Author's Note: Now, as to the story, I honestly forgot about posting it when I first wrote it. It is only now, over a year later and rereading Open Season by Linda Howard, that I'm getting around to it. I was actually kind of afraid to, considering how much of it is based on the scene in the book. If you've read it before, you'll probably recognize it immediately. And while this scene is kind of out there, even for Dark Angel, I think about Max. The show ended before Max had another heat cycle (It always comes back to this in all of my stories, doesn't it?) and it was bound to happen. And where else would she be but transgenic-central? Wouldn't you think that Max would be willing to try and prevent the whole baby/pregnancy thing from happening? And being with another transgenic would be different from hooking up with an ordinary as she had in past heats. Anyway...clear as mud, right? And I'm not sure if talking about condoms qualifies as an "M", I made it that way just to be safe. I'll stop talking now.

Music Suggestions: 'Rock you like a hurricane' by The Scorpions, 'Bad medicine' by Bon Jovi.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of Cameron Eglee Productions and FOX. This author (meaning me) is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of Dark Angel. No copyright infringement is intended.

Rough Rider

Max never thought that buying condoms would ever be so complicated.

Of course, she should have learned by now that there was no such thing as "uncomplicated" in her life.

It's not as if she bought the things very often. She had no reason to do so. Being a transgenic, translating to she had immunities to diseases she'd never even heard of, she never really needed the things. And that saved her a lot of problems. However, the one time she took the precaution, everything that could go not only wrong, but mortifyingly so, did.

And she'd been so careful to go a pharmacy way out of transgenic territory just to avoid any run-ins with anyone she knew. It wasn't exactly something she wanted to advertise. All she needed was someone recognizing her and, while pointing, yell out "Look at what Max is buying!"

But then the woman at the checkout refused to scan the damn item. Instead, the woman looked at the box, up at Max, back down at the condoms, and then up at Max again as if she had some problem connecting the two. Max held the cash extended towards the woman impatiently in hopes she would hurry up and scan the box. One would think that the woman had never sold a box of condoms before, from her deer-in-the-headlights expression.

Max was about to grab the checkout lady, pull her over the counter and threaten her when she felt someone come up behind her. She'd waited until the store was relatively deserted before going in to avoid any other customers and just her luck someone would appear.

The checkout lady was still standing there numbly when Max heard a familiar voice sound out behind and above her, and she froze. "Just ring the damn things up, I'm in a hurry." he said.

If she could have, she'd have melted into the floor right on the spot. She knew she was in over her head whenever Alec entered the equation. She should have known to not hold something such as following her above Alec's moral standards.

The woman's face took on a crimson hue as she at last scanned the bar code, the register chirped, and a total appeared in the little window. She took Max's money, silently handed back the change, and shoved the box into a white paper sack. Max dropped the change in her pocket, took the sack, and fled.

She wasn't exactly surprised to notice that Alec hadn't even bothered to buy anything and fell into step beside her. "What the hell are you doing?" she hissed as they stepped onto the sidewalk. "Go back and buy something."

"I don't need anything." he said cheerfully.

"Then why did you go inside in the first place?" she asked.

"I saw you go in and I wanted to talk to you. Condoms, huh?" he asked, eyeing the bag with interest. "There's something I thought I'd never see. What do you need them for anyway? You're transgenic, remember? You don't need them."

"I'm due for a heat cycle any day now. And since it's more likely than not to be with another transgenic, I want to be prepared. Now is not the best time for reproducing. Not with the state our world is in. It isn't safe." Max replied evenly, walking at the same pace with no intention of slowing down.

"I hate to break it to you, Max, but I doubt you'll retain enough control to use protection. Neither will he, whomever the lucky guy may be. It isn't any easier for us during a female's heat, you know. It clouds our minds almost as completely as yours. Even if that isn't your intention, once you've chosen someone, you're both gonna be hell bent on making a baby. It is the whole purpose after all. Gotta love nature and Manticore for that one." Alec said, keeping pace with Max as she walked quickly back to her motorcycle.

Max snorted in response. "Well, it doesn't hurt to try. Thankfully, I don't have any previous experience with the matter. Hopefully, I can avoid it again." Max muttered to the ground, clutching the bag closer to her in case he got any ideas about taking it from her.

"Wait, wait, wait." Alec said, jogging up in front of her to face her, the trademark 'I've done something you haven't' look and accompanying smirk in place. "You've never been with another transgenic? Ever?" he asked, disbelieving.

Max frowned at him and attempted to shove him out of her way. Of course, he wouldn't budge. He continued walking backwards through the crowd as if it were the most common thing in the world to do, the crowd parting around him as he did so.

"What does it matter?" Max retorted defensively, indirectly answering the question with another question.

"Are you kidding me? Maxie, you have no, no idea what you're missing. Having sex with humans is alright, but it's nothing compared to being with someone of your own kind. In this sense, it's logical to discriminate. They just can't satisfy us like we need. Our needs are more…vamped. We're hard-wired for high-maintenance, long endurance, and strength. It sucks when you think about it, but then I choose not to think about it." Alec explained, shrugging at the end.

Max continued to ignore him. So he continued to taunt her.

"If you want a little experience in that area for comparison, of course I'd more than love to lend a hand. All you have to do is ask." Alec continued nonchalantly, practically leering down at her in a teasing manner.

She couldn't believe he'd just said that. And what scared her most was that she was actually considering it. She had no doubt as to his skills between the sheets. Hell, he definitely had no problem boasting about it to anyone within hearing distance. But to feel his body pressing down onto hers, tangled up in a passionate embrace as he draped her legs over those toned, lean shoulders as he entered her…

Alec watched on in bewilderment as Max's eyes glazed over, completely lost in thought. He had to be mistaken about that look. She couldn't have possibly taken that comment seriously, she never did. She almost looked as if she were considering his proposal. She was staring at him with that glazed over look. So whatever she was thinking about, it involved him. As long as it didn't involve bodily harm on his part, she could imagine whatever she wished.

But Lord knew he'd give anything to read Max's mind at that moment.

Taking advantage of the situation, Alec swiped the bag from Max's grasp. Immediately, her vision cleared and a stern expression settled on her features.

Damn, did she look pissed.

"Let's see…what does our fearless leader prefer, condom wise? Lubricated or ribbed? Colors? Or perhaps something kinky like 'tickle her fancy'? No, wait. Let me guess…just plain old, tried-but-true originals." Alec mused as he held the bag just out of Max's grasp as she jumped up and tried to reach for it.

"Go to hell, Alec." Max said, giving up and crossing her arms over her chest in a huff. "Look if you must. It's not as if you've never seen a box of condoms before."

"Aww…look at our little angel, all grown up and buying her own condoms. Isn't it just precious?" Alec teased, giving her a mocking proud parent look.

One of her eyes twitched and he knew he was pushing what little restraint she had. He also knew she'd have no problem beating on his ass in public. He gave up on the teasing and opened the bag to take a look. Eyes widening, he looked back up immediately, closing the bag back together hastily as if someone else were looking over his shoulder.

Max merely smiled slightly and gave him her best 'what?' look.

Looking back down, he reopened the bag and pulled the box out. The words 'Rough Rider' were emblazoned on the front.

Eyebrows raised, he gave Max a stare that she felt could undress her right where she stood. She swallowed hard and held her hand outstretched towards him.

"I'd like those back, if you don't mind." Max said quietly.

"Max," Alec croaked out, his voice deeper than she'd ever heard it before. A shiver traveled through her as that one word reverberated in her ears.

He ignored her hand and put the condoms in the pocket inside his coat. She frowned and dropped her hand at his actions.

"You're not using these with anyone but me." Alec said evenly, dead serious.

Her heat cycle had to be kicking in. Why else would she be turned on by those words? It was Alec, after all. She shouldn't be feeling this way about him.

"Is that so?" Max answered coyly, challenging him.

Without answering, Alec stepped forward and took her hand in his and pulled her in the direction they'd been walking. While she was mildly irritated at his actions, Max was also curious as to what he had in mind. She'd never seen, let alone ever thought to have seen, this side of Alec.

Yep, she definitely needed her head examined. The way things were going, she was about to willingly have sex with Alec. But while her mind was still debating, her body had other ideas.

He was surprised as all hell when she willingly let him grab her hand and drag her towards her motorcycle. They had to have switched her out with another one of her clones and playing games with his mind the way things were going.

But he was about to find out just how far she was willing to go. There was no turning back now. She was his.

And he was about to put those 'rough riders' to the test.

oooooouooo*oooooovooo*oooooorooo

Well, what do you think? Was it too similar to the original scene? (That question is for those that have read Open Season by Linda Howard.) The ending is most definitely different, but there were some phrases that I just couldn't pass up. And yes, I know that the concept of Max buying condoms and everything that ensued is way out in the ether of impossibility. And that both are most likely totally out-of-character. (Shrugging helplessly) It's bound to happen every now and again. Anyway, I guess that's it. WBL.