Disclaimer : Not mine
Summary : When Sketchy brings in a dangerous package, JamPony is put under quarantine
Rating : PG-13
Pairing : Not M/L
A/N : Inspired from Pai's challenge at NWP, but doesn't fit exactly the criteria – Taking place just before/instead of LAtR
A/N#2 : Thank you Joëlle, Susan and Heather. You rock !

Quarantined – Chapter 1

By Mirella

Thursday evening

Max's eyes scanned the crowd Crash for the hundredth time this evening. He was nowhere to be seen. Tonight of all nights, when she needed him, he wasn't there. Typical.

She went back to her friend's table with a pitcher of beer and a frown.

"Hey, Boo! What's wrong? Day's over. Normal's not there anymore to bip bip ya. "

"Nothing's wrong. Well not really, but… "

OC waited, but nothing more came. Introverted Max, as usual. But she would find out what was bugging her. "Ya know, ya can tell me about anything? Is it about doggie-boy? "

"No, he's fine in Terminal City." Max said. " Fine and safe. So far. "

OC thought quickly. Exit Joshua. Next try. "Is it about Logan?"

"Not exactly." Max shifted with discomfort on her chair.

OC was getting closer. But it looked like she'd have to extract each word painfully. So she asked: "So what?"

"Well, he called me earlier. He wants me to do an Eyes Only mission, tonight."

"And that's a problem? Ya already did so many."

"I know, but it was before… all this." She saw compassion on Cindy's face. "You know I don't want to take any risks anymore. I don't want to end up killing him. So I figured I could send Alec for… "

Cindy cut her mid-sentence: " that mission. Takin' yar place. That supposed boyfriend of yours who doesn't know." She could have slapped herself for not starting with him. Alec. Well she'd have if Max had looked really angry instead of only annoyed. "So ya don't have to go an' see Logan. But I already told ya I don't think it's a good idea to try to avoid him. Ya're in love with the guy. Ya cannot decide ya aren't anymore. "

"I know, but I know myself. Little by little, I'd forget about the virus. Last time already, when he helped me with Sam… "She stopped, startled by the sudden look on her friend's face.

"Whoa, speaking of the devil, Max, look at ya boy, there!" Cindy was gaping.

Max smiled. He was here. Fine. But she had to set something straight. Well perhaps not exactly straight, given what she had let Logan believe, but since Cindy knew about it... "First, how many times should I tell you ? He's not my boy. And second, close your mouth. Think of how much the Ladies will be disappointed if you switch sides." With that she turned around, and saw him talking animatedly with another guy. She could understand Cindy's trance.

With what seemed like a new black leather jacket, a new pair of black Levi's - *how did he get them* - and a grey silk shirt - *a silk shirt?!* - and his grinning face , he looked drop dead gorgeous. Max stopped her treacherous train of thoughts. *He's dressed formally. Period.* She'd better be thinking about how he got himself those clothes, not with his Jam Pony wages, for sure. Now, this nagging Eyes Only stuff was getting on her nerves. She focused her attention on the end of Cindy's answer.

"…such a fine specimen. No wonder all the gals fall for his charms."

Max stood up. "I need to talk to him. "

Original Cindy watched her go. Her girl suddenly looked her usual self, which was good. One problem solved. At least for now. Sure Max was having a rough time. She had almost killed Logan by touching him inadvertently, and she still kept him at bay, which was kind of surprising – usually her resolve didn't last that long. She had been able to save Joshua that awful day in the sewers, but Annie was killed, and the big boy's grief had been weighing heavily on her; she still had White on her tail, but Cindy couldn't help to feel happy because she finally decided to stay in Seattle. With her friends.

Cindy switched back to reality. She couldn't see Max's face from where she was sitting, but her back was tense and Alec had a huge teasing smile. They were always arguing, but lately they were getting along pretty fine. Alec would help her whenever she needed him and if he didn't, Cindy would make him regret it. Perhaps not physically, she wasn't strong enough for a genetically enhanced soldier, but she could always come up with something, involving Normal for instance. No need to worry.

Cindy's gaze drifted around Crash and spotted Sketchy playing pool. Always refreshing. No doubt he would need some cheering up within moments. She took her beer and walked over to him.

Sketchy motioned vehemently for her to join him. "Hey Cindy! Come here! I think I can win! "

She snorted at this comment and looked appraisingly as his opponent managed a difficult shot. As if sensing her gaze, the guy – rather cute with his dark eyes and dark hair – looked up and flashed her a killer smile, just before missing completely. She rolled her eyes.

As always, Alec couldn't understand Max. Geez, this was an easy Eyes Only mission, but this was also Max, stubborn as ever. And tonight of all nights, he had his own agenda. But he wasn't going to tell her about it. At least not yet. He tried another approach.

"Hell, Maxie, even an X8 could do it by herself." And that was true. An X8 would even have been better, being small and all. His much larger frame wouldn't do anything for this.

Max sighed. Of course she knew she didn't need him for this. Logan knew as well, but he didn't object. In fact he had sounded resigned. Her trick was starting to work, but she needed Alec to play along, even if he didn't have the slightest clue about what was going on. How on earth could he be so stubborn?

She insisted: "I need you as my back-up. And you told me you're ready to do anything for a friend."

