiers. Created by a secret branch of our own government over the past 30 years in a program called 'Manticore.' Last year the program was ordered shut down, but something happened and these creatures escaped into the outside world -- hundreds of them."

"I know something about the mutants," the major said, his distaste evident. "I've seen the newscasts, the filmed footage, the autospsy reports. Most of them seem to be bizarre enough looking that they won't have any way of hiding even if they do escape from Terminal City. The ones I'm worried about are the X series. Their exterior human appearance would allow them to infiltrate our race, breed, perhaps one day challenge mankind's very existance. I want to know about the X's and what they're capable of."

"The X series were Manticore's most successful attempt to meld human and animal DNA," Dr. Chin said. "The X1's, 2's, and 3's aren't exactly human looking. Their appearances reflect their animal DNA in fairly obvious ways. The X4's were better, but they can still be recognized as nonhuman. Some have canine teeth, or the remnants of a tail -- possible to hide but discernable if you look closely enough. Our real problem are the X5's."

"What's so special about them?" Donahue asked.

"They're Manticore's crowning achievement, their success story. The X5's are completely human looking on the exterior, but they have incredible speed and strength due to the addition of feline DNA and other genetic tampering. In addition, our autopsies indicate their senses are enhanced -- night vision, super acute hearing, taste and smell. Their immune systems are also revved up. Oh, and according to our inside source, their average I.Q. is in the 185 range. They may have other attributes as well that we just don't know about yet. There are even rumors of extrasensory perception abilities. We've autopsied two X5 bodies, a male and a female. However, their DNA is so complex it could take us years to unravel and understand everything their creators did in the lab."

"Aren't there X6's and 7's?"

"Yes, sir. And eights. However, according to our source who worked with the Manticore project, the series beyond the X5's were actually somewhat un-enhanced."

"Explain."

"The X5's were incredible physical specimans, but their handlers determined they had several major psychological flaws. Their creators made them far too aggressive, self-reliant and independent which led to rogue behavior. It was also later decided that certain emotional factors should have been eliminated. There was an attempt to correct these flaws in the later models, make them more passive."

"In a military scenario the X5's would be the leaders, the officers, and the others their army," Donahue said. "An X5 is leading the creatures, correct?"

"Yes, sir," the police chief said. "And our source has given us specifics about her, X5-452."

Another man who had been standing to one side in the room now spoke up. "Excuse me, gentlemen, but they're not creatures. I encountered several of these people during the incident at the Jam Pony Messenger building that preceded the current situation. Some of them are as human as you or I. And right now, I imagine they're just as scared of us as we are of them."

"Major," the police chief said. "This is Detective Clemente, the officer who I'm afraid allowed the mutants to escape into Terminal City several weeks ago."

"I personally spoke with 452," Clemente continued, ignoring the criticism. "Her name, by the way, is Max. She's a brave and beautiful young woman who seems to have a very level head on her shoulders. I'm sure if you speak with her and don't threaten her people all of this could be resolved peacefully."

"Oh, we intend to speak with her," Donahue said. "An invitation has already been issued. If she accepts, and we talk face-to-face, I have an offer ready that will indeed quickly end this intolerable situation."

"What kind of offer?" Clemente asked.

"An offer for all of the mutants to surrender to the military," Donahuse said. "Technically, they're military property anyway, the same as a tank, or a gun, or a missile. If it weren't so messy, we would probably be better off simply cleansing the entire Terminal City area, taking it down to the dirt. It's not as if they're people or even animals. They're things."

The police chief cleared his throat.

Donahue looked at him. "But there are some objections to performing such a radical military action in the middle of a populated area. Therefore, we will negotiate with 452. However, the end result will be the same, the mutants will be eliminated from the general population. Whether this happens peacefully, or with a massacre, is going to be up to 452."

---------------------------------
TBC

[Dana0715]

"Lose the gun," Max said on the day of the negotiations as they were about to leave to head for the front gate. They were in their bedroom and Max was making sure her hair and make-up were perfect

Alec was standing over her shoulder looking in the mirror, making sure his hair was in place and said, "Aw, Max. Come on. I've gotta have somethin' to defend us with. I'm supposed to be your bodyguard aren't I?"

Max planted her hands on her hips and turned to meet his eyes, "I said no guns. And you're not my bodyguard." She nudged him playfully, "If anything, I'm yours seein' as how I'm always rescuin' your ass."

"Why no guns? And while I'm in the whining mood, why aren't you wearing something that shows more skin?" Alec whined

"One, it will make them trust us even less. Two, they'll probably just take the gun away from you. And three, " She put her arms around him and kissed him apologetically "This is a business negotiation, I don't need to go in there dressed as a tramp. They won't take me seriously. And it's your own fault I have to wear a turtleneck anyway. You put too many hickies on my neck!"

He looked her over. She was wearing a black pencil skirt that ended just above her knees, a blue turtleneck with a black jacket that matched the skirt.

"Well, your curves are still accentuated baby. And those legs..." Alec whistled as he looked down at her nylon covered legs

"Stop getting me off the subject Cassanova. No guns. Get rid of it!"

"Aw, how sweet. You don't want me to shoot myself in the foot." Alec quipped

She shot at look at him over her shoulder, "Sarcasm doesn't become you, Alec."

Alec sighed, "Max, we're at war. We're soldiers. We're supposed to be armed."

"This is a peace negotiation, not a battle."

"I'm not so sure about that Max. What if White's there?" His words finally gave Max pause and while still holding her in his arms, he bent his knees slightly to look her in the eyes. "Do you know if Ames is in on this? Did they give you any details?" he pressed gently.

Max was looking defeated already. "No. All they said was to meet them outside our main gate at nine this morning."

Alec checked his watch then stepped back, reluctantly releasing her with a final kiss. Two minutes to go. He was wearing khaki pants, blue dress shirt and his leather jacket, not too casual and not too dressy either. He put his hand on the .45 automatic in his belt, not risking his favorite Glock to confiscation.

"Max, I know this might be a little bit late to say, but did it occur to you that all they have to do is kill the two of us and this whole transgenic nation idea of yours will fall apart?"

"They don't know that," Max said nervously, biting her lip.

Alec realized he was just making her more nervous so he kissed her again and said, "I'm sorry. I'm shutting up now. I got your back. You know that. We're in this together."

Finally, they walked out of their apartment together and began walking through TC to head to the front gate, Alec walking slightly behind Max, taking his job seriously. He WILL protect the mother of his child, the love of his life, and the unborn baby with his very life.

Of course, the back view of Max walking with her hips swaying due to the heels she was wearing wasn't bad either!

There was the sound of a vehicle approaching the other side of the gate. Alec glanced up at the lookout who nodded. He murmured to Max quietly. "You real sure you want to do this?"

"We don't have any choice," she said in a low voice. "You know we don't."

Alec hated to admit it, but he had to agree. They certainly couldn't stay holed up in Terminal City forever. Sooner or later negotiations would have to begin, and they probably had more leverage now than they would later when the mutants within began to get restless. As for himself, there was no way he was going to let Max go into something like this with anyone but him by her side. "Let's do it," he said.

Their people opened the makeshift gates and the two X5's walked through to where a jeep was waiting. There was a driver, and no one else.

"Where are we going?" Max asked as they both climbed into the back seat.

"Sector Police headquarters," the driver said, giving them a sideways look.

"Whoa! I thought this was gonna be some place neutral," Alec said, keeping his door open. He looked back over his shoulder at Terminal City. There was still time to jump out and retreat. Then he saw the resolved expression on Max's face and knew that wasn't going to happen. Resigned to his fate, Alec sighed heavily, closed the back door and slouched in the jeep's back seat, the pressure of the .45 that he never left behind was against his spine and giving little comfort.

*****

Alec made it all the way up the steps to the Sector Police Station's front door before he found himself with a rifle pointed at his chest. "Halt!" the young guardsman said. Two others came forward and began to frisk them. Max started to protest, but Alec shook his head, the look in his eyes warning her to stand down. He knew the drill and there was no use complaining. Still, it had been worth a try. Besides, he wasn't all that upset about losing the gun. He could always acquire another if necessary. After all, he was an X5, a highly trained, genetically engineered killing machine -- or at least that's what the yaps on the TV news kept saying. What better weapon was there than himself?

He smiled his most apologetic smile at the guardsman who confiscated the automatic, and got a blank stare in return. So much for making nice, Alec thought with a shrug. These soldiers were even more brainwashed than he'd been -- convinced that the mutants were the enemy.

They were escorted inside and entered an elevator. The meeting was on the fourth floor in a room with several chairs surrounding a conference table. Alec immediately noted the lack of windows and ventilation ducts.

"We're gonna be trapped like rats," he said under his breath to Max. "I can't believe we're doing this."

"Shut up." Max snarked

They took two seats and waited. A minute or so later the door opened and a National Guard officer entered followed by what had to be the sector police chief. Alec looked over at Max, and saw her still staring at the door.

"What is it?" he asked in a low voice.

The door opened once more and Max's face paled. Alec turned in his seat -- and with a thud of his heart, he understood.

Lydecker. Damn!!

"Max?" Alec said, his voice rising, wondering if this might not be their cue to exit in a dramatic fashion. But her hand on his arm kept him in his seat.

"Wait," she said. "He's on our side, remember?"

"He's Manticore through and through Max," Alec shot back. Lydecker was staring them down as he walked around the conference table, setting his briefcase down.

"Wait," Max repeated. And Alec knew he would.

The National Guard officer cleared his throat. "I'm Major Donahue. This is Police Chief Wyatt. "I presume I'm speaking with 452?"

"My name's Max." she told them automatically

"And your companion? 494, right?" He tilted his head in Alec's direction.

"Alec." Alec told them

"Alec McDowell." It was Wyatt who spoke, thumbing through a folder. He turned to the major. "A fugitive from justice wanted for the murder of Timothy Ryan and a suspect in the murder of at least ten others. No matter what kind of negotiations you complete today, this ... mutant ..." He pointed his pen at Alec, "isn't leaving the building. He's under arrest."

Alec narrowed his eyes. Sh!t!!

"I thought you straightened that out," Max hissed in his ear.

"I was going to," Alec said defensively. "But I've been a little busy."

"Did you say 494?" Donahue asked, looking through a sheaf of papers. He came to a page, paused, and slowly turned angry eyes on Alec. "He's also wanted by the United States Government for seven other murders, all believed to have been hired hits." He turned to Lydecker. "This son of a b!tch is one of your assassins!"

"Wait a minute!" Max shouted and stood. At the same time Lydecker stood up, his chair pushed back so quickly it overturned.

Alec wondered if he should feel special, being the center of attention and all. At the very least he supposed he needed to defend himself. But when he started to say something--

"Shut up!" Max said yet again, putting her hand over his mouth. "Let me handle this. You'll just make it worse." Alec looked slightly offended, but she turned to Lydecker and demanded. "Tell them about Ben."

"Who?" Lydecker asked innocently

"493. Tell them about him right now!"

Lydecker was staring at Alec now. "He's a mirror image, isn't he?" he said softly.

"What's this about a 493?" Chief Wyatt said.

"494 ... Alec ... had an identical twin brother, 493, who's your real murderer," Lydecker said. "There would of course be a perfect DNA match between the two because they're essentially clones."

"Thank you," Alec said adamantly, glad that Lydecker seemed inclined to clear him, but miffed that he had to go through this sh!t yet again about Ben

"So there's another one who looks just like this one running around loose?" the chief asked, his voice incredulous.

"No," Max said. "Ben is dead now. Your murderer is dead, and Alec has an airtight alibi since he was at Manticore." She looked to Lydecker for confirmation. He nodded.

"And the hired hits?" Donahue asked, still glaring at Alec.

Alec shrugged. "My bad." Hey, what could he say? He gave his trademark smart-alec smirk. "But they were carried out under government orders. Of course I've changed careers since then, traded in my sniper's rifle for the fast paced world of a bike messenger service."

"Are you telling us the U.S. government ordered the death of Rachel Berrisford?" Donahue asked.

Alec lost his smile and swallowed hard. "Collateral damage," he said huskily.

God Rachel, forgive me for calling you that.

"Acceptable in his line of work," Lydecker added with no emotion. "Give it up, Major. The boy isn't guilty of anything you can bring charges for."

"That remains to be seen," Donahue said. "However, I assure you, once this situation is resolved there are going to be trials."

"Hey!" Max said loudly. "I thought we were here to negotiate about my people in Terminal City, not crucify my second in command! If you want to deal with me, you also deal with Alec. Remember that."

Lydecker was smiling and shaking his head, as if Max amused him, and Alec's distrust of the man grew stronger. There was some reason why Deck was here and he'd bet his last dollar it wasn't to "help" them

"What's your deal?" she said.

"It's a simple matter, really," Donahue said. "All of your people are to surrender to the military."

"Are you out of your f*cking mind?" Alec said. Now he was on his feet as well, standing beside Max.

Two armed guards who had stepped inside the door earlier reached for their weapons as soon as Alec was on his feet. Donahue's hand stayed them.

"Turn ourselves over to be killed?" Max asked with her hands on her hips. "Not likely."

"Not killed," Donahue said. "To serve."

"What the hell does that mean?"

"It means they want you to return to your true vocation in life," Lydecker said. "They want all of you to come home."

"You mean they want me to be an assassin again?" Alec asked as he folded his arms in defiance."I dunno. I did get to see the world, but the pay and the hours sucked, plus the health plan was a real pain. Nope! I don't think so."

"You'd all be put to use according to your abilities," Lydecker tried. "You'd be safe, protected. On the outside world you're out of your element. You and 452 were never meant to be living with ordinary humans. They hate and fear you, and eventually they'll kill you. I've been assured by the government that a new Manticore facility will be built, a place for all of you to return to."

"A new Manticore?" Max said. "Hey, I just finished takin' down the old one. Why the hell would I want it rebuilt?"

"Do you have an alternative plan, Max?" Lydecker asked.

"Yeah," she said. "How about just letting all of us walk out of Terminal City and assume our rightful places as U.S. citizens. Oh, and we could use some of that government aide you guys are always doling out as well, just to get us on our feet. Maybe some job training, education vouchers, food stamps, health coverage ... I figure you owe us big time. First you created us, then you used us, and now you want to throw us away like garbage. Well, you aren't going to get away with it. There could be lawsuits you know."

"That's not going to happen, Max," Lydecker said.

"I want to talk to someone higher up than this dingle," she said, motioning at Donahue.

"Max," Lydecker said quietly. "You've been given your offer. Safe passage out of Terminal City for all of the mutants and a place to live and serve under government protection. Take the offer to your people. See what they say."

Max looked at Alec who still had two guns pointed at him. He shrugged once more. What else could they do right now?

"Fine," Max said tiredly, standing to leave. "I'll go back and talk to them. But I already know what the answer's going to be."

"They'll do whatever you say Max," Lydecker said. "You know that."

She leaned over, propping her hands on the table and looked Deck square in the eyes, "They'll do what's right," Max replied. They stared each other down for a moment and then she raised up, placing a hand in the crook of Alec's elbow. "Come on, Alec. We'll ask the nice men if you can have your gun back on the way out."

"Wait a minute," Wyatt said.

"What?" Max asked

"I'm afraid 494 will have to stay here while you take the message to the others."

"What??" Max said. "Like hell he will!!"

"It's why we asked for a second person to come with you. We knew you'd have to return, but as long as we're holding your companion your cooperation is more assured."

"You mean I'm a hostage?" Alec said slowly, always catching on pretty quickly. He turned to Max. "See. I told you so. I told you this was a trap."

"Shut up." she tells him yet again and Alec began to grit his teeth. He loves this woman, but he's really getting tired of being bossed around like this

Max was simply trying to negotiate for his freedom now and she walked over to Donahue, asking sharply. "What if I go back to Terminal City and my people say no to your plan? What happens then?" Max asked.

"War," Donahue replied. Then he looked at Alec. "And right here's your first casualty."

"In other words, 452," the police chief said, "either you talk your mutant army into surrendering peacefully so my town doesn't get torn apart, or your murderin' boyfriend here is going to find out what happens to pretty young mutants like him in our prison system. In fact, I rather doubt he'll survive the experience." He motioned to the two armed men. "Arrest him," he said, pointing to Alec. "Book him on murder and take him to a holding cell. Twin or not, I say we've got our man."

----------------------------
TBC

[phoenixnz]

Oh no. Damn it! Max is right, isn't she? She's always saving his ass.

Can't wait to see where this goes Trina.

[Dana0715]

"Don't worry," Lydecker said while standing outside of the holding cell. Deck was pacing a narrow room that had two cells and Alec was in one of them alone, the other was empty. "They won't be putting you in with the general prison population." He smiled humorlessly. "I told Chief Wyatt it would be like letting a shark loose in a goldfish tank. Give you five minutes alone with his inmates and there wouldn't be anything left of them except a bloody mess on the floor."

"That's not exactly what I was worried about," Alec said carefully. He'd been taken to this isolation cell somewhere in the basement of the building, and his only thoughts right now were of escape. He didn't want Max worrying about him or trying to mount some kind of insane rescue attempt, especially in her condition.

"I've also been trying to convince Donahue that it was a mistake to take you hostage. That my kids would sacrifice one of their own without a second thought if they had to. Max won't be coming back for you. Right?"

"Right," Alec said, still keeping careful control of his tongue and lying like he was taught to do

"494, why don't I believe you?"

Alec was sitting on the bunk in the cell. He leaned his shoulders against the cement block wall and folded his arms, staring down his former CO with speculative green/gold eyes. "I dunno, Deck. You tell me?"

"Because I'm betting you've fallen under 452's spell. I've seen her effect on my soldiers before. She elicits a loyalty way beyond anything Manticore could ever have accomplished. 599 loved her too, and nothing I did to him could persuade him to give her up -- not torture, not drugs, not tele-coercion. I hear that, in the end, he died for her. I have a feeling you would too."

"599?" Alec said. Then he remembered. "Ah yes! Zack."

Lydecker nodded.

I knew he didn't feel brotherly about Max.

And it looks like Deck didn't know Manticore played Frankenstein with Zack

"One thing wrong with your theory, Deck," Alec said, steeling himself against what he'll say next and making sure he looked Lydecker straight in the eyes while lying through his teeth. "I don't love her, and she doesn't give a rat's ass about me. Hell, we can hardly stand each other." Alec didn't want Deck to know his true soft spot, his one weakness, is Max and her safety. So he kept laying it on thick. He shrugged, "Fact is, I tried to kill her not so long ago. Max won't be comin' back for me."

"Max's reasons for rescuing you don't really matter," Lydecker said. "She will try to get you out of here. I know her too well to doubt that. Regardless, you're her second-in-command, part of her unit and she won't just let you stay here. And I know she's in love with you, and you with her, so don't play coy with me. What's important here is that she not get herself killed in the attempt. She's far too valuable to risk. Which is why I'm going help you escape before she comes for you."

"You're gonna spring me?" Alec asked with raised eyebrows, not quite believing what he was hearing.

"And in return I expect your cooperation in convincing Max to bring the mutants back into Manticore."

Alec rolled his eyes. He knew there was a catch. "See? That's where you're wrong Deck. No one convinces Max of anything," Alec said. "Especially me."

"I'm not so certain about that. But in any case, I'm not going to let Wyatt put you on trial or Donahue get his hands on you. There's already talk about sending you off to some research facility in Washington for study. You're the first live X5 they've captured. My kids have a much higher purpose than being lab rats."

"Seems to me that's exactly what we've always been to you, Deck -- lab rats."

Lydecker smiled again, shaking his head. "Unbelievable. It's absolutely unbelievable how well you've adapted to the outside world, able to talk to your superior officer in such a disrespectful, flippant manner. All those years of lessons, indoctrination--"

"You mean brainwashing and torture don'tcha?," Alec said evenly.

"Brainwashing," Lydecker conceded. "We really did make a mistake with you X5's. We made you too strong, independent, and stubborn. Hell, we created a race of beings we can't control no matter how many mental chains we throw around your minds. Max and her fellow escapees I can understand, they've had years of freedom and they got away while very young and still impressionable. But you, 494 ... you're pure Manticore, yet in under a year you've managed to shake off all of your training."

"Not all of it," Alec said with a smirk. "Just the parts of it that made me a robot."

"You were a good soldier, 494. Certainly you remember the missions you went on for me. I always enjoyed using you on my teams. You might not have been the most vicious fighter, but you somehow always managed to get the job done.

"But I also remember you, Lydecker," Alec said, standing and leaning against the bars in a nonchalant manner. "I remember that you weren't too pleased with me after Cairo. I spent four days in that metal hell box in the Egyptian sun because you didn't like the way I covered for one of my team."

"Your mistake wasn't helping your fellow X5," Lydecker said. "That's not what I punished you for. You were punished for getting caught at it. You came out of it as cocky as ever though," he said with a small laugh. He sat down across from Alec's cell in one of the empty metal chairs and began looking at his notes within a manila folder again. "You were a failure as a solo assassin. I didn't realize that." He read more. "The Berrisford mission essentially ended your career." He looked up at Alec, eyebrows raised in surprise. "You were put through re-indoctrination."

"Yeah," Alec remarked sarcastically. "Guess it didn't take."

"You were only given the level two treatment." Lydecker said thoughtfully, then looked back up at Alec, "The Committee didn't want to risk brain damage. They saw you as a valuable asset and thought you were salvageable. I gather you eventually remembered everything anyway, in spite of their efforts.?"

"Everything," Alec said levelly.

"Meaning Rachel?" Lydecker said, consulting his notes again. "The girl you fell in love with then killed."

Alec didn't deny that, just stared Deck down.

"You know there are deeper levels of re-indoctrination? For example, we could make you forget this entire past year, forget all about Max and your months of freedom. We could reset your brain so you'd be a good Manticore soldier again. Not without a great deal of pain and some brain damage of course, but technically ... we've done it before to rogue X5's."

"I'd like to see you try," Alec said with menace. In actuality, he wouldn't. Lydecker's words put a lump of fear in his throat, but he'd be damned if he showed it to Deck. They'd made him forget about Rachel for a long time. What if they really could make him forget Max and Joshua ... make him forget who he really was ... make him forget about his unborn child?

"But our scientists are scattered all over the world," Lydecker said with a sigh. "And there is no Manticore. So you can go on loving her, for now. I won't try to stop you."

Yeah, you'll just try to use it to your advantage. Alec thought

"Max has my wife's eyes, you know." Lydecker mentioned in an offhand manner, then meeting Alec's eyes again to check his reaction

Alec shot Lydecker an incredulous look.

"I donated my wife's DNA to Manticore. They used the coding for her eye shape and color when they created Max." He consulted his notes again and looked more closely at Alec.

"Most of your gene base came from Sandeman, like all the rest of the mutants. But your hazel-green eyes came from your genetic mother. I remember. It was one of the more striking features that we decided to keep in the gene base even though it was an accident. They're natural, not DNA spliced."

"My mother?"

"All of you had mothers. You just don't know who they are. They were the original egg donors. Then, of course, there are the surrogates, who could also be considered your mothers."

Alec knew none of this should matter to him, and he was getting rather suspicious as to why Lydecker seemed so chatty. But as long as the man was giving out information ...

"Your looks actually came from one of the sperm donors. He was an actor/model in the '90s."

"An actor?"

"Yeah, some soap opera that was really big back then, and no, I'm not going to tell you which one or who it was."

"What about Ben?" Alec asked quickly. "He went nuts. Is there anything in that little database about him and where his psychosis came from? Can you tell me what happened?"

Lydecker didn't even have to consult his notes.

"Ben," he said, sadly shaking his head. "My 493. He was schizophrenic."

"And I could be, too?"

Lydecker cocked an eyebrow at him. "Worries you a bit, does it? Well, there's always the possibility, but it's not likely. You'd be showing some symptoms by now and those in psy-ops are pretty thorough. Six months evaluation would have turned up the illness."

"Illness? I thought it was hereditary."

"Only the tendency to contract the disease. It was an oversight that the predisposition wasn't eliminated in your DNA in the lab before your birth. They think a virus triggers it -- alters brain chemistry. Ben could have been treated with drugs, could have led a fairly normal life once his condition was under control, but of course he never had that chance. Someone killed him before we could get to him and help him. You haven't been hearing annoying little voices in your head have you?"

Alec narrowed his eyes and smirked, "Just yours. So, I'm probably all right?"

"Probably," was all Lydecker would say. He regarded Alec for a long moment.

"Are we through?"

"That depends. Will you back me up with Max, tell her to recommend all of the mutants stand down and return to the new Manticore?"

"Sure," Alec said. "Why not." Inwardly, he'll back Max on whatever she wants to do, but he'll tell Deck whatever it takes to get outta here

Lydecker smiled again. "I'd ask for your word, but then that wouldn't mean anything, would it?"

"What do you think?"

"In which case I'll just have take my chances with you. Either way, Donahue and Wyatt aren't going to be keeping one of my kids."

"Do you have a plan for getting out of here?" Alec asked.

"Not yet. How about you? Has that enhanced brain of yours come up with an escape scenario?"

"Yeah, I think it has. Call the guard."

*********************

TBC

[Dana0715]

"They want us to surrender," Max told the assembled crowd of mutants. "They promise us safety if we'll give ourselves up to the military and be used as captive soldiers again."

Her news was met with dead silence.

"I say no," she said. "But I can't speak for all of you. If some of you want to do this, I understand. But personally, I spent enough of my life locked up at Manticore. I sure as hell don't want to go back there again."

"I say no!" Mole shouted.

"No!" the crowd roared.

In the end, there wasn't a single taker, and Max knew they were right back where they'd started -- alone and at war. Now, all they could do was to wait for Donahue to make the next move.


*****

"What about Alec, Little Fella?" Joshua asked her after the crowd had dispersed and he was walking with her back to her apartment so she could change clothes.

Max sighed. "I don't know," she said. She looked up at Joshua, despair in her eyes. "It's so ironic. I'm always bustin' Alec's ass about him getting into trouble, and now I'm the one who dragged him right into the line of fire. It's my fault he's being held prisoner down there."

"What will you do?" Joshua said. "Rescue him?"

They walked inside the apartment together, Joshua stayed in the living room as Max walked into the bedroom and began stripping out of her clothes. She raised her voice to be heard. "How? He's at Sector Police Headquarters. I know I got him out of there once before, but now it's crawling with military. Oh, and on top of everything else Lydecker was there. He showed up for the conference. That really made my day."

Joshua growled at the name. "Lydecker hurt Max."

"I know," she said, remembering her horrific childhood as she shrugged into a tank top. "But I've got a funny feeling about him now. I almost think he wants to help us. Even though he said something about rebuilding Manticore. I guess dead soldiers wouldn't be any good to him."

"Will Lydecker protect Alec?"

Max shrugged, then began working her pants up her legs, hopping a couple of times to get them on and fasten them. "I know Alec doesn't trust him. And Alec's usually right about things like that."

Now that Max was fully dressed, she walked back out into the living room. Joshua put a big hand on Max's shoulder. "You miss Alec. Little Fella wants Alec to come home."

Tears began to slip down her face. "I very much want Alec to come home, Joshua. I need him to come home. It seems like every time I get him back, I lose him again." She sat on the couch and Joshua sat beside her, listening, as she covered her face in her hands, looking defeated, and he heard her sniff, "I don't know if I can go on if he never touches me again. I gotta do something!"

"Can Logan help?"

"No," Max said sadly, the tears still falling. "I can't ask Logan for help about this." She sniffed and she grabbed a tissue and wiped her nose and eyes . "What I'm really afraid of is that they'll send Alec away somewhere. If Lydecker gets him, he might do something to him, try and make Alec the way he used to be, a Manticore assassin."

"Alec would never let that happen. Alec would never forget Max and his friends."

Max turned big teary eyes on Joshua. "You don't know the ways they torture people. They could do to Alec what they did to Zack. They could hurt him so badly ..."

"I'll help you rescue Alec," Joshua said firmly. "I'll go with you and together we'll get him out of there."

"But how?"


*****

"We're too high!" Lydecker shouted to be heard above the gunfire.

"I can make it!" Alec yelled in return as he got off several rounds at his pursuers before ducking back behind the metal ventilation shaft.

Lydecker looked at him, a pained expression on his face. "The roof of the police station might not have been the best route, 494."

"Well, it didn't look this high from the ground," Alec snapped. He was breathing hard. He'd had to fight his way through eight guards to gain access to what he thought would be a way out. But Lydecker was right. A 100 foot drop was too much for even an X5 and to try and climb down would make him a perfect target.

He looked around, seeking an alternative, and his eyes came to rest on the neighboring building. "That one's two stories lower," Alec said, pointing his chin at the other structure.

"Still too high," Lydecker warned. "And the distance between the buildings is about your limit. If you miss, you'll break your neck."

"I won't miss," Alec said. He started to move, but Lydecker's hand on his arm stopped him.

"Where's Logan Cale?" Lydecker asked. "I really thought he'd be the one Max brought with her. You were a bit of a surprise. I need to talk to him."

"Logan's layin' low," Alec said, tossing off two more shots.

"I have to talk to him," Lydecker repeated.

"Where can he reach you? I'll tell him."

"No good," Lydecker said. "In a minute or so you're probably going to be lying dead down there on the pavement."

"He's got an email address," Alec said. "It's supposedly untraceable. You can reach him there. Bastet at network dot net. Can I go now??" Alec was beginning to feel desperate. The police were definitely closing in and he was almost out of bullets.

"Good luck," Lydecker said. "And remember, above all else, protect Max."

"Works for me," Alec said. Then he realized something. "What about you? Won't you be arrested?"

Lydecker grinned slyly. "Why? You forced me up here. I'm just an innocent bystander. Hey, they'll be lucky if I don't sue."

Alec nodded. He then took one last shot at his pursuers, turned, and blurred for the edge of the roof. His momentum carried him almost far enough. He caught the cement edge of the adjacent building with both hands. A second later he'd swung up and over the parapet. Before the police could get him in their sights, he blurred to the opposite side, and jumped once more. Using a trick Max had taught him, he landed on the roof of a car to break his fall. By the time the National Guardsmen and police poured into the alley he was gone.


*************

Max watched the firefight on the roof of the police station from several blocks away and her heart filled with fear. She was too late. Alec had already made his move, and now it looked like he was trapped. The police would show no mercy. They were terrified of transgenics already. All they needed was an excuse to take him down.

"Idiot," she muttered under her breath as the tears came again. "You damn f*cking idiot. You're gonna die before I can get to you."

She knew she should go back to the tunnel, back to Terminal City. It was foolhardy exposing herself like this, doing the exact thing she'd ordered everyone else not to do. But she couldn't just leave Alec behind.

She moved closer to police headquarters, ignoring the danger to herself. The streets were filled with squad cars and National Guard troops, uniformed men and soldiers running everywhere. She crouched low behind a pile of discarded boxes and anxiously watched the roof. There hadn't been any gunfire for over a minute, which meant one of two things. Either Alec had gotten away, or he'd been shot. Which made her remember their encounter with the Familiars above Jam Pony. Alec had been badly hurt, but he'd continued to fight. It would require a fatal hit to stop X5-494 in the heat of battle. If Alec had taken a bullet, he wasn't wounded. He was dead.

Tears choked Max's throat as she continued to anxiously watch the rooftop. Everything had gotten too quiet. Her vision zoomed in on a group of men and she recognized Lydecker being escorted away. But there was no sign of Alec.

Max had very rarely prayed in her life, but the words formed silently in her mind. Please God, if you're really there, don't let him be dead. Let me see him just one more time. Please, he can't just die. It wouldn't be fair. Please God, don't let him be dead.

There was a sound behind her and Max whirled.

Alec was just standing there, breathing hard, his handsome face lit by the glow of the streetlight, green eyes sparkling, full lips quirked in a smile.

"Miss me?" he said, his voice low and rich.

"Alec," she whispered. She threw herself into his arms, felt his body warm and hard and reassuring against hers like it had always been.

"About time you showed up," she said, softly and happily against his neck. When she released him, she nodded toward the distant rooftop. "I gather the fireworks were your show?"

Alec had cocked his head to one side and was regarding her with his gaze. "Max, did you come all the way down here to rescue me?" A slight trace of disapproval was in his voice

"No," Max lied. "You said not to, remember?"

"Uh huh. What are you doin' here then?"

"I ... Fine! I did come to rescue you, but apparently you did that for yourself. Nice job 494."

A police car pulled into the other end of the alley where they were standing, and several military men climbed out. Max stepped back into the shadows, her hand on Alec's arm pulling him with her. "I apparently kept you here too long. Sorry! Let's find a way outta here and back home," she said softly.

"Agreed," Alec said, as he looked around for an alternate route.

Max looked up at him, very much aware of his warmth beside her. She remembered what it felt like to be wrapped in his arms again.... and her pregnancy hormones wanted him again.

Alec looked back down at Max again and asked huskily, "Maxie? You ok?"

She shook it off. "Nothing. I'm just tired."

"Well, I hope you're not too tired to climb, 'cause that's the only way we're gettin' out of here." He was looking up the side of the building. "Jeez, I hate this. Up and down all night long." He glanced at her, probably realizing how that sounded.

"How can you hate heights?" Max said, accepting a gentlemanly boost from him onto the wall. "You're part cat."

"It's not the heights, Max. It's the work."

"Sssshh!," she hissed as he scrambled up the building behind her. "They'll hear you."

They made it to the roof and down the other side. Once in the clear, they had three checkpoints to get by, but finally Terminal City was in sight. The negotiations today were a bust, but for a little while they can hide away in their own private love nest and forget the rest of the world

-------------------------
TBC

[phoenixnz]

Whew, some intense moments, but I'm glad Alec got out of there okay. Lydecker worries me. He's almost two-faced. One minute he wants to recreate Manticore, next he helps Alec escape but knows damn well Alec isn't going to do anything about Manticore without Max's say-so, and Lydecker knows Max won't come back. So what is his real agenda?

[Dana0715]

Two weeks later

British Eddy had done it again

He caught the little bird again, and THIS time he's getting a pretty penny for her. Should be worth all the trouble she and her robo-soldier caused him several months ago

Max was handcuffed and hog-tied inside a coffin with a gag in her mouth. She couldn't believe her stupidity and she kept berating herself mentally. All she did was go for a nighttime stroll because she couldn't sleep. She had disguised herself and everything, using the platinum blond wig she got from Logan eons ago

But the Steelhead that tranquilized her before, got her again in the exact same manner, recognizing her face. And she woke up here

She was being shipped off to Bangkok within the hour. She hoped Alec would come looking for her, but she wasn't sure he'd know where to start looking

-------------------------
Alec stretched like a jungle cat that he part was, and felt around on the bed, realizing it was empty and cold

He opened his eyes and they adjusted to the dark. He scanned the room, and listened to see if Max was anywhere in the apartment

"Max?" Alec called out groggily as he got up from the bed, pulling on sweatpants quickly and heading into the living room. He yawned again, stretched and rubbed his eyes sleepily. Max would have told him he looked like a little boy awake from a nap the way his hair stuck out all over the place and the way he shuffled through the living room into the kitchenette

She wasn't there either. Frowning and becoming more awake by the second, Alec checked the coat tree where they hang their coats

Max's leather jacket was gone

Alec rolled his eyes. Insomnia again apparently. She was probably just strolling through Terminal City, trying to do something about all the extra energy. He warned her about going out by herself and to wake him if she felt the need to walk the streets because she needed the extra protection of having him there. Maybe she just decided to walk around Terminal City....

At least Alec HOPED she stayed within the TC gates

He made his way back to the bedroom, pulled on a t-shirt, then his socks and tennis shoes and grabbed his own leather jacket on the way out the door

She will be the death of him one of these days! Yes he admits he hovers over her a bit, but someone has to.

An hour later, he had Terminal City awake and alert because he realized Max is missing, and no one knew where she was

--------------------------------------

Max tested her shackles for the tenth time, and for the tenth time the steel bands encircling her wrists, waist, and ankles refused to give. There was no use fighting any more. They had her, and she wasn't going to get loose. She was lying on a table on her back and from the looks of the place, she was in some old farmhouse

"Hey!" she tried shouting at the lone man guarding her. He was seated in the corner, his chair tipped back against the wall, a rifle carelessly cradled in his arms. "Who the hell are you people?"

He ignored her. She guessed by his appearance and the long robe he was wearing that he was from a middle eastern country, maybe Iran or Iraq, possibly Egypt. He probably didn't even speak English.

Giving up for now, she forced herself to relax, and tried to come up with a plan for escape.

A dark skinned man entered the room. He, too, was wearing a robe. "How are you feeling?" he said in heavily accented English.

Max looked him over suspiciously, "I've been better." she replied.

"You might as well stop struggling, 452. You'll just tire yourself needlessly."

"What do you want from me?" Max asked. Then she narrowed her eyes, "Do you work for White?"

"I know of no White," the man said. "I work for a government that has just paid a large sum of money for you. You may call me Musalla."

Max now realized what was going on. She's been warned once before by Lydecker when she was little, about foreign nations willing to pay almost anything to get their hands on Manticore soldiers. Alec recently reiterated that to her. "I think you've made a mistake," she said. "I'm nobody you want."

"Oh, but you are," Musalla said with a chuckle. He held up a computer disc. "Your DNA has already been tested. Then there's the small matter of your bar code. You are X5-452, one of Manticore's finest creations. My people have followed the U.S. news with great interest the past few weeks. For many years we could only watch from afar while your government developed its super soldier program. You were too well guarded, even while on missions, for us to obtain. But after Manticore was destroyed, we realized that if we were patient we would eventually be able to capture a prize. And what a prize too! A breeding female. We could have had one of the earlier or later X series sooner than this, but my orders were to capture an X5, and there are precious few of your kind left. But then thankfully our contact in Seattle, you know him as British Eddy, eh? He obliged us by revealing your existence. It was only a matter of time before you stepped into our trap."

Max's head was reeling again.

"So," Max said. "Now you got me, what's the plan? Don't you bad guys always have some evil plan you love to monologue about?" Max was smirking, both knowing she was referring to his little speech a moment ago

"It is simple," Musalla said. "Mr. Carpeni is ecstatic that we have a breeding female X5. You see, my government does not want damaged goods and you are one of the best of the lot. Knowing the stud is none other than X5-494, also one of the best of your kind brings us a tremendous research opportunity. We're using your DNA to create future soldiers."

He stepped closer to the table, his dark eyes roaming up and down her body. Max shivered involuntarily, and once more tested her shackles.

"You are very beautiful," he said. "It's a shame we must destroy such perfection. But unfortunately, it will be necessary to find out exactly how your genetics work before we can recreate the process that gave birth to you. We will have to study all of your systems -- bones, muscles, nerves, brain." He smiled. "My one real regret is that we have only a female to work with. The X5 males are said to be magnificent creatures, incredible fighting machines, the ultimate warriors. However, there is always your fetus to study. Perhaps you're carrying a son. Hm?" When Max just glared at him, he continued, "We'll know soon enough when the testing begins. I'm truly sorry but I imagine the scientists will want to maintain your body long enough for the baby to be removed alive, four or five months. During this time you won't be very comfortable. In fact, I won't lie. There will be a great deal of pain. Afterwards, perhaps they'll allow at least the conscious part of you to die. Maybe by then we can capture 494 as well. Surely he'll come after his female."

Max said nothing, staring the man down in defiance. She wondered if Alec would ever know what had happened to her. Eventually, he'd come looking for her. She knew him too well to doubt that. But then he'd be in danger of capture as well.

This was not good!

"You truly are beautiful," Musalla whispered. He stepped closer, took hold of her tank top, and ripped it from her body.


*****

Alec had turned Seattle upside down and beaten up British Eddy and his cohorts. He brought Eddy back to Terminal City with Mole's help, they beat him repeatedly until he got the information he wanted.

Logan got Alec on a plane to Bangkok, but once there, a thermal scanner caught him as a transgenic and he has been running since

He was within a forest of sorts with lots of vegetation. It took almost a full second for Alec to recognize the sound, a crossbow string releasing, and the delay nearly cost him his life. Spinning on his feet, he dropped his gun and caught the arrow in both hands, the steel tip stopping a fraction of an inch from his stomach. Then he dove to the ground, rolling and retrieving his weapon. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the Egyptian that helped him at the airport (Logan's contact) and who'd led him to this farmhouse in the hills. Now the poor guy was running for his life down the road back toward Bangkok. Shadows moved in the treeline to his right. He blurred as another arrow hit the dirt where he should have been.

There was a big problem. No cover. Not unless he headed directly toward his attackers. Behind him was an open field of shorn wheat and to either side the road. Not so much as a mailbox or a boulder to hide behind.

Doing the only thing he could, Alec put several shots into the trees and ran for the farmhouse a quarter of a mile away. Hoping Max was still within

There were three guards in the yard. He didn't have time to be stealthy. His pursuers would be giving the alarm. He shot the first one in the chest, and would have done the same to the second but the gun clicked on empty.

"Damn!" Alec said, and broke the man's neck instead. He picked up the guard's weapon and aimed at the third, but when he pulled the trigger nothing happened. "Huh?" Glancing down, he realized why. "Oh sh!t!!" The gun had a personal I.D. safety, and his DNA didn't match. Useless. With another muttered oath, Alec used the weapon as a blunt object and charged fast, his speed saving him from the two shots squeezed off before he had the guy unconscious on the ground.

Once at the farmhouse, the front door splintered easily beneath his shoulder.

"Max!" Alec shouted in the empty hallway. "Max!"

"I'm here!"

Alec actually closed his eyes for a moment, his knees shaking with relief. He'd been so afraid he wouldn't find her. It took five long days to find out where she went and then to get here. But she was here. He'd been right. And now, to the rescue.

She was in the second bedroom, alone, held by restraints on a table. Her torn clothing told an ugly tale and caused Alec to want to tear the person apart that touched his woman

Alec moved quickly around the table and Max could see it in his eyes. The danger behind them as he asked, "Max? Did they rape you?"

Max knew Alec would tear them apart just on her word, but she stuck with the truth

"No, he didn't have time for that, but he did get a good look at my chest, and ....."

Alec was removing her restraints and she saw his jaw muscle tick, "He did touch you."

"Just the breasts."

He only got one restraint off when Max's eyes widened and she screamed, "Behind you!

But it was too late. This time he hadn't heard it in time. The arrow caught Alec in the back, its tip burrowing deep between his ribs. He cried out and fell forward, first to his knees, then collapsing, clawing at the wooden floor boards, his back and side on fire.

"Alec!" Max screamed. "Alec!" Then, "Don't kill him! Don't kill him! He's like me! He's worth a fortune just like me!"

A gun was cocked, cold metal pressed against his temple, and Alec closed his eyes, doubting he'd ever even hear the shot that killed him.

A last second command from Musalla saved Alec's life. "Fool!. He's priceless.", he called out in his native tongue and Alec translated within his mind. The guard looked at his employer, then reluctantly backed away, still holding his gun ready in case the animal tried to attack or escape.

Max began breathing again, even though she knew their ordeal had just begun. At least Alec was still alive. And she was quickly shackled back down, since Alec only got one arm free of the restraints before he was shot with the arrow


*****
TBC

[Dana0715]

Musalla apparently only had one secure compartment where he could store his prizes, an 8 by 8 metal shipping crate in the barn. He put both of them inside, unmindful that it was over 90 degrees in the shade with nearly 100 percent humidity. The ventilation grids along the top provided no relief.

"I thought he wanted to deliver us alive and in good shape," Max said under her breath. "Hey!" she shouted, pulling against her chains as he was closing the door. "How about at least giving us some water?"

"You'll be taken care of when you reach your destination," Musalla said. "I've been told that with two of you to contend with, I can't take any chances. You're to be locked in and left alone." The man was obviously shaken. Apparently when he'd checked in with his superiors they'd given him an earful about just how deadly X5's could be.

"Our destination?" Max yelled. "What's our f*cking destination? Iran, Syria, Libya? Do you think we can survive in here without food and water for that kind of journey?"

Her pleas were ignored. The door of the crate closed, confining them in near-darkness.

Damn, it was sweltering, Max thought as she moved to Alec's side and cradled his head on her lap. He had shackles on his wrists and ankles as well, although they were hardly needed. He was in so much pain he could barely move.

"Hey," she said softly, touching his shoulder with her hand, leaning over to kiss him on the cheek. "Are you with me?"

Alec nodded, although he was keeping his eyes closed. She brushed fingers against his cheek. His skin was cool in spite of the heat ... too cool for an X5. He was going into shock.

"This is gonna hurt some," she warned as she rolled him over as gently as she could so she could toward her to get a better look at his wound.

Alec whimpered in pain, his teeth biting into his lower lip, as Max kept his head on her thigh, using it as a pillow for his head.

"Come on baby, I've got to see." The arrow had penetrated just below his right shoulder blade. "Does it hurt when you breathe?"

He nodded.

"Stop holding your breath," she told him. "Breathe now for me. I need to listen to you breathe." She put her ear against his back. His heart was beating way too fast, but she could still hear the air filling his lungs. If there was internal bleeding, it was slow. The wound wasn't hemorrhaging externally much either.

"How bad?" Alec rasped.

"Could be worse," Max replied, her brown eyes darker than usual with worry. She touched his cheek again tenderly. "Do you want me to try and get the arrow out?" Such a procedure was going to be risky. Max knew she could do a hell of a lot more damage pulling the thing out of him than what it did going in. On the other hand, she wouldn't truly be able to stop the bleeding while the arrow head was lodged between his ribs. Alec's blood loss might be slow, but it was steady. She doubted he could last for a long journey.

Alec groaned.

"I know, it's gonna hurt like hell," Max said gently, stroking his brow in sympathy. "I know how much you hate this kind of sh!t. But Alec, I think we better get it out now. You can't even move with it in you, and we really need to get out of this box before Musalla ships us both off to some sheik's tent in the dessert. Not to mention you could bleed to death in the meantime."

Alec nodded and prepared himself. "Do it." he told her quietly

Max tore a piece of cloth from her ruined t-shirt, wound it tightly, and gently placed it between Alec's teeth so he'd have something to bite down on. Then she wiped his blood from her hands and carefully took hold of the arrow shaft where it protruded from his back beneath the shoulder blade. Hating to do this, but knowing if she hesitated it would hurt Alec even more, she clenched her teeth and pulled as hard as she could. The arrow head moved with a sickening crunch in his flesh, then caught -- wedged tight beneath his rib.

Alec tried so hard not to scream. Max felt him trembling beneath her, his hands balled into tight fists, his breathing ragged as little sounds of agony escaped from his lips.

And suddenly there was a lot more blood, darkening his t-shirt and turning her hands crimson.

"Damn," Max swore as tears pricked her eyes. "That's a vein."

Alec was nearly unconscious. She didn't know if he could even hear her and she was trying so hard not to panic hysterically. Lying on his side, he was panting like a wounded animal, his breaths short and shallow now, his skin not only cold, but clammy.

She'd done more harm than good. And now there was no way to get the arrow head out without surgical instruments or at least a knife.

Wadding up more of her own t-shirt, Max tried to staunch some of the bleeding. But in the end, all she could do was cradle Alec's head in her lap and stroke his hair.

*****

It had been dark for awhile, near midnight Max figured. Musalla would probably be shipping them out at dawn. Or rather, he'd be shipping her out. Alec wasn't going to make it. "Maybe you're the lucky one after all," Max whispered as she held him close and stroked her fingers through his hair. "At least you'll be free from this hell we call our lives." She wondered something then. Did transgenics have souls? Would she and Alec ever be together on another plane of existence? Or would they be nothing but dirt after death, gone back to the molecular components the scientists had created them from?

"A spirit like yours can't just cease to exist," Max murmured in his ear, sniffling. "That kind of fire doesn't just go out."

But then she remembered the trail of dead littering the path of her life as she cradled Alec against her -- Jondy, Ben, Zack in a way. All of them gone, their fires extinguished. And now Alec was going to join them. Max's only consolation was that she probably wouldn't be far behind.

A sound penetrated her thoughts -- a helicopter in the distance. She listened, and realized it was getting closer. Surely Mussala wouldn't be moving this crate by air?

She would have given a lot for windows, but all she could do was sit still and wait, listening, wondering what was happening. There was no doubt now. The chopper was getting closer.

And there was gunfire.

And for the first time in two days Max began to have some hope. But who would be rescuing them? Logan didn't have those kinds of resources, and certainly the U.S. government didn't care.

The battle didn't last for long. In less than two minutes the chopper was hovering directly overhead and she heard someone shouting outside the barn. She wanted to call out, but until she knew who it was, Max wasn't about to reveal their presence.

And then she heard a voice. "452? We've been sent to extract you. What's your location? Code 1190."

Max still wasn't certain if it was friend or foe. But Alec stirred, his eyes fluttering open and he groaned, answering Max's internal question. "Code 1190," he said weakly. "That's a Manticore unit out there."

"We don't know what they'll do to us," Max cautioned. "We can't trust them."

"Max," Alec managed around a dry throat. "We don't leave our own behind. Not ever."

Which meant they were either going to rescue them, or kill them. Max made up her mind. After all, what did they have to lose? "We're here!" she shouted. "In the barn!"

"They're coming," she said, looking down at Alec. But then she realized how heavy and still he'd grown in her arms.

-----------------------------
"Save him, and you've got a deal," Max said. They were in the helicopter headed for the airport, the three X5's Lydecker had brought with him making short work of Musalla and his men, then carrying Alec together into the helicopter, Max following behind them

Lydecker was looking at her, his lips quirked in a small smile, his suspicions about the relationship between his favorite X5s confirmed with the way Max was begging for help. Max held Alec more tightly in her arms, big tears in her eyes. He was bleeding to death, dying in her arms. So far, no one had offered to help him. "Damn it," she yelled. "If he dies, I swear I'll ..." She didn't finish the sentence because she honestly didn't know what she could threaten the man with. He was holding all the cards now, including Alec's life.

One of the X5's who'd pulled her from the metal crate nodded toward a pile of gear. "We have first aid supplies, sir. We could even do a blood transfusion."

Max didn't recognize the soldier. He certainly wasn't from Terminal City.

"X5-386 and the others were on long term undercover assignments when Manticore was destroyed," Lydecker explained. "I was able to bring them in to start the beginnings of a New Manticore."

"Deck, c'mon! Do something!" Max yelled

Lydecker leaned forward. "I'd like you to be part of the New Manticore as well. That's the deal, Max. I'll save him for you if you agree."

"What good would my word be?" Max said bitterly.

"Good enough," Lydecker said. He nodded at Alec. "Make up your mind. He doesn't have much time. There are limits to even an X5's recuperating powers."

"But you'll let Alec go? You won't try and keep him too?"

Lydecker was shaking his head. "If he lives, 494's part of the deal as well. I know you can't speak for him, but I trust you will be able to convince him. I'm betting he won't leave you anyway."

Max took a deep, shaky breath, realizing what she said next was not only going to alter the rest of her life, but Alec's too. Then she looked down at Alec lying so still and bloody in her arms and knew she didn't have any choice -- neither of them did. She'd do anything for the man she loves

"All right," she said, a part of her dying with the words. "I'll work for you. And I'll convince Alec to as well." She turned pleading, teary eyes to Lydecker as she quietly asked, "Just save him."

"And the other mutants in Terminal City?" Lydecker pressed.

Max gritted her teeth. "If you offer a decent deal, I'll try and get them to surrender to you," she said, her voice dropping to a whisper.

Lydecker nodded at X5-386. "Get to work," he ordered. "494's no use to me dead."


*****

Alec knew where he was even before he opened his eyes. Antiseptic ... bleach ... medicinal ... No doubt about it. A morgue didn't smell like laundry detergent. He was in a hospital. Which meant he was alive.

He took a tentative deep breath, found the pain tolerable, and slowly opened his eyes. Max was seated beside his bed. Having someone care enough to sit by your bedside, he found, made the pain worth it

"Hey," he said, his voice raspy.

"Hey, yourself," Max said, her eyes lighting up in a way that at one time, he never thought they would for him. She took hold of his hand and squeezed it, stroking his hair tenderly. "You're gonna be fine."

"I gather we got rescued? 'Cause I sure didn't get you out of there."

She held a glass of ice chips to his lips. The liquid trickled down his throat, relieving some of the dryness. "Yeah, we got our asses saved just in the proverbial nick of time."

"Logan?"

"No, at least not directly."

Alec thought a moment, then frowned. "Lydecker?"

Max nodded. "I'm afraid so. Logan called for his help."

"And .. wait, wait ... let me guess. You sold your soul to Deck in return for gettin' us out of there."

Max looked away. "Worse," she said quietly.

Now a new fear was fluttering in Alec's heart. "Max, what did you do?"

"Alec, you were dying. I had no choice."

"What did you do?" he asked calmly, refusing to panic

"I sold both our souls."

*****

Alec wasn't happy about the situation. But, on the other hand, he couldn't truly blame Max. It wasn't as if he would have made a different choice if Max was the one dying and he was doing the dealing with Deck. Besides, Lydecker's deal was turning out to be more workable than anyone had thought.

"The X5's, 6's, 7's, and 8's will be under my direct command," Lydecker had told the assembled mutants in Terminal City two weeks later. "They'll do the work they were created for. I've received funding from a private source to refurbish an abandoned base just east of Seattle. There are 1000 acres around the compound, more than enough to insure our privacy. This will be the New Manticore."

"And the rest of us?" Mole had shouted from the angry crowd. "Your precious transgenics will be taken care of but what about us transhumans."

"There's room enough for all of you," Max said, stepping forward. "Lydecker promises you'll be well taken care of."

"But we'll be prisoners!" Dix yelled.

"No," Lydecker said. "Living on the compound will be voluntary. However, considering how hostile society is toward you, I think you'll find that being under Manticore's protection again isn't such a bad option. We'll find jobs for all of you to do. You'll have a roof over your heads, food, and medical attention. If you want to walk out the front gate, you can. The only stipulation is that, once outside the compound, you'll be fair game. We won't be rescuing you, no matter what kind of trouble you get into."

"What about White?" Mole said, shouldering his way to the front of the crowd. "Will you protect us from him and his Familiars?"

"You'll be protected from White so long as you're with us," Lydecker said grimly. "There's a reason he wants all of the Manticore creations dead. We aren't sure what that reason is yet, but the government is backing me on the hunch you're valuable in some way. However, let me say again, if you leave the compound, your lives are in your own hands. I can't protect you from White outside."

Afterwards, Lydecker had a separate meeting with the X5's and above. Alec looked around the room, disheartened there were so few left -- he counted 36 altogether, including himself, Max, and the X's Lydecker had pulled in from solo missions after Manticore burned, Zero, Dallas and the other X6s he and Deck rescued recently....

"The plan for you is a bit different," Lydecker said, looking around at them all. "We want you working for us, for Manticore, but we also want you integrated into society."

"I thought you said the ordinaries hated us so much we wouldn't be safe on the outside," Gem said, cradling her daughter Eva in her arms.

"There's going to be that danger," Lydecker replied. "But we need to try. It's the only way the transgenics can survive in the long run, by eventually being accepted as part of the human race. The transhumans are just too different. It would never work. But some of you have lived with the ordinaries for years without incident."

Alec realized Lydecker was looking at him and Max. He shifted his stance where he was leaning against the wall. His ribs still hurt a bit, but Dr. Shankar had done a good job. The wound from two weeks ago was nearly healed. "Does this mean no cells?" he asked sarcastically.

"No cells," Lydecker said. "In fact, as far as I'm concerned, you can live in Seattle, go back to your old homes if you had them."

"What's the catch?" Alec said.

"The catch is that you'll be issued identification cards you'll have to carry at all times. On them will be your address, photograph, fingerprints, and DNA coding. You'll be labeled as transgenics and will have to show that I.D. every time you pass through a sector checkpoint." The crowd began to murmur. "You're right in assuming this is a way to keep track of you, and I agree it will be a danger -- a way to quickly pinpoint all of you. But the government insists. It's the one condition they made before granting you your freedom."

"It's a way for White to find us," Max said from her place at Alec's side.

Lydecker didn't deny it, and, after the meeting was adjourned, Alec motioned to Max that the two of them needed to have a little talk in private with their new boss.


*****

"You're telling me Max and I can just go back to living our lives again? Seems strange how we're so recognizable that we can't leave Terminal City and now suddenly, we're free to go back home." Alec said.

"For the most part," Lydecker replied. "494, your criminal record, or more accurately, Ben's criminal record has been wiped clean in exchange for having you work for the US government. That also includes the assassinations you were ordered to carry out on behalf of the US government. I argued that you were carrying out US military orders given by me, and if they want to take you down, they may as well take me with you."

"I'm not liking any of this Deck." Alec, for once, was sticking up for himself. Max has a tendency to fight for him, and this time he wasn't letting her. He was able to defend himself way before Max came along

He shot a look at Max when she was about to interrupt, a look that she knew well that told her to stand down. She did it reluctantly, standing back and letting Alec confront Lydecker

"This is like World War 2 all over again Deck. Remember in history, Hitler made the Jewish wear the Star of David on all of their clothing to basically advertise the fact that they're Jewish? When are we going to have to start sewing the Manticore symbol on our clothing, huh? And what's so special about you that you can clear me on your word?"

"Because the US military is extremely aware how valuable you and Max are, and I am the only one alive with experience in how to handle X5s."

Max, standing beside Alec in support, crossed her arms over her chest and asked Deck. "Why don't I believe you?"

"Don't you two want to go home?"

Alec made a wry face. "Home wasn't that great to begin with -- a run down dump of an apartment with barely running water and electric that might or might not work at any moment." Max elbowed him in the ribs -- the sore ones. "Ow! What did I say?"

"Shut up!" she said. "It's not such a bad deal considering."

"I was just tryin' to get him to sweeten the pot a little." Alec looked at Lydecker again. "But you want more from us of course. You talked about putting us to use. We're gonna hafta earn the right to be free, aren't we? Do what you say."

Deck nodded, "That's one way of putting it. You and Max will be on 24-hour-a-day call for missions -- anything we want you to do."

"Anything?" Alec said.

"Not murder," Max said quickly. "We won't be your assassins."

"We'll talk about that later. Most of your assignments will be more unique than a mere assassination. Some, I think you'll even find an interesting challenge." He looked them both up and down. "Remember what you are. Remember what you can do, the things you've been trained for. Those are the skills I want to utilize, the skills I've convinced our government are worth nurturing rather than destroying."

"He wants us to be cat burglars for Uncle Sam," Alec said sarcastically under his breath to Max. Then to Lydecker, "So, we just walk out of here today, go back to the city, and wait for some mysterious voice on a phone? Sort of like 'Mission Impossible'?"

"Basically, yes. You can pick up your I.D. cards and new cell phones on the way out. I need you to both carry pagers as well. You're to check in with me once a day, whether or not you're on assignment."

"And if we don't?" Max asked, eyebrows raised in skepticism.

Lydecker smiled grimly. "I think you know the answer to that."

Alec was shaking his head. "I don't like it. I said it before and I'll say it again, I don't like any of this"

"Did I mention you'll have medical care?" Lydecker was looking at Max speculatively. Then he nodded to Alec. "She has to be protected you know. I know all about her pregnancy. There was talk about incarcerating her at the CDC for study because of her DNA and they don't know yet about the fact that she's carrying a child too. Her DNA is puzzling to them. I convinced the Committee she'd be safe enough on the outside for now, and infinitely more useful."

Of course Lydecker knew about the baby, Alec thought. But he had to give the man credit for not using that knowledge directly against them. He looked at Max, and read the answer in her eyes. "Do we get a dental plan, too?" he asked sarcastically

*****
TBC

[phoenixnz]

Hmm, this is different. I'm still not sure about Lydecker, but it sounds like a good enough deal. Update soon.

[Dana0715]

"Come on people. Bip! Bip! Business may be slow, but that doesn't mean you get to sit around on your lazy asses all day. This place needs cleaning. There are brooms and mops in the utility room." Normal clapped his hands together, attempting to stir the bike messengers sprawled in Jam Pony's lounge away from an engrossing soap opera.

"How many do you think Normal's laid off?" Max asked Alec quietly, looking around and missing quite a few familiar faces.

"Too many," Alec said grimly, closing the door on his locker and moving to stand beside Max while he pulled on his gloves. "Maybe we shouldn't have asked to come back. I feel kinda bad for the guy. Wanna bet he let some of the gang go just to make room for you and me?"

"I know. Thanks to all the news coverage, Jam Pony's now got a reputation for being a transgenic employer."

"Translation -- loss of business big time," Alec said. "To quote a good friend of ours, people are afraid of what they don't understand." He noticed Sketchy coming in through the back. "Catch you later," he said to Max, giving her a quick kiss and then moving to intercept his friend."Hey, my man!" He gave Sketchy a high-five. "How goes the good fight?"

Sketchy shook his head morosely. "Not so great."

"What's wrong? Normal doesn't wanna lay you off too, does he?"

Sketch sighed, "No. It's my boss at 'New World Weekly.' He says I've got to do an interview with a transgenic for the next issue. He's really p!ssed I spent all that time in Terminal City and didn't get any decent copy. If I don't find someone to interview, I'm fired."

The mournful puppy dog expression on Sketchy's face kind of got to Alec, but he knew what he had to say. "Sorry, Sketch. No can do." He noticed Sketchy looking Max's way. "And don't ask her either." Alec warned

"Aw, Alec, why not? What harm can it do? You guys don't have to tell me any big secrets. Just what it's like being a hot transgenic stud living the high life in Seattle."

"Sketch," Alec said. "Do I look like I'm livin' any kind of high life? If I was, do you think I'd be workin' here as a bike messenger again? Max and I are lucky to be alive, not to mention not behind bars. There are a lot of people out there who still want us dead, locked up, or worse. Puttin' our faces on the front page of a newspaper wouldn't exactly be healthy for us."

Sketchy had the decency to look guilty. "Guess you're right about that. You two have to lay low. Not attract attention. And then there's the baby to worry about."

Alec put an arm around Sketchy's shoulders, drawing him closer and asking quietly. "You, uh, haven't told anyone about that have you?"

"Why?" he asked. "Is it a secret?"

"Yeah. it is."

"Then no, I haven't told anyone."

"Not even Normal?"

Sketchy gave Alec a disbelieving look. "Now why would I tell Normal anything?"

"Good man," Alec said. "OC knows not to open her mouth either. The fewer people who know, the safer for Max."

"Gotcha," Sketchy said. Then he had a thought. "Hey, Joshua, your dog guy friend isn't livin' out here anymore. Do you think maybe he'd do an interview with me? I mean, what could it hurt? He's protected where he is."

Alec started to say no, then thought about it for a second. He glanced over where Max was talking to Normal, probably getting info for a run. She would never go for it. But Joshua would really get a kick out of being in a newspaper in a good way for a change, and it's not as if everyone didn't know he existed anyway. Sketchy might be right. What harm could it do? If Joshua wasn't his story, some other mutant eventually would be, then they'd get all the fame, money, and attention. Who knew what it could lead to? Talk show appearances, a book, maybe even a movie. Of course Joshua would need someone to manage his career ..."

"Alec?"

"Huh?" Alec pulled in his train of thought. He was back in manager/hustler/money-making mode

"What do you think? About Joshua I mean? Would he do an interview?"

"I'll see what I can set up," Alec said. Sketchy grinned. "Just DON'T say anything to Max." Alec shrugged and grinned at his friend, "She's kind of overprotective of the big guy."

"Right," Sketchy said, lowering his voice and attempting to look conspiratorial.

"Hey doofus!" Normal yelled.

Alec and Sketchy both looked his way.

"Not you Golden Boy," Normal said. "The scrawny one. Got a delivery for you in Sector 9."

Alec looked over in the lounge where half a dozen messengers were still watching "Passions 2020." This was the first package to go out this morning. Once again, he felt a pang of guilt. Max came up behind him as Sketchy walked away. He reached out and took hold of her hand, the gesture coming naturally to both of them.

"We could get jobs somewhere else," she said.

"Where?" Alec said, looking down at her. "Unless, of course, you'd like to go back to your short-lived career as a lap dancer, which wouldn't last for long, cause you'll start to show in a few months."

Max gave him a dirty look."I'm only three months along. And I would need to be properly motivated to do something like that."

"Oh, I'll motivate you, baby!" Alec said under his breath, making Max blush

Alec smiled a little secret smile regarding his momentary fantasy, loving it when he gets Max blushing. She hardly ever blushes and he considers it a treat when it happens. He then shook himself back to the present. What was Max saying? Oh! Alec stroked a finger down Max's throat while trying to stay on topic. "Lydecker says we have to stay integrated," Alec quickly said. "Or else he'll want us to move back to the compound with the others. We need this job Max."

"At least Deck and his guys swept all of White's bugs out of Jam Pony," Max said. "And we've known most of the people here for a long time. If we tried to work someplace else who could we trust?"

Alec agreed. But he still felt like he ought to at least offer to leave. "You goin' out on a run, too?"

Max held up a small package. "Sector 4."

"You want me to take it?" They both glanced outside where the daily row of anti-transgenic picketers were parading with their hate-filled signs. Alec didn't like Max out there alone

"We have to face them sooner or later, Alec. And you can't keep me in here 24/7." she said.

"I can try." He told her huskily, but at her determined look, he sighed and kissed her goodbye, telling her quietly, "Be careful on the bike." He held up his hand before Max could argue. "I know. I know. You're only three months along, but ... just be careful. White seems to have disappeared, but you know how that guy tends to come out of the woodwork." He also wished she would carry a gun, but they'd already had that argument, and he knew she would never give in. Max truly hated and abhored firearms.

"You going to talk to Normal?" she asked.

"You think I should?

"Kill the trannies!" someone screamed from outside on the sidewalk, their voice clearly heard through the thick glass block windows. She nodded.

*****
TBC

[phoenixnz]

Oh, you're sneaky Trina, but glad you're on a roll. Good chapter.

[Dana0715]

"Business is slow lately," Alec said, sauntering up to the desk in the back office where Normal was going through paperwork.

"A seasonal lull," Normal said, waving off Alec's concern. He looked up at Alec. "Nothing to worry about. Just wait until the holidays roll around."

Alec gestured with his thumb at the front window where the shadows of picketers were crossing. "They're not gonna leave so long as the Reverend Terry Caldwell and Senator McKinley keep it up about how my kind don't deserve to walk the earth."

"That's nonsense," Normal said. "Only ignorant people listen to idiots like that."

"You believed it not so long ago yourself Normal," Alec said quietly. "And I'll never forget the look on your face when you found out I was, uh, genetically empowered."

"You're different," Normal said, shuffling his papers. "You're one of the good guys."

"So they keep telling me," Alec said.

"You're almost like me," Normal said, looking up at last. "You X's shouldn't be persecuted just because of a little genetic difference."

"No, I'm not like you, Normal," Alec said, deciding to set the record straight. "Just because I don't have a dog face or scales doesn't mean I'm human. I'm really no different from Joshua and Mole."

Normal laughed. "You're telling me you're part animal? Nah. Just because your genetics have been tinkered with to make you such a wonderful specimen of a man doesn't make you an animal."

Alec looked around to make sure no one was close enough to overhear them. "Normal..... I'm part cat. So's Max."

Normal blinked. It was one of the few times Alec had ever seen the man struck speechless.

Alec cleared his throat. "Moving on now ... Look, I know your business is in the toilet because of Max and me. I'm thinkin' it was selfish of us to ask you to take us back. We can find work somewhere else."

"Part cat?" Normal asked, still stuck on Alec's revelation

"That's what I said. You know, the speed, strength, agility, super senses, and stuff. Now, about us leavin'....."

"You won't find anyplace else to work." Normal said, recovering from Alec's words. "Not where you'll be safe,"

"We can look out for ourselves."

"And what about the baby that's coming?"

Alec made a mental note to assassinate Sketchy as his head dropped and he sighed. "Damn! You know about the baby?"

"Everyone knows you knocked Max up," Normal said.

Alec closed his eyes and counted to five. Sketchy is a dead man!

"Fact is, I have to admit I was a little bit surprised," Normal continued. "I never saw you and Missy Miss as a couple, let alone as a family unit until I saw your interactions today. I would have thought that maybe you two might have a one time fling, but a couple?" Normal was shuffling papers and shrugged, "But then I never thought you and Max were part cats either." Normal set the papers aside. leaned forward over the desk and lowered his voice. "How long have you two been an item anyway? I remember seeing her with you at the strip club but--"

"We've always been watchin' out for each other," Alec said truthfully. "Ever since we met at Manticore last summer."

It was the truth, and would hopefully satisfy Normal's prurient curiosity. "About us workin' here...," Alec said, trying to get the conversation back on track.

Normal held up his hand. "There'll be no more talk about it," he said. "You and Max need jobs, and no one else in their right mind will hire you. Therefore, it's up to me to help support your transgenic rights."

"Uh, thanks," Alec said, not quite sure how to take Normal's complete turnaround, but at the same time grateful he seemed to be the guy's latest cause. "But I hate it that you've laid people off because business is so slow."

"You let me worry about the business, young man," Normal said. "You just worry about that pregnant little cat woman of yours."

Alec was about to tell Normal to please not call Max a "cat woman" when suddenly there was a loud crash of splintering glass and the sound of screams from out front.

"Holy sh!t, what now!" Normal said, pulling a very large pistol from a drawer before standing up and coming around the desk.

Alec's hand on his arm pulled him to a stop. "Wait," Alec said. "Remember White?"

Normal looked at him, his eyes wide behind his glasses. "You mean that motherf*cker who tried to kill us all might have come back?"

"Yeah, that motherf*cker could be back." Alec pulled his own Glock 35 from beneath his leather jacket.

"Messengers aren't allowed to carry firearms," Normal said automatically. "It's in the rule book."

"So fire me," Alec grinned cockily at him as he loaded the clip into the gun

Normal listened to the sounds of turmoil out front, then eyed Alec's gun and the very efficient way he was holding it. "All right," he said. "I'll make an exception this time."

"You really know how to use that thing?" Alec asked, nodding at Normal's pistol.

"That depends," Normal said, giving Alec a sideways glance. "Are you going to break my elbow and take it away from me?"

"Not so long as you don't point it at me. And I didn't break your elbow. I just twisted it."

"Hurt pretty bad anyway. And yes, I know how to use it."

"Come on then," Alec said, moving over to the lockers where he could get a better look at what was happening.

Five very large, burly men were standing just inside the front door holding baseball bats. There was frosted glass all over the floor from the broken window. "Where are the f*ckin' trannies?" one of them shouted. "We know you've got some of those stinkin' animals in here and we've come to send them to hell where they belong!"

Before Alec could stop him, Normal stepped forward holding his gun with both hands. "There will be no sending to hell on these premises," he said. "Now, if you gentlemen will kindly leave my place of business, maybe I won't have to shoot you."

"Call the police," Alec said quietly to Sky who'd come up behind him. "Ask for Detective Clemente and tell him what's happening." Sky nodded and sneaked to the back room where Alec knew there was a pay phone on the wall.

"Gentlemen, gentlemen!" Alec said, as he stepped forward, weapon at ready. "Let's all just calm down, shall we?" He was smiling, but the feral gleam in his green eyes was pure danger. He motioned at the men with the Glock. "Now what we have here are guns against baseball bats, and where I come from those aren't good odds. So, I suggest you just turn around and head home before someone gets hurt."

"That's one of the freaks," the man who'd been shouting said. He pointed at Alec. "Saw his picture on the news and on one of those wanted posters."

Alec knew the type well -- small brain, big mouth, overweight, lots of chest hair and no deodorant. The guy's mere existence was enough to make him want to kill him. But he also knew it wouldn't do Normal's business any good to have bodies piling up inside again.

"Go home, while you can," Alec warned softly.

"You heard what the man said!" Normal shouted.

"He ain't no man!" Chest hair screamed. "He's an animal that shouldn't be allowed to breed!"

As if on cue, Max wheeled her bike through the door. "What's goin' on guys?" she asked.

"Max! Down!" Alec shouted as one of the men swung at her with his baseball bat, recognizing her. Alec hated to do it, but he took aim with his gun. No one was going to hurt Max. But just as he squeezed the trigger he heard something behind him. Another of the picketers had come in through the back. Only his transgenic reflexes kept the tire iron from crushing his skull. Instead the bar came down on his right wrist. Alec actually heard the bone snap.

"F*ck!" he screamed, the Glock dropping from suddenly numb fingers as he clutched his wrist in agony. But Alec had been taught from childhood how to overcome pain when he had to. In the same motion, he brought his elbow into the solar plexus of his attacker, driving the man backwards into the bank of lockers where he lay gasping for breath through a collapsed lung.

Beside him, Alec heard a gun go off. And then there were bodies flying everywhere as the Jam Pony crew waded in and tackled the invaders.

Alec looked frantically for Max, but couldn't see her. Then someone picked up the tire iron and he found himself once again fighting one-handed for his life. Only this time his opponent wasn't a Familiar. A whirling crescent kick delivered at transgenic speed felled man number two. A third was lying bleeding on the floor with a bullet from Normal's gun in his shoulder.

Alec turned around just in time to see Max boot another through what was left of the front window and Alec recognized him as the guy that tried to attack Max with the baseball bat. The two remaining men were cornered against a back wall by half a dozen of the Jam Pony crew. From the looks on their faces, they'd finally figured out this had been a dumb idea. Outside they could hear police sirens.

Alec, breathing hard because of the excruciating pain in his wrist, walked up to Normal and gently twisted the gun out of his hand. "You still think I shouldn't look elsewhere for a job?" he asked his boss.

Normal just looked from Alec, to the mess around them, and shook his head.

*****

"Ow! Holy Sh!t!" Alec cried out when Max set his wrist, snapping the two pieces of bone back into alignment. "Geez, you enjoy doin' that to me, don't you?"

"Patching up your wounds, or hurting you?" Max asked innocently, batting her eyelashes.

"Hurting me. You always have, and I can cite quite a few examples if you want."

Max thought he was so cute when he has the hurt, pouty look. She told him gently, "This wrist's going to take two weeks to heal," Max wound the Ace bandage around it. They'd gone back to their place for first aid, which was Alec's old apartment. The police wanted Alec to go to the hospital, but he'd politely declined. Thankfully, Clemente was present and didn't press the issue. And since Normal hadn't actually killed anyone with his gun, his time at the station house had been minimal. In the end, the six thugs were the ones going to jail.

"Your boy can't seem to keep himself in one piece lately," OC said. She was sitting on the kitchen counter, legs crossed, handing Max items from the first aid kit as she asked for them. "There was an arrow in his ribs that still hasn't fully healed and now this."

"Yeah," Max said, shaking her head as she clipped the bandage in place. "In the past month you've been kidnapped by Familiars, hunted like an animal, later shot with an arrow, and now clubbed with a tire iron." She looked at him closely. "Gee, what's bringing all the bad luck your way?"

"Or all the good luck," Alec pointed out. "I could have been killed every time, and I wasn't."

"Good point," Original Cindy said. "Always look at the glass as half full, Sugar."

"And it wasn't even the same enemy," Alec said, pressing his point. "First White, then those middle eastern mercenaries, and now a bunch of idiots in an angry mob."

"Seriously, Boo," OC was shaking her head and grinning. "You've gotta take better care of your boy."

"Alec can take care of himself," Max said, but the words came out gently as she kissed his injured wrist. She smiled up at him from her position on her knees, "I always heard mothers say it helps take the pain away."

"Yeah.... I think it kinda does. How about another one here." He used his good hand to point at his lips

Max gave him a quick kiss on the lips and when he was about to dive in for more, she pulled away, giggling. "We've got company Alec. The first since moving here."

Alec let that go for now and perused her quickly and asked worriedly, "You sure you're okay? After manhandling a couple of thugs on your own?"

"I'm fine. That guy hardly touched me."

"What if they'd attacked you outside, or while you were on a run?"

"Then I'd have fought them off like I did inside Jam Pony." She stood and hugged his head to her chest reassuringly. He could hear her heart beating strongly underneath his ear as Max played with his hair and said, "Don't worry. People will forget in time and then things will get back to normal."

"Speaking of Normal," Alec raised his head from the comfort of her bosom to meet her eyes. "I'm feelin' worse than ever about what we're puttin' him through."

"That bigot deserves what he gets," OC said as she hopped off the bar. "You two are so quick to forget. Old Normal was your worst enemy all these months, practically runnin' a franchise for the Reverend Terry Caldwell. Now, just 'cause he delivered a cute little transgenic baby with his own two hands and wrote a book about it he's had some kind of mutant religious conversion."

"I think Normal just needed a reason not to hate us," Max said. She looks at Alec affectionately. "He always liked you a lot, and it must have been really hard when he found out what you were."

"He called you a cat woman," Alec said, glancing at her sideways and waiting for a reaction.

Max raised her eyebrows. "You told him about the feline DNA?"

Alec shrugged, "He asked."

"Great," Max rolled her eyes heavenward. "Now I'm never going to hear the end of it."

"He knows about the baby too."

Max's shoulders sagged. "Damn! Could this day get any worse?"

Alec prepared himself as he decided to lay it all out on the table at once. "I told Sketchy he could do an interview with Joshua for 'New World Weekly.'" He told her quickly with his eyes closed, then he peeked out of one eye to see her reaction

She just stared at him, her mouth open. Then she angrily stomped to the bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

Alec looked over at OC with a resigned sigh, "Ever seen a cat in the doghouse?" he quipped. At Original Cindy's answering grin, he sighed again, "Damn! Guess I'm sleepin' on the couch tonight huh?"

OC began gathering her things, telling him, "It'll all work out, Sugar. Max's temper goes as quickly as it comes." She shrugged into her jacket and winked at Alec, "Catch ya later Pretty Boy. Hopefully you'll still be in one piece!"

Alec watched OC leave, finding it amazing how he can view her as another true friend that is not a transgenic.

And again he was afraid that right along with Normal, Sketchy and Logan, he'd be putting her in danger too

*****
TBC

[Dana0715]

"Reagan Ronald?"

Normal was in his office and he looked up from his paperwork. "Let me guess," he said sarcastically. "Since I know I didn't leave the door unlocked and therefore you broke in, you're either here to kill me, a transgenic looking for a job -- they never even knock you know -- or a very tenacious reporter."

Lydecker almost smiled. There was clear amusement in Deck's eyes

Normal looked at his uninvited visitor more closely, peering up at him through his glasses in the poor light. "You haven't shot me yet, and you don't look like an X series. Too old and flabby. Which means you're probably a reporter. My standard interview fee is a thousand dollars."

He looked back down at his paperwork, practically dismissing Lydecker, "Take it or leave it."

"I'm not a reporter," Lydecker said. "But I am here about 452 and 494."

Normal looked back up at Deck in confusion, "Who?"

Again the near smile. "Max and Alec. I'm their handler from Manticore."

Normal's mouth fell open and he quickly stood up, holding out his hand. "It's an honor to meet you then, sir. Anything for the transgenic cause. You know I delivered that little baby--"

Lydecker waved him to silence. "I know all about it. I'm here because I heard there was an incident involving my people this afternoon."

"Regrettably that's true, sir," Normal said.

"I also understand neither of my charges were seriously injured?"

"That's correct, sir." Normal reached for the telephone. "You can talk to them yourself if you want."

"That won't be necessary," Lydecker said, putting his hand on Normal's and pressing the phone back in its cradle. "What I really want to talk to you about are your security arrangements. I can't have 452 and 494 ... Max and Alec ... hampered in their work by outside annoyances."

"Annoyances like the riot this afternoon?" Normal sat back down again

"Exactly." Deck propped his hands on Normal's desk and leaned toward him, "I need to know that they can work here in relative safety, not bothered by the press or hecklers. I also need you to realize that their hours must be very flexible. There will be times they don't report to work and you won't be given any notice. When that happens there are to be no questions asked. Understood?"

"Understood, sir," Normal said. "I'm assuming that 456 and 789 are vitally important for some great secret American cause and I'm honored to be a part of such an endeavor."

"Good," Lydecker nodded in satisfaction, still trying to hide his amusement. "Then I'm leaving my kids in good hands. I trust the appropriate security arrangements for their safety will be made and today's incident won't be repeated."

"It will not, sir," Normal said.

Lydecker turned to go.

"Sir," Normal called to him. "Could I ask one question?"

Deck turned back to Normal with a raised eyebrow, "That depends on what it is."

"What was he before?"

"What do you mean?"

"What did Alec do at Manticore? I don't care a fig about Missy Miss, but I always wondered about my golden boy."

"He was a soldier," Lydecker said simply.

"And the part about him being a highly trained genetically engineered killing machine? That's just the news media exaggerating, right? I mean, Alec's not a cold blooded killer like they say."

"494 did what he was created to do when so ordered," Lydecker said in a matter of fact voice, walking back to Normal slowly. "And I advise you, for your own safety, to remember that no matter how human he seems....." Deck leaned toward Normal conspiratorially, "He isn't."

Normal swallowed hard. "Understood, sir," he said nervously. But Lydecker was already gone.


*****

The next day, when Alec arrived at Jam Pony extra early and ready to go back to work, the place looked like a fortress. The broken window had not only been repaired, but steel bars covered the opening as well. Four uniformed policemen were standing guard out front and Alec had to show his transgenic I.D. and sector pass before being allowed inside. The metal detector didn't pick up his Glock, but his knife set off the alarm.

"Don't you think this is a bit of an overkill?" Alec said, after one of the policemen patted him down. The Glock earned him a scowl, but Normal waved him through.

Worse was the impressive arsenal Normal had arrayed behind the counter. Alec picked up a machine gun, surprised. "Where did you get this stuff?"

"I have an old Army buddy," Normal explained.

"And he keeps hollow point bullets around the house?" Alec asked suspiciously as he tossed a box of ammo from one hand to the other, wondering what Normal was going to tell everyone else when they came in.

"No, Mr. Smartmouth. He has contacts."

"Contacts?"

"People in the armed forces who can get weapons out of the armories. But then you know all about that kind of thing." Normal motioned Alec closer. "I hear you were the main procurer in Terminal City."

"Procurer?" Alec wondered when he'd developed the habit of repeating words as questions.

"You were the one sneaking in the food, guns, and other contraband."

"Well, yeah," Alec admitted. "But Normal, there's one big difference here. The people in Terminal City knew how to use stuff like this." He held up an Ouzi. "You don't."

"How hard can it be?" Normal said, attempting to cock the sawed off shotgun he'd had stashed behind the ledger books.

Alec took the gun away from him and easily cocked it with his left hand, the one not bandaged.

"There," he said. "Just don't shoot yourself ... or me ... or anyone else."

"Just let those thugs come back and try and hurt my people again," Normal said.

Something in Normal's tone of voice caught Alec's attention. The man wasn't joking around. "Hey, Normal, you've been through a lot. First transgenics take you hostage, then White lays siege to the place and shoots everything up, and now, just when things should be gettin' back to normal, no pun intended, an angry mob storms your castle. Maybe you should take a vacation."

"Then who would protect you?" Normal asked.

The sincerity in the man's eyes was genuine and it actually touched Alec. "It's gonna get worse before it gets better," Alec said quietly. "You know that."

"I know."

"Max and me, we're nothin' but trouble for you now."

"I don't care. Well, I don't care if you're trouble. Max, however--"

"Max and I are a packaged deal, Normal." Alec said, needing to set Normal straight regarding the status quo. "She's carryin' my kid, and I love her."

"You love her?"

"More than my own life." Alec told him with absolute sincerity

Normal was looking at him with a funny expression on his face. "Why?" he finally asked. "Just, explain why? What on earth do you see in that nasty little--"

"Watch it," Alec warned, eyebrow raised.

"Sorry. Granted, she's a looker. But a hot stud like you could have just about any woman in the world."

"You mean a hot transgenic stud," Alec said with a sardonic look. "Somehow I imagine the dating pool in this city has shrunk considerably for me."

"But you could leave. You could travel ..."

"And end up being all alone, cut off from my own kind."

"I suppose we all need family," Normal said. "You know, Super Star, when I found out you were a mutant, I felt really betrayed."

"Because you figured I'd cheated on all those cage fights against ordinaries?"

"No," Normal said quietly. "Because you didn't care enough about our relationship to confide in me."

"Knowledge is dangerous, my friend," Alec said. "There are a lot of people lookin' to kill me and mine, and they would have taken you down without a thought if you'd gotten in the way. Besides, you weren't exactly on our side then."

"They nearly took me down anyway -- twice counting yesterday."

Alec shrugged, agreeing, "True."

"I still want you to stay."

Alec waited.

"And Max can stay too."

Alec smiled. "Okay," he said. "For now. But do me a favor, Normal."

"What?"

Alec took the sawed off shotgun from Normal again and put the safety back on. He then handed it to him. "Get rid of the arsenal. If White or someone else busts in here after Max and me he's just gonna take this away from you and use it on us."

Normal looked crestfallen, but nodded in agreement.

***********

Later that evening, Alec and Max had another argument. Max was getting sick and tired of being hovered over by Alec. She wanted to go out and have some time alone with Original Cindy away from Alec's constant hovering. Alec didn't like the idea of her leaving his sight, but eventually, he decided she was right. He had to trust that Max can take care of herself.

But he didn't have to like it

So when Max arrived at Crash, she had a scheduled meeting to get through with Sketchy first, then she'll join OC in the back room

Finding Sketchy, she made her way to his table and pulled out a chair, turning it and straddling across it, propping her arms over the back

"You wanted to see me, Sketchy?" Max felt funny sitting at a table in Crash without a pitcher of beer in front of her. But with a baby on board, alcohol was a definite no-no. She had placed an order for a ginger ale

"Yeah, Max," Sketchy said, leaning toward her in a conspiatorial manner, practically pleading. "You see, I need this interview ..."

Max rolled her eyes. Same old story from Sketchy. "I thought Alec was going to get Joshua to do that for you."

"He is. This is something else."

The hair on the back of Max's neck was standing at attention as she asked warily, "What do you mean?"

Sketchy looked up as two men came toward their table. "I sort of promised some people I would get them an interview with a real live transgenic. It's for this national newspaper--"

Max was on her feet in an instant, heading to the back door. "I don't think so," she said.

"But they'll pay you a lot of money," Sketchy called after her as she headed for the back door.

"Halt!" one of the men said, drawing a gun.

"Hey, wait a minute!" Sketchy shouted. "What's with the guns! You guys are supposed to be reporters!

Max was already in the alley, but there was a van blocking the only way to the street. Three more men came around the side, weapons in their hands.

Desperate, Max looked around for a way out. The two who'd originally come at her were blocking the door to Crash, Sketchy behind them, dragging on one man's gun arm, trying to fight him. "Leave her alone!" he yelled. "Don't hurt her!"

Max saw only one possibility. Blurring, she vaulted onto the top of the van and did a handspring into the street on the other side. Gunfire followed her as she landed in a crouch on her feet and then she ran for her life around the corner to where her Ninja was parked. She felt the sting of a bullet on her arm, and another in her side. Vaulting onto the cycle, she revved the engine and peeled away. Before her pursuers could get their van in gear she'd rounded the corner onto the main street and vanished into traffic.


*****
"Alec!" Max called, falling heavily against the door to their apartment. Please let him be home. She hadn't thought her wounds were bad, but she was feeling awfully dizzy, and her side hurt like hell.

She pushed against the door, but was suddenly too weak to turn the knob. Slumping to the floor, she felt like she was going to throw up.

"Max!" The door opened and Alec's strong bare arms encircled her. He picked her up, unmindful of his broken wrist, carried her inside, and laid her gently down on their bed. He'd been worrying about her, she realized. He looked haggard, like he has run his hands through his hair numerous times, and circles were beginning to form under his eyes. The mostly empty scotch bottle gave another clue

"Max, what happened? Max?" Alec lightly patted her cheek, "Max, baby, talk to me!"

Max heard him but she had lost so much blood, she heard it from far away as she passed out into oblivion


*****
There was blood all over the place, but Alec knew the first thing he had to do was make certain she hadn't been followed. Leaving Max on the bed, he grabbed his gun from the nightstand and cautiously stepped out into the hallway, using all of his enhanced senses to scan for an enemy. No sign of her pursuers, but if it was White his men were bound to know Max might come here.

Going back inside, he knelt beside the bed and checked her wounds. The one on her arm was just a scratch, but the hole in her side had him worried. "She needs a doctor," he muttered to himself. "A hospital."

The commotion of an ambulance arriving would draw White down on them for sure. He thought about Lydecker, but had no way of contacting the man. Logan would help, but Joshua's house was four sectors over and Logan would have a hell of a time getting through the checkpoints at this time of night.

"Sh!t," Alec said, pounding his fist on the wall in frustration.

Kneeling again beside Max, he checked her pulse. It was faint and thready, and no matter how loudly he called her name she wouldn't open her eyes. He needed a car to get her to the hospital, but other than Logan he didn't know anyone with one. And there was no way he was going to leave Max here alone while he jacked a vehicle off the street.

And then Alec had a thought. There was someone who lived a lot closer to him than Logan who had a car. He glanced at the time, then picked up his cell phone and dialed a number.

"Hello? Normal. I know it's late but I need your help buddy."


*****
By the time Alec had temporarily bandaged Max's wounds, Normal was pulling up to the curb. They carried Max to the car and were at the hospital emergency room 10 minutes later.

"She's tough as nails," Normal said, patting Alec on the back in the ER waiting room. "You know she'll come through just fine."

"She's pregnant," Alec said, his green eyes wide with worry while he chewed his thumbnail and paced the corridor.

"She wasn't shot in the stomach," Normal said calmly.

"She's lost a lot of blood and she's pregnant," Alec said as he paced up and down, up and down. "Why the hell won't they tell me anything??"

"Do you know who shot her?"

"Not for certain," Alec said, a dangerous gleam in his eyes now. "But I can make a real good guess."

Original Cindy came through the double doors hurriedly. Alec looked at Normal questioningly.

"I called her," he said. "Thought you could use the moral support."

"How's my girl?" OC asked as she came to a halt in front of Alec, looking pensive. "Normal said she was shot."

"We don't know," Alec said. He looked at OC, his eyes frightened again as he whispered worriedly. "She's pregnant OC. And she's been shot. I should have never let her leave by herself. We had this big fight and......."

"Honey, we all know that," OC said, drawing Alec over to a couch and pulling him down beside her. She took hold of his hand, the non-injured one in a reassuring squeeze. "Now you just calm down Sugar. If whoever did this is still after Max, they could find us here and then we'd all be in danger. We need you to keep your head on straight."

Alec nodded. He knew OC was right.

Just then, a doctor came into the room. Alec was on his feet in an instant. "Max Guavera," he said. "How is she?"

"Are you a relative?" the doctor asked.

"Yes," Alec said without hesitation. "I'm her ..." He looked at OC for help.

"He's the baby's daddy," OC said.

"She's--"

"Pregnant," OC finished for him. She patted Alec on the hand. "I'm sure the doctor knows that too, Boo."

"How is she?" Alec repeated.

"Miss Guavera is going to be fine," the doctor said. "She's lost a bit of blood, but the bullet wasn't in very deep. We normally would give a blood transfusion, but due to her pregnancy we've used only a glucose solution. She's awake now if you want to see her. We've moved her to recovery."

Alec didn't consciously believe in God, but he closed his eyes anyway and silently thanked whoever might be listening.


*****
"Max," Alec said softly, kneeling beside her bed so his face was close to hers. He took her hand. "The doctor says you're gonna be fine."

"I know," she said sleepily. Then she smiled, her free hand placed protectively over her belly. "The baby's fine too. They let me see it on the ultrasound."

Alec's eyes grew wide. "It's big enough to see?"

"Of course, silly. Just a tiny little thing though. About this big." She held her thumb and forefinger about a half inch apart. Then she yawned. "They gave me something for the pain and said it would make me sleep. I'm feeling GREAT right now"

"Max, Max, Max," Alec said quickly, seeing she was about to drift off. "Who was it? Who shot you? Was it White?"

Max blinked, having a hard time keeping her eyes open and her brow furrowed, trying to remember. "Some guys with Sketchy," she said.

Alec's voice lowered dangerously and his eyes narrowed, "With Sketchy? What are you talkin' about?"

Max yawned again, "Sketchy asked me to meet him at Crash. He said it was important. When I got there two men came in. He said they were reporters who wanted to interview me. But they had guns. There were more in the alley. I got away, but not before ..." She gestured to her bandaged arm and side."

"Gotcha," Alec said, his eyes grim. He glanced at the time. Crash was closed, and after the ruckus Sketchy probably hadn't gone home. However, he knew where he sometimes hung out after hours.

"Alec," Max murmured, seeing the anger in Alec's eyes and she touched his cheek lovingly. "It's Sketchy. Don't ..."

"I know," he said reassuringly and he grasped her hand and kissed the palm. Getting to his feet, he leaned over and gently kissed Max on the lips. "I'll be back soon," he whispered. "OC's gonna stay with you."

But Max was already asleep.

There was no need for Max to know what he had in mind. He's going to teach Sketch a good hard lesson that he won't soon forget


*****
"Alec--" Sketchy scrambled awkwardly to his feet, sliding up the brick wall, needing the support because his knees were shaking so badly and he was bombed. The alley was empty except for the two of them, the late night poker game Sketchy so often joined not happening tonight. But afraid to go home, he'd come here anyway, just like Alec thought he might.

Sketchy was immediately apologetic, "Alec, I didn't mean to-- Max, is she all right? Look man, I'm so, so sorry. I had no idea they'd--"

Alec just stood there, hands buried in the pockets of his black leather jacket, saying nothing, holding the other man pinned to the wall with his eyes, making Sketchy gulp nervously. The longer the silence continued, the more terrified Sketchy became.

"Alec, buddy ..." He was holding his hands out in front of him now as if warding off a nightmare and he was babbling nervously. "Just tell me Max is okay. You know I'd never do anything to hurt her. It was just supposed to be an interview. I'm sure she's okay anyway. I mean, it's Max. She can take care of herself ..."

"She's not okay," Alec said quietly.

Sketchy's eyes grew wide and he slid back down the wall to sit on the pavement where he looked up at Alec, tears streaming down his face. He knew he was in real trouble now.

"It's not true, is it?" he said hoarsely. "What they said about you back in Terminal City? They said you used to be ... you used to be some kind of assassin. They said you'd killed a bunch of people. You're not an assassin are you Alec? I mean, come on. We're buddies. Best friends. I helped you guys get away from White. You know I'd never betray you intentionally. And you'd never hurt me would you?.... Alec?" Sketchy's voice trailed off as he realized what he'd just said.

Slowly, easily, his expression blank, Alec reached behind his back with his left hand and drew his gun.

"Oh, God," Sketchy squeaked, hiding his head in his arms.

Casually, Alec popped the clip out, checked the bullets, then re-loaded, wincing slightly as the movement caused pain in his broken wrist, but making sure the snap of the clip was heard by Sketch

"Please, just tell me about Max!" Sketchy whimpered. "Do whatever ya want, but I don't wanna die without knowin'!"

Sketchy peeked out of his arms, but Alec's face was deadly serious, and scary. "How did White's men contact you?" Alec asked, resting the barrel of the Glock in his right hand, but keeping his left index finger on the trigger.

"They came up to me in Crash two nights ago," Sketchy said. "I swear, I thought they were legit reporters. They said they'd pay me ten thousand dollars if I'd get you or Max to give them an interview. I knew you guys wouldn't, so I sort of tricked Max into meetin' me. I was even gonna share the money with her, fifty fifty. Alec, I had no idea--" He couldn't take his eyes off the gun and Sketchy was shaking badly. "You're gonna kill me, aren't you?" he said, his voice no longer pleading but resigned. "And you're right, I deserve to die. Especially if Max is--" He looked up at Alec's eyes, and the sight of their cold green fire did nothing to ease his panic. "I know you loved her ... love her ... I know you have for a long time. I've never loved someone like that, so I can't say I know how you feel, but Alec, please. Even if you were a killer back at Manticore, is that what you still are? Are you just gonna shoot me in cold blood?"

Alec blinked, remembering someone else who not so long ago also thought he could still be a cold blooded killer. It had hurt then, and it hurt now. He looked at how Sketchy was cowering at his feet, and with a heavy sigh, he put the gun back in his belt. Kneeling down, he took hold of the other man by the front of his jacket and hauled him up to face him.

His nose mere inches from Sketchy's, Alec said, "Max took two bullets because of you. She could have died, but she didn't. She's in the hospital. If she hadn't made it, or if she'd lost the baby because of your stupidity, I'd have put a bullet right between your eyes and not thought twice about it. In fact, you don't want to know how badly I wanna do that anyway. But the doctor says Max is gonna be fine, and you're right. You've been a good friend to us both, and that counts for somethin'. Which is why I'm gonna let you walk out of this alley tonight. If it had been anyone else ..." Alec caught his lower lip between his teeth and shook his head. Then he shoved Sketchy away from him, hard. "Go home," he snarled. "Go home and think about how close you came to dyin' tonight you f*ckin' idiot."

"Alec!" Sketchy called as Alec started to walk away.

"You're pushin' your luck, Sketch," Alec said without turning around.

"I'm sorry."

Alec closed his eyes, remembering how often he'd said those words after hurting someone he cared about. Like it or not, he knew how Sketchy felt.

"Alec, are we okay?"

"No," Alec said. Then, his eyes softening at last, he turned back to Sketchy and added, "but we probably will be."


*****
Dawn was breaking when Alec let himself into his apartment and found Lydecker seated on the couch waiting for him.

Oh great, now my day is complete. Alec thought with an eye roll

"I trust you've taken care of things, 494."

Alec eyed him warily. "Max is gonna be okay," he said. "White's men, at least we're assuming it was his men, got away."

"Meaning they'll try again," Lydecker said.

Alec shrugged. "They always try again."

"Lose the attitude, soldier!" Lydecker roared, coming to his feet.

"Yes, sir!" Alec replied, automatically straightening and assuming a stance of attention, an automatic response from his Manticore days. Then he bit his tongue, silently cursing himself for giving Lydecker that.

Lydecker smiled wickedly. "Aren't quite as independent as we thought, are we 494? I trained you well."

Alec deliberately let his shoulders sag, the look of insolence back in his eyes. "Old habits die hard, sir," he said, making certain the "sir" was a sarcastic one this time.

"You let him live, didn't you? Calvin Simon Theodore, aka Sketchy?"

Alec knew he had to tread carefully here. There was nothing to keep Lydecker from sending another X5 after Sketch if he thought the Jam Pony messenger was a security risk to his New Manticore. "He's a friend," he said. "He didn't know they were White's people."

"Max could have been killed. Is that any way to take care of your mate?" And then an even lower blow. "Maybe she'd be safer with another X5 male after all. That could be arranged you know. Any of them would jump at the chance."

A chill shot down Alec's spine. "Sketchy's not a problem any more. You've got my word. And Max and I are just fine."

"Just because you sired that baby doesn't mean you own her or the child," Lydecker said. "We need to be clear on that, soldier. Your only rights to either of them are what I decide to grant."

"That wasn't the deal," Alec said, a trace of menace in his voice. "You said we'd be free to make our own choices, free to live our lives."

"I said you'd be given a chance to live on the outside," Lydecker said. "Nothing was promised about freedom."

"I always knew you were a f*cking liar."

"You're a good judge of character, 494. A little empathy included in your genetic cocktail. We think that little chromosomal quirk is actually what ultimately made 493 psychotic. He couldn't stand feeling the emotions of those around him. But you've learned to use the gift well -- so far." Deck added

"Trotting Ben's ghost out to scare me is gettin' old, Deck. Get to the point."

"Max trusts me now. You, however, never have and never will. But you will do what I tell you or else I'll take her and the child away from you. I'll send them someplace where you'll never find them. You'll never see her again."

Alec's eyes narrowed dangerously, but it didn't seem to phase Lydecker, "We already said we'd work for you. What more do you want from me?"

"I want you to be what you were created to be, son," Lydecker said, his intense eyes boring into Alec's. "You should have killed that stupid kid tonight. You're certainly capable of it. It's not like you haven't killed before. Hell, you should have enjoyed it. He endangered a soldier in your unit, not to mention your mate's life. I'm beginning to think something's wrong with you after all."

Alec walked up to Deck slowly until he towered over him, saying quietly and firmly, "I won't kill my friend. And I won't let you kill him either. You want to lose Max and me, that's a sure way to do it. We'll take off." Alec knew it was probably an idle threat. The arm of Manticore was infinitely long and he doubted he and Max could hide from them. But he had to say something. "And, just to set the record straight, I've never enjoyed killing, no matter how many times Manticore told me I did."

Lydecker was smiling again in that way that made Alec squirm. "Psychosis possibilities aside, Renfro made a good choice when she paired you up with 452. I've studied the genetic base in detail and of all the X5's you're the one most compatible with Max's unique DNA. You're nearly siblings, you know, chromosomal-wise. Well, actually more like first cousins."

Alec involuntarily thought of Zack and swallowed hard. He'd never felt fraternal around Max, but Lydecker's words bothered him anyway.

"But then all of my kids have the same core genetics, based in Sandeman's DNA. Which also makes you and Max a brother and sister to Ames White, Sandeman's son. Ironic, isn't it?"

"F*ck off," Alec said quietly. "And get the hell out of my apartment before I decide maybe I really do wanna kill someone tonight."

"Damn that X5 independence," Lydecker said, still smiling. But at least he was moving toward the door. "I'm glad Max will be all right. I've posted a guard at the hospital, by the way. I didn't think that girl you left to watch over her would be much help if White decided to send a team in."

"Get the f*ck out, Deck!" Alec said again, immediately feeling guilty about leaving Max vulnerable and angry that Deck pointed out the slight. He'd stopped by the hospital before coming here, and OC had said everything was fine, that he ought to get some sleep, which is why he'd come home. The constant worry over Max's safety was catching up to him and he took OC up on the offer of rest

"Oh," Lydecker said. "One more thing." He reached inside his jacket. Alec had his gun drawn in a second.

"That's more like it, soldier," Lydecker said, his eyes shining with approval at the action. He pulled out a pack of cigarettes, put one in his mouth and lit it with a Zippo lighter. He winked at Alec as he walked toward the door, "You still got the reflexes. Now to just make sure Max stays safe. Because if this keeps happening, I'll have no choice but to take her to New Manticore and protect her there. She's way too valuable to lose."

Alec put the gun back in his waistband and told Deck, "Get the f*ck out of here."

"Till your next mission 494." Deck blow a puff of smoke and left

********************
TBC

[phoenixnz]

This deal is getting worse all the time.

[Dana0715]

Leanne - hope I'm not losing my best fan! I hope you still enjoy the story, even though things aren't looking good in the deal between Max/Alec/Lydecker. I have plans for Alec, he's going to do something way beyond the norm soon, but we know Alec has to be pushed before doing something drastic. I'm just building up to that. :) Glad you're commenting and I hope you keep reading!!

[Dana0715]

One month later

Sh!t!" Alec hit the ground hard, sprawling flat on his back. Rolling backwards, he brought his knees to his chest then arched, springing to his feet just in time to avoid having the side of his head kicked in. Breathing heavily, he circled warily, never losing eye contact, waiting for his opponent to make the next move. He blocked the first punch high, and the second at midriff level, but the third blow breached his defenses and he took it on the chin hard enough to see stars. Instinctively, he brought up his right arm to block the next punch he thought was coming. Instead, his attacker followed through with a whirling kick that hit him hard in the ribs and he went down for a second time.

"Sh!t! Sh!t! Sh!t!"

He rolled, and came up in a fighting stance. Licking his lips, he tasted his own blood.

His opponent was edging to his right. Alec knew he had to get this fight under control, take the offensive. Blurring forward, he aimed a straight punch to the stomach, delivered with enough power to kill an ordinary human. However, the other man dodged left with equal speed, causing Alec to over balance.

The second he felt his blow glance off he knew he was f*cked. One hand grabbed his right arm and twisted it up behind his back while another hand clamped down on the back of his neck like a vise. The next thing Alec knew he was lying face down in the dirt with an impossible pressure on his spine.

"Surrender!" The word hissed in his ear.

Alec dug the toe of his boot into the ground and struggled, hoping to find room to maneuver. His arm was pushed upwards another inch, the pain excruciating.

"Surrender!"

"F*ck you @sshole!"

Another shove and tears were pricking his eyes.

"Give it up, 494!"

"No!" He tried to rear his head back and the knee on his spine pressed down.

"I'll break your damn neck!"

"Alec!" He could hear Max's panicked voice in the background.

"Give up!" His opponent snarled into his ear

Alec twisted his head around and bit down as hard as he could on his assailant's forearm. The scream was gratifying. But it was quickly followed by his own scream as his shoulder dislocated.

"Enough!" Lydecker roared from the sidelines in the New Manticore courtyard. "489, let him up!"

"Yes, sir," X5-489 said, emphasizing the "sir" a bit too much. Slowly, almost leisurely, the big X5 male stood, releasing the near fatal pressure on Alec's spine at last. Jet black hair, piercing blue eyes, and a coldly handsome face, Greg was one of the more massively made X5's built more for strength and power -- far more massive than Alec in every way.

Alec knew he had to get on his feet, had to pretend he wasn't hurt -- but dammit, he was hurt!

"Leave him," he heard Lydecker say, and Alec knew Deck was talking to Max. "Get up, soldier!"

Alec struggled to his knees and, using his good left arm, pushed himself to his feet where he stood swaying, dizzy, his right arm dangling uselessly.

Then Lydecker was in his face. "You're pathetic," he yelled, shaking his head. "Of all the poor excuses for fighting I've seen, yours comes close to being the worst."

Alec hung his head. Old habit. He'd had plenty of dressings down in his lifetime and knew what behavior was expected. He wondered if Lydecker had a solitary confinement cell somewhere on the New Manticore base with his name on it. Because that's where he would be headed if he'd still been a soldier in the old regime.

He glanced at Max out of the corner of his eye. She wasn't looking at him, and his shame deepened. To make matters worse, Original Cindy had come with them today, wanting to visit Joshua and Gem at the New Manticore site. And then there were the X6's and X7's who'd turned out to watch the show as well. Dalton looked like he didn't know what to think, seeing his hero from the Jam Pony siege getting his ass kicked and his face pushed in the dirt during what was supposed to be a simple training exercise demonstration.

"Explain your inability to perform up to standards," Lydecker barked.

"The match was unequal," Max squawked indignantly, stepping forward, her expression defiant. "489 ... Greg ... is a heavy combat model. Alec's body was designed for stealth and light aggression."

Alec closed his eyes and sighed. He knew she meant well, but Max was just making things worse and on top of that, embarassing the crap out of him.

"I was unfit for the task, sir," he said quickly, before Lydecker could vent his rage on the 5 months pregnant Max. "I've been fighting too many ordinaries and not practicing enough with my own kind."

"Exactly," Lydecker said, his scowl deepening. "Yet you're the one who's supposed to be protecting 452 from the Familiars. And those Familiars are at least as strong as X5's. You asked me for help in training to protect 452 and we have a LONG way to go before you're up to standards 494."

"But he's not as strong as combat models Deck," Max said under her breath. Alec heard her. Luckily, Lydecker didn't. He really wished she'd quit making excuses for him.

"Sir," Greg spoke up as he sidled cockily behind Max, looking her over appreciatively. "I would be glad to take over the task of protecting X5-452, sir."

Alec glared at the other X5, wishing he hadn't left his gun at the front door weapon's drop and Max recoiled away from the big guy in disgust. Then Alec looked at Lydecker and what he saw just made his f*cking day. He could tell by the look on his face that 'Deck was actually considering Greg's proposition!

"Sir," Alec said quickly. "There are more ways to protect Max than by using hand-to-hand tactics." He glanced at Greg. "Weapons range. Give me fifteen minutes, and then I'll show you who's the better body guard."

Lydecker nodded in acquiescence, and Alec knew he was going to get another chance.



*****


"Your shoulder," Max said.

They'd been walking in silence, heading for the firing range where Lydecker and his men had been training the X6's and X7's in the arts of weaponry. Max thought Lydecker was being mean to the youngsters, forcing them to be soldiers instead of letting them just be kids. But Alec, much as he sympathized with Max, actually thought it was probably the best thing. After all, look what had happened to Ben when he'd been thrown out into the real world with no way to channel his genetic aggression. At least this way the X6's and X7's like Dalton and Zero would have an identity and a purpose in the world. And it beat hands down beggin' on the streets of Seattle or rippin' off 7-Elevens.

He looked at Max, his purpose in the world right now. "Get Joshua," he gritted out through the pain.

"I'll do it."

Alec's stubborn look brooked no arguments as he gritted out, "Get Joshua."

"I'll do it," she insisted, reaching for his dislocated right arm.

Alec pulled away. He was sorry he'd just caused that hurt look in her eyes, but he really didn't want her tending to his injury -- macho pride of some kind he supposed. He was still miffed at how she keeps taking up for him and his male pride was smarting. On top of that, she was always patching him up. "Joshua!" he called, spotting his big friend over by the door to the main compound. "Here boy!"

""Hey, Doggie-Dog," OC said when Joshua came over. "How's life been treatin' you?"

"Good," Joshua said happily. "But we need more computer equipment and macaroni."

"Lydecker's runnin' this place on a shoe string budget," Alec said, teeth gritted against the pain in his shoulder. "He's barely got enough funding to feed everyone, let alone buy high tech hardware."

"Alec," Joshua said. "Your arm ..."

"Yeah, I know, buddy." Alec said, wincing as he tried to lift his right arm a bit. He looked at Max who had moved several steps away and turned her back on him in a huff

"Can you put that b!tch back in place?" OC asked, her expression concerned. "Our boy managed to dislocate his shoulder playin' soldier."

Joshua looked at Alec, his eyes questioning.

Alec took a deep breath. 'Pop it back in, Big Fella." He glanced at OC. "Please."

Joshua gingerly grabbed hold of Alec's wrist and upper arm, and took a deep breath.

"Wait, wait," Alec said. "Have you ever done this before?"

"No."

"I have," Max said, her voice indicating just how miffed she was as she crossed her arms and tapped her foot

Alec ignored her, but swallowed hard, suddenly having second thoughts about this. However, he had to be over on the firing range in just a few minutes. "Okay," he told Joshua. "Do it."

Joshua squeezed his eyes shut.

"Wait, wait, wait!"

"Now what?" OC said disgustedly.

"This is gonna hurt, isn't it?" Alec asked

Max exhaled sharply, turned around, and marched over. "Yes," she said, grabbing hold of his shoulder with one hand and his wrist with the other. "It's going to hurt." And then she pulled." The sound as the joint popped back into its socket was audible.

"Sh!t!," Alec hollered. "Ow!" This time there really were tears in his eyes. "Max!"

Joshua stood by looking sheepish.

"There," Max said, dusting off her hands. "Good as new." She looked at Joshua and shrugged apologetically. "Sorry Big Fella, but if it wasn't done right he'd have ended up with torn ligaments."

Alec was flexing his shoulder. It did feel much better. "Thanks," he said grudgingly to Max as OC patted him sympathetically on his other arm.

"You're welcome. Now get your ass over to that firing range and pretend you're a Manticore soldier again so Lydecker will get off your back."



*****


"Why did that Greg dude whip our boy so bad?" Original Cindy asked as they walked to the building that housed the firing range.

"I don't know," Max said worriedly, watching Alec and Joshua just ahead of them. She turned to Original Cindy, "This whole alpha male crap is a pain in the butt. Deck has this idea that Alec isn't up to standards as an alpha male and he's testing him. And why did he have to pick the biggest of the bunch to fight against? And Greg keeps looking at me like I'm a piece of meat. It's disgusting." She sighed and then said, "And to answer your question OC, maybe Alec doesn't feel good or something. He's been through more injuries than I have these past months."

"Looks fine to me," OC said. "Seemed to me like our Alec just didn't have his act together."

"I know," Max said. "And that shouldn't happen. Not with his Manticore training."

"What was that flippy move he did to get up off the ground?" OC asked.

"It's called a kip," Max said. "And he shouldn't have been on the ground in the first place."

"Well it was impressive," OC said.

"Not the easiest move either," Max admitted. "Alec's had all the really advanced training, but he and I fight so differently."

"What do you mean, Boo?"

"I like the acrobatic stuff, the flips and jumps. Alec ... he's basically a kickboxer. He can do the other things when he has to, but they're really not his best moves."

"His best move today seemed to be eatin' dirt," OC said wryly.

"I know." Max answered sadly "If he doesn't step it up, I'll be assigned to another alpha male that I'll constantly have to ward off advances. And I'm just not ready to deal with that."

"Will he do better with the guns?"

"I hope so. He likes guns." Max grimaced at what she considered a minor character flaw in her man. "In fact, he likes guns a lot."

"We'll see," OC said. "I just hope he hits the bullseye or you might end up with that Greg dude tonight instead of your main squeeze."

Max actually shuddered at that thought. Lydecker wouldn't really do that to them, would he? There's a catch in this somewhere, right?



*****


"Best six shots," Lydecker said. And that was it. He stepped back.

Mole had brought Alec his Glock 35 from the front drop-off, but Alec had his eye on a semi-automatic that was lying on the table. It had a bit more firepower, and in his experience the sites would be better calibrated as well.

"Practice shots?" he asked Deck

Greg had already chosen a weapon, a mean looking Browning Mark III he was obviously very familiar with.

Lydecker nodded, and Alec picked up the semi-automatic. He popped off six shots in a row at the first target, a bulls-eye circle 50 feet out. The gun drew a tiny bit to the left, he realized, as his bullets didn't quite hit where he intended. But he could compensate. "Ready." he said.

Greg stepped up to the bench. Assuming a marksman's stance, X5-489 squeezed the trigger and put six shots in a neat little circle dead square in the center of the silhouetted man's head. He looked at Alec, a smug smile on his face. "Beat that, spook boy," he said.

Spook boy. Alec hadn't heard that that in a long time. It was what the meatier soldiers called the special ops forces at Manticore -- and it wasn't a compliment. Unlike the quick clean kills of combat, the assassins had to get their hands dirty, using methods the others considered cowardly -- like garroting victims from behind. It didn't help their reputations that they were also trained to be consumate liars. Many at Manticore had considered the "spooks" to be scum ...scary scum, but scum nonetheless.

Alec stepped in front of a fresh target, reached beneath the bench, and flipped the switch, running the target out it's full distance, 100 feet.

Greg snorted. "I thought your kind were supposed to have the highest I.Q.'s," he said. "That's farther than we're qualified for. Looks like you're just a show-off. And now I get to see you fall flat on your face -- again."

Max was watching nervously. "He's going to mess this up," she said to OC while biting her nails. "No one can do well at that extreme range."

"Don't underestimate him, Boo," OC said encouragingly. "Give him a chance. Alec knows his job and this is his job."

Alec brushed strands of hair back off his face and assumed a marksman's stance, holding the semi-automatic in his right hand, steadying his wrist with his left, and lining up the distant target through the sites.

Max actually felt Alec enter his "zone." It was as if part of her lover's mind just went away for a few seconds, his entire being centered on one thing. She held her breath with him.

Lydecker was watching from behind, his expression controlled.

Alec didn't wait for long. His senses acquired the target, his vision zoomed in, and he squeezed the trigger rapidly six times in a row, the link between mind, eye, and hand absolute perfection. And then he reached down and flipped the switch, reeling the target in.

Lydecker plucked it off the line and frowned. "You only hit it one time," he said, indicating the single bullet hole dead center in the silhouette's head. "That means five misses."

Greg was grinning from ear to ear.

Max felt kind of sick. How could Alec be goofing up so incredibly? She didn't want to be ashamed of him, but that's how she felt. It was just so embarrassing.

"I didn't miss," Alec said quietly.

"There's only one bullet hole," Lydecker repeated.

"Look at the target backing."

And suddenly realization dawned. Lydecker's eyes widened and so did Max's. He walked over to inspect the wooden brace that held the paper targets in place. Sure enough, there was a very large hole in the wood corresponding exactly with Alec's target, and it contained the remains of six flattened bullets.

"You put all of the bullets through the same hole," Lydecker said, shaking his head in amazement. "And at 100 feet out no less. I've seen that done a couple of times with side arms by our top rated snipers. But they're gone now. Killed by White." He looked at Alec. "You're probably the only one in the world who can pull off a stunt like this now."

"Biggs was able to do it too," Alec said quietly. "We used to practice together."

Too bad he had to kill Biggs

"As I said, son." Lydecker repeated, clapping him on the good shoulder. "The only one in the world."



*****


"I don't believe he sent this doofus home with us anyway," Alec muttered irritably. Greg had accompanied them back to Seattle, riding a motorcycle provided by the base.

"Where's he gonna stay?" OC asked as she was dismounting from behind Max, now standing in front of the derelict building that housed Alec and Max's apartment.

"I don't care," Max said. "So long as it isn't with us."

Greg came up behind Alec and clapped him hard on the back with his hand, purposely hitting the sore shoulder. "I've been wanting to get into the city for quite awhile," he said. "But you know ol' Deck. He's been keepin' our kind pretty busy. I've been to Serbia, Egypt, and Colombia in the past month." He pulled Alec closer, ignoring the other X5's grimace of pain. "Heard you had a nice time in France."

Alec spun away, fists up, his eyes blazing.

"That's enough!" Max said, putting herself between the two men. "We're supposed to be on the same side here."

"Alec here didn't get enough this afternoon," Greg said. "Looks like he needs to be shown who's the alpha male again. Shooting ... marksmanship ... that's nothing. It's the hand-to-hand that counts." He looked over at Max who was standing with her hands indignantly on her hips and winked. "And afterwards, maybe, if you're real nice to me, I'll give you a taste of what it's like to f*ck with a nondefective X5."

"Alec," Max said calmly.

"Yeah," Alec replied as he glared hatefully at Greg. He was breathing rapidly, his jaw clenched, but managing to hold his temper.

"Can you think of a reason why you shouldn't just shoot this bastard right now?"

"No."

"Well I can!" OC spoke up, putting herself between the two X5 males. "How many X5's did Lydecker say are left?" she asked with her arms folded, eyebrows raised. "Hmm?

"Nineteen," Max said. "He lost two more three weeks ago on a mission."

"And there aren't many more on the way," OC said with a meaningful look at Max's slightly swollen belly. "So, you guys are like an endangered species. Which means you don't need to be helpin' White by killin' one another off."

"She's right," Max said reluctantly and sighed. She pointed at the bigger X5. "Greg, shut up. Alec, calm down."

Alec's hand was resting on the handle of the gun tucked in his belt. "He's not comin' in with us."

"Lydecker gave us orders," Greg said, his blue eyes glittering. "You need the extra muscle to protect Max. Apparently, you can't do it yourself Spook Boy."

"I don't have to follow Deck's orders," Alec countered.

"We do if we want Lydecker's help," Max pointed out, obviously not liking it. She looked at Alec, her hand resting lightly on her stomach. "And unfortunately, we need his help."

Alec gave up. He couldn't fight all of them. "I'm goin' to Crash," he growled, swinging his leg back over the motorbike.

OC had her arm around Max's shoulder and was watching Greg warily. The X5 looked from the women to Alec and back again. Then, with that grin Alec had come to hate, he said, "I think I'll tag along." He then mounted his own bike

With a roar of motors, both males took off leaving the women behind

"What the hell happened to protecting me, huh?" Max asked OC

"I'll never understand the male posturing. Don't have to deal with that with lesbians." OC stated



*****


"How's the shoulder?" Greg said, deliberately jostling Alec's right side as they entered Crash.

"Just fine," Alec said evenly. He scanned the bar and spotted Sketchy at one of the pool tables.

"Isn't one of us supposed to be guarding Max?" Greg asked, his voice mockingly innocent.

"Max can take care of herself most of the time. It's an old argument we have. She doesn't want me hovering, so I'm not hovering." Alec said as he settled in on a bar stool. "Scotch," he told Hummer, the bartender. Greg took the seat next to him and ordered bourbon.

"I'll bet she can take care of herself," Greg said, looking around the room. "This place reminds me of that dive in Hong Kong," he said. "Weren't you on that mission with me? Oh wait, that's the one where you messed up so bad, nearly got three of us killed because you gave us the wrong intel."

"I passed along the code I received," Alec said, taking a sip of his Scotch, trying not to let Greg bait him. "It wasn't my fault our deep cover operative had been spotted and fed the wrong information."

"Which is why you spent a week in the sensory deprivation chamber when we got back, right?" Greg said snidely. "Word around base was they made you cry, but then you lightweights don't have much stamina." He winked. "Max really deserves better, a male who can keep her satisfied all night." The muscle in Alec's jaw ticked as Greg licked his lips. "Bet she's tight, even with that brat in her belly."

Alec SO wanted to drop kick this SOB a brawl in Crash wasn't going to help matters any. He shot a hateful look at Greg and said. "Shut. The. F*ck. Up."

"You can't make me," Greg said evenly.

Alec pinned the bigger man with his eyes. "I wouldn't be so sure 'bout that."

Greg laughed. "You can't beat me in a fair fight and you know it."

"Who says it'll be fair." Alec said matter-of-factly.

"Lydecker will take you down and your pregnant b!tch too if you do anything to me. I'm irreplaceable for his missions. He's got you neutered."

Alec's hand was easing toward his gun yet again, but just then Sketchy came up to the bar. "Alec!" he greeted him with a hard clap on his sore shoulder that made Alec wince. "Hey dude. Thanks for makin' that run into steelhead territory for me yesterday. Those guys give me the creeps, but I figured they'd leave you alone seein' as how you beat the sh!t out of their leader for kidnappin' Max."

"No problem," Alec said, putting both hands back on the bar. Greg had no idea how close he came to being another dead X5

"Who's your friend?" Sketchy asked innocently, referring to Greg. Then his eyes widened. "You're one of 'em too," he said reverently, lowering his voice. "A transgenic." He looked Greg over better. "Dude, what are you? Like the ultimate model?"

"He's a heavy combat series," Alec snapped, tired of talking about Greg and his physical attributes and feeling like he was coming up lacking. He saw Sketchy didn't understand and was still comparing them. "I'm Black Ops ... stealth, speed, looks? The model with the brains?" Alec smirked as Sketchy's eyes lit up, finally understanding

"But I thought all you guys came off an assembly line and would be built just about alike," Sketchy said.

At least he's not taking notes, Alec thought wearily about Sketchy's second job.

"You said it," Greg put in. "I'm the ultimate model. Alec here is just ... ordinary."

"I'm done," Alec said, slapping a few bills down on the counter and standing up. He strode to the door without bothering to see if Greg was following. Of course he was.



*****


"One of us is just going to have to beat his ass," Max said disgustedly as she sat on the edge of the bed. Alec was sitting on the other side, still dressed. Neither felt like sleeping, or doing anything else for that matter, with their uninvited house guest laying stretched out snoring on the couch in the other room. Only OC seemed able to accommodate the awkward situation with any grace. It was too late at night for her to go back to her own apartment once the guys got back and she took the spare bedroom. She'd offered Greg a cup of hot chocolate then gone to bed.

"Lydecker will pull him in when he needs him for another mission," Alec said tiredly, throwing himself back on the pillows with his arms behind his head.

"Take your boots off," Max scolded, knocking his feet off the bedspread. Alec kicked them off and they fell with a loud thump to the floor.

"If only I'd taken him this afternoon."

"That's not your style of fighting," Max said carefully.

"What do you mean?" Alec said, shooting her a look, hoping she wasn't going to refer to the "spook" thing.

"You don't fight dirty enough in straight forward hand-to-hand. And you'd have to fight dirty to overcome a soldier like Greg who's your equal in all areas of training. Muscle for muscle, he's always got you beat."

"I should be able to defeat anyone," Alec said morosely. "Even Manticore."

"You never could beat me," Max pointed out, curling up beside him.

Alec's lips curved in a slow knowing smile, his eyes getting back a little of the sparkle they'd lost that afternoon.

"What?" she said defensively. "I've owned your ass every time we've thrown down."

"You've never beaten me, Max. Not really."

"How about at Logan's that first time?"

"I backed off when he picked up the gun," Alec said. "Call it a survival instinct, but with you ready to bash my head in and Logan ready to put a bullet in me, common sense dictated surrender. I probably could've killed both of you that day." He shrugged. "But the long and the short of it is -- I didn't feel very motivated."

"And in our little cage fight?" Max said, apparently conceding that he might be right about the earlier incident. She smiled mercilessly. "I kicked a lot more than your ass that night and you know it."

"Don't I though." Alec said wryly. "I was pissin' blood for a week."

"So I beat you."

"Yeah, with me havin' a huge handicap."

"What handicap?"

He stroked a finger along her cheek gently, "A handicap in that I couldn't hurt you while you apparently had absolutely no problem hurtin' me."

"I wouldn't have really hurt you," Max said, pouting. "I just needed to incapacitate you a little bit."

"Well I couldn't bring myself to hurt you at all," Alec countered. "Sort of put a damper on my moves. Heck Max, you had to throw every sin I'd ever committed at me before I could even work up enough righteous indignation to throw a punch."

"You lost because you're too easily distracted," Max pointed out. "If you hadn't looked at the ring girl you probably could have knocked me out."

Alec actually had to agree."Women," he said, a slightly blissful look on his face. "They've always been my weakness, especially topless ones. Of course you'll never admit that you really kicked me in the nuts 'cause you didn't want me takin' the ring girl home that night -- a rather extreme way of keepin' me chaste I might add. Did you notice she had a tongue stud?" Alec was shaking with quiet laughter and Max punched him lightly on his good shoulder

"Shut up." she told him good naturedly

"But the fact is, Max, if you and I went one-on-one with me really intent on takin' you out. ... If I didn't have to hold back at all ..." He raised his eyebrows, not feeling the need to say any more.

Max opened her mouth to argue, but instead suddenly grabbed hold of his hand and placed it on her swollen stomach.

"What?"

"Did you feel it?"

"Feel what?" And then he understood. "The baby?" He waited, letting his hand rest gently on Max's abdomen. And then he did feel something, like a little thump against his palm. Mouth open in astonishment, he looked into Max's eyes. "I think it just kicked." And there it was again -- "Definitely a kick, or maybe a punch."

She nodded, smiling. "I thought I felt something a couple of days ago, then again yesterday, but I wasn't sure until tonight. I'm glad you can feel him too."

Alec thought he'd never experienced anything so amazing in his life. His son ... their son ... alive inside of Max. Dr Shankar confirmed the gender just last week

"You're gonna be a daddy," she said softly.

"And you're gonna be a mommy," he countered.

And then they just stared at one another, neither knowing where to go from there, totally amazed at the miracle of life



*****


For the rest of his life, Alec never forgot what happened the next morning.

"Get your hand off my ass!" Max snapped at Greg. She and OC were in the kitchen making breakfast and 489 had come up behind her.

Alec, just coming out of the bathroom, narrowed his eyes, but OC was already on top of things.

"Ow!" Greg yelled, shaking the offending fingers after OC, who'd been mixing pancakes, smacked them with a spatula.

But Greg wasn't used to living with ordinaries ... wasn't used to being teased. And, unlike Max and Alec, his genetics had included a truly vicious temper. He raised his hand, intending to strike Original Cindy.

"Hey!" Alec roared.

OC retreated back against the counter, fear replacing the cockiness in her brown eyes. Alec hated seeing her like that -- hated this other X5 stepping all over his life and the lives of his friends.

"Leave her alone!" he said, his voice deep and dangerous.

"The b!tch smacked me!"

Max grabbed Greg's hand and twisted his wrist painfully back. "You deserved it, soldier boy." Max spat at him

Which is when everything suddenly went so very, very wrong.

Greg whirled out of Max's grip and made a truly fatal mistake as far as Alec was concerned. He hit her in the face with the back of his hand. "B!tch," he snarled. "What you need is a good f*ck!" Then he pulled her against his chest and brutally pressed his lips against hers, at the same time groping her breasts with his other hand.

Max's blow broke his nose.

Alec was over the counter in a heartbeat, his brain in full attack mode, the animal in control -- just the way Manticore intended. He was what he was.

Together the two men crashed through the thin lathe and plaster divider that separated the kitchen from the rest of the apartment, Alec landing on his back with Greg on top of him. Shifting one hand to his opponent's chin, Alec twisted, trying to break Greg's neck, but X5-489's heavy musculature protected him. Alec pushed harder, grunting from the strain, and realized he wasn't going to be able to complete the move.

And then suddenly 489's fingers were around his throat and he couldn't breathe.

The sound of his own heartbeat pounded wildly in Alec's ears as sparks burned the back of his retina. He was asphyxiating, his brain starving from lack of blood. If he blacked out Greg would snap his spine.

And then suddenly -- the stranglehold was gone. Struggling up on one elbow, gasping for breath and rubbing his bruised throat, Alec saw Max attacking like a wildcat, fists and feet flying, driving Greg back against the wall. But 489 was smiling, blocking everything she threw at him.

Terrified for Max and their baby, Alec launched himself at Greg, hitting him from the side, taking him down. Only this time he rolled clear, knowing better than to get himself pinned again. Springing to his feet like a cat, he heard his name called and whirled in midair--

"Alec!" OC shouted.

His head came around as she tossed him his gun.

After that, everything seemed to go in slow motion.

In a single fluid movement, Alec caught the gun, and, still turning in the air, aimed, fired -- and missed as Greg blurred. His feet hit the ground and he fired again. This time the bullet found its mark. 489 staggered, a look of incredible surprise in his cold blue eyes, then crashed to the floor, a bloody hole in the side of his forehead.

Alec backed up a step, breathing heavily, warily watching the other X5, keeping the gun trained on him.

Alec checked for Max out of the corner of his eye, his peripheral vision telling him Max was okay, just shaken up a little. OC was wide-eyed

"Is he dead?" Original Cindy asked

"Looks like it" Alec answered

"Nice work 494." Lydecker was at the door, leaning against the doorframe, arms folded and taking in the whole scene

He motioned to someone out in the hall and three X5s came in, dragging Greg out

"Well, now you've done it 494." Deck walked into the apartment to stand in front to Alec. He placed a hand on Alec's shoulder, showing approval, "You've proven you ARE the alpha male to protect Max. Nice work."

"You set this up as a test?" Alec asked

"Of course. I needed the best male protecting Max. You've just proven you're up to the task."

Alec was breathing hard from his excursions, and now realizing this was just a f*cking test of his skills, Alec pulled his fist back to punch Deck in the jaw, but Max grabbed Alec's elbow and stopped him

"We need him Alec."

Alec's eyes narrowed dangerously on his CO, and he finally straightened and pointed a finger under Deck's nose, "Max could have been seriously injured or killed during this little 'test'. Don't EVER put her in that kind of danger again or I swear I'll take you out myself." Then Alec moved closer to Deck, in his face, "And then.... I believe I will enjoy a kill."

Deck smiled widely in approval, "Welcome back 494.". Then he sniffed the air and turned toward the kitchen area, eyebrows raised, "Is that pancakes I smell?"

OC nodded, eyes still wide and recovering from the fiasco of earlier. She asked, "Would you like some?"

"I'd be honored." Deck answered her with a smile

Max and Alec stood side by side in astonishment as Lydecker directed the clean-up of the apartment, the 3 X5s coming back from taking Greg down to their van

Max whispered, "He is our only protection against hostile ordinaries and the Familiars."

Alec turned back to her, that muscle ticking in his jaw again, "For now..... but I'm going to find a way to defect."

"Defect?" Max voice was lowered to a sharp whisper, "From Manticore?"

Alec nodded and whispered back, "And from the United States as well. Mole and I are working on a plan, but my main concern and my main goal is your safety."

"What plan?" Max asked

"Best if I don't tell you Max. The less you know, the safer you are." He bent down and kissed her, "Trust me, OK?"

-------------------------------
TBC

[Dana0715]

That evening

Alec did a sweep of his apartment and came up with about 9 bugs and two cameras, tiny enough to almost not notice them, except for an X5 trained to find them like he is

He flushed them all down the toilet, and checked over the apartment again carefully. He couldn't find any more..... but it didn't mean there weren't any more. Deck knows how well trained Alec was in finding bugs and electronic devices

Once back in the bedroom with Max, she asked, "What's going on Alec?"

He kissed her, silencing her and putting all of his pent-up emotions into the kiss. Max happily kissed him back, but then began withdrawing. Alec turned his attention to her neck and ear

"Alec?" Max asked huskily. "You're worrying me. What's wrong?"

He whispered in her ear, "Just in case there are cameras and bugs I didn't find, we'll talk while making love." He raised his head up, grinning impishly, "Maybe give 'em a really good show too while we're at it."

Alec rolled them over to their sides, where they were facing each other and he began disrobing Max, while she worked him out of his clothes

He kissed his way back to her ear again and while fondling her bared breasts with his hands, he whispered urgently, "Mole is the only one I trust within New Manticore....." He was beginning to pant now that Max had a firm grip on his hard-on and was pumping him slowly but firmly, "Oh f*ck, that feels soooo good."

"So what's your plan?" Max asked in his ear as she licked up the side of his face and nuzzled his neck

"Can't tell ya that Max.... but I will say I'm looking for a safe place for you to lay low and have the baby without worry."

"Where are we going to find a place like that?"

Alec raised his head and stared at Max in the darkness, seeing her prefectly

"I'm finding Sandeman." he whispered quietly

She was about to screech the name and Alec clapped a hand over her mouth, and placed a finger of his free hand over his own mouth, indicating quiet.

"Logan is helping me find our mysterious founder, and I have a few questions for him. The way Joshua talks about him, has to be a pretty decent guy, and from all I remember from my childhood when he tutored me in languages, he was a nice grandfatherly type."

Alec began stroking up and down Max's back and nipping along her shoulder, still whispering, "Logan thinks he's found him in Corsica, at some old ancestral home there. And I'm going to check it out on my next away mission."

Max moaned when Alec began to stroke her between her legs. She spread her legs farther apart to grant him better access and to enjoy the sensations better

"I love you Max." he told her in a firmer voice, licking a path from her collarbone to her breast and continuing to stroke her p*ssy

"I leave in two days for my own mission Alec." Max was breathing heavier.

Alec's jaw ticked again in anger, not toward Max but toward Deck. "What the hell is he thinking sending you on a mission anyway? You're pregnant for crying out loud."

Max pulled his head back up to her mouth, kissing him again and rolling him onto his back and straddling him

"He says it's just an undercover ops. I'll have back-up to watch over me."

"And why the hell doesn't he have me as one of the back-ups?" Alec growled out as Max worked him inside her

"If I know Deck..." Max began to raise up and lower herself onto Alec's length, causing them both to moan at the sensation of their joining, "He thinks your feelings for me will get in the way of the job."

"Well, he's probably right about that. Your safety is my first concern." Alec realized that Max reached behind her and began massaging Alec's balls in her hand while riding him, "Damn! You're good at that!" He thrust up as she pushed down

Grinning wickedly, she said, "I know.... so, let's stop talking about Deck, okay? It's killin' the mood."

"Yes ma'am!" He smiled at her, his eyes gleaming with lust as the two of them made love slowly and thoroughly

------------------------------------
Once they were both spent and lying side by side, facing each other, out of breath and legs tangled together underneath the sheets, Max traced Alec's bottom lip with her finger

"So you think you've found Sandeman?"

He nodded and watched her carefully, kissing her fingers one by one, "I'm going to check it out to be sure. If it's him, and he's legit and he has no plans to harm any of us, I'll decide my next move after that. Until then, don't worry. I'm all over it." He kissed her lovingly on the lips, taking his time and then remarked, "And I have some words for Lydecker for sending a pregnant X5 on a mission."

"I'll be fine Alec. Don't worry."

"Can't help it Maxie. Call me selfish, but I believe a part of me would be ripped out if I lost you." His hand caressed over her abdomen gently, "Or our son."

They kissed again, and they began to get worked up again. Max giggled when Alec placed her on her knees and thrust into her from behind

"You're insatiable, you know that?"

"Me?? Look who's talkin' Ms Pregnancy Hormones. Dr Shankar did say you'd either want sex all the time or not at all..... I'm SO glad it's the former!"

--------------------------
The next morning, very early morning hours, found Alec carrying a couple of plastic bags into the apartment and checking to make sure Max was still awake

She was indeed awake, propped up by pillows in their bed

She had a craving for certain foods and Alec couldn't get a bit of rest until he went out and got it for her

"I still can't believe you'd eat this." Alec's nose was wrinkling as he began pulling out the food. First was a quart of vanilla ice cream and he passed her a spoon from the bag too

"At least if it was just that, I'd be fine."

She peeled open the lid and dug out a big drippy spoonful

"Where's my chocolate?" she asked around the ice cream in her mouth

Alec proudly held up the hot fudge that was in a cup. She held out her ice cream and motioned at it with her spoon, "Pour it in."

He opened the lid and poured the hot fudge into her ice cream. Max scraped out every bit she could with her spoon, then she began licking her spoon, moaning in pleasure

"Aw hell! That sounds too much like we're having sex Max!"

She winked, "And you're the one still providing the pleasure baby. Now where's my peanuts?"

"You know I had to break into a Hagaan-Daas for this, right?"

"Shut up and give me my peanuts!"

He opened another cup and sprinkled the nuts into her ice cream. She stirred with her spoon and took another bite. When she was about to get another one, Alec grasped her wrist and stole a bite off her spoon, winking

"Had to get the good stuff first before you add this last ingredient. Cuz after that, it's all yours!"

"Where is it?"

Alec pulled a can out of his pocket, a flat tin can of sardines. Alec wrinkled his nose and waved the can in front of Max, "I can't believe you'd put this in your ice cream!"

"Open the can for me, will you sweetie?" Max batted her eyelashes playfully at him

"Damn things I do for women!" Alec muttered as he opened the can, wrinkled his nose and at Max's prodding, dumped the fish into her ice cream. The smell was bad enough to him

Max was eating like she was in bliss. She looked up at Alec and shrugged, "Must be the feline in me. The ice cream has the milk and cream, the sardines are what cats like...."

"What about the chocolate?" Alec asked as he threw the garbage away in the small wastebasket in the bedroom

"That's the girl in me." Max grinned at him, liking the answer

"Maxie, these food cravings have gotta lighten up. You're killing me here!"

She reached forward and kissed him, but he stepped back, nose still wrinkled, "I may be part cat Maxie, but I HATE sardines, and can't stand the smell either. Kiss me after you've brushed your teeth, okay baby?"

She threw a pillow at him as he walked out of the bedroom chuckling. He caught the pillow and tossed it back at her as he left

He walked into the kitchen to make coffee. He was getting to where he lived on coffee because Max kept him up, either due to cravings for sex or for food

And he couldn't be happier

------------------------------------
TBC

[Dana0715]

Two days later

Alec had seen Max off at the airport and now he was at Crash drowing his sorrows, trying to keep from worrying about Max, which was not an easy feat

Alec was on his third Scotch at Crash when he noticed Asha come up to the bar. It had been quite awhile since he'd seen her around, certainly not since the Jam Pony hostage and Terminal City crisis. She didn't see him at first, but he kept looking at her until she finally turned around and he caught her eye.

She smiled shyly, just the way he remembered, ducking her head and raising her drink in a small salute.

The last words he'd said to her were "Beat it," -- about as rude a dismissal as a guy could give a girl. He'd meant it. If she'd hung around him he'd eventually have gotten her killed. But he'd hurt her feelings, and he still felt bad about that, even though it had been for her own good.

Alec debated getting up. There was an empty seat beside her. But he also knew that sometimes it was better to leave well enough alone. He turned back to his drink.

A minute later his senses picked her up behind him. "Long time no see," she said softly, leaning close over his shoulder -- so close her hair tickled his cheek.

Quickly putting on a smile, Alec backed away from her slightly. "I've had a busy few weeks."

"So I've heard. You guys were all over the news for awhile, every station, twenty-four seven. This town was going crazy."

Alec shrugged and quipped. "What can I say? Mutants beat MTV any day."

"Logan says you and Max are back outside."

Well that answered one question, Alec had been wondering about. Logan had re-established contact with S1W, or at least with Asha. "We're tryin' to make it work," he said.

"I also hear you two, you and Max, are a couple now.''

He nodded, "You heard right."

She took the seat next to him and said, "I'm glad for you, Alec. I always thought maybe you guys should be together. In fact, it was kind of obvious from the beginning."

"I guess that means you're off the market for good," she continued, her voice playful.

Alec had never really looked at his situation that way. But Asha was right. He had no desire to be with anyone other than Max. But he was still a male, and a hot blooded transgenic one at that. Just because he was in love didn't mean he was dead. He wondered just how far Asha was going to take this and if he should politely leave

"Why Asha," he said, deciding there wasn't any harm in playing the game so long as he didn't win. "Are you flirtin' with me?"

"No," she said, ducking her head again and blushing. "I mean, you're a great looking guy, and sweet too, but you were right when you said you were ..."

"Made in a lab?" Alec supplied for her. Then, with a sly wink, "Not human?" He leaned closer to her. "Kind of puts a kink in that whole three kids, a dog, and a white picket fence dream, doesn't it?"

Asha gave him a funny look. "Where's Max anyway?" she asked, backing off the subject and looking around Crash. He could tell he was scaring her a little bit. He hadn't meant to.

"On an assignment," Alec said with another gulp of Scotch.

"By herself?"

"It appears so."

"And ... you're not happy about it," she pressed. "Hence the drinks."

Alec raised his fourth glass of Scotch to her. "Don't worry. Transgenics can't get drunk Which means I can be my own designated driver."

"Alec," Asha said, her brow furrowing. "What's wrong?" She studied his face a moment. "You're really worried about Max."

"Max can take care of herself," Alec said, parroting Lydecker's admonishment to him when he'd complained, quite loudly, about Max being sent to South America alone. He took another swig of Scotch. "It was a one woman job."

"She'll be fine," Asha said, putting her hand on his arm. "You'll see. Max always is."

"Yes, Max is indeed fine," Alec said, smacking his lips after taking yet another sip of the liquor. "Fine and pregnant." He sneaked a look at Asha to see what affect those words had on her. He wasn't disappointed.

Her mouth was hanging slightly open. "Max is going to have a baby?"

"In a word, yes," Alec said. "I'm surprised old Logan didn't give you the jolly good news, him bein' so enthused and all when he heard."

"I haven't seen much of Logan actually, accept regarding S1W business" Asha said, puzzled. And then she had to ask. "I know it's none of my business, but ..."

"I'm the father," Alec said, relieving Asha of her primary worry. "Logan and Max are past history and for the record, ordinaries can't impregnate transgenics. Something about the DNA not being compatible."

The scared look in her eyes eased. "Congratulations," she said brightly. "I hope the three of you will be very happy together."

"I'm sure we will be," Alec said. "If someone doesn't kill us first."

He noticed her look toward the door. It was the third time she'd done that. "You expectin' someone?" Alec had to ask

Again the slight blush. "I'm supposed to meet my date," she said.

"Ah," Alec said, understanding dawning. "A blind date I presume?"

"Yes," Asha said. "And I hope you don't mind if I go sit down by myself. If he sees me here talkin' to a guy who looks like he stepped off the cover of 'GQ Magazine' he might just turn and run." She looked at him a moment, then added, "and since I now definitely don't ever have a chance with you, I can't really afford to let this one get away."

Alec smiled, accepting the compliment, and took yet another drink. He wanted to say they'd never had a chance together, not with him in love with Max. Instead, he raised his glass and said, "Alas, sweet princess, some things just aren't meant to be. And can I ask who your new found prince is?"

Asha laughed. "It's someone my friend set me up with, a guy she met at a fancy government party uptown." Leaning forward, she gave him a light kiss on the cheek. "Bye, Alec," she said softly in his ear. "It would have been nice." Then she picked up her glass and moved to a table on the other side of the room.

Alec had been thinking of going home. However, he didn't relish the thought of a night tossing and turning alone in his bed, worrying about Max. Instead, he settled in to wait. This mystery date of Asha's had him intrigued. Besides, it never hurt to check out the competition, even if he was effectively off the market.

He saw a couple of guys come in, and recognized them as workers from the pizza parlor down the street. Another young man entered, this one dressed in a business suit, an odd look for Crash, and Alec thought he must be the one. But he walked across the room into the waiting arms of a buxom barmaid.

"And she turned me down for a date five times," Alec said out loud to himself. "Guess she goes for the uptown look."

Then a tall, well dressed, slightly older man passed under the front light, obvious business man. Alec couldn't see his face at first, just that he was some dude with clean cut brown hair, back straight and proud. Then he zoomed his vision in on the guy and he gasped. Certainly Asha wouldn't be dating--

White. Ames White had just come through the door into Crash. And he was walking over to the table where Asha was sitting.

Alec felt like his heart had just leaped over his rib cage. His first instinct was to run, and no wonder after his near-death-experience at Jam Pony with this dude and his pack of muscle queens. Then dealing with Familiars in Canada just a few short months ago. The man wanted nothing more than to wipe his kind, transgenics, or filthy animals as White had on one occasion called them, off the face of the earth.

But what the f*ck was White doing meeting Asha?

Although it went against every instinct he had, Alec stayed in his seat, watching through the mirror behind the bar, keeping his back to Ames White. He couldn't believe Asha was going to betray him to White. He could read her like a book and he would never be that off base about someone. Asha was good people -- naive, but good. Which meant White was sinking his claws into her for some purpose of his own. She might not even realize who he is....

The two talked a moment, smiling. Asha laughed, and Alec began to feel sick to his stomach. How the hell was he going to get her away from White? It had taken Joshua's strength motivated by homicidal rage to subdue this guy. Alec had a lot of faith in his own fighting skills, but as a soldier he also knew his limitations. And White was outside ... way outside ... his physical parameters. But then someone who could essentially ignore pain until it killed him would be a tough opponent for anyone.

Alec unconsciously reached up and rubbed his left shoulder. The bullet wound was completely healed, but he'd been half paralyzed with pain the day of the Jam Pony fight, his entire left side essentially useless. The injury had nearly cost him his life. He could pretend to overcome pain to a certain degree, been good enough at the lie to keep from being labeled "defective" by Manticore. But in truth, Alec knew his own pain threshold was pretty low. Hell, he could hardly stand going to the dentist.

They were leaving. White was helping Asha on with her coat, just like a normal human being instead of the creepy killer he was. Alec weighed his options. If he let them get out the door into the street, he'd end up alone against White. But if he confronted White in Crash, maybe the guy would let Asha and him go rather than create a big scene.

Alec made up his mind. He stood up, crossed the floor in several long strides, and put himself in the way of the leaving couple.

"Asha," he said with a big smile. "Aren't you gonna introduce me to your date?"

The look on White's face would have been hysterically funny under almost any other circumstances. The man's mouth gaped open, his eyes bugged out, and his cheeks began turning a peculiar shade of red.

Asha, caught off guard but still remembering her manners, cleared her throat and said, "Ames White, this is my friend Alec McDowell. Alec, this is Ames White. Ames works for the federal government. Alec here is in the messenger business."

"A pleasure," Alec said, holding out his right hand. "So tell me, just what branch of the federal government do you work for?"

White had regained his composure. "Animal control," he snarled. And then almost as fast as a transgenic could blur, his hand was around Alec's throat.


*****
Asha shrieked, a woman next to them screamed, a passing waitress spilled a tray of drinks, and mayhem ensued. Alec found himself hurtling backwards across the room, thrown by muscles that were at the very least equal to his own. He landed on a pool table, scattering players, sticks, and balls in all directions. Sketchy, who'd been just about to sink a shot, stood slack-jawed, staring at White as if seeing a ghost.

"Dude, don't you need backup?"

"Yesss!" Alec yelled as White grabbed him by the front of his shirt and hauled him to his feet.

"We meet at last, 494," White hissed in his face.

"We've met before you idiot!" Alec spat right back.

This time White tossed him toward the bar. The sound of glass breaking was deafening to Alec's sensitive ears as he smashed through a dozen bottles of liquor, sliding down the slick surface, unable to stop before tumbling off the end onto a table that collapsed under his weight. He was being thrown around like a rag doll, and it was really beginning to make him angry.

Staggering to his feet, a look of pure venom in his green eyes, Alec took two deep breaths and charged head first at White. If Joshua could take this guy down, then so could he.

Only Asha's warning cry saved him from being impaled on the knife. At the very last second, Alec saw the flash of the wicked hunting blade and threw himself sideways, managing to avoid taking it in the chest and receiving a graze on his right forearm instead. Regaining his balance in an instant he crouched in a fighting stance as White began to circle.

"Give it up, 494," White drawled, tossing the knife from hand to hand. "You should have been dead a long time ago. I never should have let you talk me into that little deal of ours. But then you transgenics are masters when it comes to deception. Now, I'm going to put you down for good."

"Asha, don't!" Alec yelled. She was making a run at White from the side. White didn't even look in her direction, merely stuck out his fist and hit her in the jaw. She went down without a sound, crumpling into a small heap on the floor.

"What do you want with her?" Alec asked as he and White continued to circle one another.

"Not that it's any of your business, 494, but she's going to be my new wife."

"Like hell she is," Alec snarled.

"She doesn't know it yet, of course. But the lovely Asha has been chosen as my next mate. You see, 452 deprived me of my son, and now I need to sire another."

"She's not gonna be your mate!" Alec yelled, blurring first right, then left, and batting aside White's knife hand. Using his momentum, Alec kept right on going, flipping over White in an arc to land on his feet on the other side. Then he hauled White over his back, smashing him into the wall with enough force to cave in a support beam.

Alec stood back, breathing hard. Maybe he'd gotten the guy this time. But White merely squatted a moment, shook his head like a dog, then slowly stood up to his full height.

"Sh!t," Alec said as the Familiar charged him. Taking a tactic from Max's repertoire, Alec leaped onto a table, grabbed a ceiling beam, and swung upwards in a gymnastic maneuver to end up standing in the rafters. "You want me, come and get me!" he taunted.

White didn't need a second invitation. Leaping on the same table, he climbed like an animal up a girder to stand on the same beam just a few feet from Alec. Down below people were gaping at them. In the distance was the sound of approaching sirens.

"Asha!" Alec called down to the girl who was slowly getting to her feet. "Run!"

Two of White's men were coming up behind her, but she had sense enough to get out of the way. The last he saw of her she was pushing through the crowd toward the back door.

"Forget about her," White said. "She's mine now." He still had the knife in his hand. "And so are you."

Alec did a hang spring over him as White charged, landing on the beam on the other side, and keeping his balance in a way no human ever could. Then he jumped once more, whirled in mid air, and caught White in the chest with a sidekick that sent him off the girder and crashing to the floor below.

Leaping the 20 feet down, Alec landed on his feet like a cat and crouched, breathing hard, warily watching White who wasn't moving.

"Alec," a voice said behind him.

Alec's hand blurred and he had Sketchy by the throat. Eyes bulging, his friend began to choke.

"Sorry, man," Alec said, immediately releasing his grip allowing Sketchy's feet to touch the floor again. He sniffed and wiped his arm across his jeans. Blood was running down his hand and dripping on the floor. "Habit."

"You need to get out of here," Sketchy said quietly, rubbing his neck.

"Did Asha get away?" Alec asked.

"Yeah. Out the back."

"Good."

"You gotta get outta here, Alec. Max will kill me if anything happens to you while she's gone."

"Oh, she left you in charge of me, did she?" Alec said, grinning. Still, Sketchy was right. White was stirring and the police were about to come through the front door. Unless he wanted to murder the man in cold blood in front of 30 witnesses -- which would just do wonders for the reputations of transgenics -- there wasn't much more he could do. Everyone in here already had to know what he was. His fighting style wasn't exactly subtle. Time to cut his losses and do what he'd told Asha to do -- run.

"See ya tomorrow at work?" Sketchy called after him as Alec slid through the crowd and vanished into the back alley.


*****
He caught up with Asha two blocks away. Still shaking, she gave a small scream when he quietly loped up beside her.

"Boy, Asha, you sure know how to pick 'em."

"Who was he?" she said, gratefully accepting the warm arm he put around her shoulders. "I thought he looked familiar in a way, but I can't place him."

"Old enemy," Alec said.

"From Jam Pony?"

"Oh, we go way back, Ames and me," Alec said. "Ever since he tried to give me this really bad headache."

"He was trying to kill you."

"That's what he does. Kills my kind. He's the head honcho of the whole program."

Asha was shaking her head. "I remember now. He's the man in the hoverdrone footage Logan had, that time the mutant was killed. Why would he be going out on a blind date with me? Ames White ... I should have recognized the name."

Alec chewed his lower lip. "Good question. My guess is it wasn't so 'blind' as you think. The whole setup tonight may have somethin' to do with this cult Logan's been studying and that White is a part of. Ask him."

She noticed the blood dripping off his hand. "We better get that cleaned up," she said.

Alec had almost forgotten about the small knife wound, but realized now that it was starting to hurt.

"My apartment's just up here," Asha said, pointing to an old brownstone building. "I've got first aid supplies."

Alec paused at the bottom of the steps leading to the front door. "You mean you're inviting me up to to show me your etchings?" he asked jokingly, referring to the first time she patched him up after the mermaid incident

Asha laughed. "No, but I bet you'd like to show me yours."

Alec grinned and followed her up the stairs.


*****
Books. There were books everywhere in Asha's apartment -- shelves full of them, tables covered with them, piled on the floor, on the kitchen counter, everywhere.

Alec picked one up. "Last of the Mohicans," he said out loud. He silently read a few more titles. Most were classics. She was an even more avid reader than Joshua.

Noticing his eyes taking in her library, Asha shrugged and said, "I used to be a literature major at the university before I dropped out and joined S1W. I was going to be a teacher.

Alec remembered the book of poetry in her backpack.

"Did you read many of these as a kid?" Asha asked. "Like 'Moby Dick' or 'Wuthering Heights?'"

"Manticore wasn't real big on English literature," he said. "But I had to read 'The Complete Shakespeare' once for an assignment."

Asha pulled a large volume down from the shelf. Somehow he'd known she'd have a copy. "I've read it three times," she said. "His plays are wonderful. How long did it take you to study all the works?"

"A couple hours," Alec said. "I had to impersonate a student at this university for a few of days. One of the Manticore scientists had a daughter in the class and they wanted me to stick close to her while some kind of controversial experiment was goin' on back at base, just to make sure the guy didn't get outta line."

Asha understood what he was saying, and he was glad she was tactful enough to not point out the sordid nature of his mission. Instead she asked, "What did you think of the plays?"

Alec hesitated. He'd memorized dozens of stanzas by rote, but he'd never given that much thought to the meaning. "I guess the guy was prolific," he said. "And he had a hell of a vocabulary."

Asha was looking at him kind of sadly. "That's not the way to experience Shakespeare," she said. "Someday you ought to give it another try."

"You mean read it just for pleasure instead of because I might have to use it to worm my way into someone's life so I can kill 'em?"

She tossed the copy of "Moby Dick" at him. "Try reading this," she said. "You might surprise yourself." She held up her hand before he could say anything. "And you have to promise me you'll take at least a day to get through it. No transgenic speed reading. You'll miss the essence of the book."

"The essence of the book," Alec said, checking the inside of the jacket to see what the plot was about anyway. "This isn't one of those allegory things is it?"

Asha had gotten a first aid kit out of the bathroom. "Let me see your arm."

Alec put the book down and shrugged out of his jacket. The blade had gone under the sleeve. He also took off his sweater, but left his black t-shirt on.

"Looks like it nicked a vein, but missed the artery," Asha said of the two-inch long wound. She began to dab at it with a wet cloth. Alec winced. "Sorry," she said. She looked at him. "If you weren't a transgenic I'd say you needed stitches."

"It's just a scratch," Alec said. "Slap a bandaid on it and I'll be fine." He regarded her a moment. "Do you have someplace else to stay for awhile?" he said. "White's not the kind to give up easily. He wants you."

"I still don't understand what for," Asha said.

"You don't really want to know," Alec warned. "All that's important is that he killed his first wife, and he'll eventually kill you if he gets his hands on you."

"I suppose I could go to a friends' house," she said, hesitating.

"I can call Logan. He'd put you up for a little while. At least until he can get you papers so ou can leave town."

He expected her to argue with him, but she didn't. "I'll pack a few things," she said, going into the bedroom.

"Hurry," Alec said, realizing how much time had passed. White was bound to be coming for her and he was feeling kind of tired from the earlier fight, or maybe it was all the Scotch. At any rate, he didn't relish another throw down with old Ames. Although it was funny, drinking didn't usually affect him very much. He was actually a little bit dizzy.

Alec shook it off, and took Asha's backpack when she came out of the bedroom. "What?" he said, hefting the lightweight bag. "No books?"

Asha looked around the room wistfully. "I hope Logan can straighten things out so I can come back home," she said. "But in the meantime, there's no use weighing myself down."

At the last second, Alec remembered "Moby Dick" and picked the book up off the end table. Asha smiled as she closed the door behind them.


*****
"Are you all right?" Asha said.

Alec was making coffee at Logan's. For some reason he felt too hot. Sweat was beading on his forehead, and his hand was shaking.

"I'm fine," he mumbled, nearly spilling the coffee grounds as he poured them into the filter. He put his hand to his head. Maybe he was getting a migraine. It felt like there was a knife behind his eyes.

Asha was beside him. She reached up and touched his cheek, then drew back with a slight gasp. "You're burning up!"

"Don't you watch the news?" Alec said, closing his eyes and leaning on the counter, trying to regain his equilibrium. "Basal body temperature three degrees hotter than yours. I always feel hot to your kind."

Asha felt his cheek again with the back of her hand. "I think it's more than that, Alec." She called out to Logan, "Logan? Do you have a thermometer?"

"Bathroom," Logan called out. "I'll get it."

Logan walked into the kitchen a few minutes later, passing a digital thermometer to Asha. "What's up?"

"I think Alec's sick. He's burning up."

"All transgenics feel warm Asha."

"Yeah, well, I wanna make sure he's not running an actual fever." Alec had finished making the coffee, but didn't feel like drinking any, and now made his way to one of the rickety kitchen chairs, laying his head on the table. Actually, he felt like he should go to bed, but didn't want to sleep as long as there was a chance White might pop out of the woodwork.

"Open," Asha said, poising the thermometer in front of him

Alec opened his mouth and she put the end of the thermometer under his tongue. Thirty seconds later there was a small beep and she checked the readout. Her face blanched.

"What is it?" Logan asked as he took the thermometer from her

She let Logan read the temp and his eyes widened worriedly. She turned to Alec and asked carefully, "Do you have a doctor? Someone who treats transgenics?"

Alec swallowed around a suddenly dry throat. "There's a doctor Logan found for us, Dr. Shankar," Alec said. "She's been takin' care of Max. Then there are people out at the base, at least I think there are. Why?"

"Alec, you've got a fever of a hundred and four."

"Well.... That explains the headache," he said. "But not the tremors." His hands were shaking worse now, and instead of hot he was feeling cold.

"You're sick." Asha stated

"No kiddin'." Alec quipped back

Asha looked at Logan in worry, then at the door, probably thinking the same thing he was. What if White showed up now?

Logan took charge and said, "We'll get him to the hospital in my Aztec. I'll call Shankar on the way. Help me get him to the car."

And with Asha and Logan working together, they walked Alec to the Aztec before he passed out in the back seat

---------------------------------
He was really shivering now in the back seat as Logan was fighting traffic to get to the hospital, which meant his temperature was still going up. Transgenics could tolerate a lot higher fevers than ordinaries, but once he reached a certain point, he knew he was going to be in trouble. He looked at Asha, who was in the back seat with Alec, cradling Alec's head in her lap and he was talking through chattering teeth. "If I start babbling, you're gonna hafta take over."

"How will I be able to tell?" Asha said. "You always babble anyway."

Alec tried to laugh but it made his head hurt. "Just, slap me or somethin'. When X5's get too high of a body temperature we kinda go out of our heads. That's why we were never used much for desert operations. Our high metabolisms made us stroke out." He remembered something he'd once heard. "They say they lost a whole unit in Iraq a few years ago, the entire squad died 'cause no one realized we couldn't take the extreme heat like they thought we could."

"How's the arm?" Logan asked from the front seat

"Hurts like hell," Alec muttered, "More than it should." He looked at Asha, his brow furrowed. "I don't get sick," he said. "This doesn't make sense."

"Maybe you're not sick," Asha said, nodding at his arm. "Maybe you're poisoned."

And then suddenly Alec remembered. "Ray," he muttered.

"What?" Asha asked, "Who's Ray?"

"White's son, Ray. He was sick like this."

Alec looked down at his wounded arm and suddenly felt even colder. "The snake blood," he said.

"What?" Asha didn't understand. But then she wouldn't.

"It's got somethin' in it. The snake blood. But Max didn't get sick. Why would I?"

"Babbling," Asha said under her breath.

"No, actually he's not." Logan said from the front seat. "Max was poisoned with venomous snake blood when she interrupted one of the Familiar's initiation rites meetings. White's son, Ray, was injected with the snake blood and if he survived, he was 'one of them'. He did survive, but White doesn't know that. Max snatched him away and we sent him to live with an aunt that will keep him far away from White."

Logan pulled into the entrance of the ER and put the Aztec in park. He turned back to Asha "I'll tell you more later. Right now, let's get Alec some help."

----------------------------
Dr. Shankar met them at the entrance to the ER. "Where's Max?" she said.

"Out of town." Logan answered. He and Asha were practically dragging Alec into the ER. "Can I get a wheelchair? Or a gurney?"

Dr Shankar snapped her fingers and two orderlies ran over to pick Alec up and put him on a gurney. Logan and Asha followed the doctor through the corridor

With a minimum of fuss, she wheeled Alec into a private room toward the back of the ER. "I don't want anyone to know I've got a transgenic in here," she told Asha. "There are people around here who'd give a lot to get their hands on someone like Alec. They're real curious about just what they are." Dr Shankar raised her eyebrows at Asha, "And you are?"

Logan interrupted, "This is Asha, she's a friend and you can trust her."

Dr Shankar didn't look like she was so sure about that. The orderlies had gotten Alec into a bed and was working on getting his clothes off. Shankar was turning on a bank of monitors.

"And where exactly is Max?"

Asha answered this time, "I think he said she was in South America. Alec and I met up at Crash tonight. That's a bar over in Sector--"

"I see." Dr Shankar's voice pretty well told what she was thinking

"No it's not like that. Alec and I are just friends."

"What happened to him?" Shankar asked, her tone icy. "Was he drinking? Did he get like this suddenly? Or has he been feeling sick for awhile?"

"He wasn't drinking any more than usual," Asha said. "But there was a fight. Alec got cut with a knife. He started running this fever not long afterwards. He said his head hurt really bad too, and he's shaking."


*****
Shankar leaned over and examined the makeshift bandage on Alec's arm, then she raised an eyelid to check pupil reaction. Transgenic's eyes were not like normal humans, although the genetic improvements were disguised well. A complete opthamological workup, however, would have shown frightening anatomical differences. She made a note to herself to not let a neurologist near Alec. Once one knew what to look for, the fractionally elongated pupil that let transgenics see so well in the dark and created the zoom-in focus ability was obvious. "And he got sick after he got cut?"

Asha nodded. "Alec said the same thing had happened to a boy named 'Ray,' if that means anything to you."

Dr. Shankar suddenly straightened, the look in her eyes deepening from concern to worry. "I need a complete blood work up," she snapped at the orderly. "Send in a nurse."

She turned to Asha and Logan, folding her arms. "Look, I really don't know who you are but you seem to have at least some understanding about what's happening here, and obviously Alec trusts you. You know he's a transgenic, and you know he's from Manticore. Do you know anything about a man called 'Ames White'?"

"He's the man who Alec fought with," Asha said. "Alec said he was in some kind of cult. Something about snake blood."

"We need to get Max back here," Shankar said. "Alec shouldn't be running a fever like this, not with his Manticore immunity." The monitor patch she'd adhered to the carotid artery in Alec's neck read 107, with a pulse of 88, twice the normal pace of a transgenic's heart. "He might get sick, run a bit of a fever, but not this high and this fast."

A nurse came in and drew a blood sample. "The results are to be brought to me immediately," Shankar ordered as the nurse left. She put a hand on the nurse's arm. "And no one else is to see the report, understood? We're dealing with a confidential case here." The nurse nodded.

Shankar then leaned over Alec and began a more thorough examination, checking glands, color, looking for any sign of a rash. "Ninety-three people have died in the northwest United States over the past three months of a mysterious new illness," she said to Asha. She rested her hand on Alec's forehead and quickly drew it back, feeling as if she'd been burned. A human would be in convulsions by now. How long before Alec's nervous system overloaded or his organs began shutting down?

"Do you have any idea how to reach Max?" Shankar asked Logan. "She may be Alec's only chance for survival now."

"Her cell won't work in South America, but I'm sure I can contact Lydecker and he can get her."

*****
The exoskeleton whirred as Logan Cale shifted positions in the doorway to the hospital room. His ability to walk had totally regressed now, the paralysis returning, the effects of Joshua's transfusion lasting only two months. So for Logan, it was back to the exoskeleton or the wheelchair for him

494 wasn't looking very good at the moment, lying covered with sweat and pale on the hospital bed, packed in ice to try and keep his temperature from rising to a fatal level.

"Logan?" Dr. Shankar said. "This is extremely odd. Something's wrong with Alec's immune system. His white cell count is way down. He's not able to fight this pathogen, or much of anything else, and it's killing him."

"What's that?" Asha said from the doorway. She was holding two cups of coffee. Handing one to Logan, she took a seat in the room's only comfortable chair.

Shankar looked at them both. "His antibody count is too low."

"How's that possible?" Logan said.

"I don't know. Unless ..." Shankar thought a moment, then turned to Logan. "Alec was pretty badly wounded in the Jam Pony confrontation, wasn't he?"

"Took a bullet in the shoulder, lost a lot of blood," Logan said carefully.

"Then I worked on him about two months ago -- removed a really nasty crossbow arrowhead from his rib cage. He nearly bled to death on the operating table."

"What are you getting at?" Logan asked.

"I think Max said Alec also broke his wrist and dislocated his shoulder. And now this knife wound." Shankar reached out and brushed long strands of hair away from Alec's closed eyes, her expression sympathetic. "What I'm saying is that there are limits to even a transgenic's recuperating abilities. Alec's been through hell and back the past few months. He's lost volumes of blood and his body has been constantly trying to heal itself. No wonder his immune system is weak. This latest wound might have been the last straw, especially if there's contamination involved."

"The snake blood must have been on White's knife," Logan said. He looked at Alec lying on the bed. His temperature had now reached 108 and his pulse was at 100. "Guess White just got lucky that Alec was susceptible right now."

"Lucky?" Shankar found the choice of word odd.

"Lucky for White, unlucky for Alec," Logan quickly said. He nodded at the monitor. "How much more of this can he take?"

"With a transgenic, one never knows," Shankar said. "But I wouldn't give him more than a day, especially if the fever doesn't come down." She looked at Logan. "Can you reach Max?"

"Lydecker is not answering my call. I may have to go to him in person," Logan said. "I've already sent him a message and left him two voicemails." He indicated the laptop in the case beside him. "I'll get online from here and see if he's contacted me yet."

Asha had moved to stand beside Alec. She picked up a bag of ice and gently moved it over his forehead. "Hurry," she said softly to Logan. She turned to look at him. "He's dying."


*****
The sun had only been up a couple of hours when Max's flight arrived. She went straight from the airport to Alec's apartment, her assignment completed two days early. She was smiling, thinking how glad he'd be to see her home safe and sound. They'd had a pretty bad argument the night before she left. He'd been adamant about her not going even though it was Lydecker's orders, or at the very least not going without him.

"I can look after myself, Alec. Been doin' it for the past eleven years in fact."

"Max, you're pregnant. You're throwin' up every morning and every night. You get dizzy. You have no business scalin' some high rise apartment in Rio."

"Alec, I want to do this. I need to prove to myself I can do the stuff Lydecker wants. I can't let this pregnancy be a handicap. That's all the excuse he'd need to lock me away somewhere. Besides, he said he'd have men ready to back me up if I need them."

Alec had thrown his hands up in the air. "Max, we've had this argument so often I think it goes on even when we're not here. You have no business pullin' a job alone, and Deck knows it."

"He said his budget wouldn't allow us both to go."

"Screw Lydecker's budget, and screw him too! I'll buy my own ticket!"

"And if they find out you disobeyed orders -- again -- what do you think he'll do to you?" He'll take you away from me!"

She'd started to sob then, much to her chagrin. Hormones probably. And of course Alec had caved in. He was a sucker for a crying woman, especially one he loved.

Max smiled again. She was going to make everything up to Alec tonight. But then came a wave of nausea as she hurried to their apartment.

Well, maybe not tonight.

She opened the door to Alec's apartment with her key and her heart fell. He wasn't home. Although, she should have known. At least there was a bathroom handy.

Five minutes later, when she'd finished throwing up what little she'd had for breakfast, Max wandered out to the kitchen for a drink of water. Alec would probably be back any minute.

Then her cell phone rang and she checked the display. It was Logan

She answered, "Logan?"

"Max! Where are you?"

"At home drinking a ginger ale and hoping to God I won't throw up again. If you have some Eyes Only mission, you're gonna have to count me out."

"Max! You need to come to Harbor Lights Hospital. Alec is dying and we need your antibodies..... you will need to give him a transfusion...... Max?....... Max???"

But Max had passed out on the floor in shock


*****
TBC

[phoenixnz]

OMG - Can it get any worse for Alec?
There's just so much good stuff here that if I tried to comment on it, I'd be all day. You really have been on a roll with this fic Trina. Great stuff.

PS: You won't lose me. I have faith in you that you'll put everything back together eventually. Besides, I'm a drama queen - I love it, even when it looks bad. You're doing great hon.

[Dana0715]

Logan clicked off his cell phone and turned to Asha. "Something's wrong with Max. She's at home now and I'm going to go get her. Do you mind staying with Alec?"

"Not at all." Asha told Logan as she kept vigil next to Alec's bedside

Logan grabbed his keys that he had deposited on a nearby table, "Tell Dr Shankar I'll have Max back within the hour." and he turned to leave

-------------------------
When Logan arrived at Max and Alec's apartment, Max was just coming to and had raised up to a sitting position, rubbing her temple

"Max!" Logan exclaimed, crouching next to her in concern, "What happened? One minute I'm talking to you and the next, you just weren't there."

"It's this pregnancy I guess. I passed out. What's going on with Alec?"

Logan assisted Max to her feet and quickly explained, "Alec was in a fight with White at Crash. It's all over the news too about the fight, but their spin on it is a transgenic attacking a federal agent for no reason." Logan walked Max out of the apartment and turned to close and lock the door, taking her to his Aztec, "The real truth is, White wants Asha as a new wife to sire another child. Alec fought him to protect Asha. White cut him with a hunting knife during the fight and it was apparently poisoned with that snake blood and now Alec is actually dying. Since you have the antibodies in your system, we need you to give him a transfusion to fight the pathogen."

"So why isn't Alec pulling through on his own? All transgenics have the same pathogen." Max asked, confused

"Dr Shankar believes he's sustained too many injuries in the past months and he hasn't had time to heal completely of everything. His white blood cell count is low, his fever is now at 108."

Logan stopped talking long enough to open the passenger side door for Max to get in and close the door behind her. Then he walked around the Aztec to the driver's side and got in, buckling his seat belt and cranking the vehicle at the same time. Then he continued, "We have to get there fast Max. He's deteriorating way too rapidly."

"Let's go then." Max said, "And step on it!"

----------------------------
"Thank God you're here!" Dr. Shankar said, rushing forward and taking Max by the hand as soon as they walked into the ER. "Another half hour and I'm afraid even you couldn't help him."

"It's that bad?" Max asked.

"I'm afraid so, Max. Alec was infected with the snake blood pathogen. His body isn't fighting the infection well enough. If we don't get some of your antibodies into his blood stream he's going to die. I can't say it any plainer than that. Now..... come with me." Dr Shankar ordered, quickly weaving through the corridors with Max and Logan on her heels

A few minutes later Max was sitting beside Alec in the hospital room, a tube connecting their bodies as her blood ran into his arm.

"Don't worry," Dr. Shankar said. "A unit should be plenty and that won't hurt the baby. If you were a regular human, I'd have some concerns, but since the child you're carrying is an X5, with all the resiliency that implies, I think the danger is minimal."

Max hardly heard her. Her hand was on Alec's, her eyes on his still face and the respirator tubing inserted down his throat. The heat of his skin was frightening as was his extremely rapid pulse. X5 hearts beat only 40 times a minute when at rest. According to the monitors, his was racing at nearly 100, and his temperature still hovering at 109.

Asha had said nothing except for a small greeting when Max had first come in. Now, she was curled up in the single arm chair in the far corner of the room, her eyes closed, probably asleep. Her face was almost as pale as Alec's.

"Why didn't Alec have enough antibodies?"

"We believe his immune system is temporarily compromised due to all the injuries he's had over the past couple of months." Dr. Shankar said. She looked sympathetically at Max. "I'm sorry about the respirator, but he was having trouble breathing." Her eyes went to her patient. "His kidneys are beginning to shut down as well."

"Couldn't you have just transfused from another mutant like Joshua?"

Shankar smiled at the naivete of the question. "I'm afraid canine and feline blood mixing wouldn't have been a very healthy combination for Alec. He would have needed a transfusion from another X5, like himself, and from what I understand your kind are rapidly becoming an endangered species. Besides, I seriously doubt the antibodies in an ordinary X5's blood stream would have been enough. It would be like trying to fight a smallpox infection by transfusing blood from someone who'd been vaccinated. Too little, too late. Your blood, however, carries a much stronger dose of antibodies, and the form is a bit different as well. The CDC is still studying it, hoping to create a vaccine for ordinary humans if not a cure. But it's tricky stuff. So far no luck."

"How long until we know?" Max asked softly, still watching Alec's face and wishing so much that those green eyes would open.

"A few hours," Shankar said. "He should stabilize before that, if it works."

"Doctor," a new voice said. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to stop the transfusion."

Max's head jerked around and her heart sank. Lydecker. Of course he'd show up.

"You can't endanger the child, Max," Lydecker said.

Max snorted, "As if climbing a skyscraper in Rio doesn't endanger the kid anyway??" She rolled her eyes and shook her head, "You people have a funny definition of fetal danger." She looked back at Alec. "Dr. Shankar says it probably won't hurt anything." Lydecker simply stared at her coldly and Max glared at him. "It's Alec's only chance," she felt compelled to add.

"Alec's expendable," Lydecker said. "The child isn't."

"I won't choose between them, Deck. We've been here before."

Dr. Shankar reached out and squeezed shut the tubing, then began removing the needle from Max's arm. "That's enough anyway," she said. "We're done here. If he's going to get better, he should begin showing improvement within the hour."

"If he dies I'll be back for the body," Lydecker said. He turned in the doorway. "And I expect a full report regarding your South American mission in the morning, 452."


*****
"You're so pretty, you know that," Max said, lightly stroking Alec's hair with her hand as she lay on the hospital bed beside him. She smiled. She doubted Alec could hear her, but one never knew. "That's the first thing Original Cindy said when she saw you, how Manticore sure makes 'em pretty. And she's right." She sighed. "Too bad it took me over a year to notice what was right under my nose all the time -- the love of my life. I can't believe the time we wasted, fighting, snapping at each other, me avoiding you and telling you to go away. Now, I just wish so much you'd come back to me."

"You two wouldn't have worked out back then," Asha said, coming into the room holding cups of coffee again. She took her usual seat in the chair.

"Why not?" Max was truly curious about Asha's take on this situation, now that she understood what had really happened at Crash

"I don't know all the details, but I always got the feeling that Alec somehow felt he didn't deserve to be with you -- that he had to make amends for the bad things he'd done in the past, both to you and to others. That he had to prove himself before being worthy of your love." She sighed. "Sort of like one of those fairy tales, isn't it? Or maybe a King Arthur legend. The handsome knight, weighed down by darkness, trying to reach the light for his princess' sake."

"Spoken like a true poet," Max said wryly. "I guess Alec being sent by Manticore to make sure Logan died, and then trying to kill Joshua and me was an awful lot of darkness. Not to mention all the other stupid stuff he pulled."

Asha smiled. "Are you telling me that Alec doesn't do stupid things anymore?"

"Not at all," Max said as she snuggled next to Alec, mentally willing him awake as she continued running her fingers through his hair. "I'm still always bailin' his sorry ass out of trouble. It's just that now I have a very personal interest in that admittedly fine ass of his."

"You realize," Asha said, "he's spent every minute of every day since you met trying to make things up to you. But you never noticed. Sometimes it seemed really cruel." She sighed. "Alec's a great guy, Max. You're lucky. Logan's great too, but you and he just never seemed to fit quite right together the way you and Alec do."

"I suppose the whole different species thing might have something to do with that," Max admitted. She looked at the time. Over an hour had passed. Glancing at the monitors she noticed Alec's temperature was now 107. The transfusion was working.


*****
"Hey ladies," Alec said groggily.

"He's back," Dr. Shankar said with a smile, lightly patting Alec on the cheek. "Come on tiger, open your eyes."

Alec complied, his lids fluttering, his eyes trying to focus. "What happened?" he managed, not understanding much of anything except that he was in bed surrounded by three beautiful women.

Dr. Shankar looked at Max. "His temperature's come down seven degrees since we took him off the respirator. Blood work shows kidney function nearly normal." She smiled. "I'd say we've beaten it."

Max leaned down and kissed him lightly on the lips. "I go away for a couple of days and of course you get into trouble. Just wait until I get you home."

"Promises, promises," Alec said, his head beginning to clear. He looked over at Asha, acknowledged her with a little smile. "You and Logan brought me here," he said, remembering. "Thanks." Then to Shankar, "It was the snake blood, wasn't it? On the knife? White's gift that just keeps on givin'?"

"Yes, and you're incredibly lucky Max came back two days early. You wouldn't be alive without her antibodies."

"Yet another time you're saving my ass." Alec smirked

"Shut up." she told him lightly. Alec sighed and accepted a drink of water from Asha. Just like old times. He'd just barely come out of a coma and already Max was tellin' him to shut up. He felt better already.


*****
"So," Max said, snuggling down beside Alec's warm naked body. He had been checked out of the hospital and Logan brought them home, then took Asha back to his place. Alec insisted he was feeling a lot better and the two of them made up for lost time. Max asked against Alec's shoulder, "What's this deal about White wanting Asha for his wife? Eww. Nasty."

"Hey, I'm a chivalrous guy," Alec said, kissing her lightly on the neck. "I couldn't very well let White have her. And besides, now I have this fine copy of 'Moby Dick' to read in bed at night." On the nightstand was the novel Asha had given him, a bookmark inserted halfway through its pages.

"That tickles," Max said giggling as his lips caressed her neck some more. "I hope you're not planning on reading in bed tonight. Even if the title of the book is 'Moby Dick'."

"And here I thought you were fond of that name."

She giggled, "Sometimes I still think I should have called you that." But then she studied him a moment, letting her hands run down his muscular back, caressing his skin, savoring the scent of him. "Nah," she said softly. "You had to be Alec."

"At your service, and I do mean at your service. And Max, if you think that tickles, you ain't seen nothin' yet." He lowered his mouth to her breasts.

His deep sexy voice was making her shiver, not to mention what he was doing with his tongue.

"I love you, Max," he whispered. And then he began kissing her again.

And on a moan, she answered, "I love you too Alec."

----------------------------
TBC

----- Added 29 Minutes later -----

BTW - Leanne - You want drama, you're gonna get it. I have several chapters written up and I'm trying my best not to just throw it all out there at once. Way too much reading! More coming soon though!! :)

[Dana0715]

One month later

Their romance really was the stuff fairy tales are made of, the handsome knight and his beautiful princess. All of the mutants in New Manticore, transhumans and transgenics alike, knew about Max and Alec, their story, the odds they'd overcome to be together, the baby that was on the way. Max might be the heart of their cause, but Alec was the center of her soul. And though it was Max who was their symbol of freedom ... their leader ... it was Alec who was the warrior, the protector, and the one who carried out orders in her name. They were a perfect team, a couple, living proof that the dark past of Manticore could be overcome.

Which is why their very public break-up horrified so many.

"Max, I'm sorry!" Alec pleaded, running after her as she hurried angrily across the control room, every head turning in their direction in curiosity. Alec caught up to Max, grabbed her shoulder, and spun her around, a pleading look in his eyes. "It's not what you think! You have to let me explain!"

She shrugged angrily out of his hold, "Oh, you mean explain why you were in bed naked with that whore?" She poked him in the chest angrily, "Explain why you've been sneaking out here nearly every night to have sex just because I haven't been feeling very well lately??" She pushed him hard and spat angrily, gesturing at her stomach "Or maybe it's because I'm getting fat with this baby. You think I'm ugly. Well, you got yourself caught this time, you pig!!"

"Max, baby, of course you're not ugly," Alec conjoled. "You've got to let me explain. She doesn't mean anything to me, I swear. I never meant for this to happen. It's just that she was in heat and --"

Max hit him in the jaw, HARD, causing a split lip.

"B!tch," Alec hissed as he spat blood and rubbed his jaw, his voice suddenly low and dangerous, his mood changing in an instant from contrite to furious, his green eyes flashing fire. He lashed out at her with his fist, catching her in the shoulder and knocking her into the wall.

"Alec!" Joshua grabbed him by the arms, pulling Alec back with a fierce, protective growl, keeping himself between the X5s to protect Max. "That's enough!! I think you'd better go now." He started to pull Alec toward the front door.

"Why should I go?" Alec said, jerking away angrily from Joshua. He sniffed and wiped his bloody lip on his sleeve. "I've got someplace to be." He looked down the hall to where a beautiful blonde X5 female was standing in the corridor, the room he and Max just vacated and then he gave Max a cocky, arrogant smile through the bloody lip. "If Max doesn't want me, there are plenty of others who do."

Max glared back, first at him, then at the woman. She hissed angrily at Alec, "We're through. It's over! I don't ever want to see you again. Get out of my sight!" She started to walk away and turned back, "Oh, and in case you're wondering....." She hit him again in the shoulder, causing him to take a step or two back "I don't love you any more!" She yelled and turned and walked away just as Joshua held Alec back again from doing anything to hurt the mother of his child

"Been nice f*ckin' ya, sweetheart," Alec shouted after her retreating back. "Say 'hi' to Logan for me. I'm sure he'll welcome you back with open arms, huh?"

"Alec ..." Joshua said, obviously horrified, but still putting a gentle hand on his friend's shoulder.

"Leave me the f*ck alone," Alec growled, jerking away and leaving Joshua hurt and confused. "Just leave me the f*ck alone."


*****

He went to Crash and sat alone at the end of the bar, downing Scotch almost as fast as the bartender could refill his glass. After awhile, he ran his hand through his hair, put his head down on his arms, and closed his eyes.

"We're not designed to be monogamous, you know."

Alec didn't need to look to see who the speaker was. Spring was an X5 who'd only recently come into the New Manticore compound. She'd been living on her own since the old Manticore went down, but after hearing about the planned mutant uprising, she had decided to come in and rejoin her brethren. She was petite, with coppery skin and long dark hair. In a way, she looked a bit like Max. Slowly, he turned around.

"No," Alec agreed. "We weren't. I thought I could be a one woman man, but I was wrong. Max should have understood."

Spring slid into the empty seat beside him. "Max didn't understand a lot of things about you."

"Oh really?" Alec said, signaling the bartender for another Scotch. "And get the lady a drink, too," he added. He turned to her, giving her his full undivided attention, and said, "Now just what sorts of things might those be?"

She tilted her head playfully, wrapping a strand of hair around her finger, and regarded him with eyes that were almost as green as his. She really was quite beautiful. "Max never understood that you are, and always will be a soldier along with everything that implies. She never understood that you didn't run away from Manticore like she did, that you fulfilled your destiny, doing what you were created to do. She never understood that you're capable of many things she isn't. She never understood the darkness in your soul."

"My, my," Alec said, downing the Scotch. "How profound and insightful." Still holding his glass, he pointed at her with a wink, "I bet you're a poet and didn't know it." He snickered at his own joke and leaned toward her in a confiding, come-hither manner. "But you're right about one thing, honey. Max never understood that Manticore is still inside me, and that it always will be. She wanted me to forget all about what I'd really been trained to do, forget the things that made me a man, gave me my dignity, my purpose in life. Max wanted me to be some kind of friggin' saint like her precious Logan Cale, using my skills only for what SHE considered good." He downed the scotch in a gulp, winced as it burned down his throat and then turned his gaze back to his companion, "Well sweetheart, I'm not a saint, thank God. Saints are boring. I'm a sinner, and not lookin' to change." Alec signaled the bartender for a refill again

"She's carrying your child," Spring said carefully

Alec shrugged. "So what? As far as I know, a few other X5 females are too. Hell, most of 'em have probably dropped the kids. Remember that breeding program they had back before Manticore burned?" Alec broodily took another gulp of Scotch, "Max was only the last in a long line of b!tches." he stated scathingly

"You went through a lot to win her, though," Spring said quietly. "Why would you be willing to give her up so easily? Are you sure you aren't making a mistake, Alec?"

He turned brooding eyes on her, "Baby. My only mistake was thinkin' I wanted to stay with that whiny little brat," Alec said scathingly. "I tried to tell myself I loved her, but it was really just the sex, ya know? I wanted her for a long time, and when I had a chance to take her, I did. End of story. She was a helluva ride too! At least until she blew up like a whale."

Spring smiled seductively. "You really like the females, don't you, Alec?"

"Damn straight, pun intended. Heterosexual all the way!." he said with a gulp of scotch and turning to her with a sexy smile. "Manticore didn't give me any of that bisexual DNA like they did some of the deep cover X5's. You know, the ones they wanted to be able to fit in anywhere.... or should I say 'fit in anyone'." Alec snickered at his joke. Spring could tell he was a riot tonight. Wild and free and ready to raise hell

She laughed in a way that made him shiver, or maybe it was the fact her hand was kneading his thigh. She leaned toward Alec and whispered in his ear, caressing the shell with her finger "You know, Alec. I've had my eye on you from the moment I first came in from the cold. You're gorgeous."

He turned to her, his mouth inches from hers and perused her from head to toe, answering in that low seductive voice he uses when trying to pick up women. "Not so bad yourself babe."

"But everyone said you were off limits, that you were taken. Now, if Max is really out of your life ..." Her hand strayed up his thigh, closer to her goal and Alec leaned into her caress and whispered close to her mouth, "Oh, believe me! She's gone, baby."

Spring leaned forward until her lips brushed his lightly. But instead of kissing him more on the lips, her mouth trailed over his jaw and to his ear. "Come home with me," she whispered in his ear.

Alec didn't need to be asked twice. He downed the last of his Scotch, paid his tab, grabbed her hand, and together they headed for the door.

*****
TBC

[Dana0715]

Leanne - I honestly thought about leaving this on a cliffy for the weekend, but I can't do it. So here's the rest

-------------------------------
Spring's place wasn't far from Crash, in the same row of buildings where Asha's apartment had been. By the time they'd reached the third floor landing he had his shirt off and she was topless. She opened the door with her key, grabbed him by the waistband of his pants, and dragged him inside. He heard a click, and a light came on. "I want to see you," she said huskily, working on the button of his jeans. Her breasts were beautiful, and the feel of them pressing against his naked chest, not to mention what she was doing with her fingers inside his pants, was affecting him in more ways than one.

He grabbed her busy hands, pulled her to him, and kissed her hard. "Bedroom," he murmured in her ear.

"Floor," Spring said, dragging him down on top of her.

Alec didn't argue. Her hand was down his pants again. He made a little noise in the back of his throat, sounded something like a grunt, when she touched him. He fondled her breasts again, and once more his mouth sought hers.

Which is when his cell phone rang and Alec breathed out an expletive at the interruption

"Don't," she practically begged when he reached for his pocket. "Ignore it."

"Can't," Alec said apologetically, running his tongue down her cheek, then raising up. "It's a soldier thing. Duty calls."

She pouted as he sat up and pressed receive.

"Now?" he asked, completely frustrated. "Dammit Dix! Why does it have to be now? I'm fifty f*ckin' miles away for cryin' out loud. Can't someone else do it?"

He listened some more and sighed

"Fine! All right," he said with a big sigh. "I suppose if there's no one else."

He grumbled under his breath as he hung up and looked apologetically at Spring. "Gotta go back to the compound. Dix needs the code to upload Renfro's database that is only accessible by a passcode. I can't give it to him over the phone." Alec shrugged, "It's protocol."

"Doesn't anyone else have it?" Spring said, her disappointment obvious. She was practically whining

"Only Lydecker and I have the whole sequence," Alec said. "And I'm the only one they could get hold of tonight. Sometimes I think this whole damn mutant uprising we're doing is a mistake. I mean, it's not like there's any money in it, at least not for me."

"I know how you could make a whole lot of money," Spring said while trailing a fingernail down his throat, then down his chest. "Especially since you know that code."

Alec looked at her suspiciously. "What're you talkin' about?"

She looked around the room, almost as if afraid they'd be overheard. "You say you don't care about the uprising."

"Not really, but I care a lot about myself and I'm not doin' anything that'll get me killed."

Spring played with the hair on the back of Alec's collar and breathed over his lips, "What if I told you..." She kissed him once and continued, "I know a way for you to make a hundred thousand dollars easy?" She kissed him again, noticing he responded back to her, "No one would be hurt." She trailed her lips over his jaw and breathed into his ear, "And no one would ever know that you just gave out one itty bitty piece of information."

Alec pulled her back for a moment, contemplating her. Spring could see the wheels turning in his head. "The code." Alec said. "Someone wants the code so they can eavesdrop on us and have access to Manticore techonology."

"The ordinaries are paranoid about what transgenics are doing, Alec. They want to know what we're doing and what we're up to. They can't really hurt us. But a lot of people want to keep tabs on us. With that code they could. But it wouldn't really mean anything because they're not the enemy. It's not like Ames White and his Familiars would be learning our secrets."

"Just Uncle Sam and a bunch of politicians," Alec said, looking like he was thinking it over. "And what harm can they do, right?"

"Exactly."

"And you say you know someone who'll pay me for this?"

"As soon as you deliver." While they talked Spring had finished buttoning her blouse and Alec had stood and retrieved his t-shirt from the landing. Spring placed her hand on Alec's bare arm, grinning. "Alec, this time tomorrow you could be on a South Sea island, sipping a pina colada and set for a very long time."

"How about making that a 'we'," Alec said, grabbing Spring by the waist and pulling her to him for another kiss.

"Mmmm," she said as he nuzzled her neck. "No wonder Max kept you around for so long." She nibbled his ear in retaliation. "I bet you taste REAL good." She looked up at him, pouting again. "Are you sure we have to go right away? We don't even have time for ..." Her hand was working its way into his pants again.

"Baby," Alec said, grabbing her wayward fingers and pinning them against the wall behind her, giving her another kiss. "Show me how to get this little job done and I'll let you just lap me up."

"Take me with you back to the compound," Spring said, her teeth now nipping his neck. "We can upload the code from there into the government data base and no one will be the wiser."

One last kiss for good measure, and they headed for where his motorcycle was parked on the ground floor.


*****
"Your fearless leader is back," Alec said, announcing his arrival to Dix who was seated at one of the computer terminals.

"Our fearless leader is Max, not you," Dix retorted.

"Whatever," Alec said, yawning. His arm was around Spring's waist and he was keeping her close. "So move over Baldy and let me put in this code you need."

"Just tell me the numbers and I'll do it," Dix said.

Alec smiled tolerantly. "Sorry. You know the rules. Daddy can't give the info to the children."

"Arrogant X5's," Dix muttered under his breath as he slid out of the seat.

"Shoo," Alec said, motioning for him to leave the otherwise empty room. "Don't need you lookin' over my shoulder with those creepy little gray eyes of yours."

When they were alone, he pulled Spring into his lap. Her hips grinding against his groin made it a little bit hard to concentrate. "All right, baby," he said, groaning at the friction and trying his best to concentrate. "Tell me the interface I need to enter, then I'll input our code. Oh, and just where is it I'm supposed to collect all this money tomorrow?"

"I'll get the drop point after the data is complete," she said. She reached for the keyboard and began to type a series of internet addresses and passwords and Alec watched carefully as he nibbled her shoulder. It took awhile. The procedure was really quite complex. At last, however, she was done. "Your turn," she said. "Just type in the Manticore code in that box and you've earned yourself your night's pay," she kissed him, "and me."

Alec licked his lips, concentrating on the computer screen while Spring kept nuzzling his neck, making him lose concentration a time or two. It looked like a standard trap door entry point to what must be a much larger system. Smiling cockily, he said, "This is for you, Maxie. I'm f*ckin' you one last time." And then he was typing in the numbers that would reveal all of Manticore's secrets. A few seconds later the computer beeped, and the screen changed to show a series of symbols running fast and furious across the background.

"What's that?" Alec asked, sounding surprised. "That doesn't look right."

"No," Spring said, looking over the screen and smiling. "That looks exactly right."

She stood. He swiveled around in the chair and looked up at her questioningly. "What do you mean? That isn't government data. That isn't anything I've ever seen before. Except, it looks kind of like that rune language Max had on her skin."

"What's going on?" a new voice said from the shadows of the room.

Spring spun around, a small gun suddenly in her hand. Alec, for the life of him, couldn't figure out where on earth she'd had it stashed. After all, he'd pretty well strip searched her already.

"Max," Spring said, seeming to relish the name. "I'm actually glad you showed up." Alec slowly stood. Spring reached up and ran her hand possessively through his hair, then let her fingers drift lower to touch him on the chest. "I've been enjoying your boyfriend."

"Enjoy him all you want," Max said with a big nonchalant shrug. "I don't give a damn. And he's not my boyfriend. At least not any more." Max looked at Alec. "What are you doing, Alec? What's going on?"

"Nothin' you need to worry about, Maxie. Why don't you just get outta here before you see somethin' you don't wanna see."

"Like Little Miss T and A here giving you a blow job? I've got to admit it, Alec. You sure do work fast. Break up with the love of your life in the morning and have a whore in your pants by that night."

"Max ..."

Max looked more closely at the computer screen. "You're selling us out, aren't you? That's our information being uploaded." She turned angry eyes on him. "I knew you were a jerk, but I didn't think you were a traitor too."

Alec shrugged, "What can I say, Max. I decided to work for the highest bidder."

"I'll stop you." Max warned

Alec was cocky, "No, you won't Maxie. You always were gettin' in the way of me makin' money and I'm not gonna let you ruin this for me now."

"Alec!" Max's tone of voice had changed to something more beseeching. "You're really betraying us?" she asked with a wobble in her voice

"Betrayal is such an ugly word, Max."

Squaring her shoulders, she eyed him angrily, "Guess I shouldn't be surprised," she said bitterly. "It's not the first time you've turned on your own kind."

Alec glared at her and Max glared back, neither backing down.

Spring was smiling at the escalating tension between the former lovers. She glanced at the screen where the program was finishing, a bar indicating the loading was almost complete. Then the monitor beeped and the screen went blank.

"All done, lover," Spring said, taking hold of Alec's hand. "Time for us to collect our cash." She waved the gun in Max's direction. "You don't mind if I get rid of our witness, do you?"

Alec was still staring at Max.

"One question," Max said quickly to Spring. "You've been helping us here for weeks. You've fooled a lot of people. How'd you do it? Worming your way into the very heart of our little community, not to mention into Alec's pants? Usually they're more careful about who they let in here."

"Let's just say I'm the best actor in the world," Spring said with a laugh. "And if you knew the rest of what's just happened you'd die. In fact, that's what you're going to do anyway -- die." She cuddled into Alec's arms as they went around her, still pointing the gun at Max.

Alec nuzzled her hair, breathing in her scent. "You've got competition in the acting department, baby," he said, his voice deep and low in her ear. "In fact, you might say I just beat you for the role."

His hand closed around her wrist like a coil of steel, keeping the gun pointed skyward and his other arm kept her immobile since it was wrapped around her waist in a tight hold, not letting her get away

"Did we get it all, Dix?" Alec said more loudly to be heard by the mutant in the next room. "Oh, and by the way, thanks for bein' on cue with that phone call. I think you may have saved my virtue."

Dix stepped out from behind a large console, a big grin on his face. "Every bit of it. White's data base is now ours for perusing." Dix shook his head, laughing, "And you lost your virtue a long time ago, Alec."

Max was smiling broadly and Alec was smiling back.

"You bastard!" Spring shrieked, trying to turn in Alec's arms and fight him. "You tricked me! That was a download instead of an upload!" She looked from Alec to Max and back again. "You filthy liar!" With an inhuman twist, she was free, and now the gun this time was pointed at Alec. "One step and he's dead," she said to Max.

Alec was watching her warily, making certain her attention stayed on him and not on his pregnant girlfriend

Spring snickered. "You two may have outsmarted me, Max, but I still had your boy. He really did f*ck me, acting or not. And he enjoyed every minute of it. The things we did ..."

"He does taste real good, by the way," Max commented idly, not looking upset at all. Then she looked at Alec and made a wry face, trying to keep from laughing. "Show me how to get this little job done and I'll let you just lap me up? Couldn't you come up with a more sophisticated line than that?"

Alec shrugged, a little sheepish. "So, it's not Shakespeare."

"No. It's just gross."

Spring was looking between them, confused.

Alec reached into his pocket and pulled out a small transceiver. "And Max, I still don't know how I'm gonna live down the fact I let you put a wire in my pants. I mean, talk about keepin a tight leash on your man. This was worse than a f*ckin' chastity belt."

"You were listening the whole time?" Spring said. She shook her head in admiration. "But no one can act that good," she said. "You wanted me!"

"Hey," Alec said, still warily watching the gun. "What can I say? My body's a weapon in more ways than one. I trained all my life for this kind of thing, sweetheart. You didn't have a chance." He looked imploringly at Max, "Maxie, honey, are you gonna just stand there and let her shoot me?"

"I don't know," Max said, tapping a finger against her chin like she was pretending to think it over. "Should I? Sounds like maybe you had TOO good of a time on this assignment." She crossed her arms, "Get yourself out of this one, baby."

Alec shot her a pained look. Then he blurred and Spring's pistol was his, and he had it aimed at her temple

Max smiled, "Nice job lover. Now get rid of her and come to bed when it's done. You have one more job to do before going to sleep tonight."

Max walked out, leaving Alec and Dix with Spring


*****
"How did you know?" Spring asked as Alec led her away through the sewer tunnels, keeping the gun trained on her and he had her keep her hands raised so he could see them. "How did you know I wasn't an X5? I had the right basal body temperature, the bar code, the strength, everything."

"The thermal scans were fooled by the virus you're carrying that's giving you a fever," Alec said. "We really couldn't prove anything without a whole DNA work-up and there wasn't time for that. We knew you knew too much and your barcode was tattooed on, something I've learned to pick up easily now. The logical choice was that you were one of White's Familiars. But the big giveaway..."

Alec looked at Spring and pointed to his own eyes. "You had to turn the light on in your apartment to see. Dead giveaway."

"Sh!t," Spring muttered, realizing her error

Finally, Alec tucked his Glock back into his waistband when he believed they were far enough away from New Manticore and muttered, "You're a liability and you know too much, so...."

He quickly and efficiently snapped her neck, letting her body drop at his feet

He still hated killing anyone, but he knew it was necessary so she can't report to White anymore about their plans to defect from the US military.

And they will need to continue to keep a lookout for White and his cronies

--------------------------------
Joshua peeked into Max and Alec's quarters they use at times in the compound, looking greatly relieved. "Everything okay with Alec now, Little Fella?"

"Everything's fine, Big Fella," Max said with a glance at Alec who was sitting at the end of the couch that Max was propped up on, massaging her feet. The bigger Max gets, the more foot and back massages she seems to need.

Not to mention those yucky food cravings she still gets too! Alec shuddered at the thought of some of the food he got for her

After Joshua was assured all was well with the lovebirds, he made himself a cup of tea and took the empty chair close to the couch. Max raised a questioning brow at her mate. "I do have one question, though," Max said, taking a sip of tea.

"Just one?" Alec asked jokingly, taking care to use his thumbs to massage the balls of her feet and the arch

"About that whole 'Max was only the last in a long line of b!tches'?"

"Oh, that." Alec caught his lower lip in his teeth, then looked sheepishly at her out of the corner of his eye.

"Just how many breeding partners did you have back at Manticore that summer?

"Oh, dozens," Alec said with a shrug. "Lost count really. They didn't call me 'first time every time' for nothin'."

Joshua was looking bewildered. Max just looked p!ssed. But then Alec saw a flicker of hurt in her eyes.

"Hey," he said quickly, laughing. "I'm jokin'. I was in psy-ops for six months, remember? Because of Ben? They'd just let me out about 3 months before pairin' me up with you. I had two other breeding partners before you and then it was you. You were my last Max. The only woman for me." He took hold of her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "And you still are."

"No little Alec's running around?" she asked suspiciously

"Not to my knowledge," Alec said. He held up his other hand. "I swear. As far as I know, those pregnancies didn't take. 'Course there was the gene bank. You had X6 and X7 clones. I probably do too."

"Those aren't our children," Max said quietly.

He reached over and laid a hand gently on her swelling stomach, "But this is. He's ours and we'll give him a completely different life than the one we grew up with. He'll know love and security. He'll get toys and birthday parties and will have actual friends."

Alec kissed her fingers, then stared into her eyes with deep devotion, "And he'll have parents that not only love him, but love each other."

"Um.... Joshua?" Max said as she stared back at Alec, seeing the want in his eyes

"Yes?" he asked, grinning

"Could you...."

"I know." he rolled his eyes and stood, taking his tea cup with him, "Max and Alec wanna get busy. I'll leave!"

"Thanks Big Fella." Alec said as he scooted closer to get to Max's lips. "But you better hurry!"

Joshua got out of there fast for such a big guy!

---------------------------------
"You know, Normal expects you in this morning."

Alec groaned. It was the following morning after spending an entire night making love to the woman of his dreams. He actually debated not even going to sleep afterward. Dawn was only a couple hours away.

"And don't ask me to work your shift." Max told him. Normal had her behind the dispatch desk anyway now that she shows so much, it made riding a bike difficult and awkward

"I wouldn't," Alec said honestly. "You need your rest more than I do."

Max was making coffee for him in the kitchen. Alec supposed if he wasn't going to go to sleep he might as well try and wake completely up. Suddenly she paused, and her hand went to her stomach.

"What's wrong?" he said, sitting up straighter on the couch, concerned. "Maxie? Are you okay?"

She was smiling. "I felt something."

"Something like what?"

"Like something fluttering. Dr. Shankar said that would happen."

"The baby?" Alec said. "You felt the baby? Are you sure it's not like ... gas?"

"It's the baby," Max said firmly.

"Come here," Alec said, moving over on the couch and holding out his arm. Max came and curled up beside him. He kissed the top of her head and held her in his arms. "Max, I know you wanna ask me more about what happened last night," he whispered in her ear.

"No, I don't. Except maybe that part about me being a whiny little brat and blowing up like a whale."

"Max. Ask. I only went as far with her as I had to, which meant lying through my teeth. And I didn't enjoy it. Well...." He thought about that for a moment, "Most of me didn't enjoy it anyway."

Max rolled her eyes at him. "She was very beautiful."

"She wanted me dead Max."

"She wanted to have you first."

"She wasn't my type." He answered as he nuzzled her neck

"You don't go in for the dominatrix kind of girl?"

Alec stopped and thought about that a moment. "Actually, I kinda do. After all, I'm sittin' here with Max, Mistress of Pain." He paused. "And now my mind's gone to this really scary fantasy."

Max kicked him.

"Ow. See what I mean."

"Shut up."

"Max, she didn't get my pants off if that's what you're gettin' at."

"What did she get off?"

"She didn't get off. Neither did I."

"That's not what I meant."

"Can we change the subject now?" Alec pleaded, his eyes looking like a pleading little boy's

Max was looking at his neck instead. "Hey! You've got a hickey."

"Hazard of the profession, Max. And I'll take a hickey over a bullet hole any day."

"And what's with this whole 'My body's a weapon in more ways than one' crap?" Where did you come up with macho egotistical sh!t like that?"

Alec leaned over and kissed the top of her head, spanning his hand over her belly. "Believe it or not, I thought that one up all by myself. Figured it was appropriate at the time."

Max sighed, giving up. "Do you think we did the right thing?"

"If I hadn't of done it, Deck would have had someone else take her someplace real private and put a bullet in her head."

"I don't think so. I think Lydecker might have let her go. Send her back to White and let him punish her so the mutants don't get the bad rap for her death."

Alec hadn't thought of that, he was simply trying to protect what's his. He closed his eyes. "Great. Just what I need. Give the guy yet another reason to want my head, not to mention yours. He'll really have a reason soon enough. We've worked too hard to get to where we are. We're hated by the country that created us and treated like dogs by Manticore. I want a regular life and our defection is almost in place. We'll get that dream life Maxie."

Max hugged him then, and Alec grew quiet. When dawn broke they were still fast asleep in each others' arms on the couch.


*****
White was furious when he found out about Spring's failure, and death.

He bellowed at Otto, "Because of her," he said. "Our entire data base is now compromised."

"I know sir," he said, standing at attention.

"The mutants have access to our files!" White roared. "It was supposed to be the other way around!"

Otto shrugged, "They're very clever, sir. I thought I had a good candidate for Spring, who wouldn't mind betraying their cause."

"Who might that have been, agent?"

"X5-494, sir."

White made an odd strangled sound and buried his face in his hands. "And he, of course, tricked her and killed her," he said, not looking up.

"Yes, sir. I thought he'd broken up with X5-452, from all the intelligence I had gathered. I remembered you said those two were the key leaders. He was once a ladies' man, sir. I thought Spring could turn him."

"I thought I could turn him, too," White said. "Once upon a time." He looked again at Otto. "Do you know how far she got with him?"

"Sir?"

"How far did 494 go to trick Spring?"

"They didn't have sex sir, if that was what you were asking."

"It was," White said. "Good. Means she died still pure."

"Is that all sir?"

He turned to Otto. "I suppose you're wondering why I don't simply send out a squad to have 452 and 494 eliminated?"

"Because you don't know where they are, sir?" Otto said tentatively.

White gave him a withering look. "Besides that."

"Because ... I don't know, sir."

White was pacing slowly back and forth, rubbing his hands together, "Because I see an opportunity approaching, Otto. An opportunity to inflict far more pain on both of them than merely killing them could ever accomplish." White grinned, his expression pure evil. "After all, they took away my son. Why shouldn't I take away theirs?"

--------------------------------
TBC

[phoenixnz]

Ooh, goody goody, more drama.
Sorry it took me so long to comment. I just started a new job and haven't had a lot of time for anything, even writing.

[There Is No Spoon]

Finally caught up with everything. Just awesome Trina.

I really like the direction you have taken with Max and Alec. This could definitely be a book and I would definitely buy it.

Cannot wait to read your next update.

[Dana0715]

Hey guys! This was a chappy I had saved and forgot to post, I was so intent on getting some of the other stories out and I was in a flurry of activity too. So I'm re-writing it as a reminisce. Hope you like this!

-----------------------------------------
Alec was sitting on the couch in the living room of his apartment, the ever present scotch glass in his hand, deep in thought

Max, now seven months pregnant, had just finished her bath. She knew before too long, she'll need help getting out of the tub, but she still enjoys her long, hot, soapy bubble baths and she still does it as often as possible.

In her bathrobe, she leaves the bathroom, padding toward the bedroom when she noticed the pensive look on Alec's visage. Concerned, she approached him, leaning over the back of the couch to give him a kiss on the cheek

"Penny for your thoughts." she whispered

Pulling back from his musings, Alec mustered a smile in her direction, "I was just thinking about...... Mary,...." He looks at her in slight confusion, "Is that weird of me?"

Max moved around the couch to sit next to Alec, "I don't think it's weird considering that you found out she's your surrogate mother and wanted to keep you and Ben..... and on that mission that involved her, she risked her life for you. You'd have to be dead to not feel anything regarding that...... "

Alec took another gulp of Scotch and for the first time, Max noticed a framed photograph on his lap

The one Dr Mary Jameson had at her house. Alec must have went back for it, although Max wasn't sure when that would have been. It was a picture of Dr Mary Jameson, her husband at that time, and two newborn baby boys

Ben and Alec.

Max took Alec's hand and told him, "Alec, she was obviously a very brave and caring woman. She made sure you and I had everything we would need to help ourselves and this baby."

"It may seem strange, due to how we were raised, but I would have really liked to have her as a part of my life, become grandma, you know?"

"Sounds really nice Alec.... but it doesn't have to be Hallmark card perfect. We've still got you, and me, and this baby."

They sat together, cuddling on the couch, remembering back to the very first mission Deck sent them on together just two weeks after Deck took control of the mutants in Terminal City and moved them to the New Manticore base, when they met Dr Mary Jameson

----------------------------------
"Max, I told you I needed to get a haircut. My
hair's in my eyes and I can't see." Alec wrapped the rope around his right ankle and let go with one hand to brush strands of light brown hair off his forehead, a tricky move since he was hanging upside down 50 feet above a vault entryway with a laser beam security system. "But no. You won't let me. Even after you got your hair cut last week." At least he wasn't juggling a transceiver as well, Alec thought. He could talk to Max via the Manticore chip stuck to the mastoid bone behind his right ear.

"My hair still covers my bar code," Three month pregnant Max said from above where she was managing the pulley they'd anchored in the vault ceiling's ventilation shaft. "And unless you want to do the painful laser thing on your neck every two weeks for the rest of your life you'll learn to like yours the way it is."

Alec blew a stray strand off his face. The fact he was covered with sweat wasn't helping matters any. The thin rope was also cutting into his hands right through his leather gloves, and his right arm was starting to cramp. "Just ... get me closer," he said. "I'm still too far to drop."

"Can you see the angle of the heat sensors? Are you within their range?"

Alec craned his neck, trying to judge if he was too close to the infrared detection field. "I think I'm okay for another few feet."

"You think you're okay?" Max said, estimating the distance herself. "We better not take any chances. I say you're low enough."

"Not if I wanna be able to walk out of here," Alec shot back. "A broken neck might make that kinda hard."

"You're part cat and your bones are half again more dense than a human's," Max said. "Just land on your feet. You'll be fine."

"Max," Alec warned. "Get me lower. I'm not ready."

"The alarms are going to shift modes in just a few seconds, Alec," she said, lowering him a little bit more. "That happens just once a night. It's our only chance to get in. And if I drop you any further those heat sensors on the wall are going to pick you up."

"Just a few feet more, please Max," Alec pleaded, looking down at the floor far below.

She worked the pulley, letting out more length of rope. "There," she said. "That's as far as you're going. We're not mucking up this job because you're chicken."

"I'm not chicken," Alec squawked indignantly, his male pride smarting. "I'm realistic."

"Alec," Max said, her tone of voice a bit worried now. "Are you really too high?"

Alec swallowed, difficult to do upside down, and tried to judge the distance again. "How much time?" he asked.

"Fifteen seconds."

He looked over at the wall where a heat sensor was mounted. His high body temperature would work against him here. He wished now he'd worn a cold suit of some kind. But he'd thought Max would be able to lower him to within at least 30 feet. "It's about 40, isn't it?" he said.

"About that, yeah. You've only got a three second window once you go. Alec, it's almost time."

"Count it down for me."

"Seven," Max said. "Six ... five ... four ... three ... two ... one ..."

Suddenly all of the lights in the vault flickered and the red crisscrossing laser beams below blinked off, as well as the lights on the surrounding heat sensors.

"Go!" Max said.

Alec untangled his foot from the rope, hit the release catch, and the climbing belt opened. Flipping over in mid-air, he dropped for what seemed like forever before landing hard on his feet with a grunt of pain. Instantly, he threw himself to the floor, sprawling on his back, arms and legs spread eagle. Half a second later the laser beams came back on, crisscrossing an inch from his nose.

He held his breath, counted to five, and when no alarms went off-- "I'm in," he said, breathing hard.

Max was already winding the rope back up into the ventilation shaft. "I'll see you tomorrow baby," her voice said in his ear. "Sweet dreams."

"Not likely," Alec responded, knowing he was going to have a very long and uncomfortable night ahead of him.



*****



He lay on his back in the vault entryway for seven hours, until right on time, at 8 a.m. sharp, the overhead lights flickered on and the laser system winked out, the system automatically readying itself for the day's business at Mercer Genetics Lab.

Alec stiffly crawled to his feet, his back cramped from lying in the same position all that time. Flexing his muscles and trying to get the circulation back in his tingling right arm, he unzipped his black jumpsuit and stepped out of the garment. Underneath he was wearing an expensive gray business suit and tie. Folding up the jumpsuit and tucking it into an inside pocket of his expensive trench coat, he then took a pair of clear lens glasses from another pocket and put them on. Smoothing his hair with both hands and settling the coat on his shoulders, Alec figured he looked respectable enough.

There were several rooms branching off the vault's atrium. Alec entered one, and quickly moved to the computer console. Using the pass codes Lydecker had provided, he entered the security system, pulled up the personnel lists, and fetched dummied Mercer I.D. records for himself and Max from the Manticore server. Once placed into the data base, they should allow both of them to move freely throughout the building without being tagged by the facial recognition security system. "Alec Cora and Maxine Montero," Alec said out loud. "Mercer Genetics' two newest employees." His fake I.D. badge was already clipped to the front of his suit coat.

"I still don't think it's fair you get to be a research assistant and I have to play secretary," Max's voice said in his ear.

"Mornin' sweetheart," Alec murmured, concentrating as his fingers swiftly moved across the keyboard, checking out the other security measures in place in the building.

"And you don't have to wear high heels either."

Alec grinned. "Try lying on your back on linoleum for seven hours without moving a muscle!" Tapping a few more keys, he said, "Almost done," he said. "Then it's on to Dr. Mary Jameson's office so she can meet her new assistant."

"While I get to play secretary to Mr. Mercer himself," Max said.

"Between us, we ought to be able to get that info Lydecker wants," Alec said, getting ready to close the program. But when he went to exit, the curser hung. "Damn," he said. The only way out now was to reset the computer, which might draw attention to the intrusion. But he couldn't just walk away leaving the security system layout on the screen.

"What's wrong?" Max said.

Alec tried a couple of exit keys, but the screen was still frozen. "Max," he said. "We may not be the only ones playin' on Mercer's playground this morning. This system's jammed and I didn't do it."

"Get out of there, Alec," Max said. "I'm out in the hall and people are headed your way."

Alec did the only thing he could. Reaching down, he pressed the restart button, then quickly exited the room, crossed the vault atrium, and worked his way into the morning rush of Mercer employees as they headed for their offices. Max caught up with him just outside the men's room.

"All set?" she said.

"Our faces are logged in," Alec said. "Along with our I.D. cards. If no one gets picky, we shouldn't be spotted. I'd like to know who else was in the system though."

Max was looking at him strangely.

"What?"

"I've never seen you in a suit and tie before."

Alec self consciously adjusted the necktie.

"You look .. decent. Like the glasses too. Did Manticore put you through some kind of men's fashion class?"

"Actually, they did," Alec said. "I told you I was trained for solo missions. I couldn't very well go undercover at big corporations wearing military fatigues. And don't forget the glasses are a camera." He let his eyes roam over Max, taking in the simple black mini skirt, sheer black blouse, and red form fitting jacket, not to mention the high heels. Her curly shoulder length hair was swept back in a fashionable pony tail, and a pair of dark rimmed glasses perched on her nose. He grinned, "You don't look so bad yourself."

"As if I could afford clothes like this on my own," Max said, fingering her silk blouse. "Remind me to make you take me out to dinner some place fancy one of these nights, now that we've got the wardrobe for it."

"I'm goin' in here," Alec said, nodding toward the men's room. "Seven hours is a bit much for even a transgenic, if you know what I mean." He looked up and down the hall and he spoke quietly, making sure no one overheard. "See if you can get the vault codes from Mercer. We may need them if I can't get what we need from Jameson's files. And we've got to be gone by tomorrow or the real new employees are gonna show up and our cover's blown."

Max nodded. Then she turned and headed down the hallway, looking every inch the smart professional secretary. Alec watched her until he couldn't see her any more -- and for a few seconds indulged in the fantasy of secretary/boss.

Gotta try that one out later!

*****

"Dr. Mary Jameson?" Alec said, standing politely in the doorway of the lab.

The middle-aged woman with slightly graying brown hair looked up from a microscope and frowned. "Who are you? What do you want? Can't you see I'm busy."

"I'm Alec Cora," Alec said. "The main office told me to come here. They said you needed a new assistant."

"I wasn't expecting you until Wednesday," the doctor said, peering back into the microscope, completely intent on what she was studying

"Guess you got lucky then. They sent me over a day early."

She looked up suspiciously and was eying his security badge. "Where did you attend graduate school?" she asked.

"Cal Tech. Class of '09. I specialized in recombinant DNA genetics and did my thesis on Mercer's cloning techniques."

She still looked doubtful, "You look awfully young. First job out of school?"

Alec smiled and shrugged. "Hey, you have to start somewhere."

She turned and gestured toward a large stack of files. "You might as well get to work," she said. "They all need to be sorted and updated. Ask me if you have any questions. The lab coats are in the back office." And with that, she was totally absorbed in whatever specimens she was viewing in the microscope, practically forgetting that Alec was there

Alec spent the next few hours checking out the files as he sorted them, reading at five times human speed, and found no mention of the projects Lydecker was interested in. Of course he knew he might be missing something. Learning the equivalent of a two-year graduate course in genetic engineering in one afternoon wasn't exactly the best way to become acquainted with a subject. Still, he figured he knew enough to spot what Manticore needed and it wasn't here.

"I'm really fascinated by your work with the human DNA manipulation techniques," he said, breaking the silence. He turned around to look at the doctor where she was still studying slides. "I'd love to see your more detailed research on the subject."

"That's classified," she said coldly. "And it's also no longer an ongoing project."

"I thought Mercer was forging ahead with the human cloning possibilities," Alec said. "And the DNA chromosome splicing."

Jameson looked up, her blue eyes tired. Brushing a strand of hair back behind one ear, she said, "Some of the scientists at Mercer want to continue research in that direction. But I shut down my program years ago."

"Why?" Alec asked curiously. "Your techniques were the most successful. Mercer made millions on its medical contracts, and a dozen DNA based diseases are right now on the verge of being cured. Why stop?"

"Let's just say I have a personal reason," Jameson said, her voice icy again. "If you want to play with the hot projects, then I suggest you put in for a transfer. All you'll get in my lab are ways of producing less perishable tomatoes."

"But what happened to all your research?" Alec asked. "Who has it now?"

"No one," Jameson said. "Like I said, that avenue is closed. The records are mine, and mine alone."

And right then and there, Alec knew he wasn't going to find what he was looking for in Mary Jameson's office.

*****

"At least she doesn't have a dog," Alec said as he and Max crouched in the bushes outside the good doctor's house that night.

"I know," Max said. "There's something about us that drives dogs crazy. It's like they can sense us a mile away."

"Gee, I wonder what that might be," Alec said. "Oh wait, feline DNA. You know, sometimes I wonder why Joshua likes us so much."

"He didn't at first," Max said, pulling some tools from her bag. "It took him awhile, you know. We smell funny to him." She motioned toward the alarm circuit on the wall of the house. "Not a very sophisticated system. I'd say Dr. Jameson is paying for her own security. Which means Mercer doesn't care what she's got in her house." She looked at Alec. "Are you sure we'll find her records here?"

"No," Alec said. "But I do know we won't find them at the lab. So this is the logical next place to look."

Max snipped a few wires, then quickly clamped on a device that would mimic a phone signal so the alarm company wouldn't be alerted. "There," she said. "All done."

Using a lock pick on the rear French doors, Alec got them into the house. The office was easy to find, located just off the living room. Entering quietly, he closed the door behind them, turned, and looked around. He had no trouble seeing. The moonlight coming through the sheer curtains was more than enough for his sensitive vision, making everything seem almost as bright as day.

"Bookcase," Max whispered.

The safe was behind a fake front on the book case. Alec stood back while Max put her ear to the steel door and ran through the tumblers of the combination lock.

While he waited, he looked around the room. Dr. Jameson seemed to like gardening and flowers. There were painted pictures of blooms on all the walls, and an array of gardening books piled on a table beside an arm chair. But the framed photograph on the desk was what really caught his eye. Picking it up, he noted a much younger looking Dr. Jameson, and a man who must have been her husband. They were each holding a baby.

"Max ..." Alec said.

"Almost there."

"Didn't the file on Jameson say her husband died in a car accident about twenty years ago?"

"Yeah."

"It also said they didn't have any kids."

"That's right."

He held up the picture. "Then what's this?"

Max looked over her shoulder and shrugged. "Nieces or nephews maybe? Cousins?"

"Must be," Alec said, putting the photograph down.

Suddenly there was a sound at the office door. Max looked back at Alec, her eyes asking what to do.

He signaled with his hand for her to be silent, then he slipped like a shadow to stand against the wall.

"Is somebody there?" Dr. Jameson called as she turned the knob. Max ducked behind the desk.

The door opened, and the doctor reached for the light switch. Alec's hand on her wrist stopped her.

"Who are you?" Jameson said loudly, not acting very frightened. "I don't have anything worth stealing, and I don't have much money in the house, but I'll give you whatever you want."

Alec, to his surprise, found himself shaking. He knew what standard Manticore procedure was for a situation like this ... what he'd been trained to do. Jameson was probably expendable, her data already recorded. He should break her neck then get on with the job. But that was what X5-494 would have done. Not Alec.

Instead, he turned on the light himself.

His eyes adjusted to the change faster than the doctor's. She blinked in the painful glare.

"What are you doing?" Max said, popping up from behind the desk, her tone of voice expressing how much of an idiot she thought he was.

"Blowing the mission, it seems," Alec said.

Jameson was staring at him, a wry smile slowly taking shape on her lips. "I couldn't sleep and came downstairs for a cup of tea," she said. "I always leave my office door open. It was closed. Mr. Cora, I see you truly are interested in my personal work."

"Max," Alec said, not taking his eyes off the doctor. "Finish."

"I will," she said. "Just as soon as I--" Suddenly Max grabbed a wastebasket from near the desk and vomited into it.

Alec rolled his eyes. "Great," he muttered. "I thought you were over that."

"I thought I was too," Max said, wiping her mouth on her sleeve and spitting out the vile taste.

"The safe?"

"Got it," she said, climbing to her feet and finishing the combination. The safe door opened and she pulled out a stack of files and computer discs.

"What are you looking for?" Jameson said. "Did Mercer send you?"

"We need your research records," Alec said. "Just stay quiet, don't tell anyone we were here, and you won't be hurt."

"Most of those records are over twenty years old," she said. "What value are they to anyone now?"

"Don't ask," Max advised as she thumbed through the stack.

"Is it what we want?" Alec said.

"Looks like it," Max said. "Give me your glasses and I'll start taking pictures of the paper records."

Alec pulled the pair of camera/glasses from the pocket of his black jumpsuit and handed it to her. "What about the discs?"

"We'll take them," Max decided. "We don't have time to copy them."

Neither noticed Jameson had edged nearer the desk. The gun she drew from the top drawer was a tiny revolver, hardly more than a toy, but a bullet was, after all, a bullet.

"Stay where you are," she said, pointing the gun with a wavering hand, vacillating between the two of them. She reached for the phone. "I'm calling the police."

With an exasperated look at Alec, Max blurred and grabbed the gun. Holding it gingerly by the handle between two fingers, she handed it to Alec.

Alec tucked it in his pocket, then waggled a finger at Jameson. "Tsk, tsk, doctor. Believe me, you don't wanna be naughty. Just wait until we have what we need and then we'll leave quietly. No need for anyone to get hurt."

But Dr. Jameson was staring at Max. "You're Manticore," she said, her face as white as if she'd just seen a ghost.

"Am not," Max said defensively.

Jameson turned to Alec. "She's an X5 unit. I worked on the DNA sequencing that gave her those reflexes and speed. We finally got it right after all the failures ..." Her voice trailed off.

"You worked for Manticore?" Alec said.

"On the X5 project," Jameson replied. She was trembling. "Do you mind if I sit down?"

Alec gestured toward an armchair. "Speed it up, Max," he said, without looking at his partner.

"What's your designation?" Dr Jameson asked, looking at Alec. "You must be an X5 unit as well. You're the right age, and you have the build and characteristics of our light combat model." She nodded at Max. "We seem to have made her a bit more exotic." She smiled again. "You I guess we simply made handsome."

"And arrogant," Max said under her breath jokingly as she continued snapping photos. "And talkative, and a pain in the ass ..."

"X5-494," Alec said, feeling rather self conscious.

"Alec!" Max scolded. "Need to know, remember?"

"She's X5-452."

"Will you shut up!"

"What can it hurt to tell her, Max?" Alec said. "She probably already knows more about us than we know ourselves if she worked on the original project. That's why Lydecker wants her records. He's tryin' to replace the data you destroyed in the DNA lab."

"The original data was destroyed?" Jameson said, her face registering surprise. "I knew Manticore had been exposed and essentially dismantled, but I didn't realize all of the research had been lost."

"Not all of the research," Alec said. "Just the data base. The results are still walkin' around."

"The two of you must have been babies when I was removed from the project," Jameson said. "Practically newborns. It was considered a tremendous success when we had one in five of the live births resulting in apparently healthy X5 sequenced models. The genetic recombining, the melding of feline and human DNA by adding a new chromosome, was at one time considered impossible. But I discovered a way to make the DNA strand additions and substitutions not be rejected. And then we got even more daring, toying with gene pairs that we thought might lead to psychic abilities." She looked down a moment. "Approximately one percent of your DNA is feline you know, and five percent more tampered with. I'm only sorry there had to be so many mistakes ... so many deformed children ... before we achieved our final results. I'm sorry we made you something more than human."

Alec shivered. He'd never thought of himself as lucky before, at least not in that way. A success ... not deformed ... How many had been destroyed before him? How many had died so he could be born?

"It's all in the genetics," Jameson said. "Please, can I look at you ... both of you. I never saw the final results of my work. I'm so glad that some of the X5 children lived to adulthood. We weren't sure they would. I heard many had uncontrollable seizures, or progeria. There were other genetic anomalies that showed up as well. But the two of you appear to be quite healthy."

As if on cue ... "Alec," Max said, pausing in her copying of the data. "I'm going to throw up again." She grabbed the wastebasket.

Jameson looked alarmed. "She's really ill. What's the matter with her?"

"Nothin' genetic," Alec reassured the woman. "She's just pregnant."

"Pregnant," Jameson breathed the word softly. "We were afraid the X5's wouldn't be able to successfully breed. We doubted the traits could be passed on. But there were a few models who were more stable than others and we had hopes ..."

"Manticore didn't bother much with old fashioned procreation, at least not until the very end," Alec said. "The X6's and X7's all came out of the gene bank."

"But you said X5-452 ... Max did you call her? ... is pregnant. How?"

"I think the how ought to be obvious," Max said dryly, once again wiping her mouth on her sleeve.

Jameson looked at Alec. "You're a pair," she said, again her tone near reverent. "You're a breeding pair of adult X5's. It's something we dreamed of producing."

"Yeah, yeah," Alec said. "And I feel so special. Max, sweetheart, can you move it along. We've taken up enough of the good doctor's time."

"Donald Lydecker sent you here," Jameson said. "The government is sanctioning a New Manticore. It's been on the news. I gather he's trying to recreate the old data base. A wise move on his part since the ones like you and Max need access to your original base genetics. They can't treat problems that might arise without it."

"All of the scientists ran away," Max said, photographing the last of the pages then carefully putting the glasses in her pocket. "The data was destroyed. But there are still a few hundred transgenics and transhumans out there who need to be taken care of."

"You could have explained," Jameson said. "I would have simply given you my data, at least what I have."

Alec looked up. "You mean there's more?"

"In Mr. Mercer's personal vault," Jameson said. "He has the only copy of the base pairs data base, as well as the technique that infused you with feline DNA."

Alec's shoulders sagged. "Great. And here I thought we were almost done."

"I can help you gain access," Jameson said.

"I got the vault code today," Max added. "The doofus keeps it written in the bottom of his desk drawer of all things."

"Why would you help us?" Alec asked. "What's in it for you?"

"Don't you understand?" Jameson said. "The two of you are like my children. In fact, maybe you, Alec, are my child."

"I was made in a lab," Alec said. "I don't have a mother."

"But a human woman did carry you to term," Jameson said. "Do you, by any chance, have a twin brother that you know of?"

Alec was suddenly cold again. He could tell the doctor really did want to help them. Her motives felt true. Which meant she was probably telling them the truth about her involvement with Manticore. But this conversation was hitting a little too close to home.

"A lot of us were twinned," Alec said carefully. "I do have a brother."

"Identical?"

"Yeah."

Jameson reached out and picked up the photograph from the desk, the one of she and her husband holding two babies. "You do realize, don't you, that many of the women scientists who worked on the Manticore project were asked to contribute more than their knowledge to the program."

Alec narrowed his eyes, and he found himself holding his breath.

She looked up at him and smiled. "I had two boys. Not many of us were given maternal twins to carry. The eggs were fertilized in vitro, the genetic recombinations performed, and the embryos were implanted in my womb. I carried them to full term, two healthy baby boys, identical twins created in the Manticore lab, but nurtured and given life by my body."

Max was perched on the edge of the desk. "You were a surrogate. But Manticore didn't let you keep them," she said softly, thinking of her own past search for her birth mother. "They took the babies away and you never saw them again."

A tear trickled down Jameson's cheek as she continued to look at the picture. "We lived in Wyoming then, where Manticore originated. Richard tried to fight them. He went after the children. But his car ran off the road into the river and he drowned. The next day I got a phone call. I was told that if I didn't stop trying to find the babies I'd be killed. Eventually, of course, I was fired, but not before they'd acquired all my research."

"Didn't you know they'd be taken?" Max asked, appalled at what had happened to this woman.

"I signed a contract," Jameson said. "But I was naive. I didn't think it would matter, giving up the babies. All I knew was that it would greatly advance my career at Manticore. But when I saw those tiny faces, those precious new lives ... It made it all the worse that they let me bring them home for a few weeks. They wanted the babies to have normal care and breast milk for the formative days. Then one day a man and woman came to the door and said I had to hand them over to Manticore."

"It's a wonder they let you live," Alec said.

"In a way they killed me when they murdered Richard," she said. She looked at Alec. "Is your brother as handsome as you? Is he healthy? Happy? Does he have a name. I notice the two of you have real names you call each other by, not just numbers."

Alec smiled. "Not that I'm ready to call you 'Mom,' but X5-493 ... Ben ... is dead. I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry," Jameson whispered. She looked at Max again. "And you're going to be parents. Do you know anything about the baby?"

"It's an X5," Max said. "We hope it will be healthy."

Jameson nodded at the stack of files and discs. "That information should aid your child if there are any genetic problems," she said. "But the information in Mercer's safe will be of even greater value."

"You say you'll help us get it?" Max asked.

Jameson nodded.

"Then let's go," Alec said, gently taking hold of Dr. Mary Jameson's hand.

*****
TBC

[Dana0715]

"Are the two of you together by choice, or by orders?" Mary asked as they made their way from the parking garage to the underground Mercer employee entrance.

"Choice," Max said firmly, with a quick look in Alec's direction. "Well," she amended, "at first it wasn't by choice. He was assigned to be my breeding partner back at the old Manticore."

"But I got the feelin' it wasn't gonna work out when her idea of foreplay was to put her foot in my chest and kick me across the cell," Alec said.

"'Let's get this over with', and 'we're supposed to copulate every night until you get pregnant' isn't exactly romantic, Alec."

"So, my seduction lines needed improvement," Alec said. "You have to admit though, I think I've done better lately."

"A little," Max said grudgingly. "But you still owe me a fancy dinner date. Especially now that we've got the clothes."

"Your wish is my command," Alec said, executing a mock bow.

Jameson was looking at them, an amused expression on her face. "So, I gather the two of you found common ground after Manticore was gone, and it's obvious you're in love. But I'm glad to hear you were actually paired off by the scientists."

"Why?" Max asked. They'd reached the employee entrance and Mary was searching in her purse for her I.D. card. Better to use her legitimate one than to risk one of the fakes setting off an alarm. "What does it matter?"

"It matters a lot," Mary said, swiping the card in the slot. "If you're having a child." They stepped through the door into an elevator. She put her fingers to her lips and indicated they needed to be silent. The front desk already knew they were in the building, but they would be perceived as legitimate visitors by the computer. However, no use risking their conversation being overheard.

The elevator stopped and they got off on the 30th floor. Walking swiftly down the hallway to the next set of elevators that would take them to the top of the building, she continued. "The feline/human DNA that created the two of you is highly unstable. Pairing off two X's and you could end up with a disaster unless the match is exactly right."

Max's hand went to her still fairly flat belly. The gesture wasn't unnoticed by Alec

"The doc says this kid seems to be doin' fine," Alec said.

"But it is an X5 gene type, correct?" Mary said.

"So we've been told," Max said.

"I doubt Manticore has many second generation X5's," Mary said when they'd exited the second set of elevators. "When I left, the theory was that it would be difficult to achieve, and the pairing would have to be done extremely carefully." She looked at Alec, then at Max. "Do you two realize how phenomenally lucky you are? I'm not saying you wouldn't be successful having children with other X5 partners, but I am saying that, if you were going to have a child, at least this baby has the best genetic chance possible."

"Gee," Max said sarcastically. "That makes me feel just ... great. In other words, I picked Mr. Right after all."

"Shake it off, Max," Alec said. "The vault's up ahead." He eyed Mary. "Can you get us through the atrium?"

"Yes. I can get you all the way in to the corridor leading to Mr. Mercer's private vault room. But after that, you'll have to take over."

"Max," Alec said. "You got the combination?"

"Right here," she said, pointing to her head. "It's a fourteen digit, repeating sequence. No wonder the guy had to write it down."

They reached the door to the atrium, Mary swiped her card, and the laser grid Alec had lain under for so long the night before vanished. They then followed Mary through to one of the computer rooms. Alec stopped at a console long enough to bring up the security system. He couldn't take everything down from here, but he'd set it up that morning so he could make the cameras feed a continuous loop to the main desk so they wouldn't be seen from now on. On the other side of the room was another door and key slot. One more swipe of the card by Mary and ahead lay a long corridor guarded by crisscrossing, floor-to-ceiling, red laser beams.

Alec was thinking, pulling up in his mind the security plans he'd memorized . "The corridor system has a back-up in case of power failure," he said. "If we short out the power to this grid, there should be a few seconds gap before the back-up kicks in. But if we physically trigger any of the alarms, security doors come down and we'll be locked in."

"But won't the power outage alert the guard at the front desk?" Mary asked.

"Yeah, it probably will," Max said. "But he'll most likely check it out before calling the police, especially if everything comes online again. We'll just have to move our asses to get out of here after we get Mercer's files from the vault's core computer. In the time it takes guards to get up here we can hopefully be done." She turned to Alec. "We can use the roof again. Just like last night."

"Great," Alec said. "And that just makes my evening. Another sixty story climb with the sorriest excuse for a rope I've ever seen."

"In spite of the cat DNA, he hates heights," Max explained to Mary, then she rolled her eyes. "Go figure."

"I do not hate heights," Alec said for what seemed like the hundredth time. "I just don't like to climb. Too much work." He considered Mary a moment. "You'll have to stay here. You can say we took you hostage."

"I'll be fine," she said. "But first I want to make certain you have what you need to insure that baby's future."

Alec nodded, then turned and smashed his fist through the circuitry panel on the wall. Ahead of them the lasers started to go out one-by-one along the corridor. "Go!" he shouted at Max.

Max ran, with Mary right behind her.

"Don't move!" came a voice from across the room. Alec turned, and found himself staring down the barrel of a guard's pistol. Moving with all the swiftness he'd been bred for, he covered the distance, twisted the gun away, and knocked the guard unconscious with a single blow to the jaw. Then he turned and sprang for the corridor. Running hard, he could hear the lasers snapping back online behind him. If he was caught in the beams, the place would totally lock down and they'd be trapped.

"Hurry!" Max yelled.

Alec knew he wasn't going to make it. There was just one chance. Throwing himself to the floor, he skidded feet first to the vault door like a baseball runner sliding into home base. He cleared the alarm zone area just as the final red beam snapped back on mere inches from his head. Max helped him to his feet.

"Did that guard sound the alarm?" Mary asked.

Alec, breathing hard, listened. "I don't think so," he said. "He was probably just the normal shift guard."

"We're going to have to get out of here fast once we're done," Max pointed out again.

"Right," Alec said. There was numerical key pad on the vault door. "Go to it, Max."

Max carefully entered the sequence of numbers she'd memorized in Mercer's office. Seconds later, the door buzzed, then opened with a slight hissing sound as if the room was pressurized. The three stepped inside, and simply stood, staring around in awe."

"This place is huge," Alec said.

Mary started to move forward.

"Wait, wait," Alec said, his hand on her arm stopping her. "Those are pressure sensitive plates on the floor." He looked across what had to be at least a 50 foot expanse of flooring to where a computer core glowed, bathed in blue light in the center of the room.

"Two seconds," Max said. "We can't step on a panel for more than two seconds or we're through. We'll be locked in."

"I know," Alec said, measuring the distance with his eye.

"Alec," Max said. "We have to hurry."

"I know," he repeated. "I'm thinking."

"Well think faster."

"I don't see you comin' up with anything helpful." But then suddenly-- "Max, did you ever see that old movie called 'Charlie's Angels'? The one about the three gorgeous--"

"Yeah," she said. "What does that have to do with-- Oh, I see what you mean."

"Which one of us?" Alec asked.

"I'm lighter," Max said.

"But I'm not pregnant."

"I've got to be the one," Max said. "Here. Give me a boost." She raised one foot up and Alec held down his hands so she could step into them. "Throw me as far as you can across the room."


Meeting her eyes in concern, Alec had to ask, "Max, are you sure about this?"

"No, but I don't see what else we can do."

Mary was looking at them as if they'd gone crazy.

He pushed her high and clean. Max flipped in midair, landed on her feet, then immediately did a series of handsprings until her final vault put her on top of the computer console.

Alec smiled broadly. Mary simply stared in astonishment.

"That was incredible," Mary said. "I knew your muscle structure was far superior to a human's but that was ... superb."

"That was Max," Alec said proudly.

"I'm transferring the files to Manticore now," Max said as she tapped on a keyboard while perched atop the console. There was a beep. "Lydecker's intercepting," she said, looking up. "What do I say to him."

"Tell him we've got inside help and that we're almost done," Alec said.

Max typed some more, her eyes reading furiously. "Done," she said.

"Come on," he said. "Someone's gotta investigate soon."

Max stood on the console, took a deep breath, and flung herself into the air again, doing handsprings across the floor panels, never touching for long enough to trigger the alarm. Alec caught her in his arms in the doorway.

"You two make a pretty good team," Mary commented.

"We always have," Alec said. He turned to face the crisscrossing laser beams. "Now comes the fun part." Shorting out the beams a second time wouldn't be too difficult. They could do that from the key pad. But two power outages this close together would certainly bring the police if they weren't already on their way, and also might bring down the doors.

Max's hand on Alec's arm stopped him just as he was about to hit the keypad and interrupt the circuit again. "We have to talk," she said in a low voice.

"Now?"

"Now."

"What?"

She lowered her voice even more. "Lydecker said we can't leave Jameson here. She knows too much and he's afraid White or someone will get hold of her. In fact, he thinks White might already have been hacking into the Mercer computer."

"That would explain the glitch this morning," Alec said. He looked at Mary. "How are we gonna bring her with us? She'd never make it down that rope."

"We aren't supposed to bring her," Max said. "Lydecker wants us to--"

"Kill her?" Mary said, obviously having overheard everything. "I'm not surprised. I knew if I re-opened the past my sins would come back to haunt me. Manticore made a mistake letting me go in the first place, and they know it."

"We're not gonna kill you," Alec said.

"Why not?" Mary said. "You're an assassin, aren't you? They told me that both of my babies would become killers. Just the kind of career every mother wants for her child."

"Alec's not an assassin any more," Max said.

"Time's up," Alec said at the sound of voices in the outer hallway. The guards were investigating. "Stay here!" he shouted at Mary.

Knowing stealth was useless now, he smashed the panel to deactivate the lasers again, then he and Max blurred down the corridor, through the computer room, and out into the atrium. Taking a hard right, they knocked out two Mercer security men without stopping, then sprinted for the stairs to the roof.

Once outside, they scrambled for the corner where the thin rope they'd used the night before still hung down the side of the building. Alec checked the tension, making certain it was anchored properly. "Ladies first," he said. Max took hold of the rope.

"What will happen to the two of you if you don't carry out your orders?" Mary shouted from the rooftop doorway. She was breathing hard and leaning heavily on the door frame.

"Let us worry about that!" Max said, taking hold of the rope. "Come on, Alec."

"They'll punish you, won't they?" Mary said, walking closer. Behind, coming up the stairs, were the sounds of voices and running feet.

"Alec will talk us out of it," Max said. "He's good at doing that kind of thing."

"They'll separate you and take away your child."

"We'll be fine," Alec said.

"You're disobeying orders. You'll be punished. The same way they punished me."

"Mary ..." Alec reached out to take her hand, although he wasn't sure exactly why.

"I won't let them put you through that kind of pain." She smiled at him then. "Your birthday is April first. You're an Aries." And without another word, she turned, ran the short distance to the edge, and leaped off the roof of the building.

*****

"Lydecker thinks I killed her," Alec said bitterly.

Max drew his head over onto her shoulder and snuggled closer to his warm body under the covers. "But we know the truth," she said. "You didn't do anything wrong. She killed herself to protect us."

"She thought I was her son."

"Maybe you are. If your birthday really is April Fool's Day that would explain a lot."

Her attempt at humor didn't work. "You once tried to find your birth mother. Why?"

"Because I want to know where I came from."

"You came from a lab, Max. We both did."

"But our baby won't come from a lab, Alec. And at least Mary helped us before she died. Lydecker says the information we transferred from Mercer is going to help keep all of us alive, including our child. He's going to be able to re-create the original DNA base."

"And that's a good thing?" Alec said. "Seems to me you went to an awful lot of trouble not so long ago to destroy that information."

"Maybe I was wrong," Max said. "When I did that I left our people without a lot of vital medical information."

"But it also means Manticore can now go back to whipping' up embryos in test tubes and stampin' 'em with bar codes. It means more surrogate mothers are gonna lose their children the way Mary did." His voice was husky. He sniffed and angrily wiped his hand across his eyes. "We've started the whole vicious cycle all over again Max. It's all been for nothin'."

"No," Max said, gently stroking his hair as his head lay on her shoulder. She kissed him tenderly on the cheek. "We're alive, Alec. We're together, and we're going to have a baby. We're a family. We've proven we can survive in the real world, live with the humans, make ourselves useful. And we'll keep on proving that. We'll show Lydecker and the government and everyone else that we won't be beaten by them."

Brave, hopeful words, Alec thought. He truly was glad that Max could be so optimistic. And he also knew that in a day or two he'd be hopeful again as well. He'd be all right. He was always all right.

But right now, even with Max holding him safe and warm in her arms, all he could think about was that Mary ... his mother ... was dead.

And it's my fault.

---------------------------------------------
Now in present day, Max and Alec are holding each other, thinking of those that gave their lives for them up to this point, and how lucky they are to have each other

-----------------------------------
TBC

[There Is No Spoon]

Awesome updates Trina.

It's a shame that Mary had to die.

Looking forward to reading your next update.

Post soon.

[Dana0715]

It is so good to have you back Sherman! I've really missed you! I hope you enjoy the next installment. :)

**********************
"There's your boy," OC said.

Max turned in her chair and looked toward the front door of Crash. There was a time not so long ago that she would have hotly declared "he's not my boy." Now, she wouldn't dream of denying it.

They both watched as Alec crossed the crowded floor and placed his order. Waiting for his drink, he turned around, leaned with his elbows against the bar, and scanned the crowd, easily spotting them at their corner table.

When his eyes met hers across the room Max felt as if an electric current had just run through her body.

OC noticed and smiled. "There's something about Alec that just kinda lights up the place, isn't there? Call it charisma, charm, whatever ..."

"Call it he has enough sexual magnetism to depolarize Seattle," Max said wryly. "Trouble is, he knows it too. I used to tell myself it annoyed me, the fact I'd be so aware of him whenever he was around. It was like no matter how much I tried to ignore him, I couldn't. And it drove me nuts."

Her friend raised an eyebrow. "Listen to yourself, Boo. You got it bad. You never talked about Logan like that."

Max sighed. "I know. I guess that should have been a clue I wasn't really in love. This ... what I have with Alec ... is so much more intense." She looked at OC. "Sometimes it even hurts. I love him so much. I can't help thinking that something that burns this brightly can't last for long."

"Ladies," Alec said, joining them at the table with his Scotch. He signaled a passing waitress, giving her a friendly smile, but not TOO friendly. "Another pitcher of beer," he said, then lazily placed an arm around Max's shoulders. "And a ginger ale for the lovely mother of my child."

OC grinned. "You buyin' tonight?"

"I am," Alec said with a more genuine smile as the waitress left. "I got a big fat tip on that run to Sector 12 Normal made me do. That's why I'm late. It was one of those deals where I had to phone into the place from the entryway. They put me on hold with that elevator music for somethin' like fifteen minutes before buzzin' me in." He thought a moment. "On the other hand, I now know all the words to 'I Believe I Can Fly'."

Max just shook her head, amused.

"You know," Alec continued, "somehow it seems so out of balance. We go undercover pretendin' to be these respectable ordinaries, while in real life we're bike messengers. I feel like I've got a secret identity, only it's a lousy one."

"You do have a secret identity," OC said. "You're a transgenic. Isn't that enough for you?"

"Maybe I wanna be a superhero," Alec said.

"I'll superhero you," Max said, smacking his shoulder.

"Ow."

The waitress brought their drinks and Max sighed. "We really ought to be saving our money. It's not as if Lydecker pays us anything."

"We can always get money when we have to, Max," Alec said. "You know that."

"Yeah, if we want to end up in jail or worse. I mean doing something legitimate that doesn't involve Manticore, secret identities, or Normal." She saw the amused look in his eyes and quickly added, "And no cracks about my lack of lap dancing talent now that I'm so big."

"I wasn't going to," Alec said. He was looking at her rounded stomach. "You don't need a third job anyway." He placed a gentle hand over her stomach, staring into her eyes and told her quietly, "Let me worry about the money. You just take care of yourself and our kid."

"Normal's about ready to can my ass anyway," Max said, resting her head on his shoulder in despair. "I keep oversleeping, which is so weird because all my life I had trouble sleeping. Now, I can't get enough."

"You need to just stay with Sketch and me," Alec said. "It's closer to Jam Pony."

They had to move not too long ago because White found where they lived and they had to run during the night. They stayed with Logan and Asha for a couple of weeks, but not wanting to put Logan or Asha in danger, they thought it best to split up and keep moving until they found another place. They decided to live separately for just a little while, to make it harder for White to track them. Max then moved in with Original Cindy, who was ecstatic with having her old roommate back. But Max was used to having Alec next to her when she slept, and the same held true for Alec. Neither were sleeping well and looking for another place to live. Sketch offered to let Alec move in with him. And Alec found it's easy enough to live with Skectch except for the fact that he's a slob. Alec, being raised a Manticore soldier with everything that implies, couldn't stand that much of a mess for long and he told Sketch if he didn't get his dirty socks, underwear and dirty dishes off the floor and various other places, he'll throw them all out the fire escape.......... and he did.

Alec just thought of Sketch and his reaction, but now, Sketch is cleaning up after himself and Alec is a whole lot happier about his roommate than he was

"You can always move in with me and Sketch!" Alec told her amusedly, thinking of Max's extremely sensitive sense of smell due to her pregnancy and how she reacted the last time she was at Sketch's. A smell in the apartment made her vomit

"Your bed isn't big enough." Max said jokingly with a hand on her stomach for emphasis

He shrugged, "I'll get a bigger one."

"Hey!" OC said. "What about me? Losing my roomie AGAIN?"

Alec regarded her a moment as if thinking about it. "Hmmm. I'll have to make it a king if you're talkin' menage a trois."

OC swatted his hand and Alec grinned like a mischevious little boy

"I mean what am I gonna do when I lose my roommate, Fool!" she said, laughing at him

"That's awhile off," Max said, with a quick look at Alec to make certain he really still agreed. "We figure it's better me having two places to stay to help keep White's people off balance."

"Boo," OC said, her eyes growing serious. "Don't you think that evil man already knows where you live?"

"He knows where we work for certain," Alec said. "But since our break-in, he's never made another move, which I find very odd. Maybe Logan is right..."

"What do you mean?" Max asked

He met her eyes and said, "He suggested moving to New Manticore..... and I'm beginning to agree with the logic. At least...." he raised a finger to hush Max before she begins arguing with him, "Just until after the baby is born Max. You're more and more vulnerable the further into your pregnancy you get, and I can't stay by your side 24/7, no matter how much I want to be there. Deck has now sent me to Peru and Austria and God knows where I'm going next. Joshua is a great body guard while I'm gone, but he can't go to work with you like I can...... Maxie, I worry about you."

Max never could resist the pleading in his voice, especially when he shows how much he cares for her. She had to concede that he's right. It was safer to go back to New Manticore.

But she hated that she had to go back to the place she ran from twice in her life. And she didn't have to be happy about it

------------------------------------
It wasn't long after their move to New Manticore that everyone had to pack up and move to Gillette

Due to public unrest regarding having "mutants" as neighbors and a severe public outcry, as well as a few near misses by Max and Alec with the Familiars, Lydecker finally had no choice but to move everyone to the Gillette Wyoming base for the safety of those under his command, and the safety of the public. He knew that if you keep taunting the transhumans and transgenics enough, they will retaliate and it will be very messy

He had a suspicion that White was behind the public's panic. He lost five more X5's and 7 X6's just in the last two weeks and he was forced to do something, the only thing he could think of. At least in the Wyoming mountains, they are isolated and secluded from their neighbors and should be able to stay there in peace

For the time being, he brought Max and Alec to stay in Gillete also. Max was in her final trimester, and the public still hasn't forgotten that Max and Alec are transgenics too. As much as he would have liked to have his best two X5's in the outside world, he was right when he told Alec they were too well known. For the safety of Max and their baby, they moved to Gillette and Alec had only agreed to do this until after the baby is born. Deck knew Alec's upmost concern is Max and having the proper medical care she needs. Dr Shankar was a great doctor, but she's learning as she goes about transgenics, whereas Deck had a small medical staff that specializes in the transgenics and would know better how to treat Max if there are any problems

------------------------------
Two weeks later

When the muscular arm snaked around her neck and the large sweaty palm clamped down over her mouth, eight months pregnant Max did what she'd been trained to do. Reaching back with both hands, she grabbed her assailant's ears, and as he yowled out with pain, yanked forward and bent low, throwing him bodily over her shoulder to land on the ground at her feet. Still in soldier-mode, she bounced back into a sparring stance, at the same time focusing her eyes on the masked man in front of her as he gracefully sprang back to his feet. But suddenly a twinge raked her abdomen, and she knew she was in trouble.

Taking a late night walk around the compound's courtyard because she couldn't sleep, Max was mentally kicking herself for being caught by surprise ... for giving in to a false sense of security and complacency just because the Gillette Base was supposedly impregnable. Stumbling now with the pain, her pregnant belly an impossible handicap, 452 backed up until she felt the base fence pressing into her spine. "Please," she panted, holding out both hands as if to ward off her attacker, but in reality wanting to fool him into thinking she'd given up. "Please ..."

The intruder in his black ski mask stopped and regarded her curiously, a pair of pale green eyes scrutinizing Max in a way she found hauntingly familiar. "I won't hurt you," he said, his voice -- at odds with that vicious body -- a plaintive little boy's. "I could never hurt you."

Max's eyes widened in recognition of that voice. "Zack?" she whispered, her knees turning to jelly. "Zack, is that you?"

Reaching up, her attacker pulled off the ski mask revealing a shock of shaggy blond hair and a face pinched and lined with emotional pain. "It's me, baby sister," X5-599 said. "It's really me. I'm here to rescue you."

*****

A day late and a dollar short as the saying went, Alec -- barefoot and wearing nothing but a hastily donned pair of jeans -- careened around the corner into the control room in near panic. "Max!" he yelled, his eyes wild with worry.

"Right here," Max said calmly from where she was seated at the big conference table.

"Mole said you were attacked and that--" 494 suddenly spotted the newcomer, and for a second he lost his words. Then-- "Sh!t! What's he doin' here?" He searched Max's face. "And what the hell happened? Are you all right?"

"494," Zack said, his tone as placid as Max's had been. The bigger X5 nodded at his brother. "I read about you in the papers. You've been helping Max. Thank you."

"Thank you?" Alec said, running fingers back through his own somewhat shaggy hair and shaking his head in confusion. "You're welcome?" he replied uncertainly, looking wide-eyed at Max again. "Max, what's goin' on? Did he hurt you?"

"What's going on is that Zack has come to join his family," Max said rather primly as she shifted in her seat to ease the ache in her back. "And no, he didn't hurt me. I just caught him by surprise, but now everything is fine."

Alec felt like Alice who'd just fallen down the rabbit hole. Mole, meanwhile, was masticating his cigar in a manner that signaled trouble. "How the f*ck did you get inside the perimeter?" the lizard man snarled, pointing a scaly finger at the newly arrived X5.

For the first time, an expression other than weariness graced Zack's weathered face. He smiled smugly. "The motion sensors in Grid B have a gap," he said. "Always did ... even back when I was a kid here." He cocked an eyebrow at Max. "I'm surprised you didn't remember that, baby sister."

Alec shot Mole a dirty look. "Get it fixed -- now!", he ordered

"On it," Luke said from where he'd been listening to the fascinating conversation. With one last withering glance at Zack, Mole and the little albino nomalie headed out.

"Why the need to sneak and creep your way in?" Alec asked, slapping at a mosquito that had landed on his bare shoulder. The windows were open to the fall weather, they weren't using air-conditioning to preserve power, which meant once in a while, they dealt with mosquitoes and gnats. "Why not just knock on the front door?"

"I wasn't certain of the situation here," Zack said. "I needed to find out for myself the lay of the land and how things stood. Whether this was where I wanted to be." His voice softened. "I needed to find Max."

"Well," she said. "You found me out on my little midnight stroll. And now everything's going to be fine."

Zack was looking with interest around the control room. "First, we need to beef up security at least three fold," he declared, walking slowly around the room and eying the bank of monitors. "And we need to get experienced X5s into critical stations ... do away with inferior personnel."

"Who you callin' inferior?" Dix said, his voice low and dangerous in a way Alec had rarely heard. About to protest, 494 thought better of it, and instead closed his mouth, waiting to see how this would play out.

"Wait a minute!" Max protested. "What are you talking about? My personnel are fine, Zack."

"Are they?" 599 snapped, shooting a withering look in Alec's direction. "Max, your second in command is a lying con artist who couldn't make the grade with the rest of his Unit ... one of Renfro's flunkies, not to mention the fact that his twin brother was a psychotic killer. Also, you've got nomalies at critical controls. What were you thinking? Or is the fact you got knocked up by Logan Cale affecting your judgment?"

Alec's eyes narrowed. Enough was enough ... Jaw tightening, 494 spoke up. "Speakin' of psycho-killers, seems to me that last time we saw you, robo-boy, you were one sandwich shy of a picnic yourself. Or should I make that 'farm-boy'?"

Seeing the escalating tension between the two alpha males, Max pulled rank. "Alec!" Max said sharply. "Stop it. He doesn't know. He can't know ... not how things really are."

Zack hung his head, his blond hair falling in his eyes, for the first time looking less like a soldier and more like the brother Alec knew Max wanted him to be.

"I started remembering things," 599 said in a low voice. "They tried to keep me from seeing the news about what was going on in Seattle with the transgenics. Bud and Mary ... whenever I'd come in the room they'd turn off the TV, and we didn't get a newspaper. But--" He glanced up at Max. "One day when they weren't home I flipped on the TV in the living room to check the weather and there was this documentary on about genetically engineered soldiers ... freaks ... who had formed a conclave in Seattle and were a threat to the human race. They talked a lot about the bar codes." Zack touched the back of his neck. "After that, the memories started coming back fast. Within a few days I'd remembered almost everything ... Manticore ... running away ..." He raised his eyes. "You, Max ..."

"So you left the farm?" she said softly.

"To find the others not in Terminal City and help them," Zack said firmly. "Which I did. I led them to Canada where we've been keeping an eye on things here in the U.S. ever since."

His voice suspicious, Alec asked, "Why come back now?"

"Because it was time," Zack said. "I could tell from what I was reading that you guys were in trouble here ... that you lacked a leader."

"Hey!" Max protested, as Alec's chin tilted a fraction higher.

"Max, you're hated the world over!" Zack shouted. "The government's got you surrounded out here ... bottled up. It's a perfect place to have a showdown and the military knows it. And sooner or later they're gonna come in and annihilate you, not to mention the fact you're letting the nomalies act in roles they weren't designed for. You're letting mistakes have positions of responsibility and power."

"We're not X5s versus nomalies here, Zack," Max said sharply, awkwardly rising from her chair. "We're all brothers and sisters ... equal ... whether X1, X5, nomalie, or anything in between."

"As I said," Zack replied. "I came back because you're f*cking everything up." He looked meaningfully at Alec. "And trusting the wrong people."

"You're welcome to stay, brother," Max said, her voice turning icy in a way Alec knew could take men to their knees -- himself included. "But not if you're going to act like an ass."

"Oh, I'm staying," Zack said as his left eye began to blink rapidly. "I wouldn't leave you again, Max ... not for anything."

Alec was shaking his head, realizing he needed to stop this before it escalated any further. "Dude," he said easily. "We hafta talk."

"About what?"

"About Max." Alec then reached out and grabbed hold of Zack's arm -- a mistake. The next thing 494 knew, he was flying through the air. Hitting the back wall of the control room hard, he almost lost his footing but at the last second kept his balance. Straightening slowly, he rubbed his aching jaw and told himself that retaliating would only get him in hot water with Max, but all the while never taking his eyes off of robo-boy.

"Zack!" Max shouted, grabbing hold of Zack's other arm. "Stop it!"

"He shouldn't be here!" Zack yelled, pointing a shaking finger at Alec. "He can't be trusted! His brother was a killer ... I know all about Ben and what he did. I should have destroyed him myself ..." He turned to Max in admiration. His emotions like a light switch turning on and off, shifting so suddenly one barely realized what happened. He awe he said, "But you beat me to it, little sister. You saved the day."

He obviously was referring to the time Max killed Ben. He didn't know Manticore brought him back and White killed him again later. Ben was dead and that was really all Zack needed to know.

"I'm not Ben," Alec spat at him. "I'm nothin' like him. And you don't know one f*ckin' thing about me, robo-boy, so shut the hell up." With that last, 494 looked hard at his mate.

"We need to get something clear," Max said, grabbing Zack by the wrist and yanking him toward the door. Over her shoulder she tossed at Alec, "You comin'??"

"Why do you want him?" Zack protested.

"Shut up!" Max snapped -- the two magic words that seemed to work on all of her "brothers," 599 included.

*****

"Alec's the father of my baby," Max said without preamble after they'd walked a distance from the control center and were in the south wing.

Zack stopped in his tracks, and stared daggers at 494. "I thought you had better sense than that, baby sister."

"Hey!" Alec objected, hands balling into fists at his sides, the ache in his bruised jaw not helping his temper. He'd grabbed a leather jacket he'd left in the control room, and the worn lining felt sticky on his sweat-slick skin. "We're gonna have a problem here, aren't we brother Zack?" Alec sneered out the last two words

"Looks like it," the other X5 replied, getting into Alec's space in a threatening way, both standing nose to nose with each other.

Alec didn't back down, stood his ground with the taller male. "She never loved you like that, you know," Alec felt compelled to add snidely and ignoring Max's furious glare. He waved a finger by his temple for emphasis, still in Zack's face. "That was all a fantasy in your messed up mind -- thinkin' she'd fallen for you."

"Alec, stop it!" Max shouted.

"He has to be told the truth, Max!" Alec turned in Max's direction and yelled right back. Then he turned back to Zack and purposely poked him in the shoulder. "His head's all f*cked up and he doesn't know what's real! If it was me, I'd sure as hell want someone to set me straight. Back then ... in Seattle ... it was you and Logan, then it was you and me." Alec met Zack's glare, standing in his personal space and had to twist the figurative knife a little further, "End of story with robo-boy never in the equation at all."

Zack's jaw compressed tightly as he regarded the other male. Then he gave a slight nod. "Who Max is sleeping with doesn't really matter," he said in a soldier's monotone. "Although," he added, stepping back slightly but still staring Alec down hatefully. "I'm glad the baby's a pure blood. It will help. What matters is the survival of our people as a race, and that's why I'm really here."

Alec watched Zack's eyes, the wheels turning in his head and realization dawned. Realizing he was dealing with more than a guy who thought he'd been jilted by the girl he loved, Alec cocked his head to one side and regarded 599 quizzically. "You're here to take over," he said with a wicked smile -- a statement, not a question.

"Yes." Zack didn't deny it and gave a straight answer. Alec could give Zack that much, he was straight up!

"What?!?" Max exclaimed, the word exploding out of her as disbelief lit up her dark eyes.

"Zack wants to save us from ourselves," Alec explained snidely, crossing his arms and shaking his head in amusement, as usual seeing through all the nuances and getting straight to the heart of the matter -- his gift. "Robo-boy here wants a pure X5 conclave. He wants rid of the Mole's and the Joshua's and the Dix's and Luke's. He's as much a purist as old Ames and his cohorts." The smile widened to a grin. "Am I right, Brother Zack?"

"You're right, 494," Zack conceded with a nod of his head. The blond X5 then looked around the Gillette base in a proprietary way that raised Alec's hackles. "I'm here to clean things up."

Which is when Alec realized with horror -- even as gunfire erupted on the west side of the compound -- that his concerns about Zack's motives were way too little and far too late.

Max whirled. "What's going on?" she exclaimed, looking to her newly arrived brother.

But Zack was staring down Alec, pale green eyes locked with hazel-green. "I told you those motion sensors in Grid B were inadequate," he said quietly.

"You brought men with you," Alec said. "You're makin' a play for the base."

Zack was nose to nose with Alec, a wicked grin of his own now. "I'm taking over the base," Zack corrected.

The sound of the gunfire was increasing, growing louder and picking up in tempo.

"You're killing our own people?" Max shouted. She shoved Zack away from Alec, drawing his attention to her. "Zack? How could you? That's our family out there!" She pointed toward the perimeter fence.

Alec was torn between staying and protecting Max, and helping his men. If things worked the way they were supposed to, Mole would already know they were under attack and be mustering the defenses. But he also knew he had a chance right now to perhaps nip this entire take-over in the bud.

"Alec, no!" Max's cry came as he launched himself bodily at 599.

494's first blow was effective, catching the other X5 off guard and landing square on that lantern jaw. With a grunt of pain, Zack staggered back, and then -- rubbing his bruised cheek -- he smiled, accepting the challenge.

"Alec!" Max tried again, this time grabbing hold of her mate's arm and trying to drag him away. "No!"

"Yes," Alec snarled, shaking her off and circling his opponent, green eyes locked with a different green once more. And then the two combatants blurred.

In a motion too fast for the human eye to follow, Alec spun into a high heel kick that was blocked by an arm with bones nearly as strong as steel. Pain lanced through his ankle and shin as 494 bounced back, his own arm barely coming up in time to counter a right hook that -- if it had landed -- would have crushed his skull. Leaning slightly back, Alec then let loose with a side kick that hit dead center in 599's midriff, sending the other man backwards with a whoosh of air expelled from his lungs.

Zack staggered briefly, then regained his balance and assumed a sparring stance. As the gunfire became more sporadic ... lessening ... the two males circled each other gracefully, like big jungle cats at war. They were almost evenly matched ... almost ...


But not quite.

Alec attacked first again, letting loose with a crescent kick aimed at Zack's head. But before his foot hit skull, the other X5's hand shot out, catching hold of his leg and hurling Alec backwards to land hard on his back on the concrete floor. Springing to his feet instantly in a martial arts "kip" move that only those with advanced training could achieve, Alec had hands at ready just in time to meet Zack's charge.

And what a charge it was. X5-599 was physically similar to 494, but the Manticore geneticists hadn't made all of their progeny identical. Special "gifts" had been meted out here and there. Zack had more muscle fiber density than Alec ... which meant that, ounce for ounce, he was stronger.

It was like being hit by a bull. The impact of that heavy body blew through all of Alec's defenses and took him to the ground. 599 outweighed his younger brother by at least 20 pounds, and he used that to his full advantage. Pinning his opponent down, he shoved Alec over onto his face and quickly had him in a choke hold.

Alec knew he was in deep trouble the moment he fell. Ground fighting had never been his favorite sport, and to be face down on the floor with a genetically engineered killer sitting on top of his back was definitely not a good place to be. Disgusted at his own ineptitude, the more slightly built X5 twisted in that vicious grip, trying to gain some wriggle room so he could flip back over. But then suddenly Zack's arm tightened even more, cutting off his air.

Reaching up, Alec clawed at the enemy's hair, grabbing a handful and pulling as hard as he could, but Zack seemed to be immune to the pain. In desperation, 494 gouged with his fingers, finding an eye ... ripping at flesh, only to feel smooth steel beneath the oozing blood.

And then the arm tightened, the pressure on the base of his spine increasing. 599 wasn't going to choke him to death. He was going to snap his neck.

Vertebrae started to give way -- and someone screamed.

"Zack!" Max cried as she struck out at the far larger X5, trying to tear him off of the man she loved. "No! Don't kill him! Don't!!!"

With a snarl of rage, Zack swung an arm backwards, striking the enraged and pregnant Max who was reigning blows down on him with both hands, sending her flying backwards through the air -- which was all the opportunity Alec needed. Wriggling beneath the other X5, 494 managed to turn partially over loosening himself from that death grip. He'd almost regained his feet ... almost broken free ... when the sound of a gun cocking in his ear brought all of his struggles to a complete halt.

Cold metal pressed against the back of his head.

"Do you want me to kill him, sir?" a new voice asked.

Panting hard, Zack got to his feet while Alec remained frozen with the barrel of a Glock touching his brain stem.

"Zack!" Max pleaded from where she was lying on the ground clutching her belly. "Please! I love him!"

For a long second, Alec's life hung in the balance. Then--

"Lock him up with the others," Zack disgustedly ordered his man -- an X5 Alec had never seen before. "We'll decide his fate before we leave."

*****
TBC

[Dana0715]

"Zack, what the hell are you doing?"

X5-599 turned around and looked hard at Max, his red eye glowing from the damaged side of his face after his fight with Alec. Like the robot he halfway was, he replied in a monotone, "I'm saving us."

"Us?" Alec spat from the other side of the bars. Zack's guys had thrown Alec into a holding cell that was located in the basement of the old Gillette base

Zack's grip on Max's arm tightened possessively. "Her."

"By killing our brothers and sisters?" Max practically wailed, even as she tugged futilely against that impossibly strong hand.

They were inside the mountain, in the hallway outside the cells -- "D Block" -- and 599's men were bringing in more of the Gillette Base's population even as they spoke, shoving several X2's, an X3, and a cat-woman nomalie named Zeta down the long sloping tunnel at gunpoint.

At Max's outcry, Zack threw her against the wall -- hard.

"Hey!" Alec roared, grabbing the bars in both hands and glaring at the other X5. "If you hurt her, I swear ... one way or another, bro, I'm gonna kill you."

"You won't be alive long enough to do anything, 494," Zack replied coldly. "None of you will ... except the ones who are worthy."

An alarm went off in Alec's head. Up until now he'd been thinking of Zack as an enemy soldier. But those had been the words of a fanatic ... a zealot ... A brief thought of his brother Ben flashed through the X5's mind. Maybe psychosis did run in the family ...

"I'm taking over this base," Zack said. "I'm conscripting the X5s and the X6s. The rest ... the anomalies ... will be destroyed like they should have been long ago back at Manticore."

"McKinley's gonna love this," Alec remarked with a sarcastic drawl. "And he thought Max was hard to deal with ... you're taking care of the problem for McKinley!"

"Silence!" Zack shouted, whacking the bars with the butt of his semi-automatic rifle. "The prisoner doesn't have permission to speak."

"Am I a prisoner too?" Max flared, coming off the wall only to be shoved rudely back against it by Zack's big hand.

"You don't have to be, Maxie," 599 said, his tone suddenly gentle, almost plaintive, as if a switch of some kind had been thrown again as the hand he used on her shoulder to pin her to the wall gently made it's way up her neck to cup her face. He caressed her cheek. "Join me willingly and together we'll create an empire."

"Whoo, boy," Alec breathed out, shaking his head in amusement. Arms akimbo, he asked loudly to no one in particular. "Am I the only one around here who doesn't wanna be king?"

Zack raised his rifle, aiming it at Alec's chest.

"You can't kill my family," Max said quickly, before her older brother could retaliate against his captive. "I won't let you!"

"They're not your family, Max," Zack said. "I am."

"Yes," she agreed, placing a hand on his arm. "You are. But so are the others. We're all related, Zack. Can't you understand that?"

The X5 cocked his head, the look in his real eye suddenly clouding as he seemed to be trying to process something. Then his vision cleared. "We're not related, Max. All of the others were mistakes. Only the X5s are perfect."

"Not really," Alec again said under his breath even as he realized his right hand was trembling slightly. Max, too, didn't look very good, and he wondered how long it had been since she'd taken any tryptophan. He and Max along with all the other X5's began to experience seizures within the last month and it forced Deck to obtain large quantities of trytophan for his X5's

"What exactly are you going to do?" Max asked as she looked around at the rapidly filling cells, her people being escorted into the mountain at gunpoint by Zack's small but very efficient and well-trained army. They'd been caught so off guard it was pathetic, Alec thought in disgust. In that respect, robo-boy was right.

Zack glanced around the tunnel. Then he looked straight into Max's eyes. "I'm going to round up all of the X5s and X6s and take them back to my Canadian base. Then I'm going to arm one of the nuclear devices and seal up the mountain. When it blows it will take this horror of a facility out of reality once and for all, along with all the monstrosities Manticore created that have no right to exist." He looked away. "Maybe then I'll be able to forget what they put us through."

Alec's jaw dropped open. This was beyond his wildest fears. "You're gonna blow up the base?" he said, forgetting he was supposed to remain silent. Leaning into the bars, he repeated, "You're gonna blow up the whole f*cking base?" Then he shook his head. "Why, for God's sake? This place is a gold mine of weapons, food, and information."

"It's a Devil's playground," Zack said, once again sounding an awful lot like a preacher. "It's the place where they did this to me." He pointed at his metal eye in fury, then looked down at himself. "Where they took away my--" He stopped, leaving Alec to queasily wonder just what other organs the scientists had stolen from his brother besides his heart.

"I'm not a man any more, Max," Zack cried out. "They--"

With her eyes on Alec, Max reached up and put her arms around her older brother, automatically trying to comfort and patting him on the back. "Zack," she said softly. "It's all right. I know they hurt you. But please, don't take this out on my friends and on--" She caught herself -- but not in time.

"On your lover?" Zack said, his voice sliding back into automaton mode and he raised up from her hug. He turned a cold green eye on Alec standing behind the bars, jealousy and hatred sparking in his eyes. "He's not worthy of you, Max. Not by a long shot." Then he lightly touched Max's swollen belly, and 494's back stiffened and his jaw clenched that Zack would dare touch Max in such a way. Zack spoke softly, almost lovingly. "This should have been our child, Maxie ... mine ... But now it can never be and--"

With a swiftness that caught Alec completely by surprise, Zack swung the barrel of the rifle up, aiming dead center on his rival's bare chest. Alec's hands were up in surrender, "Whoa! Hey! What are you doin'??"

"Zack, no!" Max cried out, flinging herself onto the gun and pushing it out of the way. "I love him, Zack! If you love me then you have to respect that! Killing him will only make me hate you! Please ... If you want me to beg, I will. Please, don't shoot him!"

But brother Zack wasn't being swayed -- and Alec saw his own death reflected in that single cold emerald eye.

Which is when Max dropped to her knees on the cement, talking quickly with tears in her eyes. "You want me to beg, Zack? Well I'm begging. Don't kill him. And don't kill my family. Leave. Go back to Canada and your own people." Clasping hands together, she looked up at him defiantly, yet with supplication. Then, she made the final sacrifice. "If you want me to go with you, I will. I know that's why you're really here -- for me. If you want me to love you, I will--"

"Max, no!" Alec shouted but the click of Zack cocking his gun shut him up.

Max tugged on Zack's leather jacket, clinging to it and making him look at her, "I'll love you, Zack. I promise. But if you do this ... if you kill Alec and the others, I'll hate you forever. Take me with you, but let the others go, and leave the base intact." Max was trying to say whatever it took to reach Zack, to keep him from killing the man she loves

For a long moment, brother Zack seemed to actually be considering Max's proposal as he stared down into her beseeching face. Slowly, he lowered the gun, and Alec's heart began to resume its normal rhythm and he gave a quiet sigh of relief. Maybe she'd gotten to him ... maybe he'd let them go ... He could always go up to Canada and rescue Max later, so maybe--

But then suddenly the rifle barrel swung up with horrible swiftness and spat fire.

"No," Zack said coldly even as pain lanced through Alec's side and all the strength left his limbs. He stumbled back against the cement block cell in shock, eyes wide and clutching his bleeding side.

On his knees on the floor, the X5 touched his ribs, and his hand came away smeared with blood. Alec's eyes widened and he looked at Max in horror, not quite believing what he was seeing

"No!!!" Max shrieked as she fought against Zack to try and get to Alec, but Zack easily held her back. A pregnant Max couldn't fight as well as she used to

He turned her to see Alec who was now in the fetal position on the floor, bleeding profusely, making her watch him suffer, "He dies Max. They all die. And you're still coming with me. I'll save you, Max -- whether you want me to or not."

And then Alec heard Max screaming his name, and everything simply went away as blackness enveloped his mind and he entered a pleasant void where there was no pain, no screaming

*****
TBC

[Dana0715]

"Take out the leader ... the one man the others will follow ... and you've already pretty much won your battle."

Alec didn't want to open his eyes, but the sound of Mole's grating voice wouldn't let him retreat back into the darkness.

"Brother Zack was smart. He didn't want a blood bath here. Even a robotic b@stard like he is doesn't have the stomach for that kind of slaughter. Instead, he locks all of us up tight in the mountain, kidnaps one of our leaders and takes down the other, then simply sets a timer and walks away with his hands clean."

Alec could smell cigar smoke as he was slowly coming to, but it was like he was still very lethargic and couldn't move his limbs. He continued fighting his way back to reality and still hearing the voices talking around him

"Lydecker would be so proud ..." the lizard man half chuckled.

"Why didn't Zack kill Alec?" Joshua's voice asked.

Yeah, why didn't the b@stard finish me off? Alec wondered

"Why do you think?" Mole scoffed. "'Cause of Max. She was on her knees beggin' for his life. Zack says he loves her. So, how could he do that to her? 'Sides ..."

Alec heard a match being struck. Apparently Mole's stogie had gone out. There was the sound of lips drawing in smoke ... puffing ...

"Zack accomplished what he needed to. Alec's outta the game."

Alec felt the softness of flannel against his cheek and the warmth of a living body cradling his. He also felt as if someone had taken a baseball bat to his rib cage, and he could taste blood ...

"Hey guys," Luke's voice piped in. "I think he's comin' around."

"Alec?" Joshua said his name softly as rough fingers touched his cheek.

The X5 inhaled deeply, smelling doggy scent -- and then he finally ... reluctantly ... opened his eyes and blinked a couple of times.

He was in a cell, but a different one from where he'd been shot. The ceiling overhead was natural rock and there was a dampness to the air that told him he was even deeper in the bowels of the mountain. "What happened," he mumbled, his mouth so dry he could barely talk.

Luke held a cup of water to his lips, and he drank. "That's better," he said gratefully, blinking to clear his vision as he looked up into extremely concerned dark mutant eyes. He tilted his head and saw Joshua's face peering down at him too.

"Alec will be all right now," the dog man said with conviction.

"If he don't bleed to death," the ever-practical Mole added.

"Max," Alec said, rapidly remembering now and he grabbed Joshua by the shirtfront in panic. "Did he take her?"

"Hours ago," Luke said, glancing toward the cell bars. "Zack and his whole pack of X5s herded us down here like cattle, then locked the doors and threw away the keys."

He, Joshua, Mole, Dix, and Luke were the only ones incarcerated in this cell, but his senses told him there were many others close by, probably locked in the other dungeons on this -- the base's most secure -- level.

"Casualties?" he asked, looking to Mole as he struggled into a more comfortable position with Joshua's help.

The lizard man shrugged. "Lots of wounded, a few dead, a couple missing ... They took all of the X5s and X6s with 'em 'cept for you."

Alec did the math in his head. There had been a total of 278 transgenics living on the Gillette base. Of those, 15 were X5 and 21 were X6, the rest nomalies, transhumans, or earlier X series. "How the hell did they get the jump on us so bad?" he had to ask his security officer.

Mole looked away, cigar stub drooping. "Back perimeter had a hole in the defenses just like he said. We should'a installed an additional motion detector. They sneaked right down the middle and caught us off guard. I tried to get the men to the armory, but Zack boy knows this base too well. He already had it secured ..." The lizard man's apologetic voice trailed off. "Alec ... man ... I'm sorry. I let you down."

Alec didn't correct the observation, but he didn't come down on Mole either. What was done, was done ... Instead, he looked at Dix. "He took Max with him? With the others?"

Dix nodded. "She tried to scratch his remaining eye out when he shot you. He was gonna put another slug in your head, but she told him she'd go with him and not cause any more trouble if he backed off. Then she yelled at us to take care of you. That's the last we saw of her."

"They had to have had transportation," Alec said, stretching against the bandages encircling his abused torso.

"Stolen helicopters -- three of 'em -- hidden behind the east mountain range 'bout four kilometers away," Dix enlightened him. "We saw too late on our radar. They must have flown in at treetop level -- probably why the real Army missed 'em too."

Alec smiled wanly. "Hey, it's what I would'a done," he admitted. He touched the bandages swaddling his bare midriff. "What's the damage?" he asked Luke.

"Bullet went clear through," the pale skinned mutant said. "You lost a good bit of blood, but one of Zack's guys tossed us a med kit and I got it stopped. I think it nicked your lung, though. You spittin' red?"

Alec nodded, making a wry face at the metallic taste of blood in his mouth.

"Which means you've gotta stay real quiet, bro," Mole admonished him. "If your lung collapses there's not a whole lot we can do 'bout it in here."

"So, Zack just locked us up and left?" Alec said, leaning back against Joshua's body again and taking surprising comfort in the warmth.

"Looks like," Mole groused, taking another drag off his stogie

"So we what?" Alec wondered. "Starve to death? We've got water."

"We won't live long enough to starve," Dix said on a sigh

"I know I saw 599 go into the third door on the right down the corridor," Luke replied. "What he did, I don't know."

Alec knew what room he was talking about, and he struggled to his feet in hurried and stiff movements, in spite of Joshua trying to hold him down. Walking on shaky legs to the bars, he craned his neck to see down the dimly lit passageway that was cut in the natural stone. Third door on the right? He tried to recall the layout of this part of the mountain. There were a lot of storage rooms down here including--"

"Oh, God," he whispered, resting his head in defeat against the bars. "He wasn't bluffing."

Mole took the cigar out of his mouth as realization hit home.

"What?" Luke asked as Joshua looked up at them with wide confused eyes. "What is it guys? What's in that room?"

"The nuclear arsenal," Dix said quietly from the other side of the cell where he was sitting with his back against the wall.

"Damn," Mole whispered. "He really is gonna blow us all to Hell."

*****

"Zack, you've got to let me go. If you really love me, you won't do this." Max was pleading again -- the only way she could think of to reach the seemingly emotionless X5. "I love those people back there, Zack. I love them more than my own life."

"You mean you love HIM," 599 said coldly from where he was seated next to her in the helicopter. They'd already covered over a hundred miles and were well within the borders of Canada, the terrain passing below desolate and deeply wooded. "First it was Cale, and now it's the twin brother of a psychotic killer." He regarded her balefully with his good eye. "Max, did anyone ever tell you that you have really bad taste in men?"

"I'm having his baby, Zack," Max said gently, taking hold of that cold hand and giving his fingers a squeeze, trying to find her "brother" within this robot. She placed his hand on her swollen abdomen just as the baby kicked. "This is Alec's son inside of me."

"It should have been mine Max," 599 whined. "It should have been you and me." He looked at her, his lower lip quivering even as his bionic eye glowed inhumanly red. "If only we could go back a few years I'd have done everything differently. I'd rearrange things so you and me would have ended up together. I should have let you know how I felt about you from the first moment we reunited in Seattle ... I should have stayed in Seattle with you ... protected you ... loved you."

"You did protect me, Zack," Max said softly, trying to reach the humanity inside the cyborg. "You saved my life. You gave me your heart." She laid a hand between her breasts. "You're part of me in a way even Alec can never be, and I do love you. And if you really do love me like you say, then you'll want me to be happy with the man I've chosen."

She was getting to him. She could tell.

"This isn't about the Gillette base versus your base in Canada, Zack. It isn't about X5s and X6s being better than nomalies and transhumans. It's about you and me. Please don't punish our other brothers and sisters just because you want to hurt me." She glanced down at herself, and hand caressing her swollen belly protectively and her lip trembled. "And please don't take away my son's father."

Zack's green eye hardened as he gazed, not at her, but out the window at the darkening sky, a muscle in his jaw ticking at the mention of Alec. "He's probably already dead," he said in a monotone. "I shot him, remember?"

"You don't know that," Max quickly said. "You don't know that Alec's dead." Just saying the words made Max's heart pinch, but she had to hold out hope that when Alec had gone down it hadn't been forever. He was just wounded ... He had to be ...

Zack didn't respond.

"There's still time to go back," Max said, taking hold of his arm. "We can make everything all right. Our two groups can join together and become a powerful army. We'll share the technology of the mountain with you and you can provide us with more X5 leaders." She turned around to look toward the back of the Blackhawk where a shackled Gem sat holding little Eve on her lap. "We'll have more babies," she said. "We'll survive as a race."

"I can't father babies!" Zack suddenly said through clenched teeth, his face screwing into a bitter mask. "They took that away from me ... surgery ..."

Max's heart began to race. "I'm sorry," she whispered, touching the back of his hand, her face filled with compassion. "I didn't know. Why did they--?"

"They said artificial hormones would support my biosynthetic systems better," Zack said. "Plus, the nanocytes in my bloodstream destroyed my sperm. They replaced the balls with synthetic ones. The equipment works, but I shoot blanks, if you get my drift."

Max closed her eyes, the full horror of what Zack had been put through by Manticore hitting home in a way it never had before.

"You can still have a life," she tried. "You're a good man, Zack. A strong man."

"I'm not a man any more!" 599 shrieked in rage. The blow across her face caught Max totally by surprise. Her head rocked backwards, striking the helicopter's steel bulkhead, and she saw stars.

And then a second blow brought blackness.

*****

"Umm," Alec mumbled. "Guys ... ya know, when ya think about it, bein' at ground zero of a nuclear blast ain't a bad way to go. I mean, there are a lot f*ckin' worse ways to die."

"Be quiet," Luke chided his patient as he fussed over the makeshift bandage he'd fashioned around Alec's wounded belly. "Or you're gonna have more of that pleuropotent rich blood of yours on the outside than on the in where it can do you some good. You've already passed out once -- swooned like a damn girl."

"Nobody's gonna die," Mole rumbled.

Alec shoved Luke's hand away and tried to sit up straighter, only to be pushed back down by Joshua's strong arms. "Stay still, Alec," his friend chastised.

"Why'd he f*ckin' hafta shoot me?" Alec whined.

"You mean why didn't he friggin' finish you off?" Mole replied, chewing on his now cold cigar stub as lizard eyes flicked over the empty corridor outside their cell. He glanced back at the others. "For that matter, why didn't he friggin' finish us ALL off?"

"Because of Max," Joshua said in his matter-of-fact way. "Zack didn't want to upset Max."

His voice cynical, Alec said, "And kidnappin' her and turnin' her home into a nuclear pile of slag -- along with the man she ostensibly loves and father of her child I might add -- won't upset the lady?"

"Point taken," Luke replied. "But this way Max won't see. He's got her back in Canada by now."

"At least she's safe there," Alec sighed, refusing to think about Max's slowly advancing pregnancy. He looked at the bars. "But we've gotta get outta here."

"No foolin'," Mole agreed, taking hold of the cell door and rattling it.

"No one's left free on the outside?" Alec asked, craning his neck to see up and down the corridor.

"We've been shoutin' ourselves hoarse for the past two hours while you took a nap," Dix replied. "Everyone's locked up down here. Zack might be a psycho, but he's a thorough psycho."

A thought suddenly occurred to Alec. "What about Lydecker?" he said, looking toward the monocled mutant. "Wasn't he due back from France today or tomorrow with a couple of X5s?"

Dix shrugged. "It's a possibility. But if he's on the trail of his wife's murderer, who knows how long he might be delayed. It's not like he reports in to us on a regular basis or anything."

"Joshua," Alec said. "You're the strongest. Have you tried the door?"

In reply, the dog man carefully slid out from behind Alec, stood up, moved to the cell door, gripped the bars, and gave it a heave. Although the veins stood out on his mottled forehead, nothing gave.

Finally giving up, he gave Alec an apologetic shrug, "Sorry, Medium Fella," he said woefully.

"That's okay, Josh," Alec sighed. "These cells were designed to hold transgenics, so it figures they're built extra strong." Getting shakily to his feet in spite of Luke's noises of protest, Alec looked around at the others while steadying himself on the cell bars. And then he remembered something. Hazel-green eyes lighting up, he reached into his jacket pocket, then grinned triumphantly when a moment of delving produced the metal pick.

"Lemme do that," Mole declared, reaching for the implement.

"I can do it," Alec said.

"You're gonna pass out again," Luke pointed out.

"The bleeding's stopped," Alec replied, even as he reached between the bars of the cell door. "Manticore didn't give us super clotting abilities for nothin'."

"But your lung--"

"Hurts like hell, but I can breathe," Alec said, his temper growing short. 'Lemme work, will ya?"

With a resigned shrug, Luke stepped aside while Mole, on the other hand, came closer, ready to catch his buddy if he keeled over again.

Alec inserted the lock pick into the key hole, closed his eyes in concentration, and began to slowly manipulate the mechanism with talented fingers. This wasn't a simple door, but the internal workings were the same as all locks. Sweat beaded on his stubbled upper lip as he tried repeatedly to maneuver the tip of the pick into the proper position (even as a dirty little corner of his mind compared this to something else).

"Come on ... come on ..." he said under his breath, briefly smiling at what could be construed as a double entendre.

Suddenly, there was a loud click, and the door swung open on its steel hinges. Alec dropped his head to his chest as relief washed over his trembling body. Now, they had a chance.

*****

The nuclear device was alive and flashing a series of red lights as the timer counted down from what had originally been 72 hours. Now ... they had 53 hours and 47 minutes until their little piece of Wyoming fried.

"Why set the timer for so long?" Mole wondered, flicking a cigar ash onto the rock floor as he stood beside Alec regarding the armed bomb.

Alec, holding his aching side with one hand, took a sip from the cup of water Joshua had insisted he drink. Then he licked his lips and looked back over his shoulder toward the prison block. "That's a good question," he said. "Why the long countdown?"

*****

Alec emerged from the cell block with Mole and Joshua following him after freeing all the transhumans. He had found a chair, and had to sit down a moment. He tilted the chair back against the wall, closed his eyes, thinking of what to do next.

"We can't deactivate the nuke," Alec said. The X5 tiredly lowered his chair and dropped his face into his hands, then ran fingers back through dirty tangled hair. Looking up at his friend with bloodshot eyes, he sniffed and added, "Might as well start the evacuation. We need to get everybody at least a hundred miles away."

"What about Gillette?" Mole asked.

The X5 shrugged. "Give 'em fair warning and let them leave too."

"And the military at the perimeter that McKinley sent out?" the lizard man persisted as Alec painfully stood and began walking, having had enough rest to keep going. Mole paced beside his leader, heading back toward the arsenal cave and the nuke.

"Inform the man in charge," Alec said simply. "Then it's their worry 'cause I've got enough of my own right now."

"And just who's gonna do all this informin'?" Mole pressed. "You're the only human lookin' transgenic left on the base. It's not likely McKinley's men are gonna take the word of a monster that they need to run for their lives."

Mole had a point, Alec thought.

"I'll get 'em on the phone," Alec said wearily, rubbing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose. He was certain he was going to get a migraine. "They know me. If they don't wanna listen then it's on their heads, not mine. We'll have done all we can."

"Where do you wanna rally the troops?"

But Alec had already thought of that. "Back to Terminal City," he said simply.

"Not Canada?"

"Only if some of 'em wanna go that way. Max would want us to stick together, and at least in Seattle we know the lay of the land and we have friends. But we'll have to make it subtle -- small groups infiltrating our old stomping ground over a period of days."

Mole nodded. "I'll get the ball rolling."

Just then Dix came running down the corridor. "Guess who's come home?" the little mutant crowed.

For a second, Alec's heart speeded up, thinking that maybe Max had gotten free from the deranged 599 and managed to make it back.

"Gee, Alec," the monocled mutant said with a grin. "I never realized Lydecker could put that kind of look on your face."

Alec lost his smile then, bit his tongue, forcing away the momentary joy. "So, the Devil return