Chapter 1

The morning was slow to come. As every time he spent the night alone, he spent it thinking about his life or rather lack of. The run was over now. He had to find a new goal and he wasn't sure he knew how to do it. Where would she like to go? Would she like to go there with him? He sighed heavily and looked at his watch once more. 4h30. Giving up, he cautiously got under the shower trying not to disturb the silence which was his only companion. He had to do something. There had to be something to do… He jumped slightly as the phone started ringing. Who could it be at that time? He didn't have to think much about it, his mind already knew:

Max? He didn't even check the number appeared on the phone. She was the only one needing only three hours of sleep a night.

Alec? Sorry to wake you up…

You didn't, I haven't gone to bed yet… He answered putting his pants on.

She pondered a few seconds.

Oh, then: sorry to disturb you during your pre-sleep games. She said as sarcastic and detached as she could, doing her best to sound herself. My apologies to Asha but I need to see you as soon as possible.

"Asha is not here… No one is here" was what he wanted to answer but he stopped himself before. Whatever. It was not the moment to start arguing against this well-deserved "jerk" reputation.

She'll survive. Yeah, don't argue, nourish it, moron… When and where?

He heard a knock at the door and taking it for her answer, he cut the communication. Smiling without even noticing it, he crossed his living room. He unlocked and opened the door beginning his welcome speech:

Good morning all-needy one! I hope you haven't forgotten to bring the donuts and cof-…

Alec was cut mid-sentence by a powerful fist hitting his nose. He automatically fell into battle-mode and replied by a kick on his opponent knee.

Educated people say whatever greeting after knocking at a door instead of aggressing their host. He went on while grabbing the man's collar.

He bent in a swift move and shifted him over his shoulder. The brute hurt the ground in a resonating "thumb".

Really, you're about to make this day a terrible one… He placed his foot on his adversary stomach to cut his breath and keep him motionless but mistook the strength used and broke a few ribs in the process. You're not the kind of fight I wish for when I wake up…

She'll survive. When and where?

She was about to answer when the communication was cut. Cursing she dialed the number again. The phone rang a first time. "Come on Alec, answer!" Second ring. She closed her eyes to keep the tears from falling. Third ring. "What's wrong with you? … Alec…" She was about to give up when he finally picked up on the fourth ring.

What were you doing? Her voice was as normal as possible, but he still could sense something wrong. Don't answer. I don't want to know. I have to see you. Can you meet me in half an hour at the place?

Yeah, sure. He looked down at the man still unconscious under his foot. Just a thing to do before… I guess the mysterious reason of your call and the mysterious man lying unconscious under me are two completely different and unrelated matters brought together by the greatest coincidence?

"Please, hurry" was the only answer he got. She hung up and he looked at the man puzzled. "Sorry guy" he muttered before knocking him out harder, this would have to wait until he's back. He carried him in the bathroom and lied him down in the bathtub, hands hand-cuffed in his back, legs immobilized and a scarf in his mouth. Satisfied, he left for his meeting locking the door behind him.

It was only five but the place was already busy. Clients were a shared number of drunk men who passed out before they had time to come home and early-going workers trying to find some energy in their coffee pot. He had no difficulty to spot her. She was sitting back to the crowd, in the left corner, reading the newspaper, a smoking mug set in front of her. He acknowledged the bar tender and ordered the full breakfast formula. He then sat all smiling, facing her.

You can't imagine how much I like your unexpected phone calls and the romanticism of the settings you pick…

I knew you would… She said half-heartedly folding the newspaper she was only pretending to read. You remember our decision? She wasn't in the mood to play; she had been wandering all night in a vain attempt to order her thoughts.

He became serious at that mention. Of course he remembered… It had been a difficult one to make but they finally agreed. Obviously, time had come to act. He looked her directly in the eyes, questioning her fears. It was much more difficult for her than it was for him. She felt guilty for the whole story, she really did do all she could to try and solve the problem. But it was time to resign and yield. Time to accept defeat. However, for that, she still had to do the worse: betray those she had grown to see as "brothers", those to whom she gave hope, those she had promised to save. She avoided his gaze and he reached across the table to take her hand. He slightly pressured it to offer whatever solace he could, which given the circumstances was close to none. The bar tender placing a tray full of toasts, crumbled-eggs and bacon, orange juice, a kiwi and coffee on the table interrupted them. She breathed deeply to recompose herself and let his hand go. She couldn't step back now. It was too late, plus it was the only solution, she knew that.