"Emotional blackmail?" Alec smirked. "Doesn't suit you Maxie." Of course she didn't have the slightest clue what was going on. On the other hand, his groin still remembered painfully the last time she didn't take his no for an answer. This could be his revenge, and it wasn't as if she really needed him. "Being your friend doesn't mean being your devoted servant." He smiled as he saw her frown, but suddenly his sensitive senses picked up a distinctive smell. This wasn't good. This wasn't even supposed to happen. Alec had to act fast. He shot Max what he hoped would be considered an apologetic smile. "So, Maxie, good luck for tonight. See you at work tomorrow." With that he spun on his heels and left.

Max couldn't believe it. Alec just dismissed her. At least, now she had a reason to be mad at him. She caught up with him, grabbing his leather clad forearm. "Don't you dare talk to me like that!" as her nostrils were invaded by a spicy perfume.

He shrugged her hand away as he turned to face her, and then she was rooted to the ground as delicate hands suddenly appeared on his eyes from behind, a suave voice asking him "Guess who ? "

Alec changed his scowl into a smile as his hands came up, squeezing the fingers covering his eyes, and he conveyed surprise in his voice as he guessed. "Helena?"

" Hello you ! " came the answer as she rolled herself around him, and buried her body into his. Her hands went down to wrap his neck, her lips fiercely claimed his. His own hands finished their motion on the small of her back, hugged her tightly.

Max blinked a few times, but the vision didn't vanish. Just in front of her, Alec was hungrily kissing a leggy blonde, dressed in a rather sophisticated black leather outfit from head to toe, rather old. At least 25, Max thought. Perhaps he turned into a gigolo. Too bad for his usual audience. Her sensitive ear picked up the soft murmur, as the two finally broke their kiss, but their faces remained millimeters apart.

"Happy with the surprise?"

"Yeah. How did you know about Crash?"

"I have my ways." She giggled. "And see my outfit?"

"Perfect for our ride. I got you a helmet."

So this wasn't a one-night lay. Max knew she should leave; instead she cleared her throat, making Alec remember her presence and this …Helena… notice her. Being an X5 and perfectly beautiful had advantages, especially now, as she was facing another beautiful woman. But Alec's eyes were glowing – out of mischief? or out of plea - as he said:

"Huh, Max, we'll deal with your constant late arrivals tomorrow. Come to my office, and for once be on time! Best way, don't hang around here too late! "

Helena gave him an adoring look.

For once, Max lost her ability to speak. She pinched herself to make sure she wasn't dreaming, but she realized she was living a nightmare. Alec had turned into Normal, except for the bip bip part. She rolled her eyes. If he couldn't come up with anything better than being an executive at Jam Pony, he really wasn't up to his skills. Did he really think that could impress a girl ? As if he needed anything besides his good looks and his charming manners and his sexy body and his seductive voice and thoses clothes he had on. Max shook those thoughts out of her head as quickly as they invaded it. Well it looked like he wanted to be at his best tonight, as for a high stake. Could it be that... ? She was really doomed. He chose now to get himself a steady girlfriend. Now when she had told Logan he was hers. Doomed indeed.

Maybe she could use his lies against him.

She saw the couple heading for the stairs. Alec's arm was wrapped around Helena's shoulders. She caught him waving goodbye with his other hand and she turned around to see Sketchy and another guy giving him the thumbs up. She rolled her eyes once more. Men!

But she couldn't help the knot inside her stomach. Hell, she needed a drink. Where was Cindy?

Cindy hadn't missed any of the show, except for the sound. As soon as the blonde had made her entrance, it was more interesting than the game of pool, especially since the players shared her interest. Last, she saw Alec waving in their direction and both guys giving him the thumbs up, both of them laughing.

Sketchy stated. "He has this thing with girls, telling them they're special and unique. And hey he's a stud! "

"Hey, she's especially and uniquely sexy." Another burst of laugh. "It was your turn, no?"

Max heard these last sentences. There was something familiar about the guy Sketchy was playing against. Then she remembered. He was the one just talking to Alec a few minutes earlier.

OC had seen Max approaching.

"Sorry, Boo, no beer left on this table." And then, in a lower voice. "Who's that girl? "

"Some Helena. Who's that guy?"

"Don't know. Guy tries to lose at pool against Sketchy. Does his best."

Both of them focused on the pool, as Sketchy was managing a royal shot, sending the last ball into the corner pocket, and shouted victoriously.

"Yeah!"

"Congrats, man!"

Both girls smiled accordingly as Sketch got his money. He dropped his arm on his new buddy's shoulders and headed for the table, beaming with pride.

"Hey girls! Did you see that game? "

"Yeah, Sketch, ya were like not yourself. "

"Last shot was fabulous." But Max's eyes were not staring at Sketchy.

He quickly realized. "Oh, let me introduce you. This is our new colleague. Normal hired him this afternoon. He had the best of recommendations. "

"Let me guess, Sketch. Golden Boy's?"

"How did you know that, Max ? "

Meanwhile, Cindy had extended her hand. "I'm Cindy"

"Hey Cindy, nice to meet you." But instead of taking her hand, he bowed in front of her and kissed her hand. OC laughed. His eyes gave away that he was having fun. He moved slightly. Next to her was Max, the famous Max.

"Max." But she was ready. He wouldn't play Romeo with her. She shook his hand. *Yeah, definitely X5.*

*Domineering kind of girl, as expected.* He grinned at her. "Nice to meet you Max. I'm Biggs. "

A/N#3 : Already reached my 25th birthday and don't feel that old.