I've met your contact, she started again, it will be done Friday.

You mean tomorrow? God, why did he have to be so stupid? Since today was Thursday...

She simply nodded and went on:

We have to warn each one of us… Only…

He knew what she meant by "us", the X-series, the human-like ones, the ones likely to be integrated. He finished her sentence aloud though it was needless to precise:

… And make sure the secret will be kept...

She nodded once more and looked at his tray. She reached out and grabbed a piece of toast she ate absently. Unsure of what to say at that point, he followed her and started eating his eggs in silence. For her to call him to find solace, something had to have happened with Logan… Very few people would come to him to talk… But he would wait till she's ready, he was glad she called. She suddenly asked as an afterthought.

Haven't you mentioned a mysterious unconscious man lying under you?

Crap, she was using it completely out of context!

You're using it completely out of context! He immediately voiced. It has absolutely no condemnable connotation! I'll have you know I'm talking about an aggression…

She raised an eyebrow, entertained. That was why she had decided to call him instead of Original Cindy. Her friend would have listen to her, but she would also have let her cry until she would be too tired to cry anymore, finding relief in the fatigue. Sharing her doubts with Logan was out of the question. He couldn't understand her, the way Alec did. Sure Logan was nice and cute but she had to admit that he tended to be narrow-minded and distant. Sometimes she quickly added mentally, sometimes she reprimanded herself. She unconsciously stared at the dark-haired man facing her. He was still talking animatedly in an evident attempt to lighten her mood. Being nice and funny. Absolutely handsome. And clever. And insensitive and selfish, opportunist and hurting! … Could the first aspect compensate the second? No, oh no, don't go this way! He is a jerk, unable to feel. He is selfish and uncaring.

Still. No matter how much he played, she could rely on him: right now, he was with her, wasn't he? He had come rushing as soon as she called. Whereas Logan… He wasn't supposed to know about the plan, but she needed support and they were a couple, right? She didn't want to hide this from him… So she had decided to tell him the truth… And he had strongly condemned her decision. That Logan, who was said to love her, had set her second on his priority list. Second after that self-given mission of cyber-savior…

She realized Alec had stopped talking and was now staring at her staring at him. It made her blush as she came back from her daydreams. A sly smile appears on his face, one of those "playfully sly" and thus incredibly sexy smiles. She blushed a little bit more.

How much for your thoughts?

I have nothing to do with that guy… she answered dodging the question. Have you checked the angry boyfriend track?

Max, please, stop with that! I have principles you know? And I didn't have that many girlfriends!

Asha? He had answer on a semi-joke and she was curious to know more. Why? What would it change for her?

She's nothing. He was now his sincere and honest self, the one side she wished he would show full-time. No promise, no word. As the others. She wanted me and I said yes, but I don't love her. I've never loved anyone like… He didn't finish his sentence and asked instead. And Logan?

He saw her close up when he said the name. Then his guess was right, that was it: the reason of her call. He added tentatively:

You told him?

I know he was supposed to stay out of it, but we're a couple according to the common definition even without that last dimension. She brushed the virus' problem away. Anyway. I needed some encouragement… But I only got an argument… An ugly one. I got my first "traitor" of the day, she claimed, faking pride. From him… Her eyes began to sting with tears. And I will get so many more. I hoped I would be strong enough…

He left his seat to sit at her side and carefully took the woman in an embrace. That was definitely out bounding their weird relation not really designed for confessions and he didn't know how to act. She took the lead and simply held on him finding comfort in his silence. Insensitive and selfish, opportunist and hurting: maybe not so much. He slowly pulled back and told her.

You're strong Max and you can do it. I'm here to help you. Everybody hates me anyway; so, just tell them it's my idea. I can take the blame for you and challenge all those who will dare speak against their only chance at living an open-air life.

So generous… You want your name in history books? She managed to joke, her sobbing calming down.

He simply smiled, suddenly growing uncomfortable.

The day will be short, we should start. He stated clumsily trying to dissipate the tension.

Saying so he stood and she followed. He paid at the bar as they exited. First stop: the Johnny Express